Belize's Immigration Department lets travellers check by nationality whether they need a visa, and exempts from the entry visa, for visits not exceeding 30 days, holders of a valid multiple-entry visa or permanent residence card from the United States or Canada and holders of a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa. It says a stay longer than 30 days needs a Visitor's Permit Extension from an Immigration Office, which allows an additional 30 days for BZD 200. The UK, US, Canadian and Australian governments tell their citizens they need no visa for visits of up to 30 days.
Every fact on this page verified on or after: Aug 26, 2026· How this site works
Check requirements for your passport
Requirements differ by nationality. Select your passport above, or scan the full table below.
Single-entry visas are valid for 6 months: BZD 3,000 for nationals of the People's Republic of China, BZD 750 for nationals of India, Nepal, Thailand, Burma, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and BZD 200 for all other nationals. Multiple-entry visas are valid for 12 months and cost BZD 4,000, 1,000 and 300 respectively; the department says you may qualify for one if you hold a temporary status in Belize.
Visitor Permit Extension
Fee
200 BZD
Processing
—
Stay per entry
30 days
BZD 200 for all nationals; each Visitor's Permit Extension allows an additional 30 days. The holder may not enter into employment, paid or unpaid, or engage in any business or profession without the consent of the Director of Immigration.
Entry requirements
Passport validity
Belize's Immigration Department says visa applicants must have a passport valid for more than 6 months. No official Belizean source we could read states a minimum for visa-exempt visitors. The UK Foreign Office tells British nationals their passport must have an expiry date more than 3 months after the date they arrive, and that some airlines may refuse boarding if it is not more than 6 months after arrival.
No official source we read lists a vaccination certificate required for entry.
Travel insurance
Not officially stated
No official source we could read states a travel-insurance requirement for Belize. The Government Press Office's Cabinet brief of 14 July 2022 says Cabinet approved the removal of all public health measures at points of entry.
Belize's Immigration Department says a visa applicant's flight itinerary must show expected arrival in Belize and the return date to the country of origin (or, if transiting, the date of departure to the country of destination). Canada's travel advice says customs officials may ask you to show a return or onward ticket.
Belize's Immigration Department lists an employment letter and banking financials among the documents visa applicants need to present, including if they are self-sponsored. Canada's travel advice says customs officials may ask you to show proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay. No official source we could read states an amount.
A visitor's permit extension is granted on condition that the holder does not remain in Belize beyond the permit's expiry. The Immigration Act lists failing to comply with the conditions of a permit, and an offence under the Act with no other prescribed penalty is punishable on summary conviction by a fine of up to 5,000 dollars, up to 2 years' imprisonment, or both. The minimum is a fine of 1,000 dollars for a first offence, and a fine of 3,000 dollars or 1 year's imprisonment for a second or later offence. The Act does not name the currency. The Canadian government says visitors who overstay the 30-day period without the required visa may be fined, detained or deported.
Conservation fee (Protected Areas Conservation Trust) — 7.50 Belize dollars per person (the Act writes the amount in words). Paid on departure.
Every non-Belizean person departing from any air, land or sea border point pays a conservation fee of 7.50 Belize dollars. It is collected by the airline for departures by air, by the vessel's captain or the inspecting immigration officer for departures by sea other than cruise ship passengers, and by the Border Management Agency or another authorized agent for departures by road.
Development fee (air departures) — 32.50 Belize dollars per person (the Act writes the amount in words).
Every non-Belizean person departing from any air border point pays a development fee of 32.50 Belize dollars.
Departure tax (international airport) — 20 dollars per person; the Act writes the amount in words and does not name the currency. Included in the air ticket.
Every person leaving Belize at an international airport pays a departure tax of 20 dollars; the Act does not name the currency. People whose visit lasts less than 24 hours, persons under 12 and crew of the departing aircraft do not pay it. Each airline collects the tax from its own passengers. The UK government says that when leaving by air the tax is usually included in the airfare.
Exemptions: Visits to Belize of less than 24 hours; persons under 12; crew of the departing aircraft.
The US State Department gives USD 5,000 as Belize's currency restriction for entry and for exit, without saying whether larger sums must be declared or are barred. No Belizean source we could read states the rule.
The Government of Canada says Belize is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and that you must have a permit to collect, possess or export certain plants, animals and plant and animal products; that damaging the coral reef is a criminal offence; and that you must obtain a permit to possess pre-Columbian archaeological and Colonial-period artifacts.
The Government of Canada says the possession of firearms and ammunition is strictly regulated, and that you could face heavy fines and jail time if you are found in possession of an unlicensed firearm or ammunition.
The UK Foreign Office says Belize has one of the highest per capita murder rates in the world, and that serious gang-related violence occurs most frequently in Belize City, particularly south of the Haulover Creek (Southside); tourists are not normally the targets, but anyone near an incident could be affected. It says tourists are vulnerable to theft, including in San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Placencia and San Ignacio. Canada advises avoiding non-essential travel to Southside Belize City.Verified Oct 3, 2026 · Source: gov.uk (opens in a new tab) · archived copy Aug 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) Aug 3, 2026
Power plugs
A, B, G · 110V 60Hz
Emergency numbers
General emergencies: 911 · Alternative: 90
Time zone
UTC-6
International Driving Permit
Belize's Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act (Cap. 230, s. 45, Revised Edition 2011) says the holder of a valid international driving licence issued elsewhere than in Belize in accordance with an International Convention, or of a valid domestic driving licence issued elsewhere than in Belize, is exempt, while that licence remains valid, from the requirement to hold a Belize driving licence during a period of twelve months from the date of their last entry into Belize. The Department may also issue a temporary driving licence for any period not exceeding three months to an applicant shown to be a bona fide visitor to Belize.
The Government of Canada says the rainy season extends from May to November, that seasonal flooding can hamper overland travel and roads may become impassable, and that the hurricane season is from early June to the end of November. It says bush and forest fires are common between December and May, particularly in the Cayo District and in southern districts.
Tips & warnings
Belize's Immigration Department exempts from the entry visa, for visits not exceeding 30 days, holders of a valid multiple-entry visa or permanent residence card from the United States or Canada, and holders of a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa.
The UK Foreign Office says that if you leave Belize by land, or by water crossing to Guatemala or Mexico, you must pay a departure tax of 40 Belize dollars or 20 US dollars at the border, and that if you leave by air the tax is usually included in the ticket price.
Belize's Immigration Department says a stay longer than 30 days needs a Visitor's Permit Extension from an Immigration Office, which allows an additional 30 days; the fee is BZD 200 for all nationals.
The Government of Canada advises against non-essential travel to Southside Belize City, south of the Haulover Creek River, because of gang and drug-related violence, including murders and shootings.
Visa requirements by nationality
Visa requirements by nationality. Stay lengths are for ordinary tourist visits. Click a nationality for its full guide.
Belize's Immigration Department lets you check by nationality whether you need a visa. If you need one and live outside Belize, you can apply at your nearest Belizean diplomatic or consular mission; holders of a valid multiple-entry visa or permanent residence card from the United States or Canada, or of a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa, are exempt from the entry visa for visits not exceeding 30 days. The UK, US, Canadian and Australian governments tell their citizens they need no visa for visits of up to 30 days.
How long can I stay in Belize?
Belize's Immigration Department says that if you will stay longer than 30 days you need to visit an Immigration Office to extend your stay with a Visitor's Permit Extension, which allows an additional 30 days; the fee is BZD 200 for all nationals.
Can I enter Belize with a US visa instead of a Belizean visa?
Yes. Belize's Immigration Department exempts from the entry visa, for visits not exceeding 30 days, holders of a valid multiple-entry visa or permanent residence card from the United States. A valid multiple-entry Schengen visa, or a valid multiple-entry visa or permanent residence card from Canada, qualifies too.
Is travel insurance mandatory for Belize?
No official source we could read requires it. The Government Press Office's Cabinet brief of 14 July 2022 says Cabinet approved the removal of all public health measures at points of entry.
Can I pay with US dollars in Belize?
The Government of Canada says US dollars are widely accepted, that prices are sometimes provided in US dollars, and that change for payments in US dollars is frequently given in Belize dollars.
Sources & verification
Every fact on this page is compiled from and periodically re-checked against these official sources: