I want to start a business in San Pedro. I got the requirements for a work permit. One of which is a Trade license. The Trade license requires the address where I will conduct business and the rent paid. Are they really suggesting that I rent a building prior to getting my work permit approved? That doesn't make any sense. How have others handled this?

You can open a business before getting your work permit as long as you are not the employee. You can monitor your invesment and supervise construction. If this doesn't work, make a call to the Town Board. Let them know of your situation and they will advise accordingly.

SIN

Thanks, but you can't just turn over a new business to an employee. You have to work it awhile yourself to get the kinks out.

Check with the Town Council, these folks will help you out. You may even want to chat with the Mayoress. Good folks that are eager to help.

SIN

Thanks again for your reply. No, I don't have it all figured out, exactly the opposite, that's why I posted the question. What I want to do will require the importation of some equipment. I can't imagine spending a large amount of time and money to start a business, only later to possibly have one of my permits denied. I was hoping somebody would point out that I've misunderstood the process somehow.

Wrong!......as long as you are there 24/7 to oversee the operation you are okay. An employee usually only screws up in the absence of the owner.

Im sorry Sin I dont think your correct. One can not work in Belize for money or for free with out a work permit. Being an owner does not give you the right to work nor the ability to direct work on any other than a personnel not for profit building or project. A lot of people are pulled in by this line of bull and a few have lost hard earned money because of it.

You can not work in Belize with out a work permit even if you own the company or part of it.

Advise if you want to work in AC move there buy your own home and stay awhile the rest will fall into place after a year or so.

So, if I own a business what can I do without a work permit.....can't I supervise it, thereby protecting my investment.

My best advise is come here and speak to the officials in charge of the process. Much better than "I think you can", go to the proper peopla and ask. Might be the best first investment you make in Belize.

Remember: The advice on this message board is worth just what you paid for it...

JESSE IS ON THE MONEY.. COME DOWN AND LOOK INTO ,IT STEP BY STEP THEN MAKE A PRUDENT BUSINESS DECISION .GIVE IT LOTS OF TIME TO CHECK IT OUT HERE!!!!!

Supervise is to manage. Management is work so no you can not "supervise."

my Advise still stand as if you want to work in AC move there buy your own home and stay awhile the rest will fall into place after a year or so with the exception of from buy to rent or buy.

Scuba-John "Being an owner does not give you the right to work nor the ability to direct work on any other than a personnel not for profit building or project. A lot of people are pulled in by this line of bull and a few have lost hard earned money because of it."

What is a personell?

Anywhoo, what do I know?

I would advise 100% not to buying "your own home" upon moving here as you may not like the neighborhood after a few months or even weeks. I advise living here a while, go threw a the change of seasons, meet a ton of folks and then find the perfect home.

The local and national Belize gov't encourages the opening of businesses here on AC and elsewhere. You can monitor your investment(s) without a work permit, including renting apt. out of your home. You can not engage in active employment without a work permit (paid or unpaid).

SIN

Um, if you open a business as encouraged and then "monitor" it, what would you be doing?

Why is it that most americans rant and yell about illegal aliens in the US taking away jobs from americans yet have no problems going to some elses country and ignoring their laws? Find out from the GOB what the laws are and following them is not really that much more difficult than try to avoid or skirt them.

What in Safaristar's posts leads you to believe He/She is an " American"?

Folks who move in and fly under the radar working in bars and as salesmen and what not, definitely are abusing the system and occasionally get caught. Folks who move in, open a business, create new markets and perhaps provide employment are helping to build this developing nation. Thus, self employed work permits are more readily accepted and at times accelerated, once bonafide.

I've assisted with obtaining such permits with a five day turn around period.

Pushing a button on an elevator can be considered work Seashell, especially if you are Jewish and it's Sabath. Monitoring one's investments is not considered labour.

SIN

I understand that SIN. It's just that from where I sit "monitoring your investment" and "supervising your staff in your new business" are the same thing. Call it pushing an elevator button on Sunday, if you wish.

And expedited work permits in the case of a business owner that will be employing Belizeans and improving the economy is in the best interest of the country. What would be better, of course, is if more Belizeans were in a position to start up and run these business' but unfortunately, that's not the reality.

"And expedited work permits in the case of a business owner that will be employing Belizeans and improving the economy is in the best interest of the country."

That's the main criteria, and proof of funds to do so.

Work Permits primarily come in two types ---
1. Working for somebody else - employer applies for you and has to prove that a qualified Belizean could not be found for the job
2. Self-Employment Permit - for people starting their own businesses.
Type #2 applies to Safaristar and is by far the easier of the two types to get.
These licenses come from Central Goverment and are good for a year. If you follow other guidelines carefully you should be able to apply for Permanent Residency after a year. Once you have that status you can work or not work or be hired without having to get permits to do so.

A trades License is a license given by the local government - there is a Trades License Committee who grants them, and the Town Board takes the money. Most of these licenses are approved without any concern as they are essentialy revenue devices for the town. The fee you pay is usually based on a % of your rent. If you own the location or work from your home you will be charged an arbitrary fee based on the type of business you are in. Some of the license fees are reasonable and others are ridiculous (IMHO).

Do not confuse a Trades License saying somebody is (for instance) licensed to have a business in architecture with actually being an trained architect.
The license is just saying that San Pedro will allow you to open a type of business in a particular location if you pay a specified sum of money annually.

Things change. Some of the information you find on this and other boards is posted by people who did what you are doing at a different time and under different cirucmstances. Their story is unlikely to be your experience. Always check for yourself, geting the most up to date regulations and being sure that the details of your own situation are the ones being addressed. Ask a lot of questions, and ask them at the at the source.

It may be of use to hire an expediter if you are not here.

hello all I have a question about work permits I currently own a villa a reef village,with a friend I am planning on moving down there in the early spring. All my housing and living expenses are taken care of. I would like to volunteer for a non-profit org.would I be able to obtain a self-employed work permit for this type of work. I will also be caring for the person I am moving down there with she qualifies for the QRP.I do not any ideas on what type of permit I should get? I want to try and avoid the 30 day visitor permit only because I know I will forget to go on time and don't want to jeopardise me getting kicked out of the country.

You will have to renew your passport every 30 days until you get your work permit. Best bet is to contact the organization you want to volunteer with before you arrive and ask for their help. They can greatly influence how fast you get it, but will usually take several months at least.

Safaristar,

Perhaps you should use an attorney, or at least speak with one to answer some questions. My attorney in Belize I am extremely impressed with, PM me if you would like the number and email. I always receive an email back the same day I email and returns calls prompt too.

and as for the trade license requiring where you pay rent you simply list N/A if you will not pay rent anywhere yet and address of where you conduct business is simply "San Pedro Town"

Also, SIN has some very correct information as well.