Belize

Belize visa and residence guide

  • 8 visa types
  • checked 24 October 2026

How visas for Belize work

Belize's Immigration and Nationality Department publishes a country-by-country visa table. Nationals of countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and most EU states need no visa; others need one only if their stay will exceed 30, 90 or 180 days (Mexico 30 days; Brazil, Japan or Turkey 90 days; the United States 180 days); and nationals of countries such as China, India, Nigeria or the Philippines need a visa. Entry allows up to 30 days, and visitors extend in 30-day steps with a Visitor's Permit Extension at BZ$200 each. Holders of valid multiple-entry US, Canadian or Schengen visas are visa-exempt for visits up to 30 days.

Longer stays rely on permits issued in Belize: a Temporary Employment Permit approved by the Labour Department (BZ$750 to BZ$3,000 a year for most categories), a Student Permit and a Dependent's Permit (BZ$200 each for most nationals). After one year of legal residence with no more than 14 days abroad, foreigners can apply for permanent residence, with fees from BZ$1,000 to BZ$6,000 depending on nationality. Investors with at least BZ$500,000 in Belize can hold renewable temporary residence.

The Qualified Retirement Program run by the Belize Tourism Board requires US$2,000 a month in foreign retirement income and is open to nationals of the countries on the Board's qualifying list. Asylum claims are made in person at the Refugees Department in Belmopan. All fees are in Belize dollars unless stated otherwise.

Which visa do I need?

Holiday: check the visa table for your nationality (no visa, a visa only beyond 30, 90 or 180 days, or a visa in all cases); entry gives 30 days, extended every 30 days for BZ$200.

Working in Belize: Temporary Employment Permit through the Labour Department.

Studying: Student Permit before the school year or semester.

Joining a resident relative who is 55 or older, disabled or under five: Dependent's Permit.

Investing at least BZ$500,000: temporary residence.

One year of legal residence: permanent residence.

Retiring on foreign income: check QRP eligibility with the Tourism Board first.

Fleeing persecution: refugee claim at the Refugees Department.

Visa types for Belize

Visits and short stays

  • Tourist visa Visitor entry and Visitor's Permit Extension

    Belize's Immigration and Nationality Department sets visa requirements by nationality: some nationals need no visa, some need one only if their stay exceeds 30, 90 or 180 days, and others always need one.

    Maximum stay: 30 days on entry; extensions of 30 days; some nationalities need a visa beyond 30, 90 or 180 days

Business and self-employment

  • Investor visa Temporary Residence for investors

    Belize's Temporary Residence status is for people who have made, or are making, a substantial commercial investment in Belize but cannot meet the ordinary permanent residence rules because of commitments abroad.

    Validity: One year, renewable

Study and training

  • Student visa Student Permit

    Anyone who wants to study in Belize, including children over five, must obtain a valid Student Permit before the school year or semester begins.

    Validity: One school year (primary and secondary) or one semester (tertiary)

Work

  • Work visa Temporary Employment Permit

    Anyone who intends to work in Belize needs a Temporary Employment Permit, and must be residing in Belize to apply.

    Validity: One year (one crop season or one week for some categories)

Family

  • Family reunification visa Dependent's Permit

    A resident of Belize who can provide and keep providing adequate accommodation can apply for a Dependent's Permit for an immediate family member residing in Belize who is of retirement age (55 or older), disabled or a child under five.

    Processing time: Processed on submission

Residence

  • Retirement visa Qualified Retirement Program (QRP)

    Belize's Qualified Retirement Program (QRP), run by the Belize Tourism Board under the Retired Persons Incentives Act, gives a resident card and tax and duty exemptions to people aged 40 or older with retirement income of at least US$2,000 a month from outside Belize.

    Validity: QRP resident card renewed annually
  • Permanent residence Permanent Residence

    Foreigners who have legally resided in Belize for at least one year, without leaving the country for more than 14 days in total during that year, can apply for permanent residence.

Asylum and international protection

  • Asylum and international protection Refugee status

    People in Belize who need international protection can apply for refugee status under the Refugees Act.

    Processing time: No fixed time; each case differs

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Belize?

It depends on your nationality. The Immigration Department's table marks some countries as visa-free, others as needing a visa only beyond 30, 90 or 180 days, and others as visa-required; valid multiple-entry US, Canadian or Schengen visas exempt you for visits up to 30 days.

How long can I stay on arrival?

Up to 30 days; each Visitor's Permit Extension adds 30 days for BZ$200.

What currency are fees in?

Immigration fees are in Belize dollars; QRP fees are in US dollars.

Who can use the QRP retirement programme?

People aged 40 or older with at least US$2,000 a month in retirement income from abroad who are nationals of a country on the Belize Tourism Board's qualifying list; others can use ordinary permanent residence after a year.

Embassies and consulates

Last checked 24 October 2026. Each visa page lists the official sources it is based on.