Belize student visa (Student Permit)

Students at a tertiary institution who come from an extra-regional country must provide a one-year return ticket. Whether a Belize visa is also needed depends on the visa table for the student's nationality and the length of stay, so plan the student permit and any visa together.

Bring a letter from the registered institution of study (home-schooled students add a letter from the Ministry of Education); a letter of financial support from a parent or sponsor, signed before a Justice of the Peace with a BZ$1.50 stamp; two colour 2 x 2 inch photos with white background taken within six months; the birth certificate, translated into English if needed; the student's valid passport with a copy of the biographic page; and, if a sponsor applies, proof of the sponsor's Belizean identity or immigration status and a recent bank statement.

If the parents are not in Belize, a letter of authority signed by the parents named on the birth certificate must authorise the sponsor to apply for a permit of up to one year or semester. A job letter from the sponsor's employer may be requested. Every document not in English requires translation.

Fees in force since 1 May 2020: BZ$200 per school year or semester for all nationals other than those listed for higher fees (BZ$3,000 for nationals of the People's Republic of China and BZ$750 for India, Nepal, Thailand, Burma, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka). Primary and secondary permits are issued for one school year, tertiary permits for one semester, so university students renew each semester.

Apply in person at an Immigration Office before the school year or semester starts. The application is processed on submission and a Student Permit sticker is placed in the student's passport.