Belize Leading Real Estate Services...

Expect the very BEST

National Symbols of Belize

National Animal - The Tapir [called a "mountain cow"]

The Tapir 's snout and upper lip form a short mobile trunk. It uses this trunk to pick up and eat a wide variety of vegetation from both land and water. *

National Flower - The Black Orchid

National Bird - The Keel Billed Toucan

National Tree - Mahogany Tree

picture source: belize.gov.bz

*source: Animals - Mc Rae Books

Featured Listings

Applicatiopn Procedures for Residency

Applications need to be submitted through an Immigration Consultant licensed in Belize to the Director of the Belize Economic Citizenship Investment Program Unit. The applicant needs to provide a sworn affidavit stating that he/she has reviewed, understood, and agreed to the Program's guidelines and criteria.

Completed application forms require to be submitted with the following supporting documents:

passport photographs;
character references;
birth certificates;
marriage certificate (divorce decree where applicable);
medical certificate (indicating that the applicant is free form AIDS and other communicable diseases);
certified copy of ID card or passport;
criminal record certificate;
an application form for a Belize passport; and
A receipt showing that payment of the registration fees has been made into a Special Fund set up by the Central Bank of Belize for this purpose.
Applications are processed by the Belize Economic Citizenship Investment Program Unit, before being sent to the Scrutinizing Committee for review. Applicants are notified of the Scrutinizing Committee's decision within 7 days. Successful applications are sent to the Director of Immigration to prepare a Certificate of Nationalization and a Belize Passport. The Belize Economic Citizenship Investment Program Unit informs successful applicants of a date and time to be sworn in which can be done in Belize or at a Belizean Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate office elsewhere. Successful applicants are entitled to have their spouse and children, below the age of 18 years, registered as citizens of Belize at the same time

Belize Video

Working in Belize

Are you thinking about working in Belize? Here is what you will need for your Work Permit application. Work Permits are issued through the Immigration and Nationality Department. The following are requirements for Work Permits:

1. A valid Passport

2. Application Form (can be purchased at the Angelus Press located nearby the Immigration offices in Belmopan on Market Sq street) Fee 0.83$ BZD [May 07]

3. Three (3) Passport sized photographs [Cost for 4 pictures - 9.00$ BZE]

4. $20.00 worth of postage stamps (can be purchased at the Post Office in Belmopan accross from the Immigration building and near the market square)

5. Three (3) copies of job vacancies advertised in the local newspaper in different issues if you will be employed by a Belizean company/employer.

6. Bank statement (for self-employed)

7. Trade License (for self-employed)

8. Letter of recommendation from village councilor

9. Letter from Church (for Missionary)

10. Other relevant documents e.g. birth certificate, diplomas, etc.

11. Generally the Director of Immigration would require a letter of recommendation from the BTB supporting the application.

for more information you can contact the Immigration and Nationality Department in Belmopan at 501-822-2423

photo by: Alexia Malo

Amazon.com Widgets

Map

Map source: worldatlas.com

Residency...

Belize offers two types of residency: Tourist status and official resident.

Tourist Status...

Many residents legally remain indefinitely in Belize simply by renewing their tourist entry permit every 30 days for $50.00 BZE for the first six months and $100,00 BZE after that. In Belize, it is not necessary to exit the country each month to extend the permit.

Technically, tourist status residents need to show resources of $50 per day or $1,500.00 per month. But this rule is not generally enforced, especially after years of being in the country. A valid passport from your country of origin is absolutely necessary to enter and remain in Belize.

HEALTH INFORMATION...

Belize considers public health a high priority. Most visitors leave the country as healthy and probably happier than they arrived. Belize has public hospitals in every major town and a host of private doctors countrywide. Though not endemic to Belize, visitors who are coming from well-known ‘high-risk' areas (parts of South America and Africa) are required to get the Yellow Fever vaccination before entering the country. Visitors may at their discretion take precaution by receiving medication before leaving for their trip.

A small case of diarrhea is probably the worst-case scenario, and is not particularly exclusive to Belize. Most visitors are prone to diarrhea when exposed to a completely different environment than they are used to, with different types of food, drinks, ingredients and bacteria. Most tap water in major towns and villages are safe to drink and there is bottled water available countrywide, if visitors desire. To be on the safe side, you may want to get advice from your doctor or local health clinic before embarking on your journey to Belize.

For most visitors the temperature in Belize will be much warmer than they are accustomed to. The risk of suffering from dehydration and heat strokes are likely if visitors are not careful. Drinking lots of water and wearing the proper attire like light cool clothing, a hat/cap and sunscreen is highly recommended until the body adjusts to the temperatures. [* Health Information - source GOB.]

Need help on booking your Belize Trip

www. bookingbuddy.com

Information to know Before You Go ....

A valid passport is necessary for entry into Belize. A 30 day visitors permit will be issued to you upon arrival. Citizens of the British Commonwealth (India excepted), the United States, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, and the European community do not require visas for travel to Belize. All other citizens should contact the nearest Belizean Consulate or embassy for more information.
Visitors are permitted to stay in Belize for a period not to exceed 30 days. Extensions are routinely granted at Immigration offices located in San Pedro on Ambergris Caye , Punta Gorda , Belmopan , Orange Walk , and Belize City at a cost of US$25.00 per month for the first 6 months and US$50.00 after that. For more information the Immigration & Nationality Department in Belmopan can be contacted at 501-822-2611/ 2423.

The Belize Tourist Board is a good place to go for more information about Belize. The Board distributes free up-to-date bus schedules, city maps, a visitors' magazine, and a comprehensive list of accommodations. They're located on the second floor of the Central Bank building in Belize City. Tel. 501-2-31913.

LOCATION: Central America, bordering the Caribbean sea betwen Guatemala and Mexico

CLIMATE: Tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)

CURRENCY: Belizean Dollar (BZD)

EXCHANGE RATE: Belizean dollars per US dollar - 2$ [The Belize dollar has been pegged to the US dollar since 1976 at the exchange rate of US$1=BZ$2]. Most hotels, resorts, restaurants, and tour operators will accept U.S. currency, traveler's checks, or credit cards.

POPULATION: 287,730 (July 2006 est.)

LANGUAGES: English (official Language) and Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole are widely spoken throughout Belize.

CAPITAL: Belmopan

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS:

January 1st	New Year Day
March 9th	Baron Bliss Day
	Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday [Easter]
May 1st	Labour Day
May 24th	Commonwealth Day
September 10th	St.George's Caye Day
September 21st	Independence Day, (1981)
October 12th	Pan American Day
November 19th	Garifuna Settlement Day
December 25th	Christmas
December 26th	Boxing Day

FLAG: blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland

BUSINESS HOURS: BANKS Monday to Thursday, 8:00AM to 2:30PM. Fridays 8:00AM to 4:30PM. Banks hours may vary and some also open on Saturday mornings until noon. COMMERCE & INDUSTRY: Monday to Friday, 8:00AM to 12:00PM [lunch] 1:00PM to 5:00PM. Some businesses also open on most weeknights and on Saturdays as well. On Sundays most business are closed but it is always possible to find some businesses [grocery store] that are open until noon. GOVERNMENT: Monday to Thursday, 8:00 to 5:00PM and 8:00 to 4:30PM on Fridays. Always make sure to check their individual office hours, some departments close earlier.

Need more Info on Belize?