amarilo:
Pls anybody know anything about this country? I heard it's visa free for naija passport holders.

Any idea if jobs are available?

Pls help.

dasparrow:
It is not visa free. You will have to submit your visa application and supporting documents to the Belize consulate in Abuja and pay your visa fees. Your application will be sent to Belize immigration in Belize and they will be the ones to decide if they will issue you the visa or not. Many Nigerians get denied but your case might be different and they might approve you who knows?

banom:
abeg where be Belize ?

dasparrow:
It is not visa free. You will have to submit your visa application and supporting documents to the Belize consulate in Abuja and pay your visa fees. Your application will be sent to Belize immigration in Belize and they will be the ones to decide if they will issue you the visa or not. Many Nigerians get denied but your case might be different and they might approve you who knows?

Dileem:


Hello sir, I would like to talk to you about this Belize. Please sir. email is ndiche@gmail.com

dreaonit:
Can you talk about life in Belize of recent time and which airline/route is most suitable

dasparrow:


I don't email strangers. Feel free to ask any questions you might have on this thread and I will be more than happy to respond. That way, others too can learn.

dreaonit:
Nice writeup.
Can you talk about studying and working over there?

Dileem:


Thank you for your response.
I read somewhere about North and South of Belize and how that they are different and one is less friendly to tourist/strangers. Not sure I remember the names of the towns anymore
Which parts would you advice a Nigerian coming in to settle down? North or south? And it seems they have two capitals-kind of confusing for me.

Would you advise one to live in capital or further? In terms of cost of living, work and opportunities?

Is it true that one renews visa monthly for up to 6 months and only then can one get a work permit and begin to pay for work? And can only apply for PR after 1yr?

Can Nigeria Dollar card work there?

Is there a vibrant/organised Nigerian community there?

If one has a health emergency accident or need for emergency surgery, what are the chances as compared to Nigeria.

Do they have a national airline?

What are the common business opportunities that exist there in which you feel there is a need or a gap that a serious hustling Nigerian can start and succeed in, that's if u compare with Nigeria.

Thank you

dasparrow:


Belize is not like Cyprus where you have North and South Cyprus. There is only one Belize same way you have only one Nigeria. However, the northern part of the country is close to and shares a border with Mexico. For instance, Corozal is geographically located in the Northern end of the country. The people there are mainly Mestizos. Mestizos are people who are of Native indigenous American and European ancestry. The Southern part of the country are places like Dangriga, Punta Gorda and Placencia. These are coastal cities kind of like you have Lagos or Port harcourt for instance. They have direct access to the ocean. Fish, shrimp and other seafood is very cheap in the Southern part of the country. The people in the Southern part of the country consist of Black people, as well as a few Mestizos and some racially mixed people. Then you have the Island of Ambergris Caye which can be reached by passenger speed boat because it is a stand alone island but it is part of Belize nonetheless. It is inhabited by the locals but also has a large white foreigner immigrant population. A lot of White Americans, White Canadians and Europeans live there. As a result of their presence there, cost of living is high. Groceries are expensive. Employment opportunities are few except you desire to work in the hotel and tourism industry. There are some beautiful 5 star hotels there that attract tourists from around the world.

Belize has only one capital. The capital of Belize is BELMOPAN. Then you have Belize City. Belize City used to be the former capital of Belize until a hurricane destroyed the city badly many years ago. So, the government created the City of Belmopan and moved the capital of Belize there. Belmopan has no access to the ocean. It is located inwards for a reason. Belmopan is like Abuja while Belize City is like Lagos. Belize city is the commercial capital of Belize just like Lagos is the commercial capital of Nigeria. Belmopan is the capital and the seat of government of Belize just like Abuja is the capital and seat of government of Nigeria.

Many Nigerians live mostly in Belize City, the commercial capital due to access to employment opportunities. Belize City is where you also have the International airport, movie theaters, hotels, shipping port where ships arrive from outside the country, companies, various businesses, etc. Belize City is the equivalent of Lagos City but Lagos is much bigger than Belize City. The Nigerian community in Belize City is not very organized from what I was told by someone I know. They do have events like the celebration of Nigerian Independence but that was before the Covid-19 pandemic.

So, let me touch on the visa renewal question. The first 5 months, you renew your visa on a monthly basis. The visa renewal fees is 200 Belizean Dollars (USD $ 100) per month. From the 6th month, you can apply for a work permit. The labor Department is in charge of processing and approving work permit applications but they make it difficult for foreigners. You will have to find an employer willing to hire you. Then, that employer will have to place a job vacancy in 3 different newspapers for 3 consecutive weeks. The job vacancy advertisements must be included with your work permit application. If a citizen or permanent resident is not available for the advertised jobs, then you, the work permit applicant will be considered. So getting work permit is difficult because of the rule in place that states an employer must advertise a job vacancy in 3 different newspapers for 3 consecutive weeks if wishing to hire a foreigner who has no permanent residency. Most employers won't do that. They advertise their job openings via Facebook which is free. Advertising a job vacancy in a newspaper is expensive. Some Nigerians just go for a business work permit and call it a day. It's easy to get a business license.

After living in Belize for 1 year continuously, you can apply for permanent residency. You are not allowed to leave the country for more than 10 days within a 12 month period if you absolutely need to travel outside of the country.

Nigeria Dollar Visa or Mastercard will work in Belize if the card is linked to a U.S Dollar domiciliary account at Nigerian banks like Access bank, GTB, UBA and the likes.

Belize has a national airline called TROPIC AIR. It does not fly to Europe, Asia, Africa or United States. It flies within the country and to neighboring countries like Mexico, Guatemala and the likes.

Healthcare is free in Belize as long as you go to a government-funded hospital called REGIONAL HOSPITAL. If you go to a private hospital, you will bear the entire cost of treatment including medication. If it is surgery, you will pay a small amount at the government-run hospitals because the government bears the majority of the cost. Same for child bearing. You pay a small cost at government-run hospitals. Doctor consultation is free and Medication is free at government-run hospitals both for citizens, legal immigrants and illegal immigrants. This is why Belizeans run to the doctor for everything little thing including headache. Because healthcare is free.

Doctors, nurses, teachers are in demand. There are Nigerians working in the healthcare sector especially in nursing. Some Nigerian men drive taxis for a living. Some Nigerians are working in the hotel and tourism industry. There are no African food markets in Belize like in the United States, Canada and Britain. Anyone who is willing to open an African foodstuff market in Belize will make money because Nigerians and Africans in Belize will appreciate that especially if the store is located in Belize City. Right now, Nigerians/Africans have to order Nigerian/African groceries from the United States and that can be expensive due to shipping costs.

I believe I have addressed all your questions. I'm out! Shalom!

Marimart:
Please can you throw more light on the visa procurement for someone going there for business or investment purposes,thanks.

Dileem:


Thank you and Yes you did. UnTill my future questions. God bless you sir

Originalsly:
@ dasparrow .... wow!... I really don't know what you left out about Belize! ... informative! ... I never knew the capital changed to Belmopan! ...two thumbs up.....wayyy up!

foxxydude:
Does anybody have any new info about cheap air fare and route to Belize?

HOKIM:
Omo... Agent dey deceive people ooo... wetin ona dey go Belize go do... The Caribbean islands is not a hustle place... cost of living is expensive, Getting a good job is difficult except you have a resident permit.... you go work tire you go cry....
It's just crazy how agents in Nigeria are Auctioning fake Dreams.... it's not worth it...

TobyTreasure:

Ok thanks