just a little question-should we as a group support foreigners in Belize working without work permits.

a little word - no

depends

How as a group are we supporting them?

depends....
are you kiddin me....
have yu thaught wearing one ....
paan yu hed.....
gesz....
now it's take away more of the belizean job's....
might as well take over the schools
and ... and ....and ....
oh my theres so much to...take....and take...and take.....

it's all gettin a bit hard to take

No...

That would be as case of "Do as I say, not Do as I do" and the moral equivalent of flying your personal jet to a Global Warming conference; Only a complete charlatan would do something like that

"We"...........Pedro, got a turd in your pocket?

sprout.....How as a group are we supporting them?
it seems that boarders....dont help much at all.....colectively....
they do...in general tho.... speak highly and lovingly toward san pedro..and belize....
but ....talk is cheap......albeit , nice ...but cheap...

in this article..

http://sanpedrosun.net/old/05-014.html

pls note that one...fine and truely loving couple....just one......that i knew of..from the board
...stepped up....
i dont remember thier names....but i'll never forget thier feelings for san pedro....

also note...pls... it;s never too late to use the ambergris hopes clinic's address to assist financially... to help all of san pedro's people

but as i often do.....
i digress
i've met many people over the years who show up... bag in tow....with accomidations all arranged...work permits all arranged...s.s, cards all arranged..... over the next few wks.... they are waiters....tour office staff.... time share sellers....seemingly all b/c of thier sudo-impeccable english.....
work permits for foriegners....?
i dont think it should be so easy to obtain....
belizean graduates....can fill the bill....

i;m thinkin ....if you cant afford to live there and not work....
then maybe work more where you are....till you can afford to do so.

I'm not sure that answers my question.

"it seems that boarders....dont help much at all.....colectively...."

That statement shows a complete lack of knowledge on your part. I suggest you do a bit of research before spouting off.

That was quite a reactionary response.

I can see scenarios where it would make sense to support someone who may not have a work permit. For example... Let's say that... hypothetically... a person is living in Belize who makes his income from working on the internet. 100% of his income comes from sources outside of Belize. Now in this scenario, regardless if he has a work permit or not, he's bringing money into the country and costing not one job to a local. In fact, he would be working that same job regardless where he lived.

It should be something that is welcomed as the income brought into Belize is not generated from Belizeans. A very good thing for any landlord, store or restaurant that this hypothetical person does business with, and it's good for the country as a whole. In fact, it should be a goal to attract the telecommuters of the internet age.

So, I still maintain that it depends.

Simon, consider who you are posting to.

My original post was only 3 words but I thought I'd be nice.

Telecommuting does not exempt one from requiring proper labor and immigration status. Onshore Belize is not a commercial free zone.

So, Chris, you're saying that if one does all one's work on-line with companies and individuals outside Belize and if one's income is all outside Belize and if one gets all revenues deposited in banks outside Belize and if one pays taxes in another jurisdiction, that person still requires a Belize work permit?????

Odd interpretation!!!

--Lan Sluder

Knowing first hand regarding working via internet from Belize for a US-based company I can tell you that NO government in this ever-shrinking world in which we live has figured this one out. Put it this way - if you were an American author who went to France to write/gain inspiration for your travel book that was being published by an american co, would you truly be expected, and required, to pay French taxes, fees, immigration duties?? In my mind, it's exactly the same.

Did I hear someone say, "intellectual dishonesty"?

simon.....feel free to emlighten me........please....
due credit rarely hurts.

Wait a minute, are you guys saying that some of you are aware of someone working in Belize without a proper work permit?

Isn't that illegal?

And you all aren't rushing to the proper authorities to immediately turn them in?

Oh my gosh! Call in the baiters and name callers. Where's immensing (sp?), where's bywarren, where's the guy who printed that I should "just stay home" in the Sun.

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! UNREPORTED ILLEGAL ACTIVITY!

Sorry don't have time to do your research for you, unfortunately I have to work.

PLEASE turn of that spinning avatar?

Under the Laws of Belize, the person you describe needs proper immigration status if he is not a tourist. For the most part, a "work permit" is required. You are here, transacting business here, on Belizean soil.

Certain structures have been set in place to accommodate the various facets of international trade including the International Companies Act and the creation of the Export Processing Zone and Commercial Free Zones. These structures can be created with the host of international services companies here in Belize.

Imagine hundreds to thousands of folks working from locations within Belize, breaking the law of their host country, not going through the procedures (by getting their paperwork together) and evading the very small income tax of 1.75% on sales. Wow? We should be so honored to have them.

You would figure the $US750 for a self employed permit, $US250 for a Trade License and the 1.75% on sales would be worth AT LEAST, the garbage removal, the street sweeping, having a Police Station and Fire Department a phone call away - most of the time, wouldn't you? For these techies it should be a breeze.

ok -what an interesing conundrum
I believe if someone lives here and makes his income outside of Belize -even while working on a computer in Belize is not breaking the law-added to this he/she is bringing money into the country.
what about all the people who work in bars restaurants start their own businesses with virtually no capital and use the excuse -we just cannot afford a work permit but we will apply for residency when we have been staying and working here for a year-if we have made enough money to pay for the permits.
the people who called people cowards etc. for not bringing in the police against corruption -is this just not another case of corruption-if you want to see how many people work without papers go and sit at Island Perk and see how many people go and have their passsports stamped each month.

but immigration won't let you stay as a perpetual tourist getting stamp after stamp. at some point won't they force you to either leave for awhile or apply for a work permit?

I believe Pedro1 is not asking us to debate the legalities of those
"grey area" virtual worker bees, but rather the in your face, blatantly working, setting up shop, actively competing sons of guns that are reaping the rewards and income with complete disregard to the laws of the land and demanding the benefits that the town and country has to offer without putting their tax dollars into the pot.

I for one and sick to death of coming into town every day to toil away at my office, knowing how high my overheads are & how many times the tax man will come in and audit my books and have to compete with a bunch of illegal immigrants that don't pay into the tax system and mislead and even scam unsuspecting real estate investors and buyers who assume that if somebody has an office, a cell phone and business card that they must be legitimate and know what they are doing.

I believe that anybody that works in Belize should have legal work permits and pay income tax/business tax and have trade licenses etc. And that includes foreigners from all nations. Yes, even those that have the ability to make a capital investment. For people to come into the community and disrespect the laws, assume that the services are to be taken for granted, and in many cases take their profits out of the country is low down, unethical and illegal.

And to top it all of, many of these people are the biggest complainers about lack of services and they are the ones that expect the most from our government.

I am all for encouraging and welcoming new investors and workers to Belize - and I also aid them in getting the right knowledge and following the current procedures to legitimize themselves in the correct manner.

You are supposed to leave for 24 hours every 6 months.

There is no reason why visitors cannot perpetually renew their visitor visas every month - many of these people are retired and spend their money in Belize.

If people apply for and obtain work permits the immigration department only renews these permits for a few years before they expect the person to apply for permanent residency.

i knew there was a limit, but i didn't realize it was 6 mo.
I'm getting the impression you have an awful lot of 'offenders' up that way!

I know people who live in PG for over 2 years, just renewing every month, never applied for residency or work permits. When we came we renewed our passports every month for 2 years before getting our residency granted.

I don't follow this at all. How would a US citizen working for a US company via telecommuting over the internet be breaking any US laws by working from Belize? Also, how would they be liable for any sales tax if they are not selling anything?

These people are collecting income from their employer while in a foreign country and spending that money in that country. The money they spend is not exempt from any sales tax charged.

And hundreds of thousands of telecommuters would be an amazing boon to the economy of belize. You should be honored to have them. It's free money pooring into the country that wouldn't be there otherwise.

"I know people who live in PG for over 2 years, just renewing every month, never applied for residency or work permits."

And YOU didn't turn them in to authorities even though it was illegal?

Immensing (sp?), bywarren, grand master of _ _ _, where are you guys? These folks need to be lambasted immediately. Break out your name calling and baiting, what are you waiting for? Call the Sun and post a public notice.

Remember, "this behavior will not be tolerated"!

Oh, and don't forget to say "JUST STAY HOME!".

And "we don't need folks like you here!"

Did I leave anything out?

Which is why I said that it depends. Anyone who is hiring people, starting a business to service belizeans or tourists or otherwise making income originating from within the country's borders should absolutely have a work permit and other required licenses. And if they do not, they should be held accountable for such.

I just think that there is a moral difference between a telecommuter and what some here consider "self-employment".

If the laws are written such that a telecommuter is required to be licened as Chris indicates, then the laws need to be changed or special cases need to be considered. The benefits of bringing that outside wealth into the country cannot be stated enough.

Dianne, watch the spinning avatar......waaatch the spinning avatar. You're getting sleepy.......verrrrry sllllleeeeepy.

Free money, please tell me where this place is?

Business Tax is 1.75% on gross revenue for businesses. Sales Tax may apply for certain services depending on the volume. Income Tax is 25% on all earning over aprox. $US200 per weak if paid as an employee.

A friend owns and operates a project management company in Chicago and has a condo here in Belize. She spends up to six months here. She got her paperwork in order, purchased a trade license and pays here business tax as she operates from the island. Her other option was to form an International Business Company and utilize the offshore legislation.

You simply can not just plot yourself on the island and claim, "Here I am you lucky devils!". This is 1) illegal and 2) very disrespectful.

These folks are not necessarily breaking any US laws in the above listed scenarios. It's the Belize laws on labour, immigration, local government and taxation that are being broken. The law is clear while the enforcement is lax to none.

Telecommuting definition: Use of a telephone and/or computer system in the home that allows an employee to perform job duties and to communicate with the office without actually traveling to and from work.

The point of service is in Belize. The person is in Belize. Belize needs it's cut, pay Caesar his due, it's not that much anyway and the process isn't all that difficult. It's the law regardless of the various economic viewpoints from such astute economists.

My definition of free money as it pertains to this dicussion: Wealth injected into an economy not generated by that economy nor by the people who benefit from or live within the economy.



This is a different scenario than the one I described. Here you are talking about a self employed business owner who is operating her business from belize. I'm talking about employees of another company who can and do work from anywhere, including Belize. Their employer may not even know where they are at any point in time.



How is dropping excessive amounts of foreign generated money into a local economy disrespectful???

Having total disregard for their host country's current law is disrespectful.

She is an employee of the corporation she owns shares in. She is working for her US corporation while she is living and working here.

If you are just passing through, you are a tourist who needs a valid tourist permit. If you are living and working here (for whomever, wherever) you are not a tourist and need to follow the procedures like everyone else, no matter how much money you pour into Belize's economy. Working, paid or unpaid, on a tourist permit is illegal.

The folks that have the resources to greatly impact the economy and drop excessive amounts of foreign exchange into the banking system are usually given great assistance with their compliance issues.

My folks retired here and needed proper immigration status. Retirees are another example of benevolent consumers. Red tape still applies.

Pedro1, sometimes I think you just like to get some people on this board heated!

You should see him in action in real life!!

The major crux of this thread highlights the inherent problems of an economy that generates revenues for community services from income tax as opposed to property tax.

If I were semi retired in Belize and doing a little internet work out of the country, I do not think the same arguments would be made against the work performed were I paying a property tax bill each year that was graduated by property value and the first $100,000 Bze was tax free to Belizean citizens?

That would be the "free money" to the local economy.

Then there is this:

Am I being stalked, or just obsessed over

The question that was presented was if we should support people who do not obtain proper permits. My point was that there is an ethical consideration here.

Are we more ethically bound to the letter of a law or the spirit of the law?

If a law were written to protect the welfare and income of a local citizen that when followed would harm the welfare and income of the same people it was designed to protect, should it be followed?

I agree that the best option is to try to affect a change in a badly designed law. But if that is not an option...

so if you make and sell a hamburger -is that legal or illegal?

I can see other's points of views. Some of the laws seem downright impractical.

Such as requiring a work permit for volunteers. But as we all know, somebody volunteers to work behind your bar or waitressing in your restaurant is taking a job from somebody who really needs the income.

Umm Pedro1, the hamburger sentence appears to be incomplete...

If you can go to jail (and be deported in 24 hours) if caught working (or making income) in Belize while here on a tourist visa (or extended tourist visas) it is bit more than operating int "spirit of the law". It is a just illegal as using drugs in your own home or driving while intoxicated.

Until a law is written that states, "Telecommuters are exempt from paying any income taxes while living and working in Belize and can stay as long as they went", unfortunately these types of workers will need to follow the rules like everyone else, if they want to be law abiding citizens regardless of their interpretation of the law.

The other option is to use offshore legislation and follow the proper procedures that were deigned for these "offshore" services, not doing business onshore (with Belizean people or companies). They have thought of this.

Regardless, proper immigration status is required. You can even get a self employed work permit, should be really easy, and pay yourself a salary under $BZ400 a week, tax free. Now you are legal and on the record.

That's great and useful information Chris.

Its amazing sometimes just how much crap you have to dig through to find a nugget...and although you should always check with your friendly tax accountant, I believe the $400 Bze a week would be a 100% deduction against any taxes due and levied in the US, along with any customary living expenses if you fire off an article or 2 a year to a travel website or magazine?

There are so many ways to do things legally and still stay ahead of the curve

Tax evasion is against the law, tax avoidance is everyone's right.

You are making this far more complicated than need be. If a person is in Belize and conducts business by computer, telephone or any other means that does not either involve products or services originating in Belize or bringing products or services into Belize, they are not subject to needing any permits from Belize.
Example: if an executive of a US company vacations in Belize and telephones or communicates via computer concerning his business, he certainly does not need a work permit.
The determining factor is where the commerce takes place, not where the individual is located.

What pug says...higher property taxes...would prevent to a degree...someone from volunteering to flip burgers for his buddy that owns a restaurant and has an extra suite for the volunteer to "rent" for free

So do all the volunteers at Holy Cross have to have work permits and if they do not should they and their employers be arrested

IMO: property taxes should go to providing the services that property owners need. That has no relation to what the government should charge for income taxes or fees regulating commerce.

Thanks to all, you have changed my views on immigration laws. I didn't know 12 million illegals were being disrespectful to my country. Sincerely, Thanks

Also Pedro, I find it interesting how much "volunteer" work is provided by people coming and doing it on AC as compared to other more deprived areas in Belize.

Right On.

If I volunteer often, but only when it is of least inconvienence. Does that make the action any more or less noble than if I only volunteered once but had to give up much to do it?

Can God create a hamburger so big that even he can't sell it to an American?

Rosa Parks could go to jail for sitting in the front of the bus. Doesn't mean that she didn't do the right thing and it doesn't equate her actions to those of driving while intoxicated. Civil disobedience is a bedrock of a free society. It's about doing what is right over what is legal. Yes, if you are caught (and prosecuted) you must pay the consequences... but there is an ethical consideration to every legal decision.

Just because there is a law saying you shouldn't do something, that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. And just because there is a law saying that you should do something, that doesn't mean you should. Laws are made by fallible humans and while they are often made with the best intentions, they tend to have unintended consequences.

I'm all for working to change a bad law, but your black-and-white, law-is-god perspective is a very dangerous one. Everything must be viewed through pragmatic glasses for the most ethical outcome.

It is very healthy to question authority and is in fact the only way toward a better society.

Wow Deadserious, I like your attitude.

ME TOO !

Ditto
The fact is, it's just not that "black and white"....

And I might add that paying to volunteer is pretty nutty. Is picking up trash on the beach considered volunteering? How about helping out at a Saga fundraiser? School fundrasier? Opps!

No, picking up the trash is probably not considered volunteering but rather a bit of civic pride.

But volunteering in a school, the library, the post office, a bar, restaurant, hotel etc would be like taking somebody else's paid position.

A Saga fundraiser is volunteering for a not for profit organization. Although many businesses around here appear to be not for profit too!! Chances are volunteering for one off events probably just require a permit.

Such as when the volunteer doctors and vets come down to visit and offer their services.

Permits don't necessarily cost money but they should be applied for when applicable.

I saw a burger on tv that sells for $5,000 US. And they will even throw in a 2nd burger for free if you have a friend!

I'm sure Rosa Parks would be proud of you DS, you rebel you. A march and speech on Belmopan would probably make a more powerful statement than typing away at home, if your intent is to change the law. I do think the US civil rights movement is a bit different than foreigners breaking the laws of Belize. If it makes you feel better, I guess it makes sense.

But I do agree with you to an extent, as do the hundreds of thousands of Mexicans that illegally cross the US Border every year, breaking US law for very their own very good reasons.

No matter how you paint it or how hard one rationalizes in their own mind (even equating oneself to Rosa Parks), telecommuting in Belize without the proper paperwork is illegal.

While you're in Belmopan please ask them to legalize marijuana, for medicinal reasons only of course.

Think that legalization thing will be done in the next 30 days? Ahh - the good ole college daze, I meant days.

This has nothing to do with being rebellious nor anything to do with the civil rights movement. The Rosa Parks reference was an example of how your totalitarian viewpoint on law is just plain wrong. Civil disobedience is not rebellion anyway.



Chris, I really don't believe you are this daft, so I'm going to assume that you are intentionally missing the point. Regardless, I'll play along for now.

Breaking the law for yourself and your own selfish reasons is quite a bit different than doing it for the greater good or for an outcome that of which is the greater good.

But more to your point, you are making the argument that Mexicans who cross the border to work physical jobs in the US, who are paid with US wages from US employers and then who send that money back to their families in Mexico is the exact same as Americans who work for US jobs, are paid in US wages from US employers and then spend that money in an economically distressed country in which they live. You don't at all see how that is different?



I never equated myself to Rosa Parks. If anything, I was referencing the actions of the volunteers who do their work illegally to the actions of Rosa Parks. But even then I was never equating actions, only pointing out the fallacy in the totalitarianism of your argument.

And I've also never disputed that telecommuting in Belize without the proper paperwork is illegal. I don't know or care either way at the moment. My point had nothing to do with the legality or illegality of the situation.



Why only for medicinal reasons?

So the US doesn't sanction Belize and put us on one of those lists they draft up.

Folks need to know if they are telecommuting here and for some strange reason, no matter how small the chance, get caught, they can get themselves into trouble, regardless of how much they are contributing to the local economy (which I am all for 100%) or how silly the law may seem.

I'm getting a bad headache debating H2Odog over politics...can you twist one* up for me, Chris?


*How far offshore do I have to go until its legal to light it?

Time to get pie eyed.

Maybe it's because I just woke up from a nap, but I don't at all understand this last post. Can you restate for me so that I can understand your point and once again blow it out of the warm and salty Belizean waters?

Oooo Apple Pie, with ice Cream ?

or how about my favorite, Hare Pie*





*I guess it would be Rabbit Pie there though, as Hares are not indigenous

What starts with a "P" and ends with a "G"? 30 seconds, Pug.

When a Pug gets pie eyed, does it run around in circles chasing its tail?

I'm not sure who are what you are blowing or want to blow (that's warm and salty) but it is definitely not me Sleepy. But here's one to grow on:




This is your viewpoint (noun: The position from which something is observed or considered: angle, eye, outlook, point of view, slant, standpoint, vantage, perspective.) The great thing about viewpoints is they are a lot like opinions. You should know what opinions are likened to.

My viewpoint regarding this matter is to respect the law of Belize. You may not share my viewpoint. I'm O-tay with that Spanky.

I moved to Belize in the 80s. My parents were retired and I was a correspondence student with the University of Nebraska. We spent money here, we didn't change the economy though. But I am sure the few folks we shopped with appreciated it. Although, they didn't get a new Cadillac that year (or take a vacation)? Anyway, we didn't need to work but still had to go through the procedures and get our paperwork in order. This involved taking many trip to Belmopan on hot buses driving down a semi paved Western Highway. Not fun, but necessary to be legal. Oh yeah, stamping at the Guat/Belize border was all the rage back then especially before Benque Road was paved.

One of the main functions of a employment permit is to protect the local job market. It does serve other purposes as well.

It's the law, it's black and white. If you choose to support illegal activity, go for it bro. I choose to support the law of the land, in this instance at least.

Hopefully the GOB may revise the law as they did for retirees some years back. Telecommuters may be a great benefit for this tiny nation. When this happens, these folks will still need to go through the procedures. Laziness need not apply.

"in this instance at least". So then I appreciate your concession that there are situations where the law should not be followed. That is very big of you.

LOL - too funny LA!

Wiping away the fog of misdirection;

My name is Chris Burkey and I live and work here, legally, since 1988.

If you choose to telecommute while in Belize on extended tourism visas Mr. Jason Southwell, you may run into problems with the sharp young lady at the Immigration Department. Just a heads up there boss.

Have I ever said that I intended to work in belize as a telecommuter without proper permits?

Regardless, I have been very open about my identity on these forums so I don't see the point of your post.

deadserious - anybody that spends more than 5 minutes per week in Pedro1's company will talk you in circles for weeks if you allow them too.

Will you continue to share the viewpoint of supporting certain folks who are working here without valid "work permits"?

Thanks for the heads up. But from Pedro1's post earlier, he seems to agree with me. So I'll let Chris and Peter fight it out.

I believe I said this before, but....

...it depends.

It's a Yes or No question Jason. Kinda like guilty or not guilty.

I'll rephrase it for you.

Do you support telecommuters who illegally live and work here without proper "papers" in attempts to achieve the greater good while working inline with the spirit of the law?

Again, you did not provide enough information, so it depends. Define what you mean by "Support"

BTW, everything is always a yes or no, black or white, guilty or not guilty choice for you. It must be a very dull life to put such restrictions on yourself.

You must be a part time politician.

Another rephrase (it's the same question anyway):

Do you believe that telecommuters should illegally live and work here without proper "papers" in attempts to achieve the greater good while working inline with the spirit of the law?

Yeah thats me, "Dull Chris", ask anyone.

It's been fun, but all good things must come to an end. I am heading home to my dull lonely life in San Pedro. See ya in the AM good people and Jason.

This is now a bad read. Hey anybody over at Pedros in the Olympical pool? Pedro's spelling, not mine. Damn - I'm blowing that bell ringing thing again.

It was getting interesting when it turned to smoking and eating pie! Just for ther record, I pledge not to do a single minute of work during my entire time in SP. I will contribute to the local economy every time my Belikin is empty or my wife needs another bar special. I will help the small business owners by eating nearly everytime I walk by their stands or restaurants. (because of the smokin thing) Oh and I am also donating to the dive operators. (No smoking before that) I'll be the one in the chair with the I Don't Give a Ship look. Sit down, you'll be welcome, but do not bring up work permits. I might lose my laid back attitude and sit up.... and walk to the bar for another brew.

De plane, de plane. Smiles everyone - smiles.

I crack me up.

Just to add my point of view is it not possible for The San Pedro Business Association and the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce to get together and check all their members have all the paper work needed to work in Belize, i.e. Trade Licence, Work Permit, Social Security Card, and General Sale Tax Certificate and then list them for everybody to see the ones that can be trusted, There would then be no grey areas just a list of Honest Business’s in San Pedro.

The SPBA requires proof of enrollment for Business Tax and GST.

The San Pedro Chamber of Commerce is actually a more mixed bag and has evolved into more of a community interest group than a true Chamber of Commerce.

There are stricter requirements by BTIA and BCCI too.

Thank you Amanda, how can I get a list of SPBA

Now have a list

Just go the legal route. Going legal keeps you from being in a questionable "gray" area. Saves headaches in the long run.

I gotta say I have been very confused by the term "telecommuter". The definition I looked up is “To work at home using a computer connected to the network of one's employer.”

The way I understand this conversation is that Advantage Realty says that if I go to Belize for a month or two I need a work permit to run my business over the internet back home. I thought this a little ridiculous sooooo… a few days ago I phoned my lawyer and asked if I needed a work permit when I am in Belize (Because the above is exactly what I do when I am there). He said (quote):

“No, not in accordance with Canadian law. You do not need a permit in Canada unless you are a permanent resident. For example: If you are a permanent resident of Canada and operate a small business in the US you have to pay Canadian income tax above and beyond what you pay in the US. However you can claim tax back from the IRS in the US - OR if the company that you work for/own derives income from the jurisdition that you are working. The work that you do from a computer as a non resident to a company is considered to be work completed at the computer’s terminus.” He then said he would talk to an acquaintance/colleague in Belize City for me to confirm that the law was the same.

He called me back a few minutes ago and confirmed that it is basically the same. You do not necessarily need a work permit per say but you must register and pay taxes if you are a permanent resident and not if you are a “tourist”.

He didn’t charge me a nickel, I got a great lawyer. (Sorry for the oxymoron.)

When you enter Belize for the first time you will be given a stamp for about 30 days stay. If you stay longer and then go and renew your stamp,the new stamp states,

“PERMITTED TO REMAIN ON CONDITION THAT THE HOLDER DOES NOT ENTER INTO EMPLOYMENT PAID OR UNPAID. DOES NOT ENGAGE IN ANY BUSINESS OR PROFESSION WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION AND DOES NOT REMAIN IN BELIZE LONGER” THAN THE DATE SHOWN IN YOUR PASSPORT.

I may be wrong but that is how it was a few years ago.

"DOES NOT ENGAGE IN ANY BUSINESS OR PROFESSION WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION"

Pretty poorly written or at the least ambiguous. If taken as written, it could mean anyone who was in business or employed could not vacation in Belize. Should probably say "does not engage in any business or profession in Belize".

I am sure that is the intent. That is why my interpretation concerning working via the internet, would be that if a person was doing business outside of Belize and was not a citizen or permanent resident of Belize, they would not be liable for any Belize income tax.

In the US a citizen is liable for income tax on income generated anywhere in the world. A person residing in the US that is a citizen of another country is only liable for income tax on money earned from business in the US or from a US company.

Director of Immigration words not mine, I suppose there are only a number of words you can get on a stamp

pretty sure that if you wanted to do any form of work whatsoever it would be prudent to check with the immigration department. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse.

I've checked with immigration in Belize with this exact issue and was simply met with blank stares and "I'm not sure but will check". After several months of back and forth, the answer remained the same. This form of economy and employment is growing far too quickly for most government's and their legal developments.

I assume you pay taxes where the the money is made. My past experience I have traveled and worked in a few counties. Some counties I register an (NGO) as a non governmental agency. But for the most part I have never been required to pay taxes or register in a county. I am trying to retire here but still have business issues in the US to close out. SO if anyone finds the answer please post! Don't want to end up in jail or WORSE be sent back to the US.
Mary

Just contact a competant attorney in Belize City or Belmopan. I have a number of one that might be able to help you. If interested, send me a PM.