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planning to spend a year in Belize

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whpaul
  5/16/2015 13:32 EST

After much research, I want to leave the snow behind, pack up my life in Canada and go to Belize. Goal is to become a citizen. I don't qualify for QRP and must work. I know you cannot until you are in Belize for one year. Work exchange for volunteering suites me well. I have registered with a few work exchange programs, and have contacted a private social service agency who I would like to volunteer with them. How do you arrange to get the temporary work permit to do so? Do you do this once you get to Belize, armed with a letter from the organization? Can you set it up before you arrive? Do you need to contact the Belize Consulate in Canada to find out?
What was your experience in what to do and what not to do? I want to hear from you!
Wendy

bobbyveee
  5/16/2015 16:19 EST

The only way you can work is by having a work permit. For all normal jobs you will not get on, even unpaid volunteer work needs a permit. Basically all jobs are reserved for locals. If you haven't got the money to live in Belize . don't come. I mwould not pack up your life anywhere, but I would come spend a few months assessing the life and possibilities. Living in Belize isn't necessarily cheap, most things cost a lot less in the USA. And on the whole cheap accommodation comes without aircon and sometimes hotwater. Also need to think about getting around and the costs involved. A visit is a must before you make any long term plans, this applies to moving to any 3rd world country.

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hulaross
  5/16/2015 18:20 EST

I plan to move to Belize as well. Which area are you moving to if I can ask.
I'm going in September to check out some areas.
Have you visited yet?

JohnDear
  5/16/2015 19:26 EST

Just to let you know, September is the heart of the wet season...

mcagun
  5/17/2015 04:10 EST

Here's my 10 cents on this.

You have to create your own work, be self employed, sell things you make, or grow, or catch, do online work, import things, fine a niche and I will guarantee within 6 month 20 chini man will be copying you

Food, unless bought from 'Markets' is expensive,
Pork is more expensive than Beef, but try chewing the beef here and you will understand why, Pork cost around $4.5US pound
A tin of Baked Beans will cost you $1.50US

Vehicles are about 3 times what I would want to pay.
Electric is more expensive than I am used to about $0.25 per 1Kwh, but standing charge is only $3 a month

Anything imported from the west is expensive, anything brought in from the East is reasonable but of poor quality.
You can pick up a 2 bed Belizean owned rental home for about $250US a month in town.
Do not expect the Ritz or even hot water, but your in the tropics why would you want hot water!

Beer is average $2 a bottle, Chinese fast food is very Cheap
Chicken and chips/fries starts at $2US and up
Chinese chow mien or a special fried rice is enough to feed 2 and is about $3US, you could feed yourself all day for $5 on these Chinese fast food places

Meal in a bar is around $15US and up

My partner and I usually budget around $50US for a Friday night in a bar and that includes a meal and we are walking home with a nice buzz-on, we always go home with change

You can pick up land for about $10K US for a 1/4 acre on the mainland and build basic for less than $40 a Foot brick and cheaper for Mennonite wood home, on mainland and if you want western style and quality then your looking at $100 per foot,

You can live very good sociable life on $2000 per month, Ive known folk budget on half that and still live good,
Living can be very cheap in Belize and it can be very expensive in Belize, but the fact that you have a choice is good

mcagun
  5/17/2015 04:11 EST

Here's my 10 cents on this.

You have to create your own work, be self employed, sell things you make, or grow, or catch, do online work, import things, fine a niche and I will guarantee within 6 month 20 chini man will be copying you

Food, unless bought from 'Markets' is expensive,
Pork is more expensive than Beef, but try chewing the beef here and you will understand why, Pork cost around $4.5US pound
A tin of Baked Beans will cost you $1.50US

Vehicles are about 3 times what I would want to pay.
Electric is more expensive than I am used to about $0.25 per 1Kwh, but standing charge is only $3 a month

Anything imported from the west is expensive, anything brought in from the East is reasonable but of poor quality.
You can pick up a 2 bed Belizean owned rental home for about $250US a month in town.
Do not expect the Ritz or even hot water, but your in the tropics why would you want hot water!

Beer is average $2 a bottle, Chinese fast food is very Cheap
Chicken and chips/fries starts at $2US and up
Chinese chow mien or a special fried rice is enough to feed 2 and is about $3US, you could feed yourself all day for $5 on these Chinese fast food places

Meal in a bar is around $15US and up

My partner and I usually budget around $50US for a Friday night in a bar and that includes a meal and we are walking home with a nice buzz-on, we always go home with change

You can pick up land for about $10K US for a 1/4 acre on the mainland and build basic for less than $40 a Foot brick and cheaper for Mennonite wood home, on mainland and if you want western style and quality then your looking at $100 per foot,

You can live very good sociable life on $2000 per month, Ive known folk budget on half that and still live good,
Living can be very cheap in Belize and it can be very expensive in Belize, but the fact that you have a choice is good

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Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

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Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
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Conmurphy
  6/30/2015 18:00 EST

To get a volunteer work permit you can apply while abroad, but it would be much easier in person.

To get a tempriary work permit you would need someone to handle the process for you locally before you came or apply yourself when you get down here. You dont have to wait for 1 year to get a work permit, you can apply anytime, but its not guaranteed you will get one quickly or at all if you have no means or little in the way of qualifications.

If you have a means of making money paid in US$, Can $ or any hard currency you will find it alot easier than trying to make a living off a local wage.

If you interested in trying to make a living, apply for your work permit as soon as possible upon arriving,

Con

FredAr
  6/30/2015 23:04 EST

The above posts have very good information. Especially being self employed; i.e. working on your own property or business. Also on the subject of having someone 'handle' your paperwork needs or employing a 'facilitator'. Anything in Belize is possible, especially when one approaches anything you want do get done with ingenuity. If I have learned anything in Belize is that nothing is exactly black and white.

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Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
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