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Belize Guide

Entry requirements

    Citizens of the US, Canada, the EU, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa do not need visas to enter Belize as tourists. Swiss, Japanese and Israeli citizens, as well as most other nationalities, do need a visa (US$50), for which they have to apply at a Belizean embassy or consulate in advance, as visas are not officially obtainable at the border. There is no charge to enter Belize – just fill out the immigration form on the plane or at the border. Even if you don't require a visa, keep your passport or a photocopy with you at all times in Belize, as you may be asked to show it at police checkpoints.

    Non-US citizens passing through the US en route to Belize will need a machine-readable passport and possibly a US visa. It's essential you confirm before you travel that your current passport will permit you to enter the US; allow at least two months if you need to obtain a US visa. For more on this, check the latest information on the US Department of Homeland Security website ( www.dhs.gov/us-visit ).

    All visitors to Belize are generally allowed a maximum stay of thirty days, but entry stamps can be renewed for up to a year: Bz$50/month for the first six months and Bz$100/month for the remainder, though you will likely raise the interest of the authorities if you stay this long.

    The vast majority of foreign embassies and consulates are still in Belize City, though the US embassy has moved to Belmopan, which is also the location of the British High Commission. All current contact numbers are under the Diplomatic Listings in the green pages of the Belize telephone directory.