To enter Belize, all most visitors need is a valid passport that won’t expire for at least 90 days. Cruise ship passengers are exempt from these requirements.

Except for cruise ship passengers, all visitors entering Belize must show that they have a return ticket. Visitors may also be required to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to cover the costs of their time in Belize.

Anyone who is an American, Canadian, EU, or CARICOM citizen can enter Belize for up to 30 days. Likewise, anyone with a valid U.S. residency permit (“green card”) or a Schengen Zone visa in their passport can also enter Belize for up to 30 days.

If you’re unsure whether or not you need a visa to enter Belize, you can contact the Belizean Embassy in your country. In the United States, the Embassy of Belize is located at 2535 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, in Washington, D.C. Their phone number is (202) 332-6741. If there is not a Belizean embassy in your country, you can route your queries through the nearest British Embassy.

Staying Longer in Belize

After 30 days, if you wish to remain in Belize, you must apply for a visa extension from the Immigration and Nationality Department. This extension is valid for 30 days and can be renewed every month for up to a year. After a year, you can apply for permanent residency.

The main office of the Belize Immigration and Nationality Department is in Belmopan. Their phone number is (501) 822-2662. There are also satellite offices in Dangriga, Belize City, Corozal, and Orange Walk.

Motor Vehicles and Boats

If you’re driving or boating into Belize from Guatemala or Mexico, you must purchase a temporary import permit at the border. This permit is valid for 30 days and can be renewed at the Immigration and Nationality Department.

Exiting Belize

Although there are no fees or costs (for individual people) to enter Belize, all foreign visitors must pay an exit tax when leaving the country.

In some cases, this exit tax may be included in the price of your airfare or cruise. If not, the exit fee ranges from $20 to $57.50, the price depending on whether you fly out of Belize or leave via a land/maritime border.