Home > North America > Belize > How To Get Residency In Belize | A Complete Guide
How To Get Residency In Belize | A Complete Guide
Capital: Belmopan
Population: 397,483 (2023, 168th)
Ethic Group: 52.9% Mestizo, 25.9% Creole, 11.3% Maya, 6.1% Garifuna, 3.9% Indian, 3.6% Mennonite, 1.2% White, 1.0% Chinese
Area: 22,966 km2 (147th)
Offical Language: English
Currency: Belize Dollar (as of Apr 3, 2024, 1 Belize Dollar = 0.50 USD)
GDP per Captial: $15,363 (2025 estimated,123rd)
Human Development Index: 0.721 (2023, 115th)
Country Profile:
Belize, located in Central America, may not be the most prominent country in the region, but it is a rapidly growing and vibrant nation with a dynamic economy.
The country’s economic foundation rests primarily on agriculture, tourism, and service sector. Key agricultural products include citrus fruits, sugar, bananas, and seafood. Fueled by its rich natural resources and stunning coral reefs, Belize’s tourism industry—particularly ecotourism—is flourishing steadily.
Home to the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest coral reef system in the world, the country attracts countless snorkeling and diving enthusiasts from across the globe every year. Belize also boasts historically significant Mayan archaeological sites such as Caracol and Lamanai, which add to its cultural allure.
As a former British colony, English is the official language of Belize, though Spanish and Creole are also widely spoken throughout the country.
Visa & Immigration System:
14% of Belize’s long-term resident population consists of foreign immigrants, but compared to other Central American countries, legal immigration channels in this country are relatively limited. Currently, there are four main pathways for foreigners to move to Belize:
1. Temporary Residence Permit: This is a one-year renewable residence permit granted to foreign investors who commit at least 500,000 Belize dollars (approximately 250,000 USD) in investments within Belize.
Eligible investment sectors include tourism, agriculture, or even simply purchasing real estate. Additionally, once the investment is made, applicants can obtain or renew their visa entirely remotely, without needing to enter Belize, through a licensed local attorney acting on their behalf.
However, the entire application process is relatively lengthy and typically takes more than six months to complete.
2. QRP Program (Qualified Retirement Person Incentive Program): This is one of the most well-known retirement visa programs in Central America. To apply for the QRP program, you need to be at least 40 years old and have a non-employment income of at least $2,000 USD per month, or invest $500,000 USD in Belize.
This program can be applied for online through the Belize Tourism Board’s official website, and the approval rate is very high.
QRP members are required to renew their residency card annually and must reside in Belize for at least thirty days each year.
3. Digital Nomad Visa: The Belize digital nomad visa is issued to western remote workers with an annual income of at least $75,000 USD. If you are applying for this visa with your family (spouse and children under 18), your annual income needs to be at least $100,000 USD.
At present, the Belize government limits eligibility for the digital nomad visa to individuals who are citizens or permanent residents of the European Union, the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom.
Similar to most Latin American digital nomad visas, this is a non-immigrant visa with a validity of only six months. It can be renewed indefinitely, but it does not allow you to apply for permanent residency or citizenship in Belize.
4. Work Visa: This visa is issued to foreign nationals employed in Belize.
Additionally, after residing in Belize for one year on a work permit, you become eligible to apply for permanent residency.
Dependents:
For most Belize visas, the primary applicant’s spouse, children under 18, and children aged 18 to 23 who are still in school can all obtain the visa together as secondary applicants.
Permanent Residency & Citizenship:
Holders of a Belize work visa or temporary residence card who have legally resided in the country for one year, with total time spent outside Belize not exceeding 14 days during that year, have no criminal record, and can prove sufficient income or financial resources to support their living in Belize, are eligible to apply for permanent residency.
Participants in the QRP program who invest $500,000 USD in Belize and have legally resided in the country for five years are also eligible to apply for permanent residency.
Foreigners who have legally resided in Belize with permanent residency for five years, or who marry a Belizean citizen, can apply for citizenship.
Passport Power:
Belize recognizes dual citizenship, but new citizens must renounce their previous citizenship before acquiring Belize passport. Belizean passports are globally ranked 50th and provide its bearers with the privilege of visa-free or visa-upon-arrival travel to 102 countries and regions across the world (May 30th, 2025).
Useful Links:
Belize QRP Program: https://www.belizetourismboard.org/programs-events/retirement-program/
Belize digit nomad visa: https://www.travelbelize.org/work-where-you-vacation/
Belize visa online platform: https://iisconnect.immigration.gov.bz/#/login?to=/services/long-stay-permit
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