Seeking advice please

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Member since 02 May 2019

EternallyhopefulMember02 May 2019 09:10:17

After asking questions on a number of groups and following A LOT of what is discussed, I am more confused than before on the moving process to Belize.

We've sent a number of emails to the embassy, consulate & immigration as well with NO reply after months of waiting.
Of course we want to get ALL the facts right and do everything according to the rules and regulations of Belize.
I really hope you can shed some light or at least point us into the right direction?

This is our situation:
My husband and I are 40 and 42 years old with 2 children ages 9 and 11.
Born and raised in South Africa we are desperate to give our children a better and safer life abroad.

We've learnt that South Africans do not need a visa for entering Belize and that we could stamp our passports every 30 days for 52 weeks?
Is it really correct info?

Also, we would not be seeking employment in Belize as my husband works off shore and travels for work every 6 weeks. He then returns home for 6 weeks (holiday) before leaving the country again for 6 weeks and so forth.
Would this be a problem when he travels in and out of Belize?

And then, a BIG concern is schooling for our children.
We could relocate to any are of Belize due to not seeking employment and would make that decision on where the best schools area and the safest place to raise a family. And also safe for myself and children to be on our own for 6 weeks at a time when my husband is away for work.

It would mean the world if you could reply and be of assistance in some way?
It is a HUGE step to take and we want to make sure we do the right thing.

Thanking you in advance.
Kind regards

terrific Serial expat

Member since 11 August 2013

terrificSerial expat02 May 2019 18:10:23

582

My main advice is you REALLY need to visit Belize before you can really make such a decision as move your entire life to Belize. Is it possible that on your husbands 6 week non working period you could spend a few weeks in Belize and A, You could find out if Belize feels right for your family. B, You could explore most of the major districts of this small country and possible check out some schools. C, You could talk to Other expat Families in various areas of Belize.
I believe there are a few South african expats in the country, if any are on this forum they may be able to give you more specific advice.
As south Africa and Belize are both commonwealth countries you should be able to enter and get the tourist 30 day visa stamps.
Not sure about the travel side for your Husband, as the majority of flights too and from Belize and the outside world go via the USA, I do not know if that would require your husband to have a transit visa for the US to accommodate ease of regular transit through. I know many years ago we had such transit visas when we lived here and had a lot of need for regular travel in and out of the country via the states. That all could be totally out dated info these days.
There are some good schools in Belize but you may be told other, as the curriculum is not very similar to that of North America which can lead to readjustment for children if they spend some time in Belize then have to transition back into that curriculum when the family return north.
I know of several families who ether totally home school or supplement the Belize schooling with additional on line school programs.Total home schooling is not the easy option, if you have no teaching experience or you are not a self confident organizer.
As to safety, that you would need to explore in the different the areas on the ground and to some extent decide on the atmosphere you felt most secure in different places. I have no personal fears where i live, and am often a woman alone in Belize for weeks at a time, also I live close to a vey good school, but I am a retiree and do not have young children so my experience is irrelavant in this case. Hope some of this may help.

Eternallyhopeful Member

Member since 02 May 2019

EternallyhopefulMember03 May 2019 08:06:11

Hi Terrific,

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post. I really do appreciate it.

Travelling to Belize to "scout" the country is not a financial and practical (our kids are in school) option for us at this moment. Therefore we are trying to do as much research and talk to as Many people as we possibly can.
Hoping for assistance and honests facts and information or advise. .

Thank you again.
All the best

Will The Old Serial expat

Member since 11 October 2016

Will The OldSerial expat03 May 2019 14:45:13

418

Eternallyhopeful wrote:
Hoping for assistance and honests facts and information or advise.

It sounds as if you might be fleeing something in your home county. If that is the case, then as Terrific said please come look for yourself.

What you really can not afford, is to seek refuge in Belize without spending some time here yourself. Belize is a beautiful country, the people are great.

Belize is a poor country, it is so different long term in so many subtle ways, one really needs to experience it personally.

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