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SHORT AND LONG-TERM VISITS TO BELIZE
Upon entering Belize, visitors are automatically granted a free 30-day visitor permit. No visas are required for the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway and colonies, Panama, San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay, Venezuela, and the majority of the Caribbean islands. For details on visa requirements for other countries, please contact the nearest Belizian consulate or embassy.
The 30-day visitor permit can be renewed for $25/month for up to six months, after which time the fee becomes $50/month. Technically, the government requires proof that you have sufficient resources to remain in the country (valued at $50/day), but they are generally lenient on this requirement if you look respectable. The permit can be renewed at a government immigration office in Belmopan or Belize City, or at a police station in a district town. After 12 months you must leave the country for 72 hours before the permit renewal process can be renewed again.
Obtaining permanent residency is relatively straightforward, although rumor has it that it is never simple. The rules are slightly different depending on whether you are a working person or retiree. To obtain permanent residency, a person must stay in country for a year without leaving for more than 14 consecutive days. The residency application is $1000 and once accepted it is another $62.50 to obtain your residency card. Regardless of residency status, all persons who wish to work for pay in Belize have to pay for a work permit, which is $1500 for professional workers, and $1000/yr for technical workers and those who are self-employed.
In 1999, the Qualified Retired Persons Incentive Act was passed to provide qualified retirees with several incentives and other benefits. The cost to participate in the program and receive residency is $705. After being approved as a qualified retired person, the new resident has one year to receive tax-free entry of household goods and one car (3 years old or younger). To qualify, a retiree is required to be 45 years old or older, have an income of $2000 a month, and cannot work in country for pay. The income requirement can include pensions and social security benefits.
