Employer of Record in Belize

An Employer of Record (EOR) in Belize is a company that legally hires employees on your behalf. This allows you to build a team in Belize without setting up a local entity. The EOR handles all employment-related tasks, including payroll, taxes, benefits, and compliance with local labor laws. You maintain control over your employees' daily work and responsibilities. Rivermate is an EOR provider that can help you hire in Belize.

How an Employer of Record (EOR) Works in Belize

Using an EOR in Belize simplifies the hiring process. Here is how it generally works:

1. You find the talent. You identify the candidate you want to hire in Belize.
2. The EOR hires the employee. The EOR legally employs the worker under their local business entity.
3. Contracts are handled. The EOR drafts a locally compliant employment contract.
4. Onboarding begins. The EOR manages the onboarding process, including registering the employee with the necessary local authorities.
5. HR tasks are managed. The EOR takes care of payroll, taxes, and benefits administration.
6. You manage your team. You direct the employee's day-to-day tasks and projects.

Benefits of Using an EOR for Hiring in Belize

Using an EOR to hire in Belize offers several advantages. It allows you to enter the market quickly and efficiently. You can hire employees without the time and cost of establishing a legal entity in the country. This approach also minimizes risk and ensures compliance with local labor laws.

• Faster market entry. Hire employees in Belize without the lengthy process of setting up a local company.
• Compliance assurance. EORs are experts in local labor laws, ensuring you meet all legal requirements for employment.
• Simplified HR and payroll. The EOR manages all administrative tasks, including payroll, taxes, and benefits.
• Reduced risk. Avoid the legal and financial risks associated with non-compliance in a foreign country.
• Focus on your business. You can concentrate on your core business activities while the EOR handles employment administration.

Rivermate's transparent pricing model eliminates complexity with a single, competitive monthly fee per employee. Unlike traditional PEO providers, our pricing in Belize includes comprehensive HR support, benefits administration, compliance management, and access to our proprietary dashboard for real-time workforce analytics. No hidden costs, no setup fees—just straightforward pricing that scales with your business needs while ensuring full legal compliance in Belize.

Hiring in Belize can be straightforward. The country's official language is English, which simplifies communication and contractual agreements. The labor laws are designed to be clear for both employers and employees. Whether you're hiring full-time employees or engaging independent contractors, understanding the local regulations is key to a successful partnership.

Employment contracts & must-have clauses

While oral employment contracts are recognized, it is highly recommended to have a written contract in place. This helps to avoid misunderstandings and provides a clear record of the employment terms. A strong employment contract is the foundation of a good working relationship.

Your employment contracts in Belize should include the following essential clauses:

• Job description: Clearly define the employee's role and responsibilities.
• Salary and wages: Specify the amount and currency of payment, as well as the pay schedule.
• Working hours: Outline the expected daily and weekly hours of work.
• Duration of employment: State whether the contract is for a fixed term or is indefinite.
• Termination conditions: Detail the notice periods and conditions for ending the employment relationship.

Probation periods

In Belize, the first two weeks of employment are typically considered a probationary period. During this time, either you or the employee can terminate the contract without notice.

If you and your employee agree to a longer probationary period, it can be extended up to six months. It is important to note that even during an extended probation, the employee is entitled to any benefits they accrue.

Working hours & overtime

The standard workweek in Belize is 45 hours, typically spread over five or six days. Any hours worked beyond the standard 45 are considered overtime.

Overtime pay is calculated at 1.5 times the employee's regular hourly rate.

Public & regional holidays

Employees in Belize are entitled to paid time off for public holidays. The government of Belize officially announces the dates for public holidays each year.

Here are the public holidays for 2024:

Hiring contractors in Belize

Engaging independent contractors in Belize can be a flexible way to access specialized skills for your business. However, it's crucial to classify your workers correctly to avoid legal and financial risks.

An independent contractor generally has control over how, when, and where they complete their work. They are also typically free to work with other clients and are responsible for their own taxes and business expenses.

Misclassifying an employee as an independent contractor can lead to penalties, including back payment of taxes and social security contributions. An Employer of Record (EOR) can help you mitigate this risk. An EOR can help you properly classify your workers and ensure you are compliant with Belizean labor laws.

Navigating compensation and payroll in Belize requires a clear understanding of local regulations. You must follow the rules set by the Belize Tax Service and the Social Security Board to avoid penalties. This involves accurately calculating wages, withholding the correct taxes, and making timely contributions.

Payroll cycles & wage structure

In Belize, you can pay employees weekly, biweekly, or monthly. The choice of payroll cycle should be clearly stated in the employment contract. Monthly pay is the most common, with payments typically made on the last working day of the month.

You must provide employees with a payslip each pay period. This document should detail gross pay, all deductions like social security and income tax, and the final net pay.

Overtime & minimums

The standard workweek in Belize is 45 hours. Any hours worked beyond this are considered overtime. You must pay employees 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for overtime hours. For work on public holidays or designated rest days, the overtime rate is double the regular pay.

As of January 1, 2025, the national minimum wage in Belize is BZD $5.00 per hour. This rate applies to all categories of workers across all sectors.

Employer taxes and contributions

As an employer in Belize, you are responsible for withholding and remitting taxes from employee salaries. You also have your own contributions to make.

Employee taxes and deductions

Employees in Belize also contribute to social security and pay income tax on their earnings.

In Belize, providing the right benefits and leave is key to attracting and keeping great people. It’s not just about following the rules. It’s about building a supportive workplace. Understanding the local landscape of statutory requirements and common practices will help you create a competitive benefits package.

Statutory leave

Belizean law sets minimum leave entitlements for employees.

• Annual Leave: After one year with your company, employees get at least two weeks of paid vacation. This increases to three weeks after five years of service.
• Sick Leave: Employees are entitled to 16 days of paid sick leave per year. You can ask for a medical certificate if the absence lasts for more than a couple of days. For the first 16 days, you pay the employee. After that, the Belize Social Security Board (SSB) may provide sickness benefits.
• Maternity Leave: Female employees receive 14 weeks of maternity leave. This is typically taken with seven weeks before the birth and seven weeks after. The SSB pays a portion of the employee's earnings during this time, provided they have made enough contributions.

Public holidays & regional holidays

Employees are entitled to a paid day off for public holidays. If they have to work, you must pay them at a premium rate.

Here are the official public holidays in Belize for 2025.

Typical supplemental benefits

While the law sets the minimum, many companies offer more to stay competitive. Understanding the difference between what you must provide and what you can offer as an extra perk is important.

How an EOR can help with setting up benefits

Setting up and managing employee benefits in a new country can be complex. An Employer of Record (EOR) simplifies this process for you.

An EOR acts as the legal employer for your team in Belize. This means they handle all the administrative and legal requirements of employment. They ensure you comply with all local labor laws regarding benefits and leave.

Here’s how an EOR helps:

• Ensures Compliance: An EOR stays up to date with Belizean labor laws, so you don’t have to. They make sure your benefits package meets all legal requirements.
• Administers Benefits: They manage everything from enrolling employees in the Social Security system to administering paid leave.
• Saves Time: You avoid the lengthy process of setting up a local entity and navigating unfamiliar HR regulations.
• Offers Local Expertise: An EOR understands the local market and can help you create a benefits package that is both compliant and competitive.

By partnering with an EOR, you can focus on your business goals, confident that your employees are taken care of properly.

When you end an employment relationship in Belize, you need to follow the country's labor laws. This ensures a fair and compliant process for everyone. The rules cover notice periods, final pay, and severance, which helps you avoid legal trouble. Understanding these steps is key to a smooth offboarding process.

Notice periods

You must give employees written notice before termination. The amount of notice depends on how long the employee has worked for you.

• Over 2 weeks to 6 months: 1 week of notice.
• Over 6 months to 2 years: 2 weeks of notice.
• Over 2 years to 5 years: 4 weeks of notice.
• Over 5 years: 8 weeks of notice.

You can choose to pay the employee their regular wages instead of having them work the notice period.

Severance pay

Employees may be entitled to severance pay when you terminate their contract. This is separate from any payment in lieu of notice. Severance is typically paid when an employee is made redundant or terminated without just cause.

The amount of severance pay depends on the employee's length of service. For employees with one to ten years of service, it is calculated as one week's wages for each full year of service. The calculation method changes for employees with more than ten years of service.

How Rivermate handles compliant exits

When you partner with an Employer of Record like Rivermate, we manage the entire offboarding process for you. We make sure every termination complies with Belize's labor laws.

Here’s how we help:

• We calculate notice periods correctly. We determine the right amount of notice based on the employee's service time.
• We handle severance pay. We calculate and process any required severance payments.
• We ensure proper documentation. We provide all necessary termination documents in writing.
• We reduce your risk. Our legal expertise helps you avoid the common and costly mistakes foreign employers can make.

We handle the complexities of local labor laws so you can focus on your business.

Navigating the visa and work permit process in Belize is straightforward when you understand the requirements. To work in the country, you need a Temporary Employment Permit before you can get a work visa. The employer typically handles the application for the work permit. Once the permit is approved, you or your employer can apply for the work visa.

Employment visas & sponsorship realities

An Employer of Record (EOR) can legally hire and sponsor employees on your behalf in Belize. This eliminates the need for you to set up a local entity. An EOR manages compliance, payroll, and tax filings, ensuring your international hires are onboarded legally and efficiently.

Here are the practical steps to employment visas and sponsorship:

• Job Offer: You must have a valid job offer from a company in Belize.
• Labor Market Test: The employer must show that they could not find a qualified Belizean citizen to fill the position.
• Work Permit Application: The employer applies for a Temporary Employment Permit with the Belize Ministry of Labour.
• Visa Application: After the work permit is approved, the employee can apply for a work visa.

The most common permit is the Temporary Employment Permit, which is valid for up to one year and is renewable.

Business travel compliance

For short-term business visits, many nationalities can enter Belize without a visa for up to 30 days. This includes citizens from the United States, Canada, and the UK. You can check the Belize Immigration Department website to see if your country qualifies for visa-free entry.

If you do need a visa for business travel, you will typically need to provide:

• A completed visa application form
• A valid passport
• An invitation letter from the company in Belize
• A cover letter from your company explaining the purpose of your visit
• Proof of sufficient funds for your stay

Business activities allowed on a visitor visa include consulting with business associates and participating in short-term training. You are not permitted to work on a visitor visa.