Skilled Labour Force

 The Belizean Workforce:
  • Friendly, well educated, productive, English speaking citizenry.
  • Diverse and Bilingual population (English, Spanish)
  • As of September 2015, the total population for Belize is 370,300 with a young, vibrant and quality labour force of 140,475 and a low unemployment rate of 10.2%. (Source: SIB)
  • Competitive labour costs with a minimum wage of BZD $3.30 or USD $1.65 per hour.
  • 13 Tertiary and 53 Secondary educational institutions countrywide with Technical and Vocational training programs through the Institute of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ITVET).
  • Government subsidized industry demand driven training programs through the Belize Training and Employment Centre (BTEC), a Unit of BELTRAIDE
Belize has a young, diverse and talented labour force ranging between the ages of 20 – 34, see Figure 1 and Figure 2 (Source: SIB). For more detailed labor statistics, kindly visit the Statistical Institute of Belize’s (SIB) website at www.sib.org.bz.

Figure 1:​ Labour Force by Age 2015

Figure 2: Labour Force distribution by district

Work Permit Application Procedures: ​

​Belize also offers an investor-friendly work permit regime that enables developers to bring talent to Belize during the initial phases of the development coupled with knowledge transfer programs.
 
General Information
  1. Applications are submitted to the Labour Department.
  2. Applicants must have a valid passport and updated visa entry.
  3. The Belize work permit is valid for only one year.
  4. Applicants must apply every year (if required).
 
Who may apply for a work permit?
  1. Anyone seeking employment in Belize.
  2. The person must have a valid passport and updated visa
 
Documents Required
  1. Application Form.
  2. Valid Passport: Copy of Bio Data and Legal Status.
  3. Three (3) recent passport photographs.
  4. Police Record from last place of residence.
  5. Police record from Belize.
  6. Recommendation from Villa
  7. Belize Local Corpor ge Council/Town Board where business will be located.
  8. Recommendation from Belize Tourism Board or Relative Agency if the business is Tourism oriented. ation Documents.
  9. Information regarding local bank account for Local Corporation.
  10. Belize Trade License depending where the business will be located. The business will need to have a physical location to be inspected for trade license approval.
  11. Certificates, Diplomas, Credentials, etc. of applicant.
  12. Proof of funding of Business.
 
For more information regarding Work Permits kindly contact:
Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development
General Office:
6/8 Trinity Boulevard, Belmopan
Tel: + (501)-802-2297
Fax: + (501)-802-0157