Living in Belize
Information about moving to, living or retiring in Belize – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.
Getting help with living in Belize
Help from the Belize government
For any questions about moving to or living in Belize, you may be able to get help from the:
The UK government and the British High Commission in Belmopan cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Belize.
Professional help in Belize
You can also get help from professionals in Belize, including:
- lawyers
- notaries
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for Belize to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Belize. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.
Laws and cultural differences
Read about laws and cultural differences in safety and security in the travel advice for Belize. This includes advice for LGBT+ travellers.
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Belize before you travel.
Visas, permits and residence cards
Check which visa, permit or residence card you need to live in Belize.
Besides a tourist visa, you can get a visa to:
- work
- study
To work, study or stay in Belize for any other reason for more than 30 days, you should get a permit. Read guidance on the different types of permits or contact a Belize immigration office.
For more information, read guidance from the:
Registering as a resident
You can apply for residency in Belize.
If you have any problems or questions applying for or getting residency, contact:
Permanent residency
You may be able to apply for permanent residency if:
- you have been living in Belize legally for a minimum of 1 year
- you have not left the country for more than 14 days in that time
To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, read guidance on residency in Belize.
Citizenship
Belize recognises dual citizenship. This means that you do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Belize citizen.
To find out if you’re eligible for Belize citizenship:
Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications
The British High Commission in Belmopan cannot help with Belize visa, residency or citizenship applications.
For any questions or issues, contact:
- a Belize immigration office
- the Belize High Commission in London
- an English-speaking lawyer in Belize
Passports and travel
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- apply for a British passport from abroad
- travel urgently without your British passport
Dual citizens travelling to the UK
When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.
Resident children travelling without a parent or legal guardian
Read the entry requirements for Belize for information on letters of authority for resident children travelling without a parent or legal guardian.
Children aged 17 and under must carry a notarised letter of authority if they’re travelling out of Belize without their parent or legal guardian.
Contact the the Belize High Commission in London or a Belize immigration office for more information.
Healthcare in Belize
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare
- take medicine abroad
Belize does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
Basic public healthcare is free but very limited, with shortages of medicines and equipment. You can find some information on the Ministry of Health Facebook page.
Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance from international providers and providers in Belize.
To find out more, including how to get medical treatment:
- read guidance on health in Belize
- contact your insurance provider
- see lists of English-speaking medical facilities and doctors for British nationals in Belize
Working in Belize
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.
To work in Belize, you need a work permit or a work visa.
The Belize Ministry of Immigration explains the different work permits and visas available to you. You will probably need a Temporary Employment Permit.
To apply for a job, you may need to provide:
- your passport
- police record
- record of qualifications
Recognition of qualifications
If you want to work in Belize, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised. Contact a Ministry of Education office for more information.
Driving in Belize
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- drive abroad legally
- take your UK vehicle abroad
- get driving licence letters
You need an international driving permit or Belize driving licence to drive in Belize.
You can drive in Belize for up to 3 months using your UK driving licence, or 12 months with an international driving permit. After this, you must get a Belize driving permit from the Department of Transport in your district. You will need to apply in person.
Read about road travel in Belize, in safety and security in the travel advice for Belize. This includes information on driving in Belize, including driving licence rules.
Disabled drivers
You may be able to register your car to get licence plates that allow you to use disabled parking spaces. To apply, visit your local traffic department, complete a registration form and submit it with a medical certificate.
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Belize, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Tax
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Belize so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
To find out more about paying tax in Belize:
- read guidance from the Belize Tax Service
- contact your local Belize Tax Service office
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Belize. To do this, find a lawyer in Belize.
Pensions
Claiming your UK pension
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- how to claim your UK State Pension
- where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Claiming a Belize pension
Read guidance from the Social Security Board on how to qualify for a retirement pension in Belize. Contact the Social Security Board to find out more.
Benefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.
Claiming Belize benefits
You may be entitled to some Belize benefits.
Read the Social Security Board’s benefits guidance to find out:
- the eligibility criteria for each benefit
- how to apply for a benefit
Buying and renting property in Belize
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
Foreign nationals can buy and own land and property in Belize.
Contact the Lands and Survey Department and the Land Registry Department for information on buying and renting property in Belize. They fall under the Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum and Mining.
Contact a lawyer in Belize if you’re considering buying property or land.
Voting in Belize
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- vote in UK elections from abroad
- register as an overseas voter
Belize elections
You may be eligible to vote in Belize elections.
Read guidance from the Elections and Boundaries Department on who is eligible to register to vote.
Studying in Belize
If you plan to study in Belize, you must meet all visa requirements.
For more information:
- read guidance on travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England)
- contact your higher education provider in the UK or Belize
- contact the Belize Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
Children
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
- getting permission to take your child abroad
- claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
- child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology provides information about the school system in Belize
All children aged 5 to 16 must attend school in Belize.
For more information, read the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology’s overview of the education system.
Childcare
The Ministry of Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs is responsible for childcare services in Belize.
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in Belize, register the birth with the Belize Vital Statistics Unit (VSU). There are local VSU offices in the regional districts of Belize.
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
- apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in Belize, register the death with the Belize Vital Statistics Unit (VSU). There are local VSU offices in the regional districts of Belize. Read guidance on:
Marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Same sex marriages and civil partnerships are not legally recognised in Belize. For information about LGBT+ rights in Belize, read guidance on safety and security in the travel advice for Belize.
Divorce and separation
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.
To get a divorce in Belize, you must file a petition with the Supreme Court of Belize.
Contact the Legal Advice and Service Center for more information.
Consider taking legal advice from a lawyer in Belize.
Documents for British people in Belize
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:
- legalising and certifying UK documents
- marriage and civil partnership documents
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
Lawyers, translators and notaries
To find a lawyer, translator or notary in Belize, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
To bring a pet to Belize, you will need to complete an application to import animals (PDF, 337KB). For more information contact the Belize Agricultural Health Authority.
Read guidance on taking your pet dog, cat or ferret to a non-EU country.
Returning to the UK
Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.
Disclaimer
We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Belize authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.
Updates to this page
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Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand. Includes new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK ('Passports and travel' section).
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Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines
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First published.