1. What are the requirements for residing in Belize?



2. How do I purchase land in Belize?



3. How do I retire in Belize?

1. RESIDING IN BELIZE

Belize welcomes immigrants who are in a position to come to the country and establish themselves without government assistance for any of the following purposes:

Agricultural purposes, either on a small holding or plantation basis
Industrial development
Sponsored employment by established commercial organisations
Professional and skilled persons whose expertise is generally identified to be in demand in Belize
Retirees who wish to reside permanently in Belize, who are the recipients of regular remittances from abroad, and/or who have transferred their savings into the banking system of Belize.

Immigrants entering Belize must be of good character, in sound health, financially solvent and in possession of a valid passport or other recognised form of travel document.

The term “sound health” means ‘freedom from any contagious diseases, including, but not limited to, HIV/AIDS, and having no illness or disability likely to interfere with a persons ability to work and maintain him/herself and his/her family. Hence, neither the applicant nor his/her family should, for any reason, become subscribed to public funds by reason of infirmity of mind or body.’

“Good Character” is established by the production of police certificates covering ALL periods where the applicant has resided.

All immigrants are required to complete an application form in duplicate and submit it to the Director of Immigration and Nationality Services (see below). Priority is given to persons with specialised technical skills for which local residents are not available. Persons with occupations of professions of ANY sort are not considered if local residents with similar qualifications are unemployed. The opening and managing of shops or restaurants are definitely discouraged. Applications for those purposes are not likely to be approved.

If the immigrant has been in Belize for thirty (30) days with a valid visa or permit, and requires more time to finish his/her business, he/she must contact the nearest Immigration Office to get an extension. There is a fee of BZ$ 25.00 for every extended period of thirty days. (NB: Citizens of the European Union do not require a visa to enter Belize for a period of one month.) An individual can apply for permanent residence after having paid one (1) year of legal residence fees in Belize on a continuous basis.

The permanent resident fee is BZ$100.00. And as a safeguard against a person becoming a charge to public funds, all immigrants may be required to deposit a sum of money equivalent to the cost of transportation to his/her country of origin. The money is returned after three years or prior to the immigrant’s permanent departure from Belize. As an alternative, and ONLY under certain circumstances, a local resident may post a bond on behalf of the immigrant.

The application form for permanent residence is to be accompanied by two (2) passport-sized photographs of each member of the family wishing to travel to Belize. The back of the pictures must be endorsed with his/her name and signed by a Justice of the Peace or Notary Public. In addition, the applicant should attach to the petition his/her personal bank statements, as well as medical and police records.

For further information please contact:

The Director
Immigration and Nationality Services
Bliss Parade, Belmopan City
BELIZE

Tel: +(501) 822 2611
Fax: +(501) 822 2662

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2. AQUIRING AND PUCHASING LAND IN BELIZE

Land in Belize is either Crown (national) land or Private Freehold property. In the case of Crown land, this is usually leased in the first instance after submission of a development plan that is acceptable to the Minister of National Resources. This land may be bought after certain conditions stipulated in the lease have been met.

Crown land may be available to Non-Belizeans on the following conditions:
That the land development scheme can contribute tremendously to the economy and is desirable, and provided that suitable private land cannot be obtained.
That allocation will normally be confined to depressed areas of the country so as to stimulate development in those areas.

Where Non-Belizeans purchase land from private landowners, the Aliens Landholding Ordinance of 1973 regulates such sales. This ordinance states that a non-national cannot hold land in the aggregate more than one half acre if within the boundaries of a city or town; or more than ten acres if outside the boundaries of a city or town. Where a non-national wishes to purchase more than this, he must apply to the Minister of National Resources, who may, at his/her discretion, grant a license for the development of the land. Land that is bought by non-nationals is subject to taxation and stamp duty.

When applying for a license, in addition to the development plan, information on the following must also be submitted:
The portion of land which is the subject of the sale
The purpose to which the land is intended to be put
Some information about the applicant
Any other details the Minister may require

With regard to the nature, price, availability and selection, it is advisable to contact an estate agent or the landowner directly. The price of land varies according to location, development, accessibility, etc. An average range may be between BZ$30 to BZ$3,000 per acre.

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4. Retiring in Belize

Please visit www.belizeretirement.org