A Comprehensive Guide to Long-term Residency in Belize

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: $11,166 (2023,123rd)

Human Development Index: 0.700 (118th)

Country Profile:

Belize is a vibrant country in Central America, not at the forefront, but experiencing rapid economic growth.

The country’s economy mainly relies on agriculture, tourism, and services. Major agricultural products include citrus fruits, sugar, bananas, and seafood. Due to Belize’s rich natural resources and beautiful coral reefs, tourism, particularly eco-tourism, is also continuously developing.

The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest coral reef in the world and attracts countless snorkeling and scuba diving enthusiasts from around the globe each year. Additionally, Belize is home to significant Mayan civilization sites such as Caracol and Xunantunich.

English is the official language of Belize, reflecting its colonial history as part of the British Empire, but Spanish and Creole are also widely spoken in the country.

Immigration and Visa 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 issued to foreign investors who invest 500,000 Belize dollars, approximately 250,000 USD, in Belize.

Tourism, agriculture, and even simply purchasing property are all eligible investment areas. Additionally, as long as the investment is made, you can obtain or renew the visa without ever entering Belize, with a licensed local attorney handling the process on your behalf.

However, the entire application process is time-consuming and can take more than six months.

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 global 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.

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.

The Belize Work Permit is usually applied for by the employer on behalf of the applicant and is valid for only one year but can be renewed. Moreover, after residing in Belize for one year with a work visa, you become eligible to apply for permanent residency in Belize.

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 54th and provide its bearers with the privilege of visa-free or visa-upon-arrival travel to 104countries and regions across the world (June 24th, 2024).

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