The Retirement Program in Belize was created especially for those people who wish to live in Belize and can prove a permanent and consistent income from investment (abroad or in Belize), pension or other retirement benefits. 

 

Who can qualify for this program?
Anyone forty-five years and older from anywhere i n the world can qualify for the program.   A
person who qualifies can also include his or her dependents in the program. Dependents
include spouses and children under the age of eighteen. However, it can include a person up to
the age of twenty-three if enrolled in a university. 

 

Benefits of gaining QRP Status

 

• Exemption from all taxes on income and receipts.

• All persons who have been designated a Qualified Retired Person shall be entitled, on first
  entering Belize, to import his or her personal effects and an approved means of transportation
  free of all import duties and taxes. 

• A Qualified Retired Person shall be exempt from the payment of all taxes and duties on all
  income or receipts which accrue to him other from a source outside of Belize whether that in
  come is generated from work performed or from an investment.

• Exemption from all import duties and taxes every five years on a personal motor vehicle. Qualified Retired persons are strongly encourage to procure a vehicle in Belize, no older than three years. However, you will be facilitated with duty and tax exemption on an imported vehicle. Motor vehicles must be no older than 3 years from the present year.

• Spouse and children under the age of eighteen included in program.

• Permission to conduct business from within Belize if business activities are carried on mainly outside of the country and are not conducted with Belizeans.

 

Documents Required

 

1. Completed Application Form (Request Form)

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

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

4. Authentic/Original Police Record from last place of residence, issued 1 month prior to application for applicant, wife and children 18 years and older. 

5. Passport Color Copies of Complete Passport (including all blank pages) for each family member, each page must be certified and stamped by a Notary Public.

6. Proof of Income

An official statement from a Bank or Financial Institution from the country of residence certifying that the applicant is the recipient of a monthly income of a minimum of US $2,000.00 through a pension or annuity that has been generated outside of Belize.

Please note that after approval into the program all retirees are to open a Local Bank Account and deposit their monthly pension funds. The Belize Tourism Board will request bank statements on a yearly basis to show proof of income and compliance with the retirement program.

 

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

 

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

 

Note: Items 5, 7 and 8 can be completed in Belize when you are visiting.

 

Note: All importation must be done within a year after the date of approval into the program. A Master List of household & personal effects must be submitted for approval before shipping.

 

Regulation on Aircraft

• A Qualified Retired Person is entitled to import a light aircraft less than 17,000 kg.

• A Qualified Retired Person is required to have a valid Private Pilot license to fly in Belize.

• This license can be obtained by passing the requirements set by the Civil Aviation. However, if the participant has a valid pilot's license, that license only has to be validated by Civil Aviation Department in Belize.

 

General Information

• Qualified Retired Persons are not allowed to seek employment in Belize, however, voluntary work and business investments are encouraged;

• Qualified Retired Persons will be asked to submit a yearly bank statement showing compliance with the financial requirements of the program;

• You will be required to renew your retiree status every year;

• You will require a Customs Broker to process you importation of personal effects, vehicle or boat at your expense. 

• You are not allowed duty free on items used to repair or build, neither tools of their trade;

• You must spend an equivalent of 1 month in Belize annually to maintain your retiree status.

  Note: If you desire to apply for Work Permit and Permanent Residence your Retirement Status will be revoked and payment will be required for all Duty Free Items.