Belize Business Visa - Definitive Guide

There are certain formalities one needs to carry out when they are planning a business trip abroad. If you are a business person who has to attend business in Belize, you will need to issue a Belize business visa. With this visa, you will be allowed attend to your business meetings, conferences, exhibitions, auctions, carry out a deal with a company in Belize and several other business activities. However, you don’t need a business visa in Belize for the first 30 days for general business meetings, all you need is a valid passport. The validity of the visa will differ as per your requirement and it is a multiple-entry visa.

To apply for a business visa to Belize, you will first need to make sure that you match the eligibility criteria. The process for application is mainly offline and you can apply directly to the Belize High Commission. The steps for the process are given as follows:

1. Download the tourist visa application form.
2. Fill the form completely with required details.
3. Sign the visa application form as per the provided signatory proof.
4. Attach the given list of documents to the form.
5. Submit the documents personally to the Belize Consulate.

When you are filling out the form for a Belize business visa, you need to make sure that the information provided on the visa application form checks out with the details on your passport and other documents. If there is any incorrect or unverifiable information, there are chances that the visa application may get rejected. This kind of visa rejection can even affect your future applications for any kind of visa to Belize or any other country as well. To avoid the same, you can even pursue consultation from the professionals to make sure not to make a mistake that could have consequences.

The criteria put forth by the Belize High Commission are to be followed so that you have a business visa in Belize and you can perform your business activities. Some of the parameters are listed as follows:

• You must have proof of business ownership and purpose of visit
• You must have proper proof of your business enterprise to show it to the authorities.
• If you have been invited to a business conference or to attend a business or client meeting, an invitation letter from the company must be provided to the embassy.
• You must meet the health requirements

• You must be healthy enough to travel to Belize.
• You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide a relevant documentary proof.
• You must be within the age limit to be able to apply for a work permit.
• You must meet the character requirements

• You must be of good character and have genuine intentions behind working in Belize.
• You need to provide a relevant documentary proof for the same as well (if asked) in the form of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).
• You must have sufficient funds

• You must possess or have access to sufficient funds to be able to cover your stay and other expenses in Belize.
• Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.

There are different kinds of documents required depending on the purpose of the business visit to Belize. The important documents required for the business visa to Belize are given as follows:

• An original passport valid for at least 6 months ahead of the date of travel.
• Visa application form, completely filled and signed
• Coloured photographs as per the photo specifications
• A cover letter with all the required details
• Confirmed flight tickets
• Income Tax Returns proof
• Travel Health Insurance
• Detailed Itinerary
• Invitee’s passport and residence proof
• Proof of accommodation - invitation letter, hotel reservation, etc.
• Proof of purpose of visit - invitation letter, exhibition or conference pass, etc. 
• Proof of sufficient funds - bank statement or any other equivalent document.
• Proof of identification and nationality - PAN card, Adhaar card

• Two copies must be provided
• Photo size: 2.5 inches x 2.5 inches.
• Coloured copy must be provided.
• The face must cover about 70-80% of the frame - 32 mm x 36 mm. 
• Head should well-centred.
• The picture must not be older than 6 months.
• The background must be white
• Neutral expressions
• Glasses are not permitted.
• Headgears are not allowed except for religious reasons.
• Clothing shouldn’t match the background.

The processing time required for the issuance of the Belize business visa varies as per the type. Generally, it takes about 3 to 7 days, however, if the application needs to be verified by the Director of the Immigration and Nationality Services, the processing time may go up to a couple to several weeks. The time will still vary depending on other factors like the workload at the embassy office, the staff availability, whether the documents are complete or the rest of the documents are yet to be submitted and others. The time increases and decreases affected by these parameters. Another aspect that might affect the processing time is if there is a need for commercial documents attestation for the visa.

The fees for the issuance of the Belize business visa is paid to the Belize Consulate. It is mainly paid in cash and in Indian National Rupees (INR). The estimation of the visa fee is based on various factors. It can also be affected by the type of visa, the location of the application or based on the type of passport.

There are certain guidelines that you need to follow at the time of carrying out the application process. There are certain things that you need to know in the process -

• The documents that are attached to the Belize business visa application form must be in good condition. 
• You do not necessarily need to book an appointment for the submission of the form and the documents. 
• The visa application form must be completely filled and signed which can be submitted to the visa application centre or directly to the Belize Consulate. 
• The application form must be submitted in person. 
• You must also make sure to submit the application at least 15 days prior to the date of travel.
• If there are any other requirements to be fulfilled or if there are any mistakes in the application, the embassy or the agency must be informed.
• If there are any changes related to the application, for instance, change in marital status or birth of a child, you must inform the consulate/agency.
• You can even check the status of the application and the processing in the meantime. 
• If there is a change of plans, you can withdraw the application.
• The visa fee is generally not refundable.

The Belize business visa is an offline visa and therefore, to check the status, you will have to contact the consular office for the same. If you have applied to the visa through a visa agency, you can check the status of the visa by visiting the website of the visa services.

After the successful submission of the visa application form and getting the business visa to Belize, there are certain measures that are to be taken. Some of the pointers are given as follows:

• Before you travel

• Make a note of the visa expiry date, as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
• You should travel to Belize within the validity of your visa.
• Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while you are in the country.
• Issue health insurance and travel insurance from a certified company.
• At the Border

• Get your documents checked and your passport verified.
• Obtain the entry stamp on your passport.
• Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
• Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.
• When you enter Belize

• Ensure not to get involved in any kind of employment. You can, however, do volunteer work.
• The business visa does not permit you to employ the residents or reside in the country.
• It is a permit that allows you to only perform business and business-related operations in the country. You are still permitted tourism.
• The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
• Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for the visa extension in time.