Belize Nomad Visa

What is the Belize digital nomad visa?

Belize's remote work route is the Long Stay Permit, also called the Long Stay Visitor Permit. The Belize Tourism Board markets it as "Work Where You Vacation". It lets you stay in Belize for up to six months while you keep working for an employer outside the country, and it waives the need for a Belize work permit for that remote work.

It is a visitor permit, not residence. The Immigration Department's rules say holders and their dependants may not take employment in Belize, may stay no more than six months in any calendar year, and cannot extend the permit.

The scheme is still running in October 2026: the application sits on Belize Immigration's online portal, IIS Connect, and the Tourism Board's page (updated in February 2026) links to it. The Immigration Department's separate information page was removed during a website redesign and now returns an error, so this page relies on the portal and on the last published version of that page (June 2026).

Who can apply for the Belize digital nomad visa?

This is the part that matters most for Nigerian readers. Belize Immigration limits the permit to citizens or permanent residents of the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States or Canada. The portal now refers to an "Approved Countries" list; we could not open that list, but the last published rules named only those four.

If your nationality is not on the list but you live in a listed country, you can still apply with proof of residence. In practice, a Nigerian with permanent residence in the UK, Canada, the US or an EU country may qualify. A Nigerian living in Nigeria does not.

You must also be employed outside Belize, or run a business registered outside Belize, and meet the income threshold. You need an employer or clients abroad first; see our remote jobs if you are still looking.

How much income do you need for the Belize digital nomad visa?

You need a minimum annual income of US$75,000 if you apply alone, or US$100,000 if you bring dependants. Both the Immigration Department and the Tourism Board give these figures.

You prove it with a job letter issued within 30 days of applying (if you are employed), or proof of business registration and your annual tax return (if you are self-employed), plus a notarised banking reference and statement of account.

How long can you stay, and can you renew it?

The permit is valid for six months from the date it is issued, and you may stay up to six months in any calendar year. Belize Immigration states that the permit cannot be extended.

The rules do not say whether you can apply for a new permit in a later calendar year. If you want to split your year between Belize and elsewhere, ask Immigration before you plan around it.

How much does it cost?

Belize Immigration lists the fee as US$500 per adult and US$200 per child, charged for the applicant and each accompanying dependant.

The Tourism Board's page gives BZ$500 per adult and BZ$200 per child, and says the fee is paid at the airport. These figures do not match the Immigration Department's, so check the amount shown at the "Checkout & Submit" step of the portal, which is where Immigration collects payment.

What documents do you need?

• A job letter issued within 30 days of the application, if you are employed by someone else.
• Proof of business registration and your annual tax return, if you are self-employed.
• Proof of annual income of at least US$75,000 (alone) or US$100,000 (with dependants).
• A notarised banking reference and statement of account.
• A police record from your country of residence, issued within six months of the application.
• Certified copies of the passport bio-data page for you and for each dependant.
• Proof of residence in an approved country, if your nationality is not on the list.
• Travel insurance with at least US$50,000 of health coverage.

How do you apply from Nigeria?

A Nigerian living in Nigeria cannot apply under the current rules. If you are a Nigerian citizen with permanent residence in the UK, an EU country, the US or Canada, the steps are:

1. Check the "About" tab of the Long Stay Permit service on IIS Connect to confirm that your country of residence is on the approved list.
2. Gather your job letter or business documents, bank reference, police record, certified passport copies, proof of residence and travel insurance.
3. Create an account on the IIS Connect portal and open the Long Stay Permit service.
4. Complete each step of the form, then review everything at "Checkout & Submit" and pay the fee for yourself and any dependants.
5. Wait for email updates from Belize Immigration on your application's status.
6. Once approved, travel with your passport and permit. If your Nigerian passport needs a Belize visa, sort that out before you fly.

WorkRemote Premium membership includes nomad visa assistance if you want a second pair of eyes on your documents.

How long does processing take?

Belize Immigration does not publish a processing time for the Long Stay Permit. The portal says you will receive an email confirming your submission and further emails as your application is reviewed. Apply well before your planned travel date.

Do you pay tax in Belize on a digital nomad visa?

Neither Belize Immigration nor the Tourism Board publishes tax guidance for Long Stay Permit holders. The permit forbids employment in Belize, so your income should continue to come from your employer or clients abroad.

If you are unsure how Belize or your home country would treat your income during a six-month stay, ask a tax adviser before you move. This is general information, not tax advice.

Can you bring your family?

Yes. Dependants can be your spouse and unmarried children under 18 (including stepchildren and legally adopted children), or another person certified as a dependant by court order. The income requirement rises to US$100,000 and the fee applies to each dependant.

The Tourism Board says children under 18 on the programme can enrol in Belize's schools with the usual student permit waived.

Do Nigerians need a visa for Belize?

Yes, in most cases. Belize Immigration lists Nigeria as a country whose nationals need a visa. You are exempt for visits of up to 30 days if you hold a valid multiple-entry US visa or US permanent residence card, a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa, or a valid multiple-entry Canadian visa or Canadian permanent residence card.

The visa fee for most nationalities, including Nigerians, is BZ$200 for a single-entry visa (valid six months) or BZ$300 for a multiple-entry visa (valid 12 months). Apply at your nearest Belizean diplomatic or consular mission.

What to know before you move

• Working hours: Belize is on UTC-6 all year, seven hours behind Lagos. A 3pm Lagos meeting is 8am in Belize City, and your working day lines up with US Central time.
• No local work: you may not take a job or offer services in Belize on this permit.
• Health cover: travel insurance with at least US$50,000 of health coverage is required.
• Visitor permits are not a substitute: an ordinary visitor's permit extension forbids paid or unpaid work and business without the Director of Immigration's consent.

If you do not meet the nationality rule, compare other programmes in the region, such as Costa Rica, Panama and Mexico.