🇧🇿Belize Visa for Bulgarian Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

Temporary Employment Permit (Work Permit)

Authorizes foreign nationals to engage in paid employment in Belize across professional, technical, agricultural, entertainment, or self-employed categories.

Fees in BZD vary by category: professional/technical workers BZD $3,000/year (~USD $1,500); general agricultural workers BZD $1,500/year (~USD $750); seasonal agricultural workers BZD $150/season; religious workers BZD $200/year; entertainers BZD $600–$1,500/week. Applicant must already be residing in Belize with valid visa. Process: employer submits to Labour Department; within 30 days applicant is notified; then visits Immigration Office for issuance. Categories include: professional (university degree), technical, general laborer, seasonal agricultural, self-employed, entertainer, religious/cultural volunteer, trader, peddler, domestic staff.

Student Permit

For foreign nationals enrolled at primary, secondary, or tertiary educational institutions in Belize.

Fees in BZD: all nationalities (except below) BZD $200 (~USD $100) per school year/semester; India, Nepal, Thailand, Burma, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka nationals BZD $750; China nationals BZD $3,000. Validity: one school year for primary/secondary students; one semester for tertiary students. Processed on submission - Student Permit sticker placed in passport at time of application. Requires institutional letter, financial support letter, two passport photos, birth certificate, parent/guardian authority letter, sponsor's bank statement, and return ticket (tertiary extra-regional students only). Fees effective May 1, 2020.

Student Visa

Entry visa for foreign nationals who require a visa to enter Belize and plan to study at a Belizean educational institution.

Entry visa to be obtained before traveling; upon arrival applicant applies for Student Permit. Visa fee same structure as tourist/employment visa (BZD $200 / $750 / $3,000 depending on nationality). Must be at primary, secondary, or tertiary level institution in Belize.

Work Where You Vacation Programme (Long Stay Permit)

Allows remote workers employed outside Belize to live and work remotely in Belize for up to 6 months per calendar year.

Fee: BZD $500 (~USD $250) per adult; BZD $200 (~USD $100) per child under 18. Paid upon airport arrival. Eligibility: citizens or permanent residents of EU, UK, USA, or Canada; employed outside Belize; minimum annual income USD $75,000 (individual) or USD $100,000 (with dependents); clear police record (within 6 months); travel insurance minimum USD $50,000 coverage; notarized banking reference and account statement. Work restrictions: no employment in Belize permitted. Not extendable - must not exceed 6 months in calendar year. Waives work permit requirement for participant and student permits for dependent children. Also administered via travelbelize.org as 'Work Where You Vacation Programme'. Apply via email to visas@immigration.gov.bz or secretary@immigration.gov.bz prior to travel. Confirmed active as of June 2026.

Qualified Retired Persons (QRP) Programme

Residency program for retirees aged 40+ with foreign income who wish to live in Belize on a long-term basis with special tax and import privileges.

Administered by the Belize Tourism Board (BTB). Minimum age: 40 (official BTB retirement-program page states 'any person 40 years or older'; confirmed July 2026). Minimum annual income: USD $24,000 (USD $2,000/month) from sources outside Belize. Eligible income: pensions, annuities, Social Security, investments, inheritance, savings, retirement plans. Application fees: USD $150 (program application) + USD $1,000 per applicant + USD $750 per dependent + USD $200 QRP ID card. Annual renewal: USD $25. Grants Belize Residency (QRP Resident Card). Minimum 30 consecutive days per year in Belize required. Duty/tax exemptions on household effects, vehicle (max 5 years old), light aircraft, and motor boats in first year. Tax exemptions on foreign-sourced income. Option to operate a business with minimum BZD $1,000,000 investment employing 5 Belizean citizens. Qualifying nationalities: Commonwealth nations (excluding Belize), USA, EU member states, select Asia-Pacific and South American nations. Confirmed active as of June 2026.

Temporary Residence by Investment

Grants temporary residence status to foreign nationals who have made or are making substantial commercial investment in Belize.

Minimum investment threshold: BZD $500,000 in commercial investment. Required documentation includes: real estate title or lease agreement, bank statements, company registration documents, trade license. Renewable annually. No explicit path to permanent residence or citizenship stated on official page. Duration and specific fees not published on official page - verify at Belmopan Immigration Headquarters.

Permanent Residence

For foreign nationals who have legally resided in Belize for at least one continuous year and wish to obtain indefinite residence status with the right to live and remain in Belize.

Applicant must hold a passport with a Belize arrival stamp dated at least one (1) year prior to submission of application (i.e. at least one year of continuous legal residence in Belize). Required documents (originals plus copies): valid passport with arrival stamp, medical certificate with HIV/VDRL/TB tests, police record (valid within 6 months of issue), proof of financial stability, and two 2x2 inch photographs on white background taken within 6 months; spouse and children may be included on the application. The official Residence overview page states a minimum of 3 months (~90 days) for approval. Fees vary by nationality and type of residence and are not published on the official page. Grants indefinite residence status; path to citizenship not stated on the official page. Confirmed active as of July 2026.

Dependent Permit

For immediate family members (spouse, child, parent, or sibling) of Belize residents who are of retired age (55+), disabled, or children under 5 years of age.

Fees in BZD: all nationalities (except below) BZD $200 (~USD $100); India, Nepal, Thailand, Burma, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka nationals BZD $750; China nationals BZD $3,000. Applicant must be sponsored by a Belize resident who can provide housing. Qualifying dependents: persons of retired age (55+), disabled persons, or children under 5. Required documents: financial support letter, photographs, birth/marriage certificate, passport, proof of Belizean identity of sponsor, bank statement, 1-year return ticket. Processed on submission with permit sticker placed in passport. Fees effective May 1, 2020.

Diplomatic/Official Visa Exemption

Visa-free entry for holders of diplomatic or official passports under bilateral agreements between Belize and various countries.

Diplomatic and Official Passport holders are generally admitted for up to 30 days. Specific bilateral agreements extend exemptions to service and official passports of Hungary (90 days), Pakistan (90 days), Ecuador, Dominican Republic, and Venezuela (diplomatic/official only, ordinary passports require visas). Benelux states (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) diplomatic passport holders exempt under May 2025 agreement. Benin holders of diplomatic, official, service, and ordinary passports exempt under November 2024 agreement.