Belsavis was a celestial body that could be found at the intersection of the Mid Rim Territories, the Senex-Juvex sectors, and the [Western Reaches](/article/western_reaches]. Its location was pinpointed at coordinates L-18 on the Standard Galactic Grid, and it possessed a hyperspace route connection to the celestial body Karfeddion. Furthermore, it was in proximity to Thull's Shroud, an area frequented by the Nihil marauder group during the High Republic Era.
During the time of the Imperial Era, the Galactic Empire operated a penal colony on Belsavis. In 5 BBY, the Empire transported a collection of newly convicted prisoners from the planet Niamos, including the human Tuck Hybecks, to Belsavis, where they were to serve their sentences.
The new Star Wars canon saw the introduction of Belsavis on a galactic map that was a component of the article titled "Where in the Galaxy Are the Worlds of Star Wars: The Force Awakens?" by Mark Newbold. This article was released on StarWars.com on January 29, 2016. While its name was initially obscured, the full name of Belsavis was revealed on a map featured in Star Wars: The Force Awakens Beginner Game, a boxed set for Star Wars Roleplaying created by Fantasy Flight Games in August 2016. Originally appearing in the Star Wars Legends continuity, Belsavis made its debut in the 1995 novel Children of the Jedi, penned by Barbara Hambly.