How to move to Belize from Canada

Is moving to Belize from Canada your dream come true? Say goodbye to cold winters and enjoy subtropical weather all year-round. Whatever your reason, it’s a big decision that will come with complex processes. To help with your journey, this guide walks you through everything you need to manage before leaving Canada, , plus some tips on how to acclimate yourself to your new life in Belize. Finally, we’ll look at Wise to hold your CAD and transfer it to BZD at the mid-market exchange rate.

What are the administrative essentials for moving to Belize from Canada?

Obviously, moving to another country is going to be more complex than moving within your province or even to another province. You’ll need to address several administrative tasks such as acquiring the appropriate documentation.

1. Getting the right residence permit or visa according to your situation and purpose

For Canadians to stay and work in Belize, you’ll need a passport and a visa. While you do not require a visa to enter Belize as a Canadian, you may need one later depending on your purpose of stay.

For work, you have a few options. You can apply for a Temporary Employment Permit¹ if you’re not planning to stay indefinitely, or you can apply for residency. In either case, you need to be living in Belize.

2. Be sure to consult a tax professional when planning your move

Your new residence status will impact how you file your income tax, so you’ll want a step-by-step process of what to expect there. Additionally, you may owe departure tax when you leave the country.

How long does the Belize visa process take?

Within two weeks of submitting an application, you’ll have an interview with immigration. This is followed by another interview with the police within three months.

At that point, your application is vetted, and you’ll be notified if you are approved or if you need to provide additional documentation.

Finally, you’ll pay your fees, and you should be able to pick up your card within five days.⁴

Things to take care of in Canada before moving to Belize

Before you begin living in Belize as a Canadian, there are some things you want to take care of here first.

You’ll need to inform your bank

• Contact your credit card companies, insurance providers, and government agencies such as Service Canada or the Canada Revenue Agency.
• Transfer your funds: Before closing your Canadian bank accounts transfer your funds to a BZD or USD account. You do have some options here but for the best deal, consider using Wise for CAD and or USD accounts that will allow you to transfer into BZD at mid-market rates.
• Your bank accounts: If you choose to close out your bank account, follow the directions given by each bank. Closing your account is not necessary, however, if you decide to maintain your account, you will accrue fees if it sits dormant.

• Forward your mail: Let Canada Post know about your new Belize address so they can redirect your mail for you.
• Get your medical records in order: If you’re undergoing any treatments, be sure to get copies of your medical records. Additionally, be sure you’re able to continue your treatments in Belize without interruption.
• Pet relocation: A valid import permit is required if you’re planning to take your cat or dog into Belize. Your pet must have a recent international veterinary certificate issued within the last two weeks and a valid rabies certificate. All dogs and cats must go through a quarantine inspection.⁵
• Cancel any Canadian memberships or subscriptions.

Travel expenses for flying from Canada to Belize

Please note that fares are estimates and will vary based on circumstances, such as:

• The date and time you booked your fare
• The date of your flight

Preparing for Your Stay in Belize Before Leaving Canada

Before heading out, count the cost. Remember, if you’re planning on living in Belize as a Canadian, you need to live there for a year before you can obtain permanent residency. To help with that, here’s an overview of some typical costs and expenses you should be prepared for.

Estimation of Monthly Expenses

Conversion as of November 18 2024, at 6PM EST

Get More Out of Your Money with Wise

Getting the best bang for your buck is going to be important, and that’s where Wise comes in.

Why choose Wise:

• You can sign up for a Wise account and get local account details.
• Wise helps you manage over 20 currencies conveniently , including BZD, CAD, and USD.
• Convert your money into BZD at the mid-market exchange rate whether you’re making a payment or sending money to an account.
  • All same currency transfers made between Wise accounts are free.
• Fees for international transfers start at 0.48%^*
• You can send money to over 150 countries and in over 40 currencies.

Transportation in Belize

The best modes of transportation in Belize will depend on where you’re moving to. Belize’s largest city is a small town by Canadian standards, and while they don’t have what you may envision when you think of public transportation with established, timely routes, they do have options.

For getting around Belize in general, your best option is by car. In Belize City, if you don’t have a car, you’ll want to take a taxi. The city doesn’t have a bus system, but if you want to travel throughout the country, buses are an option, but many of the bus companies use old, second-hand school buses imported from the US.

When using a taxi, be sure to agree on a price before getting in, as many taxis have no fixed meter. The typical fare ranges from BZ$10 to BZ$15.

Health Insurance Plans in Belize

Belize provides healthcare for its citizens through public and private systems, under the responsibility of the Ministry of Health. The government of Belize is working toward establishing universal health care and has removed fees from public hospitals.⁹

To obtain access to the Belize National Health Insurance, you need to have permanent residency status.¹⁰

Employers in Belize are not obligated to offer health care benefits, but it is possible to obtain individual coverage from companies like:

• RF&G
• Sagicor

Final Thoughts on Moving to Belize from Canada

If your goal is to move to Belize from Canada, given the fact that you need to live there for at least a year before being able to work or retire, it will take some long-term planning. Hopefully, the information provided in this guide will give you the tools and direction you need to make the process as smooth as possible. And in terms of your money, be sure to consider Wise for the best available currency conversion rates.

Sources:

1. Belize work permit
2. Permanent residency status
3. Belize citizenship by investment
4. How long it takes to process your application
5. Relocating your pet
6. Airfare from Canada to Belize
7. Cost of living In Belize
8. BZD to CAD conversions
9. Belize healthcare
10. Belize National Health Insurance