Permanent Immigration Status

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Foreign-born persons residing in Belize with permanent immigration status such as holders of a Valid Belize Passport, Citizenship by DESCENT, Nationality Certificate, Valid Permanent Residence (PR) Card or Stamp, CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) Certificate or Stamp are legally required to register themselves and their dependents.

These dependents qualify for a Social Security card, not exceeding the validity of their Dependent/Student Permit bearing legend “Not Valid for Employment.”   Holders of CSME Dependent Certificate/Stamp (Indefinite period of stay) qualify for a Social Security card bearing legend “Valid for Employment.”

Foreign-born Persons are entitled to benefits under the Scheme according to their classification.

ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS to be submitted at time of application:

Naturalized Belizeans:

  • Birth Certificate from country of origin;

Along with a:

  • Valid Belizean Passport
  • Belizean Nationality Certificate with photo; or
  • Belizean Nationality Certificate without photo.

And any of the following ID’s:

  • Passport from country of origin (Type P); or
  • Belizean Voter's Identification Card (with color photo); or
  • A 2 X 2 inches photo of applicant with a Justice of the Peace Declaration that reads: I certify this is a true likeness of ______ and i have known him/her for _______ years; or
  • Valid Primary or Secondary School Student ID issued in Belize.

Note: If the applicant is a child under 14 (MINOR) and does not have a valid student ID, the parent/guardian must present his/her valid Social Security Card. If the parent/guardian does not qualify for a Social Security card, he/she must present a valid photo ID.

*Citizens of Commonwealth Countries who reside in Belize for one year are eligible to receive a Belize Voter’s identification card that can be used as a photo ID.

Permanent Residents of Belize:

  • Birth Certificate from country of origin.

Along with a:

  • Belizean Permanent Resident Card or Stamp in passport.

CSME Qualifying Certificate Holders:

  • Birth Certificate from country of origin.

Along with a:

  • CSME Qualifying Certificate of Recognition of Caribbean Community Skills Persons and
  • Free Movement Indefinite Entry “Right to Work” stamp in valid passport

CARD VALIDITY AND COST:

  • Cards issued to persons 14 years and older do not bear an expiration date.
  • First time issuance of a Social Security Card is $5.00 BZD.

CARD REPLACEMENT FEE:

The card replacement fee is $26.00 with the following exceptions for which no fee is payable:

  1. First issue for a citizen of Belize, a permanent resident of Belize, or a holder of a qualifying certificate; a qualifying certificate is a Certificate of Recognition of Caribbean Community (Free Movement of Skilled Persons) Act.
  2. Defective cards printed, provided that the applicant requests a reprint within one month from the date of issue; and
  3. Any card identified as printed with an error due to administrative oversight.

DRESS CODE FOR PHOTO APPEAR ON THE CARD

All persons fourteen (14) years and older must present themselves in person for the photo to be taken. A snapshot of the frontal view with both ears exposed is captured.

Only Appropriate Attire is Accepted.

These are NOT acceptable:

  • Sleeveless, strapless nor very low neckline blouses and/ or dresses
  • Tube Blouses
  • Sheer or see-through material
  • Sunshades or eyeglasses
  • Hats, caps or hair rollers
  • Unbutton shirts exposing the chest

 

Exception: A person dressed according to his or her culture or religion will be allowed to take the picture with such attire if the attire is recognized as one worn in his/her ordinary day of life.

OFFICIAL NAME(S) TO BE PRINTED ON THE CARD:

The name and surname on the verification document will dictate which name(s) appear on the Social Security card.

Marital Status – Females

  • A married woman is required to present her original marriage certificate issued at the General Registrar’s office.
  • If a married woman does not wish to have her married surname reflected on her card, she is free to so do. However, she will only be allowed to so do if it is settled that in the ordinary course of her life (including business transactions), she has not been using and will not be using her married surname.
  • If a married woman decides to have her married surname reflected on her card and later decides to drop the use of her married surname, she must present a Deed Poll or a Decree Absolute document.