BELIZE

CITIZENSHIP: Citizenship is based upon the Belize Nationality Act, Chapter 127A of the Laws of Belize, R.E. 1980-1990. The following persons were granted citizenship at the date of independence (September 21, 1981):

Person born in Belize, who was a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies (UKC). Citizen of the UKC, naturalized in Belize as a British Subject before September 21, 1981. Citizen of the UKC, born abroad, whose parents or grandparents were granted Belizean citizenship. Wife of citizen of the UKC who was granted Belizean citizenship.

BY BIRTH: Birth within the territory of Belize, on or after September 21, 1981, regardless of the nationality of the parents. The exception is a child born to certain diplomatic personnel.

BY DESCENT: Child born abroad, on or after September 21, 1981, at least one of whose parents is a citizen of Belize.

MARRIAGE: Foreign national, who marries a citizen of Belize, is eligible to register for citizenship.

BY NATURALIZATION: Belizean citizenship may be acquired upon fulfillment of the following conditions: Person has resided in the country for at least five years and has renounced previous citizenship. Person applies for economic citizenship by registration.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP: RECOGNIZED. Exceptions: Dual citizenship is prohibited for: Belizean citizen by descent who has renounced such citizenship. However, such person may apply to resume Belizean citizenship but must renounce citizenship of any other country and demonstrate intent to continue to be an ordinarily resident in Belize.

Belizean citizen, either by descent or registration, who has pledged allegiance to, or is a citizen of, a country which does not recognize the independence, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of Belize.

LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP: A person who acquired Belizean citizenship either by descent or registration and who makes an invalid or ineffective renunciation of foreign citizenship shall be deemed never to have acquired the status of citizen of Belize.

VOLUNTARY: Voluntary renunciation of Belizean citizenship is permitted by law. Contact the Embassy for details and required paperwork.

INVOLUNTARY: The following shall be grounds for involuntary loss of Belizean citizenship by a person who acquired such citizenship by registration: Such Belizean citizen residing outside of Belize for five consecutive years or more.

The following may be grounds for involuntary loss of Belizean citizenship for a person who acquired Belizean citizenship by registration if such person: Has been convicted of an offence under the Belizean Nationality Act; or Has been convicted of any offence under Title XIV of the Criminal Code; or Was registered as a citizen of Belize by means of fraud, false representation, or the concealment of material circumstances, or by mistake; or Has, within five years after the date of registration as a citizen of Belize, been sentenced in any court to imprisonment for a term of twelve months or more; or Has, since the date of his becoming a citizen of Belize by registration, been for a period of not less than two years ordinarily resident in a foreign country of which he was a national or citizen at any other time prior to that date, and has not maintained a substantial connection with Belize; or Has taken an oath or affirmation of, or made a declaration of, allegiance to a foreign country; or Has so conducted themself that their continuance as a citizen of Belize is detrimental to the interest of Belize.