|
WORK,
RESIDENCY & CITIZENSHIP REQUIRMENTS
Tourist
entry permitswhich
are usually good for 30 days,
are given upon arrival to individuals with a valid
passport and visa. (People arriving from the United
States, Canada and the United Kingdom only need a valid
passport.) If you want to stay longer than the time
allotted on your permit, you will need to renew your
permit at an Immigration Department office
before the expiration date.
If you are
not a 'Permanent Resident' in Belize, you will need
a 'Work Permit' to legally work for yourself or for
someone else. The permits are good for one year and
cost
from $500 - 600 BZ. "Self-employment" permits are by
far the easiest to obtain, as you will most likely
be viewed as someone with a business that will in
fact create jobs and employ local Belizean's. General
Work
Permits
must
be applied for by your prospective employer. That employer
will
have to prove that they have been unable to find
a
current local resident to fill the position before
a permit will be issued.
To obtain a work permit in Belize, the
employer and the prospective employee must fill out an
application form at the Department of Labor. Three passport
pictures and a valid passport are required along with
the application. If self-employed you can apply in person.
In
order to obtain residential status in Belize, an individual
will need to apply for
residency. To qualify for residency
an individual must reside in Belize for a year and can
leave the country for no longer than two weeks during
that time.
The
application process is best done in person.
Immigration
officials like to meet you face to face.
- A police report from the police department
where an
individual has resided for more than
six months.
- A health certificate including an AIDS test,
which can
be obtained from any of the local doctors.
- 3 passport pictures.
- A statement from your bank or financial institution,
if you are not employed or retired.
- Birth certificates for minor children, marriage
certificate/declaration
of support etc...
- A work permit or Trade License, where applicable.
Receiving
a response varies
with workload of the department. When you submit
your application ask
how long it will take - most likely the answer will
be 8-12 weeks.
Applicants
must renew their tourist permit at the Immigration Department
every 30 days
while applying for residency. It may also be necessary
to demonstrate adequate income during this time,
usually $100.00BZ per day, $3000.00 BZ per month. When
residency is granted a fee is charged and
the individual is required to register at the Income
Tax Department.
An
individual can apply for citizenship if he has been a
resident of Belize for five
years or after one year if he/she is married to a Belizean.
Applications for citizenship require the same information
as those for residency. When citizenship is granted
the individual does not pay an Immigration Deposit,
instead there is a fee of $200.00 BZ charged for
each adult and $100.00 BZ charged for each child.
Previous Page |
