About Belize Citizenship and Residency

Belize is one of the most appealing tourist destinations for American citizens. There is no traditional Belize citizenship by investment, however, there are several other alternatives foreign citizens can rely on if they want to immigrate here. Also, they can apply for temporary residence permits that can be converted into permanent residence ones followed by citizenship by making certain investments. So even if obtained through investment, the Belize residence permit is considered a traditional one. When you arrive in Belize, you are granted a 30-day visa. This applies to all visitors across the board. This same visa can be renewed for up to six months at any immigration office.

Section 16 6 of the Act provides that a person who is present in Belize for 183 days or more during the calendar year is deemed to be a resident.

 

Belize Residency Options:

Even if there is no dedicated Belize citizenship by investment program, there are two options for those who want to move here:

• the first one targets businesspersons who can invest in local companies;
• retired people who must submit proof of a specific monthly income.

 

1. Temporary Residence (businesspersons who can invest in local companies):

Temporary Residence is for persons who have made or are in the process of making a substantial commercial investment in Belize but due to commitments outside Belize cannot meet ordinary Permanent Residence restrictions.

Temporary Residence status is given for only one (1) year and becomes renewable at the end of that given period.

For persons applying for Temporary Residence, you are required to:

1. Show evidence of investments in Belize valued at not less than five hundred thousand Belize dollars – BZ$500,000.00.
2. You must submit a valid passport from your country of Citizenship.
3. You must submit a police record from your last country of residence (valid for 6 months from the date of application).
4. A letter to the Director of Nationality and Passports Department explaining your reason for requesting temporary residency in Belize must be submitted with your application.
5. You must provide evidence that you have a residence in Belize.

 

2. Qualified Retired Person Incentive Program

Under the Qualified Retired Person Incentive Program (QPR), the Belize Tourism Board grants resident visas to individuals aged 45 or older, who prove a foreign source pension or annuity or another acceptable source of income of at least USD2,000 per month. Applicants must sign an undertaking to transfer the aforementioned income into a bank, credit union, or any financial institution in Belize

Requirements/elligibility

– Be at least 45 years of age.

– Proof of income: An official statement from a bank or financial institution certifying that the applicant is the recipient of a pension or annuity of a minimum of US$2,000 per month, or a Financial Statement from a financial institution, bank, credit union, or building society in Belize certifying that the applicant’s investment or deposit will generate the sum of a minimum of US$2000 per month, or the equivalent of US$24,000 per year.

– No criminal record.

– Be in good health and do not have any contagious disease.

 

Résidence permanente

As a regular Belize permanent resident, you do not have to deposit any particular sum of money in a bank in Belize. And unlike the QRP program, you do not need to continue making cash deposits every month into your bank account. However, you do have to show financial resources sufficient to obtain residency status. You can work for pay in Belize.

For persons applying for Permanent Residence, you are required to

1. Have been legally residing in Belize for a minimum of 1 year at the time of submitting your application.
2. During this year you have not left the country for more than 14 days in total.
3. You must prove to the Immigration Office that you have been and you will be able to continue being financially stable.
4. You have not been convicted by a competent court in any country of a criminal offense for which you may have been liable to a sentence of imprisonment of twelve months or more and have not received a free pardon in respect of the offense.

 

Belize Citizenship

To acquire citizenship, applicants must have been a resident or have permanent residency status for a minimum of five years. After five years permanent citizens submit a citizenship application and this is usually processed within 6 months.

 

Benefits Of The Belize Residency By Investment Program

• Low Property Tax
• No time restriction for physical residency
• Can file for citizenship after holding residency in Belize for 5years
• Permanent Residency after 1 year of temporary residence
• Les personnes à charge peuvent être incluses dans la demande.
• Faible coût de la vie

 

Belize Residency Requirements And Qualifications

The requirements and qualifications required to obtain Belize residency or citizenship are listed above in the “About Belize Citizenship and Residency” section.

Étapes et chronologie

Step 1: Gather required documents

• Evidence that you have been legally residing in Belize and that you are financially stable.

 

Step 2: Submission of application

• Submit your application at any Immigration Office authorized to accept residence applications.
• The accepting officer will schedule an interview date for you and the referees. Please note that the interview will be held at the office where the application was submitted.
• A receipt of acceptance will be given to you with the assigned file number for your application. This file number is required when inquiring into your application status.

 

Step 3: Interview with Immigration

• The interview is scheduled within two weeks of submission of the application, and you and your spouse will be interviewed.
• You are required to bring your acceptance receipt and your passport.
• Your referees must accompany you to the interview and they must bring their respective identification.

 

Step 4: Interview with Police Department

• The Police Department Special Branch interviews you at your home residence. The police department conducts this interview 3 months after the completion of the Immigration Interview.

 

Step 5: Notification by the Immigration Office

• Your application will be vetted by the Nationality Department under the Belize Nationality Act. You will thereafter be contacted on the outcome of your application.
• The Immigration office will notify you when your application has been approved or if you require the submission of additional documents.

 

Step 6: Payment and Submission of Security Bond

• On approval of your application, you are required to visit an Immigration Office to make payment. Reference the Fees section for the amount to be paid.
• You must provide the Security Bond Form along with the sureties’

              a. Copy of Belize Passport or

              b. Copy of Belize Voter’s Identification card

 

Step 7: Delivery of Residence Card

•  Your card can be picked up from the Belmopan Immigration Office 5 days after payment.

Nos services

Privacy World offre ses services à tous ceux qui cherchent non seulement à obtenir des processus de résidence et/ou de citoyenneté, mais nos experts trouvent des moyens légaux pour :

• Trouvez la meilleure solution pour vos besoins.
• Identifiez et déployez une stratégie pour vous aider à atteindre vos objectifs.
• Activez notre réseau de personnes dans le pays où vous avez besoin d'aide sans avoir à chercher la meilleure solution ou le meilleur avocat. Nous ne travaillons qu'avec des personnes agréées dans chaque pays que nous examinons attentivement et respectons nos directives et principes de confidentialité que nous défendons.
• Concentrez-vous sur la réduction de la paperasserie et pour accélérer votre processus.
• Fournir une communication appropriée avec vous au sujet de votre cas.
  …. et surtout : vous proposer des stratégies juridiques pour fournir des couches supplémentaires de confidentialité pour votre identité, tout en obtenant votre résidence ou votre citoyenneté !

Privacy World can also help you with incorporating your company in Belize, assisting in getting you settled in the country and coordinating with you so that this experience will be less of a hassle.

Vous voulez que Privacy World s'occupe de votre cas ? Avez-vous des questions? Contactez-nous!

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