Belize Amnesty Program (2022-Present)
In December 2021, the Government of Belize announced the implementation of a comprehensive amnesty exercise scheduled for 2022-2023. The Belize Amnesty Program is aimed at providing asylum-seekers and irregular migrants an alternative pathway to obtaining a permanent residence status, irrespective of their current asylum or migratory status.
The program was divided into two phases; the first being the registration process, which lasted from October 2022 until March 2023. During the registration phase, 19 temporary registration offices were opened throughout the country to facilitate the intake of application forms and supporting documentation.
The second phase, which is ongoing, consists of a vetting period during which a multisectoral vetting committee reviews all submitted applications and conducts security checks before issuing a final decision.
Location
Belize (Country-wide)
Duration
1 October 2022 to Present
Results
As of 31 March 2023, 12,765 applications were received.
During the first phase of the Amnesty Program, UNHCR and its implementing partners have supported:
- 2,587 people with key information about the Amnesty process.
- 1,504 people with legal guidance related to the Amnesty process.
- 233 asylum-seekers with financial assistance to complete Amnesty applications.
- 737 asylum-seekers submitted Amnesty applications with a supporting letter from the Refugees Department.
As of December 2024, 3,867 Amnesty applications were approved, including 494 for individuals who applied as asylum-seekers (this figure only includes adults not minor children who were included as dependents), which represents 89,6% of all Amnesty applications accepted and registeres under asylum-seeker criteria (551).
Even though the application to the Amnesty has no fee, the cost of preparation of the files for each applicant was about 150 USD. UNHCR, in coordination with its implementing partners supported 504 individuals from the most vulnerable asylum seekers to cover these costs.
- As of February 2024, UNHCR supported 196 asylum-seekers with payment of permanent residency cards for approved amnesty applicants. The cost of permanent residence cards is USD 250 for adults and USD 125 for minors.
Linked MIRPS Commitment
Provide access to employment opportunities in priority sectors of the economy to respond to the needs of the private sector and labour market.
Lead Entity and Partners
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Immigration though the Ministry of Immigration.
Partners: UNHCR, Humana People to People, Help for Progress, Human Rights Commission of Belize, UNICEF, IOM.