The Government of Belize has proposed amendments to the Immigration Act to establish an investor residency program and introduce temporary employment visas for selected industries. Immigration and Labor Minister Kareem Musa introduced the Immigration Amendment Bill, 2026, and the Belizean Nationality Amendment Bill, 2026, on October 2nd, saying the measures would attract investment and address labor shortages.
The proposed changes would place the Labor Commissioner on the Visa Vetting Committee. According to the government, this would ensure that visa decisions consider labor market needs, given the close connection between visa and work permit applications. The amendments would also authorize the Director of Immigration to issue temporary employment visas for agriculture and agribusiness, construction, and hospitality. Belizeans would retain priority for available jobs, but employers could recruit foreign workers when they cannot find suitable local applicants.
Under the current system, foreigners seeking permanent residency must generally be physically present in Belize for 351 days within 365 days. The proposed investor residency program would offer a more flexible pathway. Qualifying applicants would first need to invest at least US$500,000 in a new business in Belize. They would then be required to spend a cumulative total of one year in the country over two and a half to three and a half years, rather than remaining for nearly a full year at one time.
Eligible family members could apply alongside the investor. Applicants would need to provide evidence of their investment, police records, and supporting business information. The proposals would also allow permits to be revoked if applicants submit false information or no longer meet the conditions.
Musa said the program would help Belize compete with other countries offering residency through investment. “As you know, Belize is competing in an increasingly global market for capital, talent, innovation, and entrepreneurship,” he stated. He added that “a well-structured residency by investment program would give Belize another tool to attract qualified investors who can establish businesses, support development, create employment, and contribute meaningfully to our economy.”
Musa cited Grenada, St. Kitts, and Panama as examples, saying their programs generated a quarter of a billion dollars in new investment between 2020 and 2026.
The proposed amendments require further consideration and approval before becoming law. If passed, they would introduce new pathways for investor residency and temporary foreign employment, with immigration authorities responsible for verifying investments, enforcing eligibility requirements, and maintaining local employment priorities.