Help? am I being taken advantage of????

Member since 18 June 2018

kerryann22Member18 June 2018 18:14:14

Hello
I moved to Belize last year to help open upa yoga studio IN San Pedro. Upon arrival, I immediately signed up for a work permit ( payed the owner of the studio $1,000 American dollars in order to "expedite it" ). Which NEVER HAPPENED.
After 8 months, I still ended up with no permit. So I ended up leaving and moving back to the States because clearly it was not financially working out/ many other reasons!
I have asked for the money back several times and she says its not refundable, she has closed down my email so I cant find the original worker permit app with the legalities on it.
Does anyone know Where can I find that?
Is she correct? Do I not get reimbursed? $1,000 is a lot of money.
I was also told by my coworker that the permits WERE done and sitting in the office for 4 months, she is claiming that because they were still "in process" that its non-refundable, the $1,000.
But I was lied too and now she wants to keep the money. I just need some advice. thanks

Thank you in advance

Love n light

terrific Serial expat

Member since 11 August 2013

terrificSerial expat18 June 2018 20:54:20

582

If the work permit was issued then you could cntact Immigration with names and dates and they should be able to find it.
If the money was actually paid to immigration there will be no refund, wether the permit was issued or not.
If you were buying the business the application would not be expedited by anything the seller could do, the permit would be for a self employed permit.
Unless you were buying a share in the business or simply going to be employed by the business then the employer is responsible for applying for a permit.
I am sorry things did not work out for you. Just being nosy was this person involved a Belizean or an expat.
You say a coworker, which sounds like you were employed, until the permit was issued you were not entitled to work anyway, and both you and the person employing you were breaking the law. They take illegal employment very seriously and it is punishable with high fines and possible jail time for the employer, and same plus expulsion from Belize for the employee.
Did you never question the Immigration staff, or they you, about the work permit issue when doing your monthly visa extention, in the 8 months you were there?

kerryann22 Member

Member since 18 June 2018

kerryann22Member19 June 2018 00:34:34

I moved to Belize with her from the United States. She basically manipulated me and another guy from the United States to move down there with her and work for her. But then everything got extremely messy and shady.. Anyways, when she did pay us it was under the table and with cash. I suppose we were working illegally now that
It just stinks that she would take that money from me. I could probably call her out on all the illegalities she has done. She has yoga teacher is teaching there that are not even certified yet. She up charges clients and then lies about the prizes to the massage therapist so she can pocket the money. She's bad news for the island. Bad energy.All she cares about is money. It's sad. And she claims to be at Yogi. Anyways, enough rambling. Thank you for your information Lov I so greatly appreciate it! She will get her karma soooon enough !