Commencement

This Order shall come into force on the 8th day of July, 1999. (JORGE ESPAT) Minister of National Security and Immigration Minister responsible for Immigration Immigration 117 CHAPTER 156 IMMIGRATION (VISA RELAXATION DECLARATION) (REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA) ORDER ARRANGEMENT OF PARAGRAPHS 2. Visa relaxation agreement. 118 Immigration CHAPTER 156 CAP. 121. CAP 156. R.E. 2020. IMMIGRATION (VISA RELAXATION DECLARATION) (REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA) ORDER (Section 8) [24th May, 1997.] 1. This Order may be cited as theIMMIGRATION (VISA RELAXATION DECLARATION) (REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA) ORDER. agreement 2. It is hereby declared that in order to further develop and strengthen the friendly relations between the countries of Belize and Venezuela, Belize has concluded an agreement with the Republic of Venezuela for the relaxation of visa restrictions. Under the agreement, citizens of Venezuela entering Belize as bona fide tourists, visitors or businessmen shall be exempted on a reciprocal basis, from the obligation of obtaining an Entry Visa to Belize for a period not exceeding 30 calendar days. MADE by the Minister of Foreign Affairs this 13th day of May, 1997. (DEAN O. BARROW) Minister of Foreign Affairs Immigration 119 CHAPTER 156 IMMIGRATION (VISA RELAXATION DECLARATION) (DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL PASSPORT HOLDERS (SPECIFIED COUNTRIES) ORDER ARRANGEMENT OF PARAGRAPHS SCHEDULE 120 Immigration CHAPTER 156 121 of 1997. Ch. 121. R.E. 2003. CAP. 156. R.E. 2020. IMMIGRATION (VISA RELAXATION DECLARATION) (DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL PASSPORT HOLDERS (SPECIFIED COUNTRIES) ORDER (Section 8) [20th December, 1997] 1. This Order may be cited as theShort title. IMMIGRATION (VISA RELAXATION DECLARATION) (DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL PASSPORT HOLDERS) (SPECIFIED COUNTRIES) ORDER. Declaration of visa relaxation. Schedule. 2. It is hereby declared that in order to further develop and strengthen the friendly relations existing between Belize and those countries listed in the Schedule to this Order, and following an Agreement reached with the said countries at Managua in September, 1997, Belize has agreed to relax, on a reciprocal basis, visa restrictions on bona fide holders of diplomatic and official passports issued by the said countries who will be entering Belize for periods not exceeding 30 calendar days. Commencement. 3. This Order shall come into force on the 5th day of December, 1997. (DEAN O. BARROW) Minister of Foreign Affairs Immigration 121 SCHEDULE [Paragraph 2] PANAMA HONDURAS NICARAGUA EL SALVADOR DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 122 Immigration CHAPTER 156 IMMIGRATION (VISA RELAXATION DECLARATION) (DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL PASSPORT HOLDERS) (MEXICO) ORDER ARRANGEMENT OF PARAGRAPHS 1. Short title. 2. Declaration of visa relaxation. 3. Commencement. Immigration 123 CHAPTER 156 31 of 1998. Ch.121. R.E. 2003. CAP. 156. R.E. 2020. IMMIGRATION (VISA RELAXATION DECLARATION) (DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL PASSPORT HOLDERS) (MEXICO) ORDER (Section 8) [18th April,1998.] Short title. 1. This Order may be cited as theIMMIGRATION (VISA RELAXATION DECLARATION) (DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL PASSPORT HOLDERS) (MEXICO) ORDER. 2. It is hereby declared that in order to further develop and strengthen the friendly relations existing between Belize and Mexico, and following an Agreement reached with Mexico at the Second Meeting of the Belize-Mexico Binational Working Group on Migratory Matters held in January 1998, Belize has agreed to relax, on a reciprocal basis, visa restrictions on bona fide holders of diplomatic and official passports issued by Mexico who will be entering Belize for periods not exceeding 30 calendar days. Declaration of visa relaxation. 3. This Order shall come into force on the 3rd day of April, 1998. Commencement. (DEAN O. BARROW) Minister of Foreign Affairs 124 Immigration CHAPTER 156 IMMIGRATION (VISA RELAXATION DECLARATION) (DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL PASSPORT HOLDERS) (CUBA) ORDER ARRANGEMENT OF PARAGRAPHS 1. Short title. 2. Declaration of visa relaxation. 3. Commencement. Immigration 125 CHAPTER 156 38 of 1999. Ch. 121. R.E. 2003. CAP. 156. R.E. 2020. IMMIGRATION (VISA RELAXATION DECLARATION) (DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL PASSPORT HOLDERS) (CUBA) ORDER (Section 8) [25th April,1998.] Short title. 1. This Order may be cited as theIMMIGRATION (VISA RELAXATION DECLARATION) (DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL PASSPORTS HOLDERS) (CUBA)ORDER. 2. It is hereby declared that in order to further develop and strengthen the friendly relations existing between Belize and Cuba, and in accordance with an Agreement signed between Belize and Cuba at the 2nd Joint Commission Meeting held in Havana, Cuba on the 8th April, 1998, Belize has agreed to relax, on a reciprocal basis, visa restriction on bona fide holders of diplomatic and official passports issued by Cuba who will be entering Belize for periods not exceeding 30 calendar days. Declaration of visa relaxation. 3. This Order shall come into force on the 17th day of April, 1998. Commencement. (DEAN O. BARROW) Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Foreign Affairs National Security & Attorney General 126 Immigration CHAPTER 156 VISA RELAXATION DECLARATION) DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT HOLDERS (AUSTRIA) ORDER ARRANGEMENT OF PARAGRAPHS 1. Short title. 2. Declaration of visa relaxation. 3. Commencement. Immigration 127 CHAPTER 156 134 of 2002. CAP.156. R.E. 2003. R.E. 2020. IMMIGRATION (VISA RELAXATION DECLARATION) (DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT HOLDERS) (AUSTRIA) ORDER (Section 8) [2nd November,2002.] Short title. 1. This Order may be cited as theIMMIGRATION (VISA RELAXATION DECLARATION) (DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT HOLDERS) (AUSTRIA) ORDER. 2. It is hereby declared that in order to further develop and strengthen the friendly relations between Belize and Austria, the Government of Belize has concluded an Agreement with the Government of the Republic of Austria, under which Belize has agreed to relax, on a reciprocal basis, visa restrictions on bona fide holders of diplomatic passports issued by Austria who will be entering Belize for periods not exceeding six months. Declaration of visa relaxation. 3. This Order shall come into force on the 8th day of August, 2002. Commencement (ASSAD SHOMAN) Minister responsible for Immigration 128 Immigration CHAPTER 156 IMMIGRATION (PERMITS AND FEES) (REVISED) REGULATIONS ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS 1. Short title. 2. Interpretation. 3. Application for visas to be made abroad. 4. Visa application fee. 5. Fees payable on issue of permits. 6. Waiver of fees. 7. Repatriation deposit. 8. Repeal of S.I. 208/04 and S.I. 15/05. 9. Commencement. SCHEDULE Immigration 129 CHAPTER 156 IMMIGRATION (PERMITS AND FEES) (REVISED) REGULATIONS [Gazetted 9th April, 2005.] Short title. 1. These Regulations may be cited as theIMMIGRATION (PERMITS AND FEES) (REVISED) REGULATIONS. 2.–(1) For the purpose of the RegulationsInterpretation. 42 of 2005. “Director’ means the Director of Immigration and Nationality Services; “entertainer” means a person whose profession is to provide entertainment to the public; “Entry Permit” refers to a visa only; “general worker” mean an unskilled worker and includes a full- time agricultural worker; “Minister” means the Minister responsible for immigration matters; “professional worker” means a person holding a University Degree in any subject; “seasonal agricultural worker’ means a person whose employment is for the duration of only one crop season; 130 Immigration “technical worker” means a worker who is skilled in any craft, trade, profession, vocation or calling, nut who does not possess a University degree. (2). Other Words and expression used but not defined in the Regulations shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Immigration Act; (3) Where any dispute arises as to the category in which an applicant for employment permit falls, the matters shall be referred to the Minister whose decision thereon shall be final. Application for visas to be made abroad. 3. Every person who intends to obtain an Entry Permit (Visa) to enter Belize shall ordinarily apply to the diplomatic or consular office of Belize in the country where the applicant resides, or where Belize is not so represented, to the diplomatic or consular office of the country that acts on behalf of Belize in that country by mutual agreement. In exceptional circumstances where it would be impracticable or inexpedient to issue visas abroad, such an application may be made in Belize, but in every such case the conditions for the grant of the Entry Permit and the fees payable shall apply in like manner as if the application had been made abroad. Visa application fee. 4.–(1) All applications for Entry Permits to enter Belize from nationals of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, except for holders of diplomatic and official passports, shall be accompanied by a non-refundable application fee of two hundred dollars (BZ$200.00). (2) The application fee referred to a paragraph (1) above shall be retained by the diplomatic or consular office (whether of Belize or another country) to whom the application is made to cover their administrative costs in processing the application. Fees payable on issue of permits. Schedule. 5.–(1) The fees specified in Column III of the Schedule annexed hereto shall be payable on the issue of the permits or certificates specified in Column I of the said Schedule for the duration (if applicable) specified in Column II thereof. Immigration 131 (2) The fees payable on the issue of Entry Permits (Visas) shall be paid to the diplomatic or consular office issuing the Permits, who shall credit the same to the account of the Government of Belize as may from time to time be prescribed by the Financial Secretary and send a monthly statement to that effect to the Director. In cases where the applicant has a sponsor in Belize, the fee may be paid by the sponsor to the Immigration and Nationality Department of the Accountant General’ Office, as appropriate. Schedule. (3) If an applicant for any of the permits or certificates set out in the Schedule hereto is in Belize at the time of making the application, such applicant shall make the application to the Immigration and Nationality Department in person, and shall personally collect any approved permit or certificate upon presentation of proof of identity. (4) No visa (Entry Permit) fee shall be payable by holders of diplomatic and official passports. (5) No visa fee shall be payable by a person to whom a special case visa has been issued nor by a person who is visiting Belize on an educational, cultural or sporting program. 12 of 2019. 6. Notwithstanding anything contained in regulations 4 and 5, the Minister may waive the payment of the specified fee on the issue of a permit or certificate Waiver of fees. 89 of 2020. 7.–(1) Revoked. Repatriation deposit. 32 of 2011. (2) Revoked. (3) Revoked. (4) Revoked. (5) A national of another country, who travels to Belize without a return ticket, valid for the entire duration of their proposed stay in Belize, shall be required to pay the appropriate 132 Immigration repatriation deposit on arrival, the amount of which shall be fixed by the Director, based on the cost of Repatriation to the immigrant’s country of origin. (6) No repatriation deposit will be required from holders of diplomatic and official passports. (7) Revoked. (8) Where a repatriation deposit is not reclaimed by the application within one year of its payment, (or, in the case of bona fide students, immediately at the expiry of the approved course), it will be paid into the General Revenue and will no longer be available for refund. (9) Every application for a refund of the repatriation deposit shall be accompanied by satisfactory evidence that the applicant has left Belize and shall be submitted to the Minister for final approval before the refund is allowed. (10) The Director shall maintain a detailed account of repatriation deposits received and refunded and shall regularly submit a monthly report thereof to the Minister. Repeal of S.I. 208/04 and S.I 15/05. 8. The Immigration (Permits and Fees) Regulation 2004, as amended, are hereby repealed. Commencement. 9. These Regulations shall come into force on the 11th day of April, 2005. MADE by the Minister of Home Affairs this 7th day of April, 2005. (RALPH H. FONSECA) Minister of Home Affairs, Minister responsible for Immigration Immigration 133 SCHEDULE 85 of 2006. 32 of 2011. 24 of 2020. 42 of 2020. 89 of 2020. [Regulation 5] Column I Permit or Certificate Column II Duration of Column III Fees Permit or Certificate BZ$ 1. ENTRY PERMITS (VISAS) (including Student’s or Dependent’ Permit) (a) Tourist, visitor’s, student’s On each occasion (Single Entry) Multiple entry (valid up to twelve months) $3,000.00 $4,000.00 and dependent’s permit for nationals of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) (b) Tourist, visitor’s, student’s On each occasion (Single Entry) Multiple entry (valid up to twelve months) $750.00 $1,000.00 dependent’s permit for nationals of India, Nepal, Thailand, Burma, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka (c) Visitor’s Entry Permit Single entry (valid for three months) $200.00 (Visa) for nationals of all other countries not listed in 1(a) or (b) Multiple entry (valid up to twelve months) $300.00 (d) Dependent’s Permit for One year $200.00 nationals of countries other than PRC 134 Immigration (e) Student’s Permit for nationals of countries other than PRC (i) Primary and secondary level students $100.00 (ii) Tertiary level students $100.00 (f) Extension of Visitor’s Permit for all countries Monthly $200.00 (g) Extension of Visitor’s Permit for visitors of all countries awaiting approval of a Temporary Employment Permit in the citrus or banana industries Monthly $100.00 (h) Visitor’s Entry Permit (Visa) for Permanent Residents of the United States of America or Canada or persons who hold a visitor’s visa issued by the United States of America or a Schengen Visa $200.00 2. TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT PERMIT (WORK PERMIT) (a) Professional Workers (Holders of University Degree) One year $3,000.00 (b) Professional Workers (Holders of University Degree) employed on contract by the Government of Belize One year $1,000.00 (c) Technical Workers One year $1,500.00 Immigration 135 (d) Technical Workers employed on contract by the One year $750.00 (e) General Workers/Farmhands (in Banana, sugar, coconut, shrimp and citrus industries, other than seasonal agricultural workers One year $300.00 (f) General Workers (in all other industries not covered by subparagraphs 2 (c) or (e) One year $750.00 (g) Seasonal Agricultural Workers One crop season $150.00 (h) Self-Employed Workers (in other industries not covered under sub-paragraphs 2 (g) i.e., owners or managers) One year $3,000.00 (i) Self-Employed Workers in the agricultural industry (i.e., owners or managers of farms) One year $2,000.00 (j) Entertainers performing in groups of two or more persons, but whose group consists of less than six persons One week of less $1000.00 (k) Entertainers performing in groups of six persons or more One week or less $1,500.00 (l) Entertainers performing alone One week of less $600.00 (m) Religious, cultural, One year $200.00 educational and voluntary workers (n) Import/Export Traders One year $1,500.00 136 Immigration (o) Pedlars One Year $1000.00 (p) Waitresses and domestics One year (No permit to be issued except in exceptional cases $1000.00 3. PERMANENT RESIDENCE PERMIT (a) For citizens of Central American countries, Dominican Republic and Mexico Indefinite $1500.00 (b) For Citizens of CARICOM countries Indefinite $1000.00 (c) For Citizens of USA and Cuba and South American countries except Guyana Indefinite $4,000.00 (d) For citizens of the People’s Republic of China Indefinite $4,000.00 (e) For citizens of other Commonwealth countries not included in any of the above categories Indefinite $3,000.00 (f) For citizens of European countries Indefinite $6,000.00 (g) For citizens of all other countries not included in categories above Indefinite $4,000.00 (h) For the issuance of a permanent residence card in replacement of one which is lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Five years $300.00 Immigration 137 (i) Temporary Residence (Renewable yearly) One year Fee equivalent to 1/5 of permanent residence fee based on country of origin. (j) Replacement of Temporary Residence Card to replace one lost, stolen or mutilated Remaining period $300.00 (k) Permanent Residence for Fee equal to 50% of the adult fee based on country of origin. 4. TEMPORARY BORDER PERMIT minors (a) Temporary Border Permit One year $40.00 (b) Digital Border Crossing Three years $40.00 per year Card (c) Replacement of Digital Remaining period $40.00 Border Crossing Card to replace one lost, stolen or mutilated (d) CARICOM Single Market and Economy Free Movement Skills (CSME) Certificate– (i) Application for new Skills Certificate $225.00 138 Immigration (ii) Dependents under the age of 18 $50.00 each (iii) Dependents over the age of 18 $100.00 (iv) Replacement of Skills Certificate $50.00 (v) Amendment, upgrade or verification of Skills Certificate $25.00 Immigration 139 CHAPTER 156. IMMIGRATION (DELEGATION) ORDER ARRANGEMENT OF PARAGRAPHS 1. Short title. 2. Delegation of functions. 140 Immigration CHAPTER 156 20 of 2017. CAP. 156. R.E. 2020. IMMIGRATION (DELEGATION) ORDER (Gazetted 4th March, 2017). 1.This Order may be cited as theShort title. IMMIGRATION (DELEGATION) ORDER. Delegation of functions. 2. The Minister hereby delegates to the Minister of State, appointed to assist him, the exercise of powers and performance of functions conferred upon the Minister under sections 5, 27 and 39 of the Act (which provisions relate to prohibited immigrants and the making of regulations). MADE by the Minister responsible for immigration this 14th day of February, 2017. (HON. GODWIN HULSE) (Minister responsible for Immigration) Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration Immigration 141 CHAPTER 156 IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) ACT (COMMENCEMENT) ORDER ARRANGEMENT OF PARAGRAPHS 1. Citation. 2. Commencement of Act No. 10 of 2018. 142 Immigration CHAPTER 156 25 of 2018. CAP. 156. R.E. 2020. IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) ACT (COMMENCEMENT) ORDER (Gazetted 16th May, 2018.) 1. This Order may be cited as theIMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) ACT, (COMMENCEMENT) ORDER. Commencement of Act No. 10 of 2018. 2. I, GODWIN HULSE, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration, hereby appoint the 16th day of May, 2018, as the day on which the Immigration (Amendment) Act 2018 (No. 10 of 2018), shall come into force. MADE by the Minister this 16th day of May, 2018. (HON. GODWIN HULSE) Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration (Minister responsible for Immigration)