WORK PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
For Directors and Managers of a Local Company
(Chapter 250)

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Applications are submitted to the Labour Department in the district the business will operate
2. Applicants are required to have a valid passport and updated visa entry
3. Belize work permits are only valid for one year
4. Work Permit is NOT renewable, applicants must apply every year (if needed)
5. You may apply for Permanent Residence after receiving your 2nd permit

DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR DIRECTORS

1. Application Form (this is provided)
2. Passport Copies of Complete Passport(including all blank pages)
3. Seven (7) Passport Photographs
4. Original Police Record from last place of residence, issued 1 month before applying
5. Police record from Belize
6. Recommendation from Village Council/Town Board where business will be located
7. Recommendation from Belize Tourism Board or Relative Agency if the business is Tourism oriented (we can arrange an appointment)
8. Belize Local Corporation
9. Local bank account for Local Corporation
10. Belize Trade License depending where the business will be located. The business will need to have a physical location to be inspected for trade license approval.
11. New Local Companies are required to submit a Business Plan to be vetted by the Ministry of Economic Development/BELTRAIDE before submitting application to Labour Department. For business plan guidelines, kindly request from us.
12. Certificates, Diplomas, Credentials, etc.
13. Proof of funding of Business

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. The Local Company and relevant Licenses should be obtained and attached to the Business Plan before submitting the application to be vetted by BELTRAIDE
2. Applicants will be required to attend an interview with the Labour Department after Local Company approval has been received from BELTRAIDE along with supporting documents
3. The process takes 2 – 3 months before response from the Labor Department. Additional documents may be requested by the Labour Department depending on the nature of the business
4. While you are waiting for a response from the Labor Department, you will be required to extend your passport stamp with the Immigration Department for a separate fee.
5. When the application is approved a fee of BZ $2,000.00 (US $1,000.00) is to be paid to the Government at the Immigration Department in Cash.
6. Once application is approved, the business will be registered at the Income Tax Department and obtain its Business Identification Number
7. Applicants will be required to apply for their Social Security Card/Valid for Employment in the district the business will be operating. The card is only valid for one year.

PAYMENTS REQUIRED

Work Permit Processing fee for single applicant in Belize City Only	US	$    900.00
Administrative & Miscellaneous Expense (Courier, Telephone, Fax, Photocopy, Stamp, Labour Dept. Fee)	US	$    200.00
TOTAL	US	$    1100.00
General Sales Tax (12.5% of $1,100.00)	US	$      137.50
TOTAL DUE	US	$ 1237.50

Processing Fees	US	$ 600.00
Administrative Fee	US	$ 100.00
General Sales Tax (12.5% of $600.00)	US	$   87.50
TOTAL DUE	US	$ 787.50

Note that when a company is applying for more than 1 work permit at the same time for the same company the 2nd application is charged at US $787.50 (as per re-application fee).

The Annual Fees to be paid to the Government upon approval of the permit remains at BZ $2,000.00 (US $1,000.00) in Cash.

OTHER SERVICES OFFERED

Social Security Number for Employees/Employer	Hotel License
Social Security Monthly Reports	Health Certificate License
Tax Identification Number (TIN)	Real Estate Services
Tax Monthly Reports	Title Search
Bookkeeping/Accounting Services	Legal Services
Trade License	Register DBA Names
Liquor License	Development Concessions