Skip to content

Promote:Belize

Invest in Belize

A short guide for companies expanding into Belize: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.

1. Belize at a glance

The currency is the Belize dollar (BZD).

Source: Central Bank of Belize, exchange control page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

2. Before you set up

The investment agency, any one-stop route, the sectors reserved for nationals and the zones, as the guide found them.

3. Steps to set up

The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.

Setting up in Belize

  1. Incorporate the company with the registry; a foreign company or one with foreign participants uses a licensed registered agent.Belize Companies and Corporate Affairs RegistryOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: BCCAR, company incorporation page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

  2. Register the business with the tax service to get a Taxpayer Identification Number through the IRIS Belize system.Belize Tax ServiceOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: BELTRAIDE, business tax registration page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

  3. Give the Central Bank prior written notice of any share transfer to a non-resident, and attach its confirmation to the company filing.Central Bank of BelizeConfirmation of notice is emailed within 24 hours.Official page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Central Bank of Belize, share and capital investment notice page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

  4. Apply for a trade license from the city council or town board where the business will operate.City Council or Town BoardOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: BELTRAIDE, trade license registration page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

Show 5 more set-up steps
  1. Apply to BELTRAIDE if your project qualifies for the Fiscal Incentives or Designated Processing Areas program.Belize Trade and Investment Development ServiceOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: BELTRAIDE, BelizeINVEST page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

  2. Apply at the Labour Department for a temporary employment permit for foreign staff; the Immigration Office issues it after approval.Ministry of Immigration, Governance & LabourThe Labour Department calls within 30 days with a decision.Official page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Belize Immigration, temporary employment permit page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

  3. Give the Central Bank prior written notice of any land transfer between a resident and a non-resident.Central Bank of BelizeConfirmation of notice is emailed within 24 hours.Official page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Central Bank of Belize, transfer of land notice page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

  4. Open a company bank account; each signatory gives two banker's references and the bank asks for incorporation documents.Commercial banksOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: BELTRAIDE, bank account establishment page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

  5. Request an XCH1 permit from the Central Bank when you need to buy foreign currency for current or capital payments.Central Bank of BelizeProcessed within one business day when complete.Official page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Central Bank of Belize, foreign exchange permits page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

4. Organizations that help investors

Start with BCED. Each card links to the organization’s own site.

Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets

Investment and business setup

Show 5 more organizations

Customs and tax

Chambers and industry associations

5. Worth knowing

Show 3 more

6. How Promote:Global helps

  • Compare Belize with other countriesSet Belize beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
  • Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
  • Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.

Turn this guide into your Belize project.

Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.

Export from Belize Invest in Belize

Free to start. No card required.

Already have an account? Sign in

Promote:Belize is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.

Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 30, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.