Belize: Information on the rights, privileges and obligations of permanent residents and under what circumstances a person could lose and regain permanent resident status
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 April 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | BLZ20393.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Belize: Information on the rights, privileges and obligations of permanent residents and under what circumstances a person could lose and regain permanent resident status, 1 April 1995, BLZ20393.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ace0c.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The information that follows was provided by the director of the Department of Immigration in Belize (11 Apr. 1995).
Legislation governing immigration and citizenship in Belize was amended in 1985, and new regulations on the subject are currently in print but will not be public until May 1995. However, the following general information could be provided over the telephone.
Permanent residents of Belize have the same rights, obligations and privileges as citizens of Belize, except for the right to vote and participate at certain levels of political activity. A permanent resident can freely travel both throughout and outside the country. However, permanent residents and persons who have acquired citizenship by registration (see Response to Information Request BLZ20392.E of 11 April 1995) risk losing their permanent resident status or their citizenship if they are absent from the country for more than three consecutive years.
There are other circumstances under which persons may be stripped of their permanent resident status or citizenship. These are outlined in the new legislation and regulations governing citizenship and immigration. Although copies of the new legislation and regulations are not currently available to the DIRB, the director of immigration stated that previous legislation such as the Belizean Nationality Act and the Immigration Ordinance attached to this Response are rather similar to the new legislation and can be a useful reference, even if they have no current legal value.
Finally, the source stated that a person who loses his or her permanent resident status or citizenship by registration can apply again to obtain either one. Generally speaking, applications to recover permanent resident status or citizenship by registration must be submitted in Belize to the pertinent authorities, who will review the application and see if the person meets the requirements for being granted permanent residence or citizenship again.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
Department of Immigration, Belize. 11 April 1995. Telephone interview with director.
Attachments
Belize. Aliens Ordinance. 28 April 1910. (UNHCR/REFLEG database)
. Aliens (Registration) Ordinance. 14 December 1968. (UNHCR/REFLEG database)
. Belizean Nationality Act. 23 November 1981. (UNHCR/REFLEG database)
. Immigration Ordinance. 1 January 1958. (UNHCR/REFLEG database)
