Visa Entry Window For Belize

Belize is a small British Commonwealth country in North America, with easy access to the USA and Canada. It is known for its vast mountain ranges and deep-sea wonders. Visitors to Belize must present a valid passport before entering the country, except for cruise ship passengers who do not require an entry visa or passport. Visitors must have a passport that is valid for at least three months after the date of arrival and a return ticket with sufficient funds to cover their stay. A visa allows visitors to enter Belize and remain in the country for a maximum of 30 days from the date of entry. Visitors from the United States, Canada, the UK, and several other countries can stay in Belize for up to 30 days without a visa or any extensions. Visitors who wish to stay longer than 30 days in Belize will need to visit an Immigration Office to extend their stay.

Exemptions for visits under 30 days

Belize has exemptions for the Belize Entry Visa for visits not exceeding 30 days. This applies to those holding a valid multiple-entry visa or Permanent Residence Card from the United States, Canada, or a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa. This exemption also applies to holders of diplomatic and official passports.

In addition, citizens of certain countries do not require a visa to enter Belize. These include all European Union member states, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.

It is important to note that all visitors to Belize, except cruise ship passengers, must present a valid passport before entering the country. This passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the date of arrival, and visitors must also have a return ticket and sufficient funds to cover their stay.

If you plan to stay in Belize for more than 30 days, you will need to visit an Immigration Office to extend your stay. The required permit is called the 'Belize Visitor's Permit Extension'.

Valid passport requirements

All visitors to Belize must present a valid passport before entering the country. The only exception to this rule is for cruise ship passengers, who do not require a passport or visa. Visitors must have a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the date of arrival, and a return ticket with sufficient funds to cover their stay. Visitors are given a one-month stay, after which an extension can be applied for with the Immigration and Nationality Department.

If you are travelling with children, you will need to provide proper documentation, including a valid passport and a letter of parental consent. Children travelling with one parent require a notarized letter of authority from the other parent, indicating travel consent.

It is important to note that driver's licenses and birth certificates are not approved travel documents and cannot be used to enter Belize. If you are driving or boating into Belize from Guatemala or Mexico, you will need to secure a temporary importation permit at the point of entry. Vehicle and vessel permits are valid for 30 days, and extensions can be requested from the Immigration and Nationality Department.

For US citizens, a valid US passport is required for the length of your stay, along with proof of an onward or return ticket, and sufficient funds to cover the cost of your stay. If you are visiting as a tourist, you do not require a visa. However, if you plan to stay more than 30 days, you must have your passport re-stamped by a local immigration office and pay an additional fee for each additional month, up to six months. For stays longer than six months, further documentation and additional fees may be required.

Visa fees and costs

The cost of a Belize visa depends on the type of visa and the nationality of the applicant. Here is a breakdown of the visa fees and costs for Belize:

Single-Entry Visa Fees

Single-entry visas are valid for 6 months. The fees for this type of visa vary based on the applicant's nationality. For example, nationals from the People's Republic of China, India, Nepal, Thailand, and Burma Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka will have different fees. However, the specific fee amounts are not publicly available.

Multiple-Entry Visa Fees

Multiple-entry visas are valid for 12 months. Similar to single-entry visas, the fees for multiple-entry visas depend on the applicant's nationality. Nationals from the countries mentioned above may have different fees, but the exact amounts are not provided.

Long-Term Visa

The Long-Term Visa is designed for foreign nationals intending to reside in Belize for various purposes, such as business, investment, or employment. This visa is also known as the Digital Nomad Visa or the Work Where You Vacation Visa. It is offered to nationals from developed countries who can provide proof of income from outside Belize and wish to live in the country for more than 90 days. The cost of this visa is not specified.

Visa Application Fees for U.S. Citizens

U.S. citizens who require a visa for Belize need to pay a fee for the application process. The cost of a single-entry 90-day visa is USD $50.00, plus USD $30.00 for shipping and handling. There is also an option for a higher-tier visa with a fee of USD $100.00, plus the same shipping and handling charge of USD $30.00.

Visa-Exempt Nationals

It is important to note that citizens of certain countries do not require a visa to enter Belize for short-term stays. These countries include the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, and many others. However, for stays longer than 30 days, visitors must have their passports re-stamped by a local immigration office and pay additional fees for each additional month, up to a maximum of six months. For stays exceeding six months, further documentation and fees may be required.

Visa extensions

A Belize entry visa allows you to stay in the country for a maximum of 30 days from the date of entry. If you wish to stay longer than 30 days, you will need to visit an Immigration Office in Belize to extend your stay. The 'Belize Visitor's Permit Extension' is the permit required to extend your stay beyond 30 days.

Any visit exceeding 30, 60, 90, and 180 days will require a visa and requisite extensions to remain in Belize legally. Visa extensions are only available once you are in Belize, and there are Immigration offices located throughout the country.

The most common type of visa is the tourist visa. This is granted when entering the country and can be extended for an additional 30, 60, or 90 days, for an indefinite period. The extension costs $100 for each 30-day period and is a single-exit visa. If you exit Belize before your visa expires, you will start with a new 30-day visa when you re-enter the country.

When applying for a tourist visa extension, it is recommended that you have the following documentation with you:

• A completed visa extension form
• Proof of a purchased return airline ticket. If you don’t have one, be prepared to show a lease with your name on it, demonstrating that you live in Belize
• A current bank statement showing you have the means to support yourself in Belize
• If you are extending the tourist visa for children, you may be asked to provide their original birth certificates

Before visiting the local immigration office, it is best to ask around and get the latest information regarding extensions. Each office has its own requirements and personality, and both can change from month to month. Knowing the exact documentation currently being requested and the best days and times to visit will save you from making multiple trips.

Visa categories

Belize has different visa categories for visitors, depending on their country of origin and the purpose and duration of their visit. Here is a detailed overview of the visa categories:

Visa-Exempt Entry

Citizens of many countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, do not require a visa to enter Belize for stays of up to 30 days. A valid passport is the only requirement for these nationalities. Additionally, cruise ship passengers are exempt from visa requirements and do not need a passport to enter Belize.

Tourist Visa

A tourist visa is applicable for those who are spending a holiday or travelling temporarily, carrying on any business, trade, or profession, or investigating the possibilities of settlement in Belize. The tourist visa allows visitors to stay beyond the initial 30-day visa-exempt period. Visitors can apply for a Visitor's Permit Extension, which grants an additional 30 days in the country. This extension can be reapplied for every 30 days, with a fee of BZ$200 for each extension.

Long-Term Visa

The Long-Term Visa is designed for foreign nationals intending to reside in Belize for various purposes, such as business establishment, investment, or employment. This visa is also known as the Digital Nomad Visa or the "Work Where You Vacation" Visa. It is offered to nationals from developed countries who can provide proof of income from outside Belize and wish to live in the country for more than 90 days.

Employment Visa

The employment visa is applicable for those who have been officially hired in Belize, are conducting consultation visits, or are sales representatives of overseas companies. Foreign media personnel and technical professionals performing work in Belize also fall under this visa category.

Student Visa

Citizens enrolled in secondary or tertiary institutions in Belize can apply for a student visa. Student permits are granted to children of digital nomads participating in the "Work Where You Vacation" program, allowing them to enrol in a Belizean school for the duration of their stay.

Sponsored and Self-Sponsored Visas

Belize also has two distinct visa categories: sponsored and self-sponsored. Each of these visa types requires a different set of documentation. For detailed information on the specific documents required, it is recommended to visit the Belize Immigration website.

Frequently asked questions