Belizean Expats in Colombia: Complete Immigration & Visa Guide 2026 | CoVisas Colombia

Belize at a Glance

Belize occupies a unique position in the Western Hemisphere: an English-speaking nation nestled along the Caribbean coast of Central America, its identity shaped equally by British colonial history, Mayan heritage, and Afro-Caribbean culture. For Belizean nationals exploring options abroad, Colombia has emerged as one of the most compelling destinations in Latin America — a country that combines urban sophistication with Caribbean warmth and an increasingly accessible immigration framework.

Why Belizeans Are Choosing Colombia

The connection between Belize and Colombia runs deeper than geography. Both nations share a Caribbean coastline, a tradition of Afro-descendant culture, and a climate that feels instantly familiar to anyone raised in the tropics. Belizeans who arrive in Cartagena, Santa Marta, or even Bogotá often report a sense of cultural affinity that smooths the transition — the food, the music, and the rhythm of daily life carry echoes of home. Colombia's Caribbean coast in particular resonates strongly with Belizeans accustomed to a relaxed, sea-facing way of life, while the country's growing digital economy and startup ecosystem attract younger professionals seeking better economic opportunities than a small domestic market can provide.

On the practical side, Colombia offers a cost of living that remains highly competitive even for Belizeans accustomed to the BZD's 2:1 peg to the US dollar. Major Colombian cities — Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and Barranquilla — have invested heavily in infrastructure, education, and healthcare over the past two decades, creating an environment where expatriates can access world-class services at a fraction of the cost found in North America or Europe. The country's streamlined Migración Colombia platform has made the visa application process increasingly transparent, and the growing international community ensures that English speakers are far from isolated. For Belizean retirees, investors, and remote workers alike, Colombia represents a rare combination of quality of life, economic value, and legal accessibility.

Diplomatic Representation & Key Contacts

Entry Without a Visa: What Belizeans Need to Know

Belize is included in Lista A of Colombia's Resolución 5488 de 2022, which means Belizean passport holders can enter Colombia as tourists or short-stay visitors without obtaining a prior visa. This visa-free status allows stays of up to 90 days per calendar year, which may in some cases be extended at the discretion of Migración Colombia. The 90-day period is counted from the date of each entry, and travelers should be prepared to present a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation, and evidence of sufficient funds upon arrival at a Colombian port of entry.

It is important to understand that the visa-free regime is designed for tourism, short-term business meetings, and exploratory visits — not for working, studying, or establishing permanent residence. Belizean nationals who wish to remain in Colombia beyond the 90-day limit, or who intend to engage in any remunerated activity, must apply for an appropriate visa category through the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs before their authorized stay expires. Overstaying the visa-free period carries financial penalties and can affect future entry eligibility, so anyone planning a longer-term move should begin the visa process well in advance of their arrival.

Migrant Visa (Visa M) Categories & Costs

The Migrant Visa (Visa M) is Colombia's primary long-term residence authorization, designed for foreigners who intend to remain in the country for more than 90 days for purposes such as family reunification, retirement, investment, or employment. The following table summarizes the most relevant Visa M subcategories for Belizean applicants, along with the applicable fees. Note that the SMMLV (Colombian monthly minimum wage) for 2026 is set at COP 1,423,500 per month, which determines income thresholds for certain categories.

The government fee of USD 255 is paid directly to the Colombian state and is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the application. The service fee of USD 232 covers the professional processing, document review, and advisory services provided by CoVisas Colombia. Fees are subject to adjustment by government decree; always confirm the current rate at the time of application through the official cancilleria.gov.co portal.

Health Insurance for Belizeans in Colombia

Belize's public health infrastructure is administered by the Ministry of Health and Wellness and centers on the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) in Belize City, supplemented by regional hospitals in Belmopan, San Ignacio, Orange Walk, and Dangriga. Private options such as Belize Medical Associates and Universal Health Services provide additional capacity for those who can afford supplementary coverage. The country's Qualified Retired Persons (QRP) programme has cultivated a small eco-health and medical tourism sector, and the government has made incremental investments in rural health access. However, for complex or specialized procedures, many Belizeans have historically traveled to Mexico or the United States, reflecting the inherent constraints of healthcare in a small nation of 400,000 people.

When a Belizean national relocates to Colombia, access to Belize's public health system effectively ceases for routine care. The Colombian public health system (EPS) is available only to those enrolled through formal employment relationships or as voluntary contributors, and enrollment is neither immediate nor guaranteed for newly arrived foreigners. For Visa M applicants, Colombian immigration regulations require proof of valid health insurance coverage for the duration of the requested visa. Failing to maintain compliant health coverage can jeopardize both the initial visa approval and any future renewal or upgrade. A comprehensive international health insurance policy is therefore not a luxury — it is a legal prerequisite for lawful long-term residence.

CoVisas Colombia works with internationally recognized health insurance providers to offer policies that satisfy Colombian visa requirements across all Visa M categories. Coverage must typically include the following seven areas to meet the standards set by Migración Colombia:

Tax Obligations for Belizeans in Colombia

Belize operates one of the most favorable tax regimes in the Western Hemisphere for individuals with international income. The Belize Tax Service applies a strict territorial tax system: only income sourced within Belize is subject to Belizean income tax, regardless of where the taxpayer resides. Belize-source employment income is taxed at a flat 25% rate above a basic personal exemption threshold. Crucially, foreign-source income — including pensions, investment returns, and remote employment income from abroad — is not taxable in Belize under any circumstances, making Belize particularly attractive for digital nomads, retirees, and investors who receive income from outside the country. The QRP programme extends this territorial logic even further, allowing qualifying retirees to import income entirely free of Belizean tax. There is no capital gains tax and no inheritance tax in Belize, further simplifying the tax picture for internationally mobile Belizeans.

Colombia, by contrast, applies a residence-based tax system. A person who spends 183 or more days in Colombia within any 365-day period — counted on a rolling basis, not just within a calendar year — becomes a Colombian tax resident and is subject to Colombian income tax on their worldwide income. The Colombian tax scale is progressive, with rates reaching up to 39% on the highest income bands. For Belizean nationals who transition from short-term visitors to long-term residents, the shift from Belize's territorial system to Colombia's worldwide taxation regime can represent a significant change in effective tax burden, particularly for those with foreign investment income or pension payments.

Legalizing Belizean Documents for Use in Colombia

Colombian authorities require that foreign-issued documents — including criminal record certificates, birth certificates, marriage certificates, and academic credentials — be properly authenticated before they can be accepted for visa applications or other official purposes. For Belizean documents, the process follows three mandatory steps:

1. Notarize or authenticate the original document at the issuing authority in Belize. For a Police Character Certificate, this means obtaining the document from Belize Police Department Headquarters in Belmopan or from a major police station. For civil registry documents, authentication is obtained through the Belize Vital Statistics Unit. The document must bear the official seal and signature of the issuing authority before it can proceed to the next step.
2. Obtain an Apostille from the Belize Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Belmopan. Belize acceded to the Hague Apostille Convention in 1993, meaning Belizean-issued documents bearing a valid Apostille are recognized in Colombia without further legalization. The Apostille is attached to or endorsed upon the document and certifies the authenticity of the signature and seal of the issuing authority. Processing times vary; applicants should allow sufficient lead time before their intended visa submission date.
3. Obtain a certified Spanish translation of the Apostilled document. Since Belizean official documents are issued in English, they must be accompanied by a Spanish translation prepared by a translator officially recognized by Colombian authorities. The translation must reflect the full content of the original document, including any Apostille certification text, and must bear the translator's credentials and signature. Migración Colombia does not accept machine translations or uncertified bilingual summaries.