Another of Belize’s well-kept secrets are its amazing residence opportunities. The Belizean residence is one of the most cost-effective residency options in Latin America and the world, yet very few people know about it.

Imagine that for a mere monthly income of $2000, you can relocate to a literal paradise and:

• Pay zero taxes on your worldwide income in Belize
• Import plenty of items such as cars and yachts duty-free
• Only spend 30 days per year in Belize

For many specialists, Belize has the second-best residency program just behind Panama, which is one of the most popular options in the world.

There are many different ways to obtain permanent residency in Belize and become a tax resident in this gorgeous country. You can establish a local business, work for a domestically registered company, or apply for its retirement program. Belize is looking for experienced investors and foreigners to live and invest in Belize and is willing to make great efforts to attract talented and wealthy individuals.

Unlike many other countries that have complex residency requirements, the easy residency options in Belize entitle you with the right to become a Belizean citizen after five years of permanent residency.

As you've probably noticed if you've been reading our country page, Belize is a deeply underrated jurisdiction. It has a swift, simple, and affordable residency program open for all.

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Qualified Retirement Programme

Another of Belize’s well-kept secrets are its amazing residence opportunities. The Belizean residence is one of the most cost-effective residency options in Latin America and the world, yet very few people know about it.

If you are over 45 and can demonstrate an income of at least $2000 per month from any legitimate source, you can live and retire in Belize. This will allow you to set Belize as your tax residency, meaning you won't pay any taxes in Belize thanks to the program, and no country will be able to claim taxes on your worldwide income.

In fact, you can even include your family in your application for additional fees. You can bring your personal goods into Belize during the first year of residence duty-free, such as vehicles, boats, and even planes.

In fact, despite the name, you don't need to be retired to qualify for the program. You only need to be 45 years old, and the main concern is proving that you can deposit $2,000 per month (or $24,000 per year, whatever works for you) into a Belizean bank account. If you don't have a pension plan, you can prove your income through savings and investments. You must stay at least 30 continuous days per year in Belize to retain the residence.

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The program has incredibly small fees:

• Non-refundable application fee: $150
• Processing fee (After acceptance): $1,000
• Initial QRPD residence card: $2000
• Card renewal fee (yearly payment): $25

QRP holders aren't allowed to work for a Belizean company or own or manage a Belizean company, but you can work outside of Belize, for example, as an independent consultant, as long as your clients aren't in Belize.

To apply for the residency, you must submit these documents:

• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Police report
• A copy of each page of your passport (notarized)
• Proof of income
• Medical exam results

Permanent residence 

Many expats also look for permanent residence in Belize as it will allow them to work in Belize without a work permit, which costs about $1,500 per year. A residence allows you to travel in and out of Belize easily and it's the best option for those who don't qualify for the QRP or qualify but wish to do business or work in Belize.

To apply for the permanent residence, you must live for 50 consecutive weeks in Belize before applying for the residence. To do so, you must enter Belize with a tourist visa and renew it every 30 days. To become a resident, you must pay a non-refundable, one-time fee of about $1,500-$2,000 (it depends on your nationality. The application must include:

• Copy of each page of your passport
• Bank statements
• Birth certificate
• Medical record
• Police record

The best? You can apply for Belizean citizenship after just five years of permanent residence. You can become a permanent resident about one year after starting the whole process.

Just contact us right now, and we'll provide you with a free initial consultation with our experts.