Belize Digital Nomad Visa
Quick Visa Facts
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Quick facts about Belize
Belize is a beautiful country located on the east coast of Central America, sharing borders with Guatemala and Mexico. Belize is a small country, but it has a wide range of wildlife, culture, and history.
Belize is a hidden treasure in Central America. Not many people think about visiting this country, let alone moving there. But it has a lot more to offer than you might think!
Capital Belmopan
Form of Government Constitutional monarchy
Population 397,621 (2020)
Climate Subtropical climate
Language English
Currency Belizean dollar
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Living in Belize as a digital nomad
Being based in Belize gives you the opportunity to experience a unique culture, full of vibrancy and warmth. Since it’s located in central america you might assume they speak Spanish, but there national language is actually English, making it super easy for digital nomads to chat with locals. Belize is the perfect place for those seeking adventure, outdoor activities, and a laid-back lifestyle.
Belize is full of wide-open outdoor spaces, ready to fulfill your wanderlust. You can dive into the world’s second-largest coral reef, relax on the beach, wander around Mayan ruins, explore jungles to see whimsical flora and fauna, and even paddle through underground caves.
You can do all of these exciting things while working from home and staying on top of everything. How amazing is that?
Attractions and best places to visit
Belize is bursting with natural beauty, and there are many things to see as a first-time visitor…and even if you’ve been there before, there’s always something new to discover.
Belize is home to the world’s second-largest barrier reef. It is known as Belize Barrier Reef and it covers more than 180 miles along the Caribbean coast of Belize. The Reef is protected by many reserves and monuments, some of which are available for tourists to visit.
The top place to visit is the Great Blue Hole, a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site and Natural Monument. It plunges into a sapphire sinkhole, where you can explore limestone stalactites and bright corals, and if you’re lucky, you’ll get to see the resident school of reef sharks.
Another amazing diving spot is the Turneffe Islands Atoll. It has more than 200 coral islands surrounding a beautiful lagoon. This atoll is home to many different species, especially bonefish. So keep your eyes open while diving to see as many marine species as possible.
If you want to enjoy the sun and relax in the sand, head toward one of the many beaches Belize has to offer. The Placencia Peninsula is the perfect spot for this. It’s a popular fishing village and beach resort, with the best beaches in the country.
If you prefer the jungle, then head towards Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s a mountainous tropical forest that protects many animals, like jaguars, ocelots, pumas, tapirs, monkeys, and more. The reserve also has over 290 recorded bird species. You can take one of the many hiking trails to try and see as much wildlife as possible.
The Cayo District’s Archaeological Sites are perfect if you want to explore ancient Mayan sites. You can see Xunantunich, which is perched on a limestone ridge overlooking the Mopan River. Another famous archeological site is El Pilar. In fact, it is one of the largest ones in Belize.
But if you want to know about the true Belizian culture, head towards Belize City. It used to be a Mayan fishing village and was the country’s capital until 1970. Now it’s the country’s largest city and commercial center. The city has many museums and a historical center that showcase the best features of Belize’s culture. Plus, the locals are very friendly and happy to immerse visitors into their country.
Digital Nomad Hotspots
The top places for digital nomads in Belize are Umaya Village and Caye Caulker.
Umaya Village is a resort that was turned into a digital community. It is located in Placencia, and it has all the amenities remote workers could ever need. The guests can stay at self-contained apartments with stunning views of the lagoon or the ocean. Plus, the village runs many workshops that help the professional development of the visitors, and they host regular excursions to see the country.
Caye Caulker is another popular spot among digital nomads and remote workers. It’s a five-mile-long island off the coast of Belize. The island community is very welcoming to all its visitors, especially those looking to stay there for extended periods of time. The locals are friendly and charismatic, so you’ll make lots of friends while staying there.
Cost of Living
Belize can be affordable, especially if you’re used to living in the US or Europe. The local currency is the Belize Dollar, but the US dollar is accepted widely all over the country. 1BZ = 0.50USD.
A one-bedroom apartment in the center of the city can cost you around $515 per month. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs around $8.
Most Belizeans travel the country using public buses. In fact, it is their primary form of transportation. Sadly, Belize doesn’t have a subway or railway system, so it might be better for you to also use to use the bus or rent a car.
Digital Nomad Essentials
The internet connection in Belize is a hit or a miss. You should definitely check the Wi-Fi speed of where you’re staying in advance, so you know you’ll have enough for your job. You should also get a SIM card so that you can use your hotspot if needed. There are two popular service providers, Smart and Digi. You can a SIM card for around $11.50.
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Visa Overview
With the growing popularity of remote work and digital nomads, Belize has risen to the occasion to attract more people to the country. This is why they have the Work Where You Vacation program, which is the digital nomad visa for Belize.
The digital nomad visa for Belize is a program which allows individuals to move to Belize for six months, with the possibility to extend. This program is also extended to families and gives the opportunity for your kids to study in the school system of the country.
As they say: “Work Where You Vacation is the perfect way to spend six months living in, working from, and falling in love with Belize.”
This program gives you a work permit, a student permit for children, and special offers on activities, entertainment, and accommodations.
It is important to keep in mind the COVID-19 restrictions. Keep up to date with all the travel restrictions with this website!
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Who Can Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa for Belize
The Work Where You Vacation program doesn’t have any nationality restrictions. It does, however, have some requirements that all applicants must comply with.
In order to apply for the program, you must have a minimum annual income of $75,000 for individuals or $100,000 for couples/families.
You must also possess a valid passport and have a travel insurance policy with a minimum of $50,000 of coverage.
How to Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa for Belize
Applying for the Work Where You Vacation program is quick and simple.
First of all, you must apply online with the Immigration Department. You can email your application at the following emails: visas@immigration.gov.bz or secretary@immigration.gov.bz
Once applying, you must wait for the approval. Once you get it, you can travel to Belize with your travel documents.
You must pay the Work Where You Vacation fee at the airport upon arrival.
Documents required to apply for the digital nomad visa for Belize
Proof of employment outside of Belize ( minimum annual income of $75,000 for individuals or $100,000 for couples/families)
Notarized banking reference and statement of account
Clear criminal record (no more than 6 months old)
Valid passport
Travel insurance policy (minimum of $50,000 of coverage)
How much does it cost?
The cost of the fee for this visa is not specified.
Belize has another Temporary Residency visa, which costs $300, so expect a similar price for the Work Where You Vacation program.
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Timeline for Applying
There is currently no specified timeline for the application process. But you can expect your application to be processed in a matter of weeks.
Curious about other digital nomad visas that you may be eligible for? Enter your details in our Visa Wizard to get a list of all the options available to you.
Author
Nadia Dardón is a freelance writer from Guatemala. In early 2022 she embarked as a digital nomad, traveling through Europe, focusing mostly on the literary history of each country. She has worked fully remotely for the past four years as a reader, writer, and content creator with experience creating pieces for different industries. She also has a personal blog where she writes about her cultural and literary travels.