PASSPORTS In general, visitors to Belize must possess a passport, valid for at least three (3) months after the date of arrival, a return ticket, and sufficient funds to cover your stay. Visitors are usually given a one-month / 30 day stay, after which an extension can be applied for at the nearest Immigration Department.
When arriving to Belize via the Phillip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) all passengers must have the proper documents in order to enter or exit the country. International arrivals to Belize require the following immigration materials to be presented to the Belize Immigration Officials:
Valid Passport.
Competed Embarkation Forms. These were distributed to you on your flight to Belize.
All non-residents of Belize must have a return ticket to their country of origin.
A valid visa for all countries from which a visa is required. This must be acquired from your country of origin at the Belize Embassy or Consulate. For nationals of USA, Canada, the UK, Central American and Caribbean countries, or the European Union; an automatic 30-day visa is applied.
Visitors need to satisfy the Immigration Officer of a specific address or reservation at a hotel.
When arriving to the PGIA, you will disembark your aircraft and walk along the tarmac into Immigration and Customs. There is a line for non-residents and one for Belizeans, members of CARICOM and those in wheelchairs. At Immigration, you will need to show the above documents and answer basic questions about your visit to Belize. You then proceed to luggage claim and collect any checked bags that you are traveling with.
WHAT IS A VISA?
A visa is an endorsement (typically stamped on your passport), indicating that the holder is allowed to enter, leave, or stay for a specified period of time in a country.
At the time of entering the country (at the Phillip Goldson International Airport), a stamp was placed in your passport, allowing you to stay up to 30 days in the country without obtaining an additional visa. If you are planning to stay beyond 30 days in Belize, then you will need to go to the immigration office and apply for a visa for another 30 days.
VISA REQUIREMENTS - To Belize Recently, the entry visa requirements for citizens and passport holders of Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, Paraguay and Morocco, traveling to Belize, were changed. If you are a citizen of these countries, are traveling to Belize to visit, and intend to stay less than 30 days, you no longer need to apply for a visa. You now enjoy visa free travel to Belize.
In addition, nationals of the following countries do not currently need visas to travel to Belize: the United States of America, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, South Korea, Mexico, Israel, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Japan, The Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Uruguay, Malaysia, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Honduras, Ireland, Switzerland, Italy, Venezuela, The Republic of China (Taiwan), Guatemala, Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
Many other countries (aside from the list above) also enjoy visa free travel to Belize. A link to the complete list of countries and the permitted stay for each, can be found at the Government of Belize’s Department of Immigration and Nationality website (English language only).
Those nationals who are exempt: http://ins.gov.bz/index.php/visa-requirements/visa-exempted It is important to note that there are a few countries for which passport holders do need a visa to enter Belize. A list of these and how to apply can be found at the Government of Belize’s Department of Immigration and Nationality website (English language only).
Those nationals requiring entry Visas: http://ins.gov.bz/index.php/visa-requirements/requiries It is important to note that any national on the “requires visa” list who holds a valid multiple entry United States Visa or Permanent Residency Card, a valid multiple entry Schengen, or multiple entry visa or permanent residence card for Canada, is exempt from the visa requirements to enter Belize. We suggest that if you fall into this category that you contact your nearest Belizean Embassy before you travel for more information.
If you have visa questions, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by email: [email protected] or telephone: (+501) 822-2322 or 822-2167 or consult with an Embassy or Consulate of Belize.
Please note that we endeavors to try and have the most current immigration information on this page, however, rules can change quickly. Each individual’s circumstance may also be different, so we always suggest a check with your nearest Embassy or Consul of Belize on the immigration requirements in your particular case.
EXTENDED STAY VISAS - Past 30 Days As stated above, to enter Belize you must possess a passport (valid for at least three (3) months after the date of arrival), a return ticket, and sufficient funds to cover your stay. Visitors are usually given a one-month / 30 day stay, after which an extension can be applied for at the nearest Immigration Department. If you would like to stay beyond 30 days, you will need to get an extended stay visa.
San Pedro Immigration & Nationality Department - 226-4369 Located above Scotia Bank, across from the Tropic Air terminal.
They will typically check your passport for a valid expiration date. You will be asked to pay a fee, which can be paid at the cashier. Once you've paid at the cashier, you return to the immigration desk, and they will stamp your passport with an extended stay visa for an additional thirty (30) days. Once you've been in the country (paying the monthly visas), you are eligible for residency.
TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN & PETS Children - Traveling under the age of 18 years must have proper documentation, including a valid passport. Children traveling with only one parent or guardian, require a notarized letter of authority from the other parent(s) indicating their travel consent.
Pets - You must check with your hotel ahead of time as most in Belize do not allow pets. All pets entering Belize must be approved with an import permit by the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) along with a veterinary certificate by a licensed vet in the country of origin.