And while the government is pleading for students to return, they're also trying to make it easier for residents to travel abroad. Earlier this month, the PM returned from Brussels with high hopes of getting a Schengen VISA waiver. Today, Minister Courtenay explained that the chances of getting the waiver are still high, but added that it's the Canadian VISA that's been causing issues for Belizeans, since it takes an extraordinary amount of time to get approved, if at all. Here's how he explained it.
Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"We have been working very hard with the European Union, the European Commission specifically and the member states of the European Union to apply for a Visa waiver for Belizeans wishing to travel to those countries within the European Union that have the Schengen VISA. Those discussions are well advanced. When we were in Brussels last month, the prime minister had an occasion to meet with Commissioner Johnson who is responsible for this area and we had a very positive and constructive discussion. We have had consultations with every single member state and we have been getting a significant number of assurances that they support Belize's request. Now, the new list of countries that would qualify for a Visa waiver has not yet been announced, but what we are fighting for is to encourage the European Union that when they are considering the list to ensure that Belize is on that list."
"What I would say is, based on all our preparation, based on all the documents that we have provided to the European Union, we have a very strong case and the European Union has accepted that, but they haven't made a final decision as to which other countries they are going to grant that waiver to, but we will keep up the campaign and hope that we would be announced in the new list."
"I just take this opportunity to say we have a difficulty also with Canada. Belizeans have been complaining bitterly to me and I have had to intervene at the ministerial level on a number of occasions. There is a significant delay in the approval of Visas for Belizeans who want to go to Canada. Again, I have just written to Minister Miller, the new immigration minister of Canada. I have spoken earlier this week with the ambassador of Canada, she is residence in Guatemala on this issue and so I have asked for a meeting with my counterpart in Canada to see if we can address this issue."
"At this stage we're being told that the delay in processing a visa for a Belizean wishing to go to Canada is over 300 days. That is not acceptable and so we are engaging Canada."
Courtenay mentioned that in conversation with the Canadian authorities, they mentioned that they do have a backlog because of COVID.
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