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Retiring in Belize: What You Need to Know

About the Qualified Retirement Program

The Qualified Retirement Program (QRP) helps eligible individuals who meet the income requirements make Belize their permanent home for retirement. The program offers a straightforward path to settling in a tranquil destination where you can relax and enjoy a new chapter of life.

Get the Facts

Learn about the program’s eligibility requirements, benefits, and application process to determine whether retiring in Belize is right for you.

Who Qualifies?

Core Eligibility Requirements

  • Age: Applicants must be at least 40 years old.

  • Dependents: A spouse and children under 18 may be included as dependents.

  • Retirement income: Applicants must receive at least $2,000 per month or $24,000 per year from a source outside Belize. Income must be paid in an approved foreign currency: U.S. dollars, pounds sterling, euros, or Canadian dollars.

  • Financial commitment: Applicants must provide a written undertaking to deposit the required amount in a bank, credit union, or licensed financial institution in Belize.

  • Security clearance: Applicants must pass a security clearance check conducted by Belize’s Ministry of National Security.

  • Annual stay: Applicants must remain in Belize for at least 30 consecutive days each year.

Accepted Sources of Retirement Income

  • Pension

  • Annuity

  • Social Security benefits

  • Investment account

  • Inheritance

  • Reverse mortgage

  • Personal savings

  • Retirement contribution plans

  • Other qualifying sources of retirement income

Qualifying Countries and Regions

Applicants may qualify if they are citizens of one of the following countries or regions:

  • Commonwealth countries, excluding Belize

  • United States of America

  • Member States of the European Union (EU)

  • Asia-Pacific countries: Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam

  • All South American countries

Application Requirements

New Applications

Submit the following documents for the applicant and each dependent, where indicated:

  • Application form: Completed, signed, and dated for the applicant and each dependent. Include the relevant application forms.

  • Birth certificate: Notarized or certified copy for the applicant and each dependent.

  • Marriage certificate: Notarized or certified copy.

  • Police record: Original police record or certificate issued within the past six months by the applicant’s and each dependent’s most recent place of residence.

  • Passport pages: Notarized or certified copy of the complete, valid passport—including all blank pages—for the applicant and each dependent.

  • Proof of income: Certificate or other document showing that the applicant receives retirement income of at least US$2,000 per month or US$24,000 per year in an approved foreign currency.

  • Bank statement confirming retirement income: Original or certified copy of international financial statements from a financial institution showing deposits totaling the required amount.

  • Written undertaking to deposit funds in Belize: Letter signed by the applicant confirming that the required funds will be deposited in a licensed domestic financial institution in Belize. Include the draft provided by the Belize Tourism Board.

  • Medical certificate: Original certificate or laboratory report from a complete physical examination, including HIV test results, issued within the past three months for the applicant and each dependent.

  • Passport photographs: Two recent 2 × 2-inch frontal photographs of the same image for the applicant and each dependent—one notarized or certified and one not notarized or certified.

QRP Investor Applications

A Qualified Retired Person who wishes to operate a business in Belize must apply in writing to the Belize Tourism Board and submit the following:

  • Business plan: Must provide for the employment of at least five Belizean citizens.

  • Proof of investment capital: Minimum investment of BZ$1 million.

  • Proof of residency: Passport pages showing that the applicant has resided in Belize for at least 90 non-consecutive days.

Requirements After Approval

  • Employ at least five Belizean citizens.

  • Submit proof of Belizean employment to the Belize Tourism Board within 12 months of approval.

  • Submit proof that the business is operating within 18 months of approval.

  • Pay all applicable duties and taxes on the business conducted in Belize.

Renewal Applications

  • Application Form [Completed, signed and dated for applicant and each dependent]

*include link to application forms

  • Passport Pages [Notarized or certified copy of complete valid passport including all blank pages for applicant and each dependent]

  • Bank Statement [Original or certified copy of annual statement from local dometic licensed financial institution]

  • Two (2) 2”x2” Frontal Passport Photos [1 recent notarized/certified passport photograph and 1 unnotarized/uncertified passport photograph of the same image for applicant and each dependent]

Application Fees [NEW]

  • Application Program Fee — US$150 [per application]

  • Final Program Fees

    • Applicant Fee — US$1000

    • Dependent Fee — US$750

    • QRP ID Card Fee — US$200 [per card]

  • QRP ID Card Renewal Fee — US$25  [annually]

*All application fees must be made in US Currency and are non-refundable

Hope that helps!! 


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