Moving to Belize
5 routes for people from the US, Canada and the UK, each checked against official sources. Find the one that fits, then check it with the source before you apply.
Keep your job, work remotely Rules need confirming
Belize digital nomad program
Work Where You Vacation program (Belize Tourism Board / long-stay permit)
Remote workers earning at least USD 75,000 a year (USD 100,000 for families) from outside Belize.
- What you need
- Annual income of USD 75,000 for individuals from employment outside Belize (secondary sources). (USD 75,000 a year)
- USD 100,000 a year for couples or families (secondary sources). (USD 100,000 a year)
- Not for
- People with local Belize clients
- Anyone wanting long-term residence
- Where you apply
- Online. Reported as an online application through the Belize Tourism Board.
- How long it takes
- Not stated.
- First permit
- Up to 6 months (reported).
- Renewal
- Not confirmed.
- Family
- Families allowed at the higher income level (reported).
No official page read; status, income and fee come from secondary sources that partly conflict.
Retire or live on savings
Belize QRP retirement program
Qualified Retired Persons (QRP) Incentive Program (Retired Persons (Incentives) Act)
People aged 40+ with at least USD 2,000 a month in retirement income from outside Belize.
- What you need
- Any person 40 years or older. (40)
- Retirement income of USD 2,000 a month or USD 24,000 a year from outside Belize, in US dollars, sterling, euros or Canadian dollars. (USD 2,000 a month)
- Must stay in Belize at least 30 consecutive days a year.
- Pass a security check.
- Not for
- People under 40
- People whose income is a salary from remote work (program is for retirement income)
- Where you apply
- From home or inside the country. Apply to the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), which runs the program.
- How long it takes
- Not officially stated.
- First permit
- QRP residency card, renewed annually.
- Renewal
- Annual card renewal (USD 25) with proof of continued income.
- Family
- Dependants can be included (USD 750 each).
A job offer Rules need confirming
Belize work permit
Temporary Employment Permit (incl. self-employed permit), Labour Department
People with a Belize job offer, or who want to run their own business in Belize, who already live there.
- What you need
- You must be residing in Belize and hold a valid passport and Belize visa/stay to apply.
- Apply at a Labour Department office; after approval, pay the permit fee at Immigration.
- Self-employed permits are a separate type; a BZ$2,000 annual fee is reported by a law firm. (BZD 2,000 a year)
- Not for
- People not yet living in Belize
- Where you apply
- From inside the country. Labour Department, then Immigration.
- How long it takes
- About 30 days for a Labour Department call; 4 weeks to 4 months reported.
- First permit
- Up to 1 year.
- Renewal
- Reapply yearly (reported).
- Longer term
- Permanent residence after about 1 years. Citizenship after about 6 years.
- Family
- Not covered.
Only the basic official page read; fees and criteria from a law firm.
Invest
Belize residency through investment
Temporary Residence (investment)
People with at least BZ$500,000 (about USD 250,000) invested in Belize property or business.
- What you need
- Investments in Belize valued at not less than BZ$500,000, shown by property title, bank statements and business registration, trade licence, tax and social security records. (BZD 500,000)
- Passport, police record from last country of residence (valid 6 months), letter to the Director explaining the reason, proof of address in Belize.
- Not for
- Where you apply
- From inside the country. Immigration and Nationality Department in Belize.
- How long it takes
- Not officially stated.
- First permit
- Not stated.
- Renewal
- Not stated.
- Longer term
- Permanent residence after about 1 years. Citizenship after about 6 years.
- Family
- Spouse and children can be included.
- Your passport
- Fee varies by nationality group (US 'other countries'; UK and Canada Commonwealth).
Treaties and special cases
Belize permanent residency after one year
Permanent Residence (Immigration Act)
Anyone who has lived legally in Belize for a year and can show financial stability from a job, business, retirement or sponsorship.
- What you need
- Passport arrival stamp at least 1 year before the application.
- Proof of financial stability (employment in or outside Belize, self-employment, retirement or sponsorship); no amount stated.
- Residence medical exam with HIV, VDRL and TB tests by a Belize-licensed doctor; Belize police record (valid 6 months); photos.
- Not for
- People who cannot stay in Belize for the qualifying year
- Where you apply
- From inside the country. Immigration and Nationality Department in Belize.
- How long it takes
- Not officially stated.
- First permit
- Permanent.
- Renewal
- Not applicable.
- Longer term
- Permanent residence after about 1 years. Citizenship after about 6 years.
- Family
- Legally married spouse can be included; common-law partners apply separately; children with supporting documents.
- Your passport
- Permanent residence fee depends on nationality: US citizens BZ$4,000 ('other countries'); UK and Canadian citizens BZ$3,000 (Commonwealth). Fees effective 1 May 2020.