When first going to Belize, all foreign visitors require a passport and will not be allowed entry to the country without one. If your country of origin is part of Europe or North America, then you are permitted to remain in Belize for up to 30 days with no additional visas. Certain categories of visitors may apply for 3 month extensions to this and these are restricted to those who live a distance away from the Immigration Office, those who may be potential investors in the country or those who are conducting some form of business there.

There are procedures and fees that apply in these cases and further details can be obtained from the Belize Immigration Office. These extensions are also granted on the understanding that the person is in possession of a ticket home and that you have the means to support yourself during your stay. After 6 months you would be expected to apply for an employment permit.

Once a person has resided in Belize for a year they can apply for permanent residency status. There are also fees which are applicable for this, although how much you pay depends upon your country of origin. Those who wish to become citizens of Belize should have had a permanent residency status for a minimum of 5 years.

If you wish to work in Belize you will require an employment permit, and temporary permits are issued by the Labour Department. These are easy to find as there is one in each town. It can take approximately 6 weeks for the local Commissioner to approve the permit, but then a final decision must be made by the Director of Immigration. These employment permits are only required when you do not have permanent residency status. Once you have that you no longer need to apply for permits. Work permits are valid for one year and the fees involved vary depending upon the type of work that you will be doing.

There are work permits for investors and business people which give them the status of self-employment. These are also required after several months in the country before obtaining residency status.

None of the Belize permits or visas can be applied for while you are not in the country. Most permits will require you to apply in person at the relevant office, with the required documentation and fees ready. Fees are subject to change, so it is better to enquire in advance to ensure that you have the correct amount.