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Terry

The Immigration office is next to Atlantic bank




ask for 3 month visa extension

Sometimes they are strict, sometimes they are lenient

You will need to take with you,
Copy of Property Title or Lease agreement,  or proof of booked Hotel
Evidence of funds to sustain yourself for the period
Sometimes they ask for return airline tickets
Passports

expect a wait, I would pre-visit to get all the details/papers required by immigration office before the actual day of Visa renewal
Pick up a Visa renewal form and duplicate it, could save you lots of time if the line is long

Here is how it works
Join the que, pick up a form
fill in the form and rejoin the back of the que
hand the form to the officer
wait until you are called up, they give you a payment slip
you then pay the bill at the treasury office next to the post office, across from the central Park



Make sure on the receipt your names are spelt correctly
Return to immigration, join the que and hand in your receipt
wait for your passport to be stamped
depending on the day 1-4 hrs, longer if you hit the process during office lunch break

Good luck

Hi John
Holy crap. What a process. Thanks so much for the information. What your talking about is the same as the tourism card?  Which I understand is $25 for each person per month?

Terry

Not sure what a tourist card is?
When you enter Belize, immigration will stamp your passport with a 30 day Visa
To stay in Belize after this Visa ends, you need to apply to extend your visa, before it ends, most do it on the day it ends as you only get 30 days from the date you apply for the extension

The visa extension is now $100USD per month

Ooh… ok
I had read that it was called a tourist card and only $25 per month. Wow $100 US. That’s crazy!!!! 
Thanks, I guess I better look into that more carefully   Maybe I should look into getting a visa before I leave
I know that the Canadian web site says we don’t need a visa but a tourist card. This is getting so confusing… ugh

Thanks so much John. I really appreciate it😊😊

Hello everyone & happy Sunday
We are coming to Corozal in November for 6 months. Wondering what about cell phones?  Should we get an international cell plan from Canada or would it be better to get a cell phone down there?  And if so, what approximately would be the cost?
No idea how this works…lol.
Any one who has dealt with this or has suggestions would be greatly !
Thanks so much😊😊

get an unlocked phone and use Telegram or WhatsApp

Good morning
Thanks for the info. When you say get a unlocked phone do you mean buy one or would my cell work?

I believe what he is saying is if your cell phone is locked through like AT&T it will cost you a lot but like my cell phone can be used on any network I use WhatsApp or Skype to make overseas calls

Thank Ishively5
Ok got it… does Facebook & Messanger not work in Belize? 
Everyone keeps mentioning Whats App, which I do have on my cell but would like to use messanger
Also do the restaurant have wifi like we do in Canada?
Thanks Terry

To make local calls I bought a GSM unlocked Android phone on Amazon several years ago for international travel. When I get in country, I buy a local SIM card. You could buy a phone in Belize, but it will be more expensive, limited selection, and be locked to the Belize  phone company. If you have another unused late model phone that is for sure unlocked from any carrier you could use it.

At the Belize airport you can buy the sim card from a vender located in the same building as all the rental car companies. Its across the parking lot from the terminal building. Or get the local SIM card from any BTL office in Belize. You can top up the SIM card minutes at any grocery store in Belize. Cost for the card and minutes is not expensive. Buy at least $30 bzd to keep them active for 90 days.

For international calls too from USA make sure your regular phone has the WiFi calling option turned on. My home phone company is ATT I think all the major phone companies allow using the WiFi calling option built into modern cell phones, but they would rather Sell you a international plan😀

Also the advice to put whatsapp on both phones is a good idea as many Belizeins use it, it just gives you a good option, IF the person your calling also uses that app.

Those iPhone apps work fine.
Many restaurants have WiFi, but remember most are small family owned.

Thanks for the info
So I am Canadian & would like to use my cell phone. When you say my apps on my phone still work,  does that include messanger & Facebook?  I also have those apps on my iPad
Also mentioned was to buy a SIM card down there. Would we have to buy a phone or could I use that SIM card with my iPhone 11?
Sorry, this cell stuff is confusing

I am a cheapskate, i am sure there are many other ways to do this for more money. 

You asked about apps specific to an iPhone working in Belize. Yes they still work.

Please re-read my first message, it gives info that has worked for me.
I use two phones, one for international travel to any country. I bought a $100 Android phone on Amazon... then I buy a local to that country SIM card to use in that unlocked phone. for LOCAL calls.

Even if you pay international charges to call from your regular phone, you will not get a Belizean to call you back on your Canadian phone number, as that would be expensive for them. Also it seems to take about two months before the USA phone company bills for international numbers. just another reason I try to avoid calling from USA numbers to Belize. I am pretty sure all this applies to Canada as well.

On my regular USA  phone that I use via WiFi CALLING to call and receive calls from the USA via my ATT number at no additional cost. I also have WhatsApp on both phones as a backup.

You asked about switching SIM cards back and forth....it would work IF your iPhone is not locked to any provider for local Belize calls. However swapping SIM cards back and forth is very inconvenient, and tedious.

I know there are Android phones that have two SIM slots, I am not an Apple guy, but don't think Apple sells a Dual SIM phone.

Aerodex thanks now I understand what you mean by locked phone… I didn’t get it before thought that meant locked as in password. Lol.
Great we do have older iPhones that we can use along with our normal iPhones. The info on buying a SIM card is perfect!… thanks a lot !!!!  I’m going back to that message & coping it into my Belize photo album.
Thanks again, Terry

Your older phone is most likely still locked to the cell phone provider you used it with.

Before you leave the country, make very sure that provider unlocks it for you.
The original cell service provider is obligated to unlock it once its off contract?

I was FINALLY able to use again my old Verizon 90's fliphone (a Razor).
Works great, better reception out on the water than the smartphones, lol

Aerodex
Thanks again for the cell info. I really appreciate it. Had no idea that our old phone would still be locked by our provider. Good to know. I will definitely go back to them & make sure that they unlock it.
Thanks again😊😊