Digital Nomad Visa In Belize For Expats

If you are looking for an exotic country on the Central American coast, Belize may be one of the most intriguing off-the-radar destinations to consider. Belize is just a short flight away from the United States and Canada, as there are direct flights from cities like Calgary, Toronto, Miami, Dallas, and Los Angeles.

Some of Belize’s popular attractions include the world’s second-largest barrier reef, the Great Blue Hole, Cockscomb Wildlife Preservatory and Jaguar Reserve, and the Mayan ruins. Although learning Spanish would improve the quality of your stay, English is the official language of Belize. Many of Belize’s larger cities are expat and digital nomad friendly. These combined factors make Belize a wonderful destination for digital nomads and families who want to live in Belize. The Belize government has recently released a 6-month digital nomad visa, which you can extend upon request.

Belize houses at the beach

Living in Belize Overview

Belize is a smaller Central American country with a population of around 411,000 and a GDP of around $2.4 billion USD. This country is not the first name that comes to mind when one thinks of exploring the coast and mountains of Central America, yet Belize offers many amazing outdoor attractions that shouldn’t be missed. Belize has 17 national parks that you can visit and 280 kilometres of coastline bordering the Caribbean to the East. The country is also home to various UNESCO sites, including the Belize Barrier Reef System and Great Blue Hole. You can easily explore the country on your own, or you can receive discounts on organized activities if you travel to Belize on a digital nomad visa.

The cost of living in Belize is roughly in line with other Central American countries, so it will be easy to save money while splurging on travel. The average salary in Belize is around $800 USD/month, and apartments in Belize can start as low as $300 USD/month in larger cities. However, if you plan to stay in Belize for six months, it may be harder to find a lease, and you may have to resort to more expensive options on Airbnb or search for opportunities when you are in the country. Your biggest expenses will most likely be spending on travel, as well as restaurants and entertainment in bigger cities.

Related content: Relax While Working With Brazil’s Digital Nomad Visa

Mayflower Waterfall, Belize

Digital Nomad Visa IN BELIZE

The Belize Digital Nomad Visa is called the Work Where You Vacation Program. Belize only receives around 487,000 tourists annually, but the government hopes to increase this and increase tourism revenue by attracting digital nomads. This digital nomad visa allows digital nomads to spend up to 6 months working in Belize. This program is a good fit for solo digital nomads and families who want to spend time in Belize. You are eligible for this program if you perform work remotely for a company outside of Belize.  One benefit of this program is that your kids can come with you and receive a student permit to study in Belize.

One of the main factors that may deter applicants is that the income requirements are higher relative to other digital nomad visa programs in Central America. To be eligible, you must prove that you have a minimum annual salary of $75,000 USD or $100,000 USD for a family. Other regional digital nomad visa programs only require $1,500 USD/month or more in income.

Related content: Applying For A Digital Nomad Visa In Bermuda

Belize houses in a sunny day

How to Apply FOR THE DIGITAL NOMAD VISA

The application process for this visa is relatively simple, as you can apply online and then pay the fee once you arrive in Belize. To apply, you need to submit the following documents:

• Copy of your passport
• Criminal background check
• A letter explaining the reason you want to become a temporary resident of Belize
• Proof of residence in Belize (rent bill, utility, accommodation booking)
• Proof of employment
• Proof that you meet the minimum income requirements
• Travel insurance policy with a minimum of $50,000 USD in coverage

It costs $250 USD to apply for this digital nomad visa, which is reasonable as long-term tourists used to pay $100 for every 30-day extension. You do not need to pay the fee online and can pay once you arrive at the airport. There is no official timeframe for application approval, but you should hear back in a couple of weeks. It is best to use a hotel or Airbnb address in your application.

Your visa is valid for six months, and you then have the option to extend your visa. One benefit of Belize is that Belize residents do not have to pay taxes on their global income.

Related content: The Basics Of How To Get A Second Passport Or A Second Residency.

Belize, Belize city - Supreme Court

Other Options FOR VISA IN BELIZE

This digital nomad visa program is a solid option, as other residency programs in Belize require a significant investment. For example, you need to invest $500,000 Belize Dollars ($248,266 USD) in a business or real estate to become a resident of Belize. Another cheaper option, which is attractive for retirees, is to take advantage of the Belize Retired Person’s Incentive Program (QRP). All you need to do to be eligible for this program is to prove that you can move $2,000 USD/month into a local bank account in Belize to support your stay. After one year, you can renew your residency card if you prove that you transferred $24,000 USD into Belize during the first year. Overall, it makes sense to utilize the digital nomad visa if you are working and able to meet the income requirements.

Belize Sunset

Takeaway

Belize is a perfect digital nomad visa program for families interested in exploring intriguing but less popular destinations in Central America. Belize has many stunning outdoor attractions for tourists, and major cities like Belize City are easy for expats to navigate. The application fee is much lower than other Caribbean DNV programs that also support families applying, and you only need to pay once you are accepted and reach Belize. One of the only real downsides is that the income requirements are very high, even though the cost of living in Belize is low. Other digital nomad visa programs in Brazil or Costa Rica could be a solid option if you do not meet the income requirements.