Foreign companies can open a representative office in Belize as a first step for entering (and testing) the market, before committing to a permanent establishment. Our Belize company formation experts can assist those interested in setting up such an office, followed by more complex business creation.
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What is the role of a liaison office in Belize?
The representative office, also referred to as an overseas representative office, is a business form suitable for initial activities in Belize.
Companies that open a representative office in Belize are interested in exploring the market opportunities, building relations with local business partners and/or client base, and conducting market research.
Broadly speaking, the activities conducted by an overseas representative office are liaison ones. This also means that this office is subject to some limitations. Our Belize company registration agents list these below:
- The activities of the office are only liaison ones, as seen in the examples above;
- Companies that open a representative office in Belize are not permitted to engage in commercial activities;
- The office cannot request or receive deposits. It cannot grant loans or establish lines of credit. Moreover, it cannot buy or sell foreign exchange and cannot act as a trustee or a trust administrator in Belize;
- Companies that open a liaison office in Belize cannot engage directly in financial transactions.
What are the main steps required to open a representative office in Belize?
A representative office is registered with the Belize Financial Services Commission. The following documents are relevant for this submission:
- An application letter including the motive for the liaison office set up, along with other data, such as the proposed name. The letter also includes information on the proposed location of the liaison office in Belize and whether it would maintain a permanent physical presence at the indicated address;
- A comprehensive business plan, including its activities, income statement, and projected financial statements;
- The foreign company’s resolution to open a representative office in Belize;
- Details on the proposed resident manager. Our team can give you more information on the requirements for residency in Belize in this case;
- Other documents, as may be the case, or as requested for additional information by the local authorities.
What are the compliance requirements for a liaison office in Belize?
As a business entity with no commercial activities, the office is not required to submit annual financial statements as a locally registered company would be expected to. However, the Commission must be informed of any relevant changes to the representative office, and it must be provided with an annual statement indicating that the representative office continues to satisfy its operating conditions.
Switching from a liaison office to a permanent establishment can be assisted by our local team. Our services include personalized solutions to open a company in Belize as a subsidiary or guidance for branch registration.
Doing business in Belize
The rationale behind the decision to set up a representative office can depend on many factors. Our company formation agents present a list of foreign investment statistics that might be of interest to foreign companies interested in entering the Belizean market:
- According to data from the United Nations’ 2025 World Investment Report, FDI inflows into Belize increased to US$ 166 million in 2025, from 16 million a year prior;
- At the end of 2024, the same report estimated that Belize’s FDI inward stock was 2.76 billion US$;
- The United States, Brazil, and other Central American countries are the most important investors in Belize.
For more information on setting up a representative office in Belize as a first step towards company creation here, do not hesitate to contact our local team.