BELIZE WORK PERMIT - WHO MAY APPLY - REQUIREMENTS & PROCEDURES

Who may apply for a work permit?

• Anyone seeking employment in Belize.
• The person must have a valid passport and updated visa.

Documents Required

1. Application Form (We will provide this)
2. Passport Copies of entire passport (including all blank pages)
3. Eight (8) Passport Photographs
4. Police Record from last place of residence.
5. Police record from Belize
6. Recommendation from Village Council/Town Board where business will be located
7. Recommendation from Belize Tourism Board or Relative Agency if the business is Tourism oriented (we can assist with arranging an appointment)
8. Belize Local Corporation Documents
9. Information regarding local bank account for Local Corporation
10. Belize Trade License depending where the business will be located. The business will need to have a physical location to be inspected for trade license approval.
11. New Local Companies are required to submit a Business Plan to be vetted by the Ministry of Economic Development/BELTRAIDE before submitting application to Labour Department. We can assit in preparing a business plan.
12. Certificates, Diplomas, Credentials, etc of applicant.
13. Proof of funding of Business.

• For Private Individuals - Request Appointment to discuss this matter
• For Directors and Managers of a Local Company (Chapter 250)

General Information

1. Applications are submitted to the Labour Department
2. Applicants must have a valid passport and updated visa entry
3. The Belize work permit is valid for only one year
4. A Work Permit is not renewable. Applicants must apply every year (if required)
5. After recieving your 2nd Work Permit, you are entitled to apply for Permanent Residence.

Application Process

1. The Local Company should be formed and the relevant licenses should be obtained and attached to the Business Plan before submitting application to BELTRAIDE.
2. Once the Local Company approval has been received from BELTRAIDE applicants will be required to attend an interview with the Labour Department. All documents must be available at the interview.
3. This process takes approximately 2 - 3 months before we receive a response from the Labor Department. We are to advise that additional documents may be requested by the Labour Department at a later date depending on the nature of the business
4. During this time you will be required to extend your passport stamp with the Immigration Department.
5. Once the application is approved a fee of US $1,000.00 is to be paid to the Government at the Immigration Department.
6. Once the application is approved, the business will be registered at the Income Tax Department and obtain its Trade Identification Number.
7. Applicants will be required to apply for their Social Security Card in the district the business will be operating. Note: The social security card is only valid for one year.

Payment Required

Work Permit Processing fee in Belize City	US $ 800.00
Administrative & Miscellaneous Expenses (Courier, Telephone, Stamp, Photocopy, Labour Dept. Fee, Fax)	US $ 100.00
Total	US $ 900.00
General Sales Tax (12.5% of $900.00)	US $ 112.50
Total Due	US $ 1012.50

If the business will be operating in a District other than the Belize District additional fees will be required.

Re-Application Fee (2nd Year)

The cost to re-apply for a work permit is as follows:

Processing Fee	US $ 500.00
Administrative Fee	US $ 100.00
General Sales Tax (12.5% of $700.00)	US $ 75.00
Total Due	US $ 675.00

The Annual Fees to be paid to the Government upon approval of the work permit is BZ $2,000.00.

Additional Services

Trade License Applications

Trade License Application Fee	US $ 250.00
(A non-refundable fee of BZ$150.00 must accompany the application. Please note that there will be a separate fee livied once the trade license has been approved)
• We may accompany you at the Labour Department for a small fee.	US $ 150.00
*Note these fees will vary if the application is made outside the district of Belize.