RESIDENCY AND VISA OPTIONS IN BELIZE€¦ · Permanent Residency The application generally takes...

RESIDENCY AND VISA OPTIONS IN BELIZE

Ryan J. WrobelAttorney-at-Law

A little about us:

Wrobel & Co., Attorneys-at-Law, is an international law firm based in Belize City, Belize.

Our office specializes in a wide array of legal services. All of our services - from real estate and retirement services to offshore advice - aim to link people with a better life.

Our Belize lawyers know the culture in Belize. We know the legal system. We want to know you.

Presented by Wrobel & Co.

Your Options:

1. Retire In Belize2. Move and Live in Belize in Another Way

One Country, Two Tracks

Belize Qualified Retirement Program (QRP)

Overview

The Belize QRP is renowned as the most efficient path to foreignresidency anywhere in the Americas and a primary reasonBelize is known as one of the best places to retire in theCaribbean and, indeed, one of the best place to retire in theworld.

The QRP is managed by the Belize Tourism Board and provides fora multitude of incentives for applicants that satisfy theprogram’s requirements.


Who Can Qualify for the QRP

•Any person 45 years and older can qualify for theprogram.

•A person who qualifies can also include his or herdependents in the program (children must be under 18,unless enrolled in a university, in which case the age inunder 23).

•Belizeans who are 45 and older can qualify if they arereturning to live in Belize.


Incentives & Benefits

Qualified Retired Persons …

• can import personal effects free of import duties

• can import a vehicle no older than 3 years from the present year

• can import a boat and light aircraft free of import duties to be usedfor personal use

•are exempted from payment of all taxes on income received fromoutside Belize

(Note: While the QRP visa offers full-time residency, new residents canenjoy all benefits even by spending as little as a month a year in thecountry.)


Documents Required for the QRP

1. Submit Application Form (Request Form)

2. Notarized Birth Certificate Copy for each member of the family

3. Notarized Marriage Certificate Copy (if married and spouse is a dependent)

4. Police Record from last place of residence, issued less than a month prior toapplication

5. Notarized Color Copies of Complete Passport (including all blank pages) foreach family member

6. Proof of Income, showing a monthly income of a minimum of US$2,000.00through a pension or annuity that has been generated outside of Belize

7. Medical Examination plus AIDS test for each member of the family

8. Four front and four side passport photographs of each family member


General Information for Belize Qualified Retired Persons

Qualified Retired Persons …

•are not allowed to seek employment in Belize; however, voluntarywork and business investments are encouraged

•need to submit a yearly bank statement showing compliance withthe financial requirements of the program

•are required to renew your retiree status every year

•need a customs broker to process you importation of personaleffects, vehicle or boat at your expense

•are not allowed duty free on items used to repair or build, neithertools of their trade


How We Can Help

Only by retaining a Belize retirement attorney can you ensure thesmoothest process possible. All our former clients at Wrobel &Co, have achieved QRP status after being advised by our firm.

We can walk you through the various steps of the QRP applicationprocess and are at your side every step of the way.


Overview

Congratulations! Relocating to Belize might justbe the smartest decision you ever make.

Take it from me …

Moving to Belize for Non-Retirees

Your Options

•Tourist visa

•Work permit

•Permanent residency

•Nationality


Tourist Visa

A Belize tourist visa enables you to live in Belize (and fall in love witheverything the country has to offer) on a monthly basis.

Simply go to a Belize immigration office and renew for $25/month forup to six months. After six months, you do not have to leave Belize,as would be the case almost everywhere else in the Americas. Butthe price of staying does increase to $50/month. (At which point,you might want to look into permanent residency.)


Tourist Visa

The permanent residents of many countries can obtain a touristcard without applying in advance, including those comprisingCARICOM, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom,Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Norway, Venezuela, CostaRica, El Salvador, Colombia, Guatemala, Brazil, and Japan.

Residents of other nations need to apply in advance for a touristcard before they travel to Belize.


Work Permit


Permanent Residency

The basic requirements include:

•Fill out a Belize Permanent Residency Application form

•Take an HIV test

•Submit a recent police certificate absent of criminal convictions

•Provide two recommendations from individuals you haveknown you for at least a year (a lawyer qualifies, hint hint)

•Pay the application fee, which varies by country

•You cannot leave the country for a period of more than twoconsecutive weeks during the previous year


Permanent Residency

The application generally takes from a few months toaround a year.

Once you receive permanent residency, you can workin Belize like any citizen, and you can travel to andfrom Belize without any restrictions. And after fiveyears of being a Belize permanent resident, you willbe eligible for full citizenship.


Nationality


How We Can Help

Our law office can help you through any of theprocesses outlined.

Call us to get started on your new life today!


QUESTIONS?

If you want to talk to our legal team personally, please contact us today.

Main Office

115 Barrack Road, 3RD Floor

P.O. Box 420

Belize City, Belize

Satellite Office

Tarpon Street

Vilma Linda Plaza, 2nd Floor

San Pedro, Belize

Belize: +501-223-1013

USA: +1-646-559-6757

Fax: +1-917-591-5875

[email protected]

Ryan J. Wrobel, J.D., LL.M, C.L.E.

mailto:[email protected]

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