Mable S. Says:
I would like to visit Belize to check it out as a potential destination. Is travel there visa-free? Do I need something on my passport to show this when I arrive?
IL Belize Correspondent Shane Kenny Says:
Hi Mable,
Do you need a visa to visit Belize? The short answer is “no,” but like everything else government-related it is more complicated than that. If you are coming from the United States or Canada, for example, you will automatically get—upon your arrival in Belize—a no-fuss-no-muss tourist visa that is good for up to 30 days. (You don’t have to do anything in advance—you just show up.)
If you are visiting Belize from somewhere else, you may need to apply for a visa before you arrive. For a complete list of countries and Belize’s visa requirements for each, visit this link.
If you are coming from a country that does not require a visa, and you want to stay longer than 30 days, you can do that. All you need to do is visit a local immigration office once you’re in Belize, supply the documentation required (like a return airline ticket), and you can request a 30- to 180-day extension for $100 per month. I highly recommended that you contact the local immigration office before you go to ensure that you bring with you all the documentation they will require.
Keep in mind this is a “tourist visa.” This means you cannot be employed in Belize. If you plan to stay long term—and you wish to work—you will need a Work Permit or Permanent Residency.
You can apply for a Work Permit at any time and when granted, it is good for one year. You will need to demonstrate that the work you will be doing could not be done by a Belizean, or that you will be managing a business that employs Belizeans.
Permanent Residency requires you to stay in the country for one year without leaving for more than 14 consecutive days, and can take a year or more to be processed. If you want permanent residency but have no intention of working, the Qualified Retirement Program (or QRP) might be a good option for you. You can learn more about visas, residency, and working in Belize in our comprehensive guidebook Escape to Belize, available on the IL Bookstore here.
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