Belize Visa Policy For Ghanaians: What You Need To Know

Ghanaian citizens are not required to have a visa when travelling to Belize for tourism or business purposes. However, they must provide a police certificate showing no criminal record, a valid passport, a passport photograph, and proof of sufficient funds for their stay. Ghanaian citizens have freedom of movement across Belize and can stay for a maximum of one month.

Visa-free entry for Ghanaian citizens

Ghana is one of the countries whose citizens do not require a visa to enter Belize. This applies to Ghanaian citizens travelling for tourism or business purposes. However, there are several conditions that must be met for visa-free entry.

Firstly, all visitors to Belize, except cruise ship passengers, must present a valid passport before entering the country. The passport must be valid for at least three months after the date of arrival and have at least six months of validity remaining on the date of travel. Visitors must also have a return ticket and sufficient funds to cover their stay. The amount required is $75 per day.

Secondly, travellers are required to provide a police certificate showing they have no criminal record. They must also have one passport photograph and a letter of financial support.

Thirdly, Ghanaians intending to visit Belize must show proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay, such as credit cards or bank statements.

Finally, Ghanaians visiting Belize with pets must have proof of vaccination and obtain an importation license from the embassy or the high commission.

It is important to note that the maximum length of stay in Belize with visa-free entry is one month. If a Ghanaian citizen wishes to stay longer, they will need to apply for a "Belize Visitor's Permit Extension" from the Immigration and Nationality Department.

Required documents for entry

Ghanaian citizens do not need a tourist visa when travelling to Belize. However, there are still several documents that are required to enter the country. Here is a list of the required documents for Ghanaian citizens to enter Belize:

• A valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond the intended stay in Belize and at least two blank visa pages.
• A completed visa application form, which can be obtained at the immigration counter. This form requires personal information, passport details, and intended travel plans.
• A travel itinerary, including travel dates, flight numbers, and any layovers or connections.
• Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay and for your return journey, such as personal bank statements, pay slips, or tax records.
• A letter of financial support, if you are sponsored. The sponsor must also provide a letter of invitation stating the purpose and length of the visit, as well as their identification and financial information.
• A police certificate showing no criminal record.
• A passport photograph.
• Proof of vaccination for your pets, if travelling with them. An import application and a Belize Veterinary Certificate are also required.
• Proof of recommended vaccinations for yourself, including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, Tdap, chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia, and influenza vaccines.

It is important to note that while a visa is not required for Ghanaian citizens, they must still ensure that their passport meets the validity requirements and that they have the necessary supporting documents upon arrival in Belize.

Visa application process

Ghanaian citizens do not need a tourist visa when travelling to Belize. However, they are required to be present when applying for the Belize Visa-free. This visa is valid for a short-term stay of 1 month. A total of 4 documents are required to apply for the Belize Visa-free.

Visa Application Form:

The visa application form must be completed in its entirety, with all sections filled out accurately and legibly. Incomplete or incorrect forms may result in delays or denial of your visa application, so it is important to double-check for any errors before submission. The form is available at the immigration counter upon arrival in Belize.

Original Passport:

A valid Ghanaian passport with at least 6 months of validity beyond your intended stay in Belize is required. The passport must also have at least one blank page for visa stamps and be in good condition without any damage that could render it invalid.

Travel Itinerary:

Provide a detailed travel itinerary, including travel dates, flight numbers, and any layovers or connections. This document helps show your planned travel route and duration of stay.

Proof of Sufficient Funds:

Provide proof of enough money for your stay and return journey from Belize, such as personal bank statements, pay slips, or tax records. These documents verify that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay.

Once you have gathered all the required documents, you will need to go to the immigration counter at the port of entry in Belize to submit your application. If your application is approved, you will receive your Belize visa via email. Download and print the e-visa, and carry it with you when travelling to Belize.

Extending your stay

Ghanaian citizens do not need a tourist visa to enter Belize. However, they are required to have a valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond their intended stay in Belize, and at least two blank visa pages. They must also provide proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay, such as credit card statements or bank statements.

If you plan to stay in Belize longer than 30 days, you will need to visit an immigration office to extend your stay. The permit required to extend your stay in Belize beyond 30 days is called a "Belize Visitor's Permit Extension".

To obtain this extension, you will need to provide the following documents:

• A valid passport for at least six months after the day you plan to leave.
• A travel itinerary indicating your expected arrival in Belize and your date of return to your country of departure.
• If you are sponsored, you will need a letter of financial support from your sponsor. This letter must be signed by a Justice of the Peace and include a $1.50 Belize postage stamp.
• Sponsor identification: If your sponsor is a native or naturalized resident of Belize, they must provide a valid Belizean passport, voter ID, or social security card. If your sponsor is a PMP holder, they must provide a passport with a PMP stamp. If your sponsor is a temporary immigrant status holder, they must provide proof of their status before they can qualify as a sponsor.
• Confirmation of kinship: You must provide documents linking you to your sponsor, such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate.
• A letter of invitation from your sponsor stating the purpose and length of your visit to Belize.
• A letter of employment from you and your sponsor, issued within the last six months, including employer details, monthly salary, and period of work.
• Bank financial statements from you and your sponsor, showing transactions for the past six months.

It is important to note that overstaying your visa in Belize can result in fines, penalties, and potentially being banned from entering the country in the future. Therefore, it is crucial to comply with the length of stay specified and leave the country within the allotted time.

Travel advice for Ghanaian citizens

If you are a Ghanaian citizen, you will be pleased to know that you do not need a tourist visa to enter Belize. However, there are several requirements you must meet before and during your visit. Firstly, ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in Belize, with at least one blank page for visa stamps. Additionally, you must have a return ticket and sufficient funds to cover your stay. The recommended amount is $75 per day, and you may be asked to provide proof of this in the form of personal bank statements, pay slips, or tax records.

Upon arrival in Belize, head to the immigration counter to begin the clearance process, and ensure you have all the required documents ready. You will need to fill out a visa application form, which you can obtain from the immigration counter. This form will require personal information, passport details, and your intended travel plans in Belize. If your application is approved, you will receive your Belize visa via email. Download and print this e-visa, as you will need to carry it with you when travelling in the country.

It is important to note that the visa obtained upon entry to Belize is only valid for a maximum of 30 days. If you wish to stay longer, you will need to visit an immigration office and apply for a 'Belize Visitor's Permit Extension'.

Belize has a current risk level of 3.00 out of 5, so some caution is advised when travelling to the country. In addition, while tourists are not usually the target of crime in Belize, it is worth noting that crime rates have been increasing in tourist areas in recent years.

Finally, some other practical considerations: the time zone in Belize is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT-6), which is six hours behind Ghana. The official language is English, but Kriol (Belizean Creole) is also widely spoken. The country has a subtropical climate with very high humidity, and the dry season from late November to mid-April is considered the best time to visit.

Frequently asked questions