Frequently Asked Questions

The FSC Belize is responsible for the licensing, regulation and supervision of persons engaged in the conducting of business for financial service providers, including registered agents in and from within Belize pursuant to the Financial Services Commission Act, Chapter 272 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020.

A list of the names of registered agents and publication of its contact information is available on the Commission’s webpage, https://www.belizefsc.org.bz/license-service-provider/

A licensed registered agent may provide the services listed under section 4 of the Guidelines to Apply for a First-Time Registered Agent Licence ‘FSC/1/EG/015(2)’.

These services include:

(a) forms, registers or manages a Belize Company;
(b) acts, or arranges for another person to act, as a director, secretary, officer, or shareholder of a Belize Company;
(c) provides registered office services for a Belize Company;
(d) forms, registers, or acts as an agent for an international foundation registered under the International Foundations Act;
(e) forms, registers or acts as an agent for an international trust or provides trustee services for an international trust registered under the Trusts Act;
(f) forms, registers or acts as an agent for an international limited liability company under the International Limited Liability Company Act;
(g) is appointed as the registered representative of a private trust company established under the Belize Companies Act; and
(h) is the representative of a segregated portfolio company registered under the Belize Companies Act; For more information refer to the Guidelines to Apply for a First-Time Registered Agent License that can be accessed on the Belize FSC website.

An application for a first-time registered agent licence shall be made to the Commission via LicenSys  for the online application and uploading of supporting documents.

The non-refundable application fee of US$500.00 and an annual licence fee of US$1,500.00 apply to an applicant sole practitioner, while for a legal entity, it is US$1,000.00 non-refundable application fee and US$5,000.00 annual licence fee.

The opening date for renewal is 1st October in any given year. Licence holders are encouraged to submit their renewal application no later than 31st December.

To renew your license, the online application and supporting documents must be submitted electronically via LicenSys.

A licence may be granted by the Commission for a fixed period of one (1) year.

The Belize Companies Act, 2022 establishes that a company shall, at all times, have a licensed registered agent in Belize, except where specifically exempted.

With the enactment of the Economic Substance Act and the publication of the Economic Substance Guidance Notes, registered agents as “included entities” are required to comply with the Act and have substantial economic presence in Belize.

Compliance with a physical address in Belize is just one aspect of satisfying the Economic Substance Test.

Capital requirement means the requirement in respect of capital which must be met by a person licensed by the Commission.

Where the applicant is a company, the capitalisation requirement may be met via the request for approval for either of the following methods in an amount proportionate set out in the Financial Services Commission (Capital Requirement) Regulations, 2020 (the ‘Capital Requirements Regulations).

1. Method 1: Bank or licensed financial institution
2. Method 2: Parent Company Guarantee

Where the applicant is a sole practitioner, the capitalisation requirement may be met via the request for approval to accept proof of indemnity insurance by an insurance provider licensed under the Insurance Act or International Insurance Act and the proposed indemnity insurance coverage must be in an amount appropriate to the activities, scale and complexity of the operations or business activities of the applicant.

The requirement for indemnity insurance is waived for a sole practitioner who is an attorney-at-law or accountant possessing a valid practicing certificate in Belize.

Requests for compliance with the capitalisation requirement must be submitted to the Compliance Department at complianceandinspections@belizefsc.org.bz as a separate cover to its application package.

A licence shall not be granted unless the applicant satisfies the Commission that it has met the requirements of the Capital Requirements Regulations and the Economic Substance Act.

Further information on the compliance with the capital requirement are set out in the Guidelines to Apply for a First-Time Registered Agent Licence and the Guidelines to satisfy the requirements of the Financial Services Commission (Capital Requirement) Regulations, 2020.

Stocks and bonds are both investment types, but they represent different financial instruments.

• Stocks represent ownership in a company, giving the shareholder voting rights and entitlement to a portion of the company’s profits.
• Bonds, on the other hand, represent a loan made by an investor to an issuer (such as a service provider or government). Unlike stocks, bonds do not provide ownership in the company and typically do not come with voting rights.

The level or degree of uncertainty about the financial gain that you as an investor would earn from an investment. This means that there is a possibility that you as an investor may incur a loss from an investment.

A formal document that companies must file with the regulator when offering securities to the public. It provides detailed information about the company’s financial health, operations, risks, and management.

• Submit your complaint in writing/email to the service provider.
• Get a formal response from the service provider in writing/email – ask for a formal response and document all respective persons, channels or timelines of communication with the service provider.

Use the Online Complaint Form to provide all necessary information and supporting documentation for review. Examples include but are not limited to invoices, contracts, receipts, letters or emails, etc.

The FSC Belize publishes news updates on the News & Press Releases page and on the Events page for any upcoming or past events.

LicenSys is a modern, digital Licensing, Registration and Information Management System designed to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of the FSC’s licensing and regulatory services. The platform will support end-to-end digital processing for licensing/registration, renewals, amendments, compliance and reporting.

LicenSys is available to any public user who is interested in applying for a licence/registration under the Financial Services Commission Act (FSCA) and the Securities Industry Act (SIA); including all active licensee and registrants.

You can access the LicenSys platform by visiting: https://licensys.belizefsc.org.bz/

To create your account, please view our complete video tutorial: How to create an LicenSys Account.

You must have the following:

1.Valid Social Security ID, if applicable

• If not, a valid passport and recent photo must be submitted for review and verification by the Commission.

2.Valid Business Email Address

• This address will be used to validate and confirm application link for first-time users.

Yes, the two-factor authentication (2FA) is mandatory and adds an extra layer of security to your account.

If you opt to use a passport to register your LicenSys account, you must complete the self-verification process:

1. Log in to your account, and
2. Navigate to the ‘Person Verification’ tab under the Home menu.
3. Follow the steps to complete verification.

Note: If you register using your Social Security Card, verification is not required.

For further assistance, please view our video tutorial: How to complete person verification.

Yes. Renewal applications should be submitted via LicenSys before December 31. To renew your Licence or Registration service, please view the complete tutorial: How to Renew License or Registration Service

Follow these 3 easy steps to locate your License/Registration number on LicenSys:

1. Log in to your user account and select ‘Entity Context‘,
2. Navigate to ‘My Office‘ and select ‘Licensing and Authorisations‘ under Registers.
3. View your License/Registration number listed below Registration Object in the Register Table.

Note: Your LicenSys account must be created and verified to access the licence/registration number.

To view your License or Registration certificate, follow these steps:

1. Login to your account and select “Representational Account”
2. Navigate to “My Office” and select the “Licensing & Authorisations”
3. Click on the view icon and access “Documents” to download your License or Registration Certificate.

Important Note: Effective March 12, 2026, new certificates were automatically generated with enhanced features for real-time validation.

Yes. Submitted applications can be tracked under the Submitted Applications section, where you’ll see real-time updates on their status.

Yes, you are alloted 10 days after an application is “Returned for Supplement” to provide requested information or additional documents.

All payments related to applications, renewals, or other services can be made securely online via LicenSys. Two payment methods are available:

1. Wire transfers
2. Credit/ Debit card payments

LicenSys allows 21 days for payment to be made after a payment order is generated.

Important Note: Remember to upload the Payment Confirmation if using the Wire Transfer method.

To view payment orders for Application or Approval Fees, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to “My Office” and select the “Incomplete Applications”. Click on the Edit icon to view your payment details.
2. On the Payment Transaction Details screen, review the payment instructions and confirm that you have read/agree to the details provided.
3. Upload your payment confirmation.
   • If made by a third party, attach a Letter of Authorisation and copy of Agreement.
4. Click on “Proceed” to submit your renewal application.

Note: Payment confirmation is not required if you select the Credit/Debit Card method.

Contact Customer Support at 822-3800 or via email at licensys.inquiries@belizefsc.org.bz to report the issue.

Click “Forgot Password” on the login page, enter your registered email, and follow the instructions to receive a new activation link.

If your license/registration expires and you no longer wish to renew, kindly contact the Customer Support Team via licensys.inquiries@belizefsc.org.bz or (501) 822-3800.

Your account will remain active as long as your license is valid since they are linked to your license or registration.

If your license/registration expires and you no longer wish to renew, kindly contact the Customer Support Team via licensys.inquiries@belizefsc.org.bz or (501) 822-3800.

Click “Forgot Password” on the login page, enter your registered email, and follow the instructions to reset your password.

Yes. Once your payment is successfully processed, a receipt will be generated and available for download in the Payment Details section.

Yes. All past invoices and receipts are stored in your account under Submitted Applications >Payment Details History, so you can access them anytime.

Yes, all information is protected using industry-standard encryption and security practices.

Immediately reset your password and contact the Customer Support team at (501) 822-3800 or licensys.inquiries@belizefsc.org.bz.

Effective January 1, 2026, Registered Agents must submit the FSC Rep 3 and the AML/CFT/CPF Questionnaire via LicenSys. 

These reports are to be completed at the last day of each year and submitted within 10 calendar days after the reporting year. 

• FSC Rep 1: Completed by all Registrants under the Securities Industry Act (SIA) via LicenSys.
• FSC Rep 1 (Quarterly Interim Financial Statements): Uploaded by all Registrants under the SIA as part of the FSC Rep1 submission via LicenSys.
• FSC Rep 2: Completed by all Registrants and Licensees except Registered Agents and Managing Agents via LicenSys.
• FSC Rep 2 (Annual Financial Statements for Licensees): Uploaded by all Licensees except Registered Agents and Managing Agents as part of the FSC Rep2 submission via LicenSys.
• FSC Rep 3: Completed by Registered Agents via LicenSys.
• FSC REP 5: Completed by Payment Processing Services licensees via LicenSys.
• AML/CFT/CPF Questionnaire: Completed all Licensees and Registrants via LicenSys.
• Audited Financial Statements: Completed by Registrants under the Securities Industry Act (SIA) via LicenSys.

No, currently, the economic substance form submissions are not filed via LicenSys. The existing filing process remains in place for the time being. 

No. Once you proceeded to the next step, the Reporting Period can no longer be edited. If you need to change the reporting period, you can delete the current open application and start a new one. This must be done before submission.

Entering an incorrect reporting period may result in a late application fee or your application being returned for additional information, which could delay processing.

Yes, you are able to save and return to an incomplete filing via LicenSys.

If a regulatory report/filing is submitted before the deadline but is returned for supplement, no fees will apply provided the requested information is resubmitted within 10 days.  If the 10-day period elapses, a new application will be required, and applicable late fees will apply. 

No, currently, the Compliance Declaration form is not filed via LicenSys. The existing filing process remains in place for the time being. 

No, you will not be able to edit a submitted filing. You will need to delete the filing and resubmit a new one with the corrected information.