Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is the Visa Lottery?
Answer: Please visit the Diversity Visa website for more information about the United States Diversity Visa Progam. Belize is an eligible country for the Diversity Visa program.
Question: When should I arrive for my interview?
Answer: Please do not arrive for your visa interview more than 20 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. Applicants are not allowed entry into the embassy if they arrive early.
Arriving shortly before your appointment reduces congestion and allows for an orderly and safe process for everyone.
Additionally, please be advised that there are no protected waiting areas outside the embassy to provide shelter from the rain or sun.
Question: What are your consular hours?
Answer: Non-Immigrant Visas, by appointment only, on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Inquiries about specific applications should be made via e-mail to consulbelize@state.gov.
Answer: Immigrant Visas:
Visa Interviews:By appointment only, Tuesday mornings.
Case Inquiries: Tuesday mornings between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
Question: When can I pick up my approved visa?
Answer: Approved non-immigrant visas are available for pick-up at the Consular Section Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:00 p.m., except holidays.
Question: How do I file an immigration petition for a family member?
Answer: All I-130 petitions must now be filed directly with U.S. Citizen and Immigation Services.
Question: How do I make an expedited appointment for emergency travel?
Answer: Expedited appointments are available for emergency medical treatment, family emergencies, student or exchange visitor visas, and urgent business travel. Applicants should submit expedited appointment requests by e-mail at: consulbelize@state.gov or by fax at: (501) 822-4050. The request should include:
- The nature of the emergency
- The applicant's travel plans
- The appointment date requested; and
- The applicant's name and contact information.
Appointments will be granted at the discretion of the U.S. Embassy.
Question: What time should I arrive at the embassy for my visa interview?
Answer: Please do not arrive for your visa interview more than 20 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. Applicants are not allowed entry into the embassy if they arrive early.
Arriving shortly before your appointment reduces congestion and allows for an orderly and safe process for everyone.
Additionally, please be advised that there are no protected waiting areas outside the embassy to provide shelter from the rain or sun.
Question: If I have an interview for a child, what documents should I bring along with the application?
Answer: The child's birth certificate should be brought in with the application form. Both parents should be present for the interview.
Question: What if one parent is not able to attend the interview?
Answer: If one parent is unable to attend, the accompanying parent should present a letter from the other parent giving his/her consent for the child to come in for the interview. If there is only one parent, the parent should be able to demonstrate sole custody or guardianship of the child.
Question: The child will not be traveling with a parent, do parents still need to appear at the interview?
Answer: Yes. The child's qualifications will be determined based on the qualifications of the parent.
Question: If my visa application was refused when can I apply again?
Answer: For the majority of applicants, who are refused under section 214(b), there is no minimum waiting period to submit another application. Applicants refused under other sections may have time bans associated with their refusals.
Question: What do you mean I haven't shown strong ties? What can I show you to get a visa?
Answer: Most applicants in Belize can show some ties to Belize. The question is whether an applicant has sufficiently strong ties to qualify for a visa. U.S. Immigration Law presumes all applicants are intending immigrants. A successful applicant must be able to overcome that presumption, and only an adjudicating consular officer can make that determination. Each application is evaluated on its own merits. There are no documents that automatically qualify an applicant for a visa. A previous or current US visa does not automatically qualify an applicant for a visa.
Question: What should I do if my passport with my valid visa is lost/ stolen?
Answer: Please report the stolen document to the Police and obtain a police report that describes the incident. Please contact the US Embassy consular section to report the stolen visa, and then send a copy of the police report to the US Embassy consular section. You will need to apply for a new visa in order to travel to the U.S.
Question: Do I need to have a valid visa to return from the U.S.?
Answer: You do not need a valid U.S. visa to exit the U.S.
Question: Do I need 6 months on my visa to travel to the U.S.?
Answer: Individuals may enter the U.S. on a valid visa up to the day it expires. The Immigration Officer at the port of entry determines how long a vistor will be permitted to remain in the U.S.
Question: Can I apply for a visa if I don't live in Belize?
Answer: Applicants who are not citizens or residents of Belize may apply for a U.S. visa at the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan. Such applicants are advised that if the adjudicating officer cannot evaluate the applicant's ties outside the U.S., the application may be refused and the applicant may be instructed to apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate that is better able to evaluate the applicant.
Please remember that most visa applications take at least two days for processing, and in some cases, it may take much longer. Please plan accordingly.
Question: I did not turn in my I-94 when I left the U.S. - what should I do?
Answer: The Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection division is responsible for tracking U.S. entry/exit. See the following link for details of what to do with your I-94 Form - CBP.gov.
Question: How do I contact the consular section?
Consular Section
U.S. Embassy
Floral Park Road, Belmopan
Phone: (501) 822-4011 ext. 1
Fax: (501) 822-4050
Email: consulbelize@state.gov
E-mail is the most effective method to get an answer for a visa inquiry. Visa inquiries by phone are accepted on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
DoS Article
Question: What is the Visa Lottery?
Question: What are your consular hours?
Question: When can I pick up my approved visa?
Question: What is the Visa Lottery?
Answer: Please visit the Diversity Visa website for more information about the United States Diversity Visa Progam. Belize is an eligible country for the Diversity Visa program.
Question: What are your consular hours?
Answer: Non-Immigrant Visas, by appointment only, on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Inquiries about specific applications should be made via e-mail to consulbelize@state.gov.
Answer: Immigrant Visas:
Visa Interviews:By appointment only, Tuesday mornings.
Case Inquiries: Tuesday mornings between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
Question: When can I pick up my approved visa?
Answer: Approved non-immigrant visas are available for pick-upat the Consular Section Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:00 p.m., except holidays.
DoS Article
- Question: What is the Visa Lottery?
- Question: What are your consular hours?
- Question: When can I pick up my approved visa?
Question: What is the Visa Lottery?
Answer: Please visit the Diversity Visa website for more information about the United States Diversity Visa Progam. Belize is an eligible country for the Diversity Visa program.
Question: What are your consular hours?
Answer: Non-Immigrant Visas, by appointment only, on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Inquiries about specific applications should be made via e-mail to consulbelize@state.gov.
Answer: Immigrant Visas:
Visa Interviews:By appointment only, Tuesday mornings.
Case Inquiries: Tuesday mornings between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
Question: When can I pick up my approved visa?
Answer: Approved non-immigrant visas are available for pick-upat the Consular Section Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:00 p.m., except holidays.