Its been some years that I got my residency, it was a total of days not consecutively. However that can be waived, my husband got his residency a few years ago and spent 4 months a year in the States working, he was not even in the country and I got it for him. You have to go to Belmopan and speak directly to The Director of Immigration. Other exceptions are made if its medically related. I have a friend that cant be here in very hot months so she has never been here more than 9 months a year and had no problem with work permits or getting her residency. Family emergency also waives the time in country.
There are certain occupations that you will have trouble getting a work permit, if its a common position for a Belizean, as restaurant work, Hotel work, sales......tour guide. You can own the business. Ex; You can own the dive boat, but will have a real hard time getting a permit to work on it or a guide license. Like I said though exceptions can be made by the Director of Immigration.

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