A correction or two on some of these posts:

IF you hold a passport from a country that does not need a visa for entry to Belize:

Being here with "temporary" stamps:
Enter Belize as a tourist and get a 30-day stamp. Renew it monthly at nearest Immigration office. The sixth time time the renewal must be done at a boarder crossing (go to Chetumal for lunch and come back). This process can be done over and over and over. You may NOT work with such a stamp.

Work Permits - are good for one year and are rather specific about what kind of work you can do - if you get a work permit to be a teacher you cannot use it to be a dive instructor.
Two kinds of permits are given - one is applied for by your prospective employer. That employer has to prove that they tried to find a qualified Belizean to fill the job, and could not do so.
The other kind of work permit is a "Self-Employment" permit. This allows you to start your own business.
You don't need to be here at all to apply for a work permit, although it is a lot better/easier to achieve something if you are present to do it yourself.

AFTER you have been in Belize for a year (either on tourist stamps or work permit or combo of the two) you can apply for Permanent Residency. That is a status like a "green card" in the US or a "landed immigrant" in Canada.

BTW - unemployment in Belize is double-digit.

Not that I think I can talk my husband into it...but what are the rules if you want to buy a business. Thanks. Marie

One last comment - Government fees for Work Permits themselves don't seem all that high to me, but we all have a different view of what "expensive" means.
It's really best to do your own research in to current conditions and requirements. Go directly to Labour Department and ask. They will tell you what is required. Things change over time and each circumstance/individual may face slightly different "details".
You do not need to hire an expediter to process these applications.

If you buy a business and want to just own it but not work in it, then no permit is requried.
If you want to actively work, opinions vary on whether you "need" the permit or not.
But getting such a permit makes life a lot easier than trotting off to immigration every 30 days, so it seems like the sensible thing to do regardless of whether it's a strict legal necessity.
Owning a business would put you in the "Self-Employment Permit" category - this is generally quite easy to process. It's just a matter of paper-pushing.

Be aware that there are times when elections, scandals, etc. cause a back-up or slow-down in paper-processing.

But in general, also remember that Belize WANTS investors, so if you are a legitimate business person this can be a great place to "do it".

diane....thanx for your input...the extra info is very much appreciated....kerry

Black Chiney!

Watch out Belize, here she comes!

SMILE!

thanks guys

chris you better watch out!!