Belize Presses Forward in Bid for Schengen Visa Waiver Despite EU Reluctance

Belizean authorities remain steadfast in their efforts to secure visa-free access to the Schengen Area, continuing to push for a liberalisation agreement despite the European Union’s position that such a development is not likely in the near future. The EU Ambassador to Belize, Dr. Erja Askola, has stated that a visa exemption for Belize is "not realistic, at least for the next couple of years," noting the complexity of the process and the numerous variables involved.

Nonetheless, during a recent meeting, Belize Senator for Government Business Eamon Courtenay reiterated the government’s determination to pursue a Schengen visa waiver for Belizean passport holders. As reported, Courtenay confirmed that lobbying efforts remain active, even in the face of EU hesitation.

“The campaign continues for the Schengen Visa waiver for all passports for the entire Schengen area,” said Courtenay, underscoring the government’s long-term objective.

While acknowledging that political and social conditions in EU member states have made such negotiations more difficult—particularly due to heightened controls aimed at curbing irregular migration—Courtenay remained confident that Belize is on the right path.

According to the senator, Belize has fulfilled all necessary conditions to be considered for the visa exemption. “We’ve ticked all the boxes,” he said, emphasizing that it is now a matter of advancing the process and awaiting a more favorable climate within the EU for such agreements.

Courtenay also highlighted the practical benefits that visa-free access to the Schengen Area would offer to Belizean citizens, especially students seeking educational opportunities within the bloc. “The Schengen waiver is necessary for Belizean students who want to reach the bloc for educational purposes,” he said. “The scheme would also be extremely beneficial for businesspeople travelling regularly to the EU.”

He expanded on the potential economic impact, noting that Belize’s trade relationships with Europe would be strengthened through greater travel freedom for local entrepreneurs. “But beyond that, we export to Europe, we import from Europe, and our business people need to move freely in order to expand our trade relations,” Courtenay explained. “Not only students, not only business people, but also tourists.”

One of the central arguments put forward by Belize is the principle of reciprocity. Citizens of EU member states are currently allowed to enter Belize without a visa, and Courtenay believes the same privilege should be extended to Belizeans traveling to Europe.

“They come into Belize, Europeans, without a visa, and so we say it should be reciprocal for Belizeans who want to visit European countries,” Courtenay stated.

Addressing concerns about migration risks, Courtenay asserted that Belizeans have historically not posed any threat of irregular migration. He pointed to the country’s longstanding visa-free arrangement with the United Kingdom—during and after the UK’s EU membership—as evidence. “Belize nationals do not present a risk to irregular migration,” he argued. “Passport holders of Belize have had visa-free access to the UK even when the country was part of the EU and there were no migrant flows.”

Despite the push from Belizean officials, Ambassador Askola remained firm in her assessment of the situation, describing the prospect of a Schengen waiver for Belize as improbable in the short term. According to her, any changes to visa policy would require navigating a complex and multi-layered process governed by multiple EU institutions and political considerations.

For now, Belize continues to make its case on the international stage, advocating for the recognition it believes its citizens deserve, even as the road to a Schengen visa exemption remains uncertain.

By fLEXI tEAM