Planning on permanent relocation to AC after my son grads. next spring. Have done tons of research but am counting on this excellent forum for the finer points. My main question is "Is there any way to circumvent the 6 mo. wait for a work permit"? I am from the states and wish to work in the service area (Bar/Server). Is this even realistic?

no. Is son coming with you?

no

Any loopholes for the 6 mo. wait? (Besides monetary investment). What kind of work could I expect to find the fastest?

Your best bet would be to start your own business. They will not give you a work permit to work in a bar or restaurant. Jobs go to Belizeans first, foreigners second.

Thanks. Any suggestions on business that would provide me with @ $2,000.00USD a month net? How much does the gov't want to see in the bank to startup? Is anyone doing Aquarium installs/maint. on AC? I also have exp. in swimming pool maint/repair, tile/marble installation. Any ideas on what any of you would do (or have done). Thanx yall.

What else can you do aside from bartending? Seriously, there are plenty of qualified Belizeans who can bartend and as JZB said, they'll be hired first. You need to think of something original that hasn't been done and is useful down there. Can you work remotely from the states?

Is anyone doing Aquarium installs/maint. on AC? I also have exp. in swimming pool maint/repair, tile/marble installation. Any ideas on what any of you would do (or have done). Thanx yall.

B, I didn't notice the post just prior to mine... I'd assume that the pool maint. and tile/marble installation is being done. Those Belizeans are VERY handy! I wouldn't think there would be a need for Aquarium maint. but then again, there is a tv repair man who, from what I hear, has quite a lot of business - go figure.

Maybe others can provide better info. Good luck to you!

I don't think there is a big need for aquariums here since all those pretty fish are only steps off the beach. Construction of anything is pretty much covered.
Can you bake? We really really need a good bakery here on the island (or at least I do).
Come down for a visit and I'm sure you'll think of something. When I first moved here I had a million ideas, Unfortunately I'm too lazy to see the follow through. : )

Thanks JBZ. Does the gov't allow ANY harvesting of coral for sale? What are other (non-retirees/non-professionals) doing for income. Would I be better off finding work in Belize City?
Still hoping for more advice from the forum. thanx all

This guy has to be a lunatic

Coral question off the mark, wish I could take it back. Don't give up on me yet.

There is no way on this green earth for you to come here and make 2,000 US per month unless you have 5000 US per month coming in from the States. This is not the US, payscale here is very low, even for expats. A qualified highly paid nurse makes like 300 BZD per week.

only one would be an illegal whorehouse, of which are in every town.

i suppose on san pedro the puritan rug sweepers have banished anything like that.
But since they exist in every town on the mainland, i find it hard to believe there is not one, right under their noses...

Bring enough cash to live at least six months, a year is a better cushion. During the year you will meet folks and opportunities will spring up as the Island is growing at exponentional rates. I've noticed most "first ideas" usually don't work out.

SIN

yes it is possible not to have to be here for 6 months. I applied for my work permit on my 3rd trip down the 1st week I was here and had it in 5 weeks, it usually takes longer. Their seems to be no set rules, even if their are rules on paper each individual case seems to be different, The only consistant is dont use an expidator, they use to have some pull but not anymore. After my 3rd work permit I applied for residency, that took 4 months, also very quick. It took my husband 8 months, usually it takes from 8 months to a year. Its almost unheard of to get permits for the following; Bartender, Waiter,Tour Guide, Maintenance or Repair work. Office work, Medical assistance. Taxi Driver. anything a Belizian can do. Its best to go as self employed with no employees. We are Artist, the reason it took my husband longer to get his is that during that time a decision was made not to give out any more work permits/Residency to artist. However since I had my residency and our business was doing so well incomewise, after a letter from Yassar Musa ( Prime Ministers son) he was approved.

Buy The Bookstore !! Going through a lawyer will speed the work permit process.

A letter from Musa's son....my my. I shall reserve comments.

Yes please do.

Well if you are going to be like THAT....then maybe I won't reserve my comments. Why should Musa's son have any "pull"? I thought that this country had rules but as I have been finding out recently that is not so if one has the connections or more likely the coin. So there you have it...I shall not reserve comment.

Nepotism. Yep. Seems to me that some pols and their friends and family treat this country like it is their own private fiefdom, replete with peons and peasants and sycophants.

Viva vox populi.

I guess life sucks in Belize.

Maybe for you but not for me. Viva la vida aqui!!! La pura vida.
Political changes are in the wind and IF you live here you better start to recognize that changes are inevitable. Perhaps not for the better in the long run but we shall see. Not everyone has a price.

"Not everyone has a price."...Who are you thinking of? You must have some special insight that the rest of us can't see.

No it's just that a lot of your posts are negative. Why don't you take your thoughts to the board of something??

You don't like my question?

Jesse, I think she's (??) talking to DGre... I think.

Maybe.... confusing!

Man uhhhh Tillie or whoever you are? I am not negative, just honest and realistic. Too many folks come down here thinking that at the snap of a finger or the opening of a wallet that they are entitled to the same perks as the places that they escaped from. I just take issue with the current political situation as it is not good for Belizeans. That is all and nothing more. Have a nice day...I gots to go kill me some fat gibnuts for dinner.

BTW Tillie what is the board of something anyhoo? hahahahaha. Too funny. A Musa booster. Sounds like a new steroid.

Put a couple of gibnuts on Tropic to San Pedro..OK?

Alive or dead? hehehe....do they need work permits by chance?

I'll take 'em anyway I can get 'em! YUUUMMM...

BBQ'd Royal Rat... delicious!!!

good enuff for the queen...good enuff for me...but do I need a work permit to go out a killin'? Gotta stay on track right?

No, that's a sport...

Yassar Musa is head of the Arts Council in Belize. He is connected with The House of Culture in Belize City. Owns the Image Factory Builing. He has published some very nice books of Culture and though he may be political due to his Father his work does not reflect it.As you need Letters of reference from Banks, Village or Town Council a letter of reference from The House of Culture was what we were told we needed. We were as a matter of fact asking for Residency in a proffession that would be in direct competition with Belizeans, Most of our work is Garifuna based with the exception of some books on Mayan Culture. No need to reserve comments, lets hear it!!!

I just wanted to add that I have little respect for folks who move into someone elses country that do not at least take a interest in the History and Culture of where they are. Respect that you are in someone elses home. Knowledge of where you are and who you are living with. The House of Culture is in the City, a very nice museum containing art and historical items reflecting the people of Belize. Had anyone posting the negs regarding a letter of reference from them should take a visit. We are our fathers children but we are not our fathers.

I have a great interest in the culture of this country being that I have been travelling in it and living in it for a long time. As well I have lived in Jamaica and Honduras for long periods of time working in the cultural sectors. I am not trying to be arrogant or rude but when I hear the Musa name being dropped so much in terms of fast-forwarding permits and such I bristle. I bristle because of the wholesale rape of this country.

My concerns were not directed at you personally Ms. Cooper but instead were reflective of the many cavalier comments dropped by expats who were "connected" and who tended not to give a fig for the present political/economic situation as it did not affect them (yet).

I apologize to you if you felt offended by my comments. My ire was more or less directed at the individual who told me to reserve my comments...that sort of nonsense does not stand with me.

Yassar has paid his dues in Belize as a pioneer of the arts, something not recognized until recently. The Image Factory did not happen overnight and was started when UDP was in control of the Gov't.

Being the PM's son definitely gives him an advantage, now. Having him as a reference is a bonus and I doubt he would give a reference if the person is not worthy of one. Well done cooper. I would love to see your work.

For the new comers to Belize, both parties take HUGE payoffs. Some spend more than others. Belizeans have power when they vote and love to get rid of the fat cats. This is the first admin. that won a re-election since indendence. They love gettin' the encumbent out of office. I see it happening again soon. It won't change much, only the faces. Belize will continue to grow with it's own set of unique challenges.

Work Permits are hard to get and they should be. How hard is it to get an IMMIGRANT VISA (not visitor) to the USA? Who do you think has more job openings, Belize or the US? Which country is easier to move into and get a job without years of red tape? I think Belize needs to get harder on who they let work here. Hopefully soon.

"Them belly full but them hungry" - Bob Marley

SIN (c u on vacation)

Fair enuff....definitely fair enuff. I just took umbrage with the person who asked me not to spout off.

I still stand however regarding political favours, corruption and nepotism.

Call me an idealistic shitehead.

Run for office at home.

Blow me....maybe?

Getting very very tired of American-style entitlement down here. SIN....my politics can be very conservative and at times very egalitarian...guess that makes me an evil civil libertarian.

So why the hell are you here anyway? Cute young cheap puss, cheap living? - gee, sometimes us sentient beings really have to figger this out the hard way.

Belize is not your personal playground.

Ok shithead (reference your statement above) or Mr. Belize North, I moved to Belize when I was 17 in 1988 and receive'd my Permit to Reside in Belize the same year, my Belize Nationality came a year later. I helped found the BETA, greatly assisted the developing BTB, BHA and BTIA over the years and put in many hours with the BCVI (if you have lived here for any amount of years then you should know who these NGOs are).

I've helped two PUP candidates win their seats in two different General Elections and started the first tourist information booth on the island. Despite the recent short comings of this administration, the PUP has put together the best tourism program and tourism board to date (fact) in the history of Belize as Mark Espat was part of this and the best Minister of Tourism ever (a personal friend).

Besides that I grew up in the Cayo district and watched the tourism market grow from "Tourism is whoreism" (Prime Minister) to "Tourism in everyone's business" recent BTB local ad campaign.

My family friends are in agriculture and now manufacturing, the other industries in Belize and the ones that supported this country for decades before visitors started to trample it.

I noticed you think I am cute and would like me to blow you. Thank you for the unwanted sexual advances but I prefer females and in your case those that have not been sexual altered. But thanks, it's an ego boost....not. Get some help, I can see mommy didn't hug you enough as a baby and daddy, I think he hugged you too much (u know what I mean). "Who's your daddy?" was never a question in your family.

I've paid my dues here and will continue to watch My Country continue to grow without the two cents of every visitor or new "move in" trying to change things. Folks move here cause' of our freedoms. We made it this way and do take your suggestions, but don't think for a minute they are going to change things since some feel tourism is vital to the development of Belize, we are not idiots here.

If you don't like it, go home gringo, we'll find those that do.

SIN

So why are you here, taking pictures of little kids or tired of being on the sexual predator list back home?

Me no mister...me a miz....oh how funny and sad that because i have a strong voice you would erroneously a$$ume that I am a MAN. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Live large buddy. Live large.

So, it's still your turn. (and they call it hermaphrodite)

This is about work permits....I thought.

Now it's about you, so buck up and let's here what you have done to make Belize a better place besides spending a few dollars and giving to the poor and spending nights in Belize City to make things better for all. Inquiring minds want to know.

I rarely go to Belice Ciudad....but I have donated laptops to a village literacy project and attendant software. Now the trick is to keep the kids from surfing porn?

BTW the spelling is "hear" as in let's hear? Sorry but I also tutor for free.

My next project? Getting camping gear in for the scouting program without having some government wingnut trying to muscle in.

Keep up the good work.

thanks....and I hope to f**k I do not require any gawdam permits!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To Sir Isaac,
you can find a link to my website if you check my profile. I think I am done with this topic its getting a bit personal but fun reading. I have been trying very hard lately to research our candidates for our election this Sunday. First time for me to vote here. Guess you have to get involved to have the right to complain.

YM is the head of NICH (Natl Inst of Culture and History), under which is House of Culture, Museum of Belize, Arts Council, Archeology, Inst of Creative Arts. He opened the Imagine Factory (subsidized by this dad) while UDP were in and was a teacher and artist by profession til his dad became PM. I have his art work at home. Nice guy, hard worker, he's done a hell of a great job for the arts during his tenture. He's also his father lead strategist and PUP propagandist. And would be the obvious choice to step into the Fort George division to replace Said and rehabilitate the family name. Great guy with a hard job, blood thicker than water. His best friend is Jules Vasquez of CH 7, the UDP station, who attacks his dad and PUP on the evening news on a nightly basis. YM is alright with me.

WHATEVER.....way too nepotistic for my liking. I will just hang back and watch. And observe. And comment. Too much privilege going down here.

Ms cooper....I too have the right to vote in village elections. I am a member of the commonwealth and am a property owner. I like your art but you have to get your head out of your arse ( very brit of me to use the word arse). Someday I will buy some of your art because I think it is cool...

Big fishies in the small pond syndrome methinks. I am just a sargeant major if you get my drift?

Seems that you are too "worldly" for this little country where everyone is related to everyone else.

True Jesse.

DG dont quite understand your meaning. Some folks try to get a bit involved with their community, some dont. Nationals and newcomers alike. Dosnt make anyone a better or a worse person. Or an arse. A loud voice can also be heard to make a change for the better. as well as a vote can change politics. But a person who is not open to others thoughts and the fact that they are the only right one hardly ever gets taken serious. I dont agree with alot of peoples ideals but if they are not immoral or illegal I respect them their opinions. Comes with age and maturity I guess.