If you enjoy Belize and are considering extending your trip, or you are considering relocating to Belize, you will need to visit the immigration office in Belmopan in order to stay in compliance with the Belize government so they don’t make you pay additional fines or send you back.
Extend your Tourist Visa
When you enter the country of Belize as a visitor, you receive a 30-day period where you may experience the country on your own. If you wish to stay beyond the 30-day period, you will need to visit the immigration office, pay the $100/month USD renewal fee, or pay $200 USD for two months or $300 USD for three months. The maximum number of months you can renew is three.
Apply for the Qualified Retirement Program
If you are age 45 and older, you may qualify for the qualified retirement program to make it easier to move and retire in Belize. You must be able to meet specific requirements listed on the Belize Tourism Board’s website so you can receive many incentives and benefits not available to transient visitors or those working in Belize using a work permit. You must apply for this program as an individual or investor who is making a significant investment in Belize as a business owner. Participants enrolled in the QRP program are granted Belize residency status, receive duty exemptions, receive tax exemptions, making it easier to buy land, and they are able to pass on many benefits to their dependents.
Apply for Residency
If you do not qualify for the QRP program, you may apply for permanent or temporary residency in Belize. If you become a resident of Belize, you may be granted additional privileges such as voting rights, receive a Belize driver’s license, and travel in and out of the country of Belize easily.
In order to become a permanent resident, you must be legally residing in Belize for a minimum of 1 year, not leave the country for more than 14 days in total during that year, prove you are financially stable, and not been convicted of a crime.
If you wish to become a temporary resident, you must show investments of $250,000 USD in Belize and is good for only one year.
Seek Part-time or Full-Time Employment
If you know if your heart you want to stay here, it might be worth visiting some businesses where you would like to work. It’s important to talk to a variety of people in order to gain a collective perspective that helps you decide the best role to support your ongoing lifestyle in Belize. If you do seek residency, you will be required to demonstrate your ability to consistently earn income in Belize from a reputable employer.
Apply for a work permit
There may come a time when you want to stay and work while you live in Belize. The government has a very strict process for distributing work permits to applicants. The process to obtain a work permit in Belize can take anywhere from 30 days to six months depending upon the accuracy and completeness of your work permit application.
Find a company that is hiring
It is difficult for expats to find good-paying jobs in Belize compared to what someone might make back in their home country. Only highly specialized professionals are able to gain employment from a company located in Belize because of the need to protect good-paying jobs for local Belizeans. You must demonstrate the uniqueness of the job requirements from your prospective employer and the specific skills you have to be approved.
Requirements from the work permit applicant
Valid passport. Please make a photocopy of EACH page of your passport to submit with your application.
Application form. Submit the work permit application form found on the government website.
Take two passport photographs. You will need these printed photos to submit along with your application.
Copy of your police record. Contact your home country or residence for the last 6 months. Use https://www.notarize.com in case you need a public notary to process the police record check while out of the country.
Request job offer from an employer. This letter should appear on official company letterhead.
Provide documented requalifications and certifications. This may include diplomas, certifications, recommendations from previous employers, and resumes.
Submit your work permit application
Step 1: Submission of Application
- Make application submission at the Labour Department.
- If you are employed, your employer must make the submission on your behalf.
- If you are self-employed you must make the submission.
Step 2: Notification of Application Status
- Within 30 days you will receive a call from the Labour Department to inform you of the status of your application.
- Upon approval of the application, you must visit the Labour Department Office to receive a copy of the approval letter.
- On denied application, you must visit the Labour Department Office and receive a copy of your letter of denial and present yourself to the Immigration Office to update your legal status.
Once you receive the work permit approval letter, you will need to visit three government offices to ensure your appropriate registration and the final work permit approval is complete.
Visit Social Security Office
Visit the social security office closest to you and request a work permit clearance letter for Immigration. A form will be given for you to fill out.
Take with you:
- Original work permit letter
- Passport
Visit Tax Services Department
Visit the local Belize Tax Services office (Monday to Friday) best to go in the morning and request a work permit tax letter for Immigration. A form will be given for you to fill out.
Take with you:
- Original work permit letter
- Passport
- $25
Visit Immigration Department
Belmopan (Monday to Friday but not the last day or first day of any month). You will need to wait to confirm that Belmopan’s Office received a copy of your work permit letter from the Labour Department (takes about 2 weeks at times).
Take with you:
- Original work permit letter
- Original Social Security Letter
- Original Tax Letter
- Passport
- Passport photos
- BZ $3,000 cash (amount depends on work permit type)
For all other questions about Belize immigration, please visit the immigration website or contact the headquarters in Belmopan.