Belize has instituted traveler protocols to help visitors feel secure while enjoying their vacations in 2024 and beyond. Even without Covid-19 restrictions in effect, these policies remain in effect and travelers can rely on them.
All visitors to Belize must possess a passport with at least 30 days validity (not traveling in transit to another country) and an airline ticket to return home.
Visa Requirements
Citizens from the United States, Canada, Europe and many Caribbean and Central American countries do not need a visa to visit Belize; this list changes frequently so it is best to double-check before coming. Visas are required from visitors from other nations.
Travelers to Belize for work require a work permit before arriving and must obtain it prior to their arrival in the country. A work permit should include:
Proof of a valid passport that remains valid at least three months post entry into Belize; proof of return ticket; bank statement demonstrating you have enough funds for your stay; letter from employer authorizing them to work for them and work permit added as endorsement in visitor passport; permit valid for one year only and any changes must go back through same process again.
One can apply for permanent residency in Belize after having resided here for five years and possessing both an unblemished criminal history and enough funds to support themselves financially.
Buyers who intend to purchase property in Belize require several documents in order to do so: (1) their tax receipt; (2) power of attorney from the person who owns it, and (3) proof of insurance for it.
Motor vehicles and boats entering Belize require a temporary importation permit that can be obtained at the port of entry. For further assistance contact the inland transportation department as early as possible for more information.
Parents planning on traveling with children under 18 require notarized letters from both parents granting travel consent, or if traveling alone with one parent/guardian only they will also require permission from their employer and an official notarized letter authorizing travel accompanied by birth certificate(s).
Passport Requirements
Citizens from the US, Canada and most European nations do not require a visa to visit Belize for stays up to 30 days. When arriving, travelers must present proof of departure (an airline ticket or pre-purchased bus ticket), sufficient funds for maintenance ($10,000 Belizean dollars), any animals entering or firearms they possess and complete a short form indicating such items are being carried into the country.
If traveling with children, be sure to include them on the passport list as well. Immigration officers often require notarized letters of parental consent when children travel without both parents. Also bear in mind that parts of Belize’s southern neighborhoods can be subject to gang violence, and you may be asked by police officers for proof of travel plans.
To apply for a Belizean passport, you will require the services of a recommender who must sign off on Section 7 and endorse your photo on the back. A recommender can be any medical or legal practitioner, registered minister of religion, Belizean diplomatic or consular mission authorized to accept passport applications; for applicants outside Belize this could mean visiting one of their Embassies/Consulates located in Washington, New York City, Chicago or Los Angeles or visiting one of their Foreign Missions located in London or Taipei respectively.
Filling out an e-Passport application and submitting it with all supporting documents will get your passport delivered approximately three weeks later, along with photo identification if your document is being delivered from abroad. For delivery details contact the office that accepted your application.
Citizens in the United States and most other countries must pay a passport fee. The price depends on which type of passport is chosen; those wanting an electronic chip embedded into their passport may incur additional expenses. Most foreign offices accept credit cards to simplify payment for passport services.
Children’s Travel Requirements
If you are traveling with children under 18 years of age and traveling for tourism purposes, bring a copy of their birth certificate as this will expedite immigration and customs procedures at airports, land ports or seaports of entry. As long as their travel is for tourism purposes only they will not require visas to enter Belize.
While most visitors consider Thailand safe, crime levels in some areas remain elevated. Be wary of robberies, shootings and murders and take steps to safeguard your personal safety. Furthermore, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems as well as breastfeeding mothers need to be wary of Zika virus transmission and take measures against its transmission – pregnant women in particular needing protection as it poses risks of transmission alongside chikungunya and malaria which also may present themselves.
Travellers should heed advice from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre regarding waterborne and foodborne illness, so travelers should only drink bottled or boiled water and stay up-to-date with vaccinations. Furthermore, illegal drugs are widely available and penalties for possession may be severe; carrying pre-Columbian artefacts is forbidden and photos taken of official buildings cannot be permitted; LGBTI people often experience discrimination and violence so public displays of affection should be avoided as much as possible.
Travelers should be mindful that medical facilities abroad may lack essential equipment or supplies. Therefore, it is advised that travellers bring along a comprehensive medical kit along with travel insurance as an extra measure.
As much as Costa Rica boasts an active economy, poverty remains prevalent in rural and coastal communities. This has contributed to an increase in illicit drug trafficking through boat, while authorities have responded with several traveler protocols requiring Travel Health Insurance coverage as of 2022.
To encourage investment and stimulate economic development, Belize introduced the Citizenship by Investment Programme in January 1995. This program offers citizenship in exchange for making an initial substantial investment; licensed Belizean immigration consultants operate this scheme; those interested should consult an adviser prior to applying.
Vehicle/Vessel Permits
Visitors driving or boating into Belize from Guatemala or Mexico must obtain a temporary importation permit prior to arriving. Visitors will initially receive one month stay permits before being eligible to extend them at Immigration Department offices located throughout Belize.
Belize, being a small British Commonwealth nation bordering North America, is well aware that illegal migrants from Asia and Africa use Belize as a stepping stone towards reaching the U.S. As such, specific protocols have been put into place by the Belize Government in order to counter this activity.
Due to these enhanced security measures, customs and immigration procedures at all entry points into Belize – whether arriving via air, land, or sea – have been significantly tightened up. Protocol includes protective barriers designed to limit direct contact between officers and passengers as well as automated kiosks for scanning passports upon arrival, improved luggage inspection areas with protective barriers as well as measures designed to safeguard both officers and passengers alike.
As it stands, tourists from the United States, Canada and several European countries do not require a visa when entering Belize for tourism purposes. However, those looking to work must secure a Temporary Employment Permit (commonly referred to as Work Visa). This process includes filling out an application for this permit along with providing proof of funds and meeting with an immigration officer in person.
If you require a visa to enter Belize, it is highly advisable that you seek assistance from an immigration attorney or specialist to expedite the process. Your attorney or specialist should also be able to provide a list of local attorneys experienced with Belize immigration law who will help with filling out all the required forms and paperwork in your application for residency.
Once you have received a residency visa and entered Belize, it is crucial that your vehicle or vessel be registered at your local Department of Transportation office to pay all applicable taxes, duties and fees. We advise calling ahead so we know the office will be open when planning to visit.
