AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Belize Life Living in Belize Something I noticed

Out of curiosity I was scanning this site and saw something about certaintypes of work permits not being granted except for under exceptions...
Does this include if you want to open a business? Don't you need a permit for that?

I'm really not certain, but I do thing one needs a work permit even if ya own your own business. If I wanted the for sure answer, I think Lan Sluder at Belize First would have the correct answer.

[This message has been edited by Bill Thornton (edited 08-11-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Bill Thornton (edited 08-11-2001).]

Just do a search on the Ambergris board, by typing in (work permit) and you will find alot of information. Hope this helps.

If an expat wishes to work in Belize they will need either a work permit or resident card. The residents card will usually state weather the person is a mechanic, a doctor or in some cases {this is the best one} a buisness man or buisness woman.

I think my main concern is this: We might want to open a little deli/fishing/tour business. However, I read somewhere that they won't give work permits to expats in the restaurant or service business.
Is it possible that they make an exception if you want to open a business? I'm sure it must be, but I could be wrong.

I have found that pretty much anything is possible in Belize, the main thing down here is that you have to be patient, it also doesn't hurt to know the right people. I am sure that if you want to invest in this country and hire local people that they will grant you a working permit. I would suggest coming down here for awhile to check out the island, it is a beautiful spot to live and work, but it isn't for everyone. While you are here you can check with the powers that be about the work visas .

There are several different issues here. One is that there is a difference between a work permit one gets for working as an employee in Belize and the privilege of opening a business as an investor.

As a resident investor bringing new jobs to Belize you can do things a simple employee cannot do (though not everything -- you can't be involved in commercial fishing, bee-keeping, sugar cane production, for example, which are fields protected for Belizeans.)

As a resident investor operating a resort you can run a restaurant, bar or retail shop which normally you would not be able to do.

But in some cases you would have to get permission of the local government council to operate a business. For example you can't just go down to Placencia and decide you want to open a jet ski business -- you're going to have to get approval from the Placencia village folks.

Of course as a resident under the Qualified Retired Persons Incentive Act you can't work or run a business in Belize at all, though yhou can live in Belize and operate a business in another country.

But as someone else said nothing in Belize is cut and dried. There are guidelines and rules, but who you know, or who you don't know, are at least as important as the official rules.

--Lan Sluder

AMEN!.....Cash helps too.....LOL

there is a "self-employment" work permit???? if you buy an existing business?

Are deep sea fishing excursions the same as "commercial fishing"?