On this page, you will find:
To find organisations working for LGBTQI+ rights, visit our Belize LGBTQI+ Resources page.
For Belize country of origin information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents visit our Belize COI page.
Refugee protection
Click here to see the numbers and origins of refugees hosted by Belize.
The following sections contain information on the most important international treaties and agreements of which Belize is signatory, as well as national legislation relevant to the protection of refugees.
Since 1990 Belize has been both a party to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and to its 1967 Protocol.
It has also acceded to the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons in 2006 and to the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness in 2015.
Regionally, Belize is part of the Organization of American States (OAS), the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), the Central American Integration System (SICA), the Global Forum on Migration Development (GFMD), and the Global Compact on Migration. It is a member state of the Regional Conference on Migration (RCM), which is a regional consultative process on migration in Central and North America.
The national framework on protection of refugees in Belize is based upon the country’s Constitution of 1981 and its national Refugees Act, Chapter 165 of the Laws of Belize, which was adopted in 1991. These instruments regulate categories of immigrants, passports, entry permits, permanent residency, permanent employment, kinds of temporary permits, and duties of immigrants entering Belize.
In addition, there is the Nationality Act (Chapter 161, revised in 2011) and the Aliens Act (Chapter 159, revised in 2011), which define the conditions of entry, movement, stay, and work of aliens who are third-country nationals.
The applications for asylum in Belize are controlled by the Departamento de Refugiados (Refugees Department).
Legal aid organisations
Address: 3894 Mountain View Boulevard, City of Belmopan, Cayo District, Belize
Tel: (501) 822-3212
Email: Rd.Eligibility@ins.gov.bz
Working Hours: Monday to Thursday from 8:00am to 12:00pm and from 1:00pm to 5pm. Fridays from 8:00am to 12:00pm and from 1:00pm to 4:30 pm.
In Belize, the Department of Refugees is the designated government agency responsible for receiving and processing asylum applications.
The Department of Refugees is bound by the Refugee Act, Chapter 165 of the laws of Belize, to receive and process applications from persons who present themselves at the office to request asylum. The Department of Refugees provides those who meet the criteria with a registration process and temporary legal status that allows them to reside in Belize from the time of registration until a final decision is made on their application.
Website
Address: 23 Garbutt Creek Street, City of Belmopan, Cayo District, Belize
Tel.: (501)-822-2399
Email: bzebe@unhcr.org.bz
On the procedure for applying for asylum in Belize, visit the UNHCR’s Help page. It must be noted, however, that UNHCR’s office in Belize does not receive or process any asylum applications. Only the Department of Refugees can receive asylum applications. UNHCR’s implementing partner – ONG Ayuda para Progreso (Help for Progress) – can also provide help to refugees (see below).
Organisations providing other support to refugees
Facebook
Address: 1 Gabourel Lane 501 Belize City, Belize
Tel: +501 203-3319
Email: bzercshq@btl.net
Belize Red Cross Society provides a variety of humanitarian services, both in situations of war and peace, and is committed to contributing to public health and social services, and support the development of the country.
Migrant Hub Office:
This Office provides information services on human rights, migration requirements and procedures, human trafficking prevention and referrals to institutions.
Address: BRC San Ignacio & Santa Elena Branch Corner 4th Street & Joseph Andrews Drive San Ignacio, Cayo District, Belize
Email: sisebrcmigranthub@outlook.com
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday from 08:00 a.m to 04:00 p.m.
Website
Facebook
Address: Suite 4; 376 Bay Street, Belize City 501, Belize
Tel: +501 223 9500, +501 822 2023
Email: iombelize@iom.int
International Organization for Migration (IOM) assists foreign citizens with assisted voluntary return to the countries of their origin as well as provides consultations on safe travel and stay abroad.
Website
Address: #2 Slim Lane, City of Belmopan, Cayo District, Belize
Tel.: (501) 822-0101; (501) 802-2371
E-mail: helpforprogressbz@gmail.com
Working Hours: Monday to Thursday from 8:00am to 12:00pm and from 1:00pm to 5pm. Fridays from 8:00am to 12:00pm and from 1:00pm to 4:30pm.
Help for Progress (HFP) is an NGO that acts as UNHCR’s implementing partner in seeking protection and solutions for asylum seekers. HFP has worked in partnership with UNHCR Belize since 1999. At the HFP office, you can request information about the asylum process or legal guidance. Some people may also receive temporary humanitarian aid in the form of food, rent, medical services, and education, subject to certain conditions.
Belize LGBTQI+ Resources
Find organisations working for refugee LGBTQI+ rights in Belize.
Belize COI
Find Belize Country of Origin information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents.
We are always looking to expand the resources on our platform. If you know about relevant resources, or you are aware of organisations and/or individuals to include in our directories, please get in touch.
Last updated May 2023