Belize Digital Nomad Visa: How to Get One in 2024

With an eastern coastline hugging the blue waters of the Caribbean, Belize is a country of stunning natural beauty and intriguing culture, which has long been tucked away as one of the hidden gems of Central American travel.

Suppose you’ve heard good things about this small yet beautiful country, and you’re hoping to make it your next home base in your digital nomad travels. In that case, you’ll need to acquire a Belize digital nomad visa to make your stay in the country legal.

Here’s a closer look at what the Belize digital nomad visa can offer you, its qualification requirements, and the process you’ll need to follow to make a successful application.

The Belize Digital Nomad Visa

The Belize digital nomad visa is available as part of the nation’s “Work Where You Vacation” program. This allows foreign remote workers to earn legally in the country for a maximum of six months. This period can be extended later with a successful renewal application.

Following a successful application, a Belize digital nomad visa can offer you:

The ability to live and work legally in Belize for up to six months, with the possibility to extend this based on a renewal application.
The waiving of usual work permit requirements imposed on people who enter under other visa programs.
The option to waive student permits for your children who enter the country with you.
Special offers on specific accommodation, events, and entertainment from companies that participate in the Work Where You Vacation program.

How to Get a Belize Digital Nomad Visa

To be accepted on the Work Where You Vacation program and get a Belize digital nomad visa, you’ll need to make sure you meet specific requirements and complete the steps set out by the country’s government.

Here’s a guide on how you can get a Belize digital nomad visa:

Step 1: Confirm You’re Eligible

The Belize digital nomad visa’s eligibility requirements are pretty simple but somewhat more demanding than those of other digital nomad visas available around the world.

To make a successful application, you’ll need to:

Be working for a company based outside of Belize. This can be a foreign employer who has permitted you to work remotely or yourself in the case that you’re a freelancer or business owner.
Be earning a minimum annual salary of $75,000 USD. Note that if you’re planning to bring your spouse or any dependents with you to Belize, this minimum will go up to $100,000 USD.
Have travel insurance that’s valid for claims made in Belize and ensures a minimum coverage of $50,000 USD.

Step 2: Gather the Required Documents

Suppose you find you’re eligible for the Belize digital nomad visa. In that case, the next step in the process is to gather the documents required for the application.

The documents you’ll need to make an application include:

A passport with at least six months of validity from the date when you plan to submit your application.
Your country’s police force completes a criminal background check.
Proof of residence in Belize.
Proof of employment, which can be in the form of an employment contract, contracts between your business and your clients, or evidence of ownership of a company. Note that whatever entity you get your income from must be based outside of Belize.
Proof of income that meets the minimum required, for example, in the form of a bank statement.
A copy of a valid travel insurance policy with coverage of at least $50,000 USD.

Step 3: Fill Out the Application Form

Once you have all the necessary documents organized, your next step will be to start the application process itself.

Note that Belize maintains a single form for all visa applications. To ensure that your application reflects your travel plans, be sure to select “business” (negocio) where prompted and briefly explain the details of your trip in the following field.

Step 4: Submit the Application

Fortunately, Belize allows you to submit visa applications online. Attach the completed application form and digital copies of your necessary supporting documents to an email and send it to the Belizean government’s immigration department at secretary@immigration.gov.bz or visas@immigration.gov.bz.

Note that while most applications can be processed this way, the relevant department may require you to make an in-person appointment or refer to your local Belizean consulate, so it’s worth looking up where this is and their contact information.

Step 5: Pay the Visa Fee

Once your visa has been approved, you’ll be all set to fly to Belize. Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll need to pay a $250 USD visa fee, after which you’ll have your passport stamped with your digital nomad visa.

Pros and Cons of the Belize Digital Nomad Visa

Like a lot of nomads, you might be considering a few different destinations to make your next home base while you live and earn.

Here are some of the key pros and cons of the Belize digital nomad visa to help you decide whether it’s right for you:

Pros

The visa is open to all nationalities and free of the political restrictions that come with some other digital nomad visas.
Belize operates a territorial tax system, meaning you won’t have to pay taxes on any income made outside of Belize.
The Work Where You Vacation program includes discounts on participating companies’ accommodation, events, and entertainment, a unique benefit for a digital nomad visa.
The visa is family-friendly, with the option to bring your spouse or dependents into the country with you.

Cons

The six-month duration of the visa is shorter than many other visas. It may not be suitable for nomads who want to set up in Belize more permanently.
The visa processing time is uncertain, which can make it hard to plan ahead and properly arrange your travel plans.
The minimum income requirement of $75,000 USD per year for individuals may make this visa hard to access for many nomads.

What’s Next

Belize’s status as a lesser-known gem of Central America makes it a fantastic place for digital nomads who want to explore a new destination without rotating through the same nomadic hotspots. We hope this guide has given you a better understanding of how you can acquire your Belize digital nomad visa and plan a successful trip.

If you’re looking for insurance for your visa application, be sure to check out some of our global insurance plans for digital nomads.