Bank Account

Come prepared. The Canadian and other foreign banks have packed up and gone home.
As far as I know there's only the Belize Bank and Atlantic Bank left.
I want to be clear - I'm only telling you what I know and other expats probably know a lot more so hopefully some will see this post and straighten out anything I might not be up to date on.
Anyhow, bring at least 3 references about what a fine and upstanding citizen you are, and the last I heard you'll also need 2 different bank references from managers.
No, the Belize make no effort at all to make it easy for you to give them your money.
As far as transferring money here they passed a law a few years ago that limits you to $500.
I've made myself crazy over finding a way around this - even made a post here asking  help or ideas - all to no avail.
While doing my research I ran across an article written in so much legalize that it made my eyes blurry so it's quite possible I might have misunderstood it, but here's what I got out of it.
In the process of international bank transfers there's the bank sending the money and the bank receiving it. But there's also a third, intermediary bank involved which, I guess, is a neutral party that keeps an eye out for any hanky panky.
So supposedly Belize has had so many problems that none of these intermediary banks will work with them anymore.
And that's the reason for the $500 limit.
Maybe this info can be useful for you somehow, but what I'm hoping is that someone will speak up and shed some light on the reason for the $500 limit.
And tell us how to get around it.
Welcome to Belize. Best of luck to you -

There are Credit Unions that are”easier” to get an account with. I’ve posted before re: this. I got a bank account about a year ago, credit union, most places take my debit card & I have a US wire transfer every month of US$2000 that takes 2-7 business days to clear Central Bank - everything goes thru Central Bank. I needed a statement from my US bank stating I was a “good” customer, passport, utility bill/rental agreement, many forms, local phone number & a week later I had an account. Patience, politeness, visits to the bank & being friendly all helped.

However, I am fully aware after reading this forum, I am not the norm. My experience seems to be quite different than others, but getting a bank account is possible. Even during a COVID-19 quarantine!

Good luck,
Ali

I have a Belize bank account but got mine about 15+ year ago, I have heard it is now very hard to get one, not impossible, but lots of hoops,,, some say you have to be a resident, some say you have to own/rent property,,, once you are here, take a trip to the bank and start the process, bring copies and more copies of everything....
On another note and in the meantime you are waiting to get an account, why not bring a pre-loaded travel US Dollar card, such as Caxton, free to buy and free ATM's, good exchange rates

https://www.caxtonfx.com/cards/currency-card

How can you arrange a 2000 wire transfer every month from a us bank?

Guys just get Payoneer, you can use their card here just fine.

I mean, it does have a significant fee for currency conversion (around 3.5% I think), but no other maintenance cost.

And you get virtually no limits, you can extract about bzd$5000 per day in any Belizean ATM.

Sorry the multiple replies.

Use my referral link if possible when signing up That way I get 25usd

http://share.payoneer.com/nav/J-CEn-tEr … WYuugX_Nw2

You can write a US check and a money changer will cash it for you.

Thanks, guys!  Appreciate the advice

Would you mind sharing the most you've ever cashed a check for or the highest amount you've ever heard about?
I need to bring $20,000 U.S. here and I'm finding it impossible to do.
Thank you -