Belize, where English is the official language, lets remote employees of companies outside Belize stay up to 180 days under its Work Where You Vacation program. The income bar is high: $75,000 a year, or $100,000 for a couple or family.
Checked against the sources at the end on November 2, 2026. This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the official source before you apply.
At a glance
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Visit first | 30 days on arrival, extendable monthly |
| Route for remote workers | Work Where You Vacation program |
| Money you need to show | At least $75,000 a year from employment outside Belize ($100,000 for a couple or family) |
| Length | Up to 180 days |
| Government fees | BZD 500 (about $250) per adult and BZD 200 (about $100) per child, paid on arrival |
| Timeline | Not published; apply well before travel |
| Where you apply | Online with the Belize Immigration Department (by email) before you travel; pay the fee at the airport |
| Family | Spouse and children can come; the income bar rises to $100,000 a year |
| Long-term residence | Longer stays through the Qualified Retired Persons program (age 45+, $2,000 a month) or permanent residence after a year of living there |
| US taxes | Still due every year. See our US taxes and banking guide |
Who qualifies
Belize, where English is the official language, lets remote employees of companies outside Belize stay up to 180 days under its Work Where You Vacation program. The income bar is high: $75,000 a year, or $100,000 for a couple or family.
- Remote employees of companies outside Belize: yes.
- Freelancers and business owners: not on this route; check the alternatives below.
- Income: At least $75,000 a year from employment outside Belize ($100,000 for a couple or family). That's about $6,250 a month.
Open question: Belize's immigration website has had broken links; email Immigration to confirm the program is open.
Documents
Order US documents first: apostilles and FBI checks are the slowest part.
- Passport
- Proof of employment and income outside Belize
- Notarized bank reference and statement
- Criminal record check from the last 6 months
- Travel insurance with at least $50,000 cover
Step by step from the US
- Check your numbers against the rule above, using the last 6 to 12 months of income.
- Order US documents: FBI background check, apostilles and translations where needed.
- Apply: Online with the Belize Immigration Department (by email) before you travel; pay the fee at the airport.
- Buy health insurance that meets the requirement for your whole stay.
- Arrive and register your address and any residence card on time.
Taxes
- No special tax regime for program holders
- Belize taxes mainly Belize-source income
- No US-Belize tax treaty or totalization agreement
- US citizens still file a US return every year. The foreign earned income exclusion is up to $132,900 for 2026; the foreign tax credit is the alternative. See our US taxes guide.
Common mistakes
- It's 180 days only, not a residence permit
- The program is for employees; freelancers should confirm with Immigration
- Island living (Ambergris Caye, Placencia) costs more than the mainland
Where to live in Belize
Our city guides cover costs in dollars, neighborhoods, live weather and the time difference: San Pedro (Ambergris Caye) · Placencia · San Ignacio · Belize City.
Moving with a partner or kids? See Moving abroad with family.
Sources
Checked on November 2, 2026. Where sources disagree, we say so above.
- Belize Immigration Department (official)
- Travel Belize: Work Where You Vacation (official)
- Stamped Nomad: Belize Work Where You Vacation (Oct 2026)
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