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:
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:
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.
Permanent Residence
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
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.
The requirements and qualifications required to obtain Belize residency or citizenship are listed above in the “About Belize Citizenship and Residency” section.
Step 1: Gather required documents
Step 2: Submission of application
Step 3: Interview with Immigration
Step 4: Interview with Police Department
Step 5: Notification by the Immigration Office
Step 6: Payment and Submission of Security Bond
a. Copy of Belize Passport or
b. Copy of Belize Voter’s Identification card
Step 7: Delivery of Residence Card
Privacy World offers its services to anyone, not only looking to obtain residency and/or citizenship processes but our experts figure out legal ways to:
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.
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