How to Obtain a Belize Retirement Visa : visasupply.com

Belize continues to climb the ranks of the world’s most popular retirement destinations. Expat Financial ranks Belize as the top Central American country for retirees, citing its comfortable lifestyle, reliable infrastructure, robust healthcare system, and relatively low cost of living. “Located on the Western edge of the Caribbean Sea, one of the many benefits of living in Belize is the diverse and active community that you can engage with,” the publication stated. “With the ability to sit on a beach and have some well-deserved R&R, or if you prefer an active lifestyle of scuba diving and adventure – Belize has something to offer for everyone’s desires.” (https://expatfinancial.com/the-top-5-countries-in-central-america-to-retire/)

Although located in Central American between Mexico and Guatemala, Belize’s diverse culture is closer to that of a Caribbean island. The Mayan civilization flourished here for almost 3,000 years before Christopher Columbus made the first European contact with Belize in the early 1500s. Great Britain and Spain went to war in 1840 over the land, which Britain taking control of what became the colony of British Honduras. Belize gained independence in 1981 and joined the British Commonwealth (although it was considering leaving the monarchy structure and becoming a republic in 2024). English remains the official language, although Belizean Creole, Spanish, and various regional dialects are the most commonly spoken among natives.

The country is also one of the region’s most popular travel destinations, with 65% of travelers coming from the United States. More than three-fourths of visitors arrive at Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport near Belize City, the commonwealth’s largest metropolis. Delta, United, American, and several other airlines offer direct flights to Belize, with Atlanta flights lasting just under three hours. The tourist areas and most parts of the country are safe, although there is some crime in Belize City and the nation’s capital, Belmopan.

Living costs for retirees in Belize are relatively low. “On average, a retired couple living in Belize can live comfortably off $3,500/month,” according to Expat Financial. Rent prices in Belize City average 75% lower than those in Atlanta, with restaurants 60% less, according to Numbeo (https://www.numbeo.com). While buying real estate is easy, it is also more expensive than in most other Central American countries because of its Caribbean-flavored popularity.

“Belize offers distinct and varied ways to live,” Laura Diffendal wrote for International Living. “You can choose a tranquil, laidback beach lifestyle in Placencia; a Jimmy Buffet-style, non-stop party life on the island of Ambergris Caye; or an off-the-grid life out in the wild west of Cayo.” Diffendal continued, “Typically, Belize attracts those who are looking to get away from the materialism of the U.S., free-spirited adventurers, or entrepreneurs. So if you are looking for a comfortable, fun, warm, welcoming, tropical place to live, with a ton of energy and opportunity, Belize might be right for you.”

Retirees are drawn to the country’s tropical lifestyle, cultural diversity, and ease of obtaining residency. “Belize is a small country, about the size of the state of New Hampshire, with a population of around 400, 000,” International Living also noted in an article on where to live in Belize (https://internationalliving.com/five-places-to-live-in-belize-two-to-avoid-2/). “Take its small size and low population density, add English as the official language, with an easy-to-use exchange rate and easy access in and out of the country, and you’ll start to see why Belize has become an expat hotspot.”

While some foreigners and businesspeople favor the two larger cities, most expats and retirees live in smaller beachfront villages and retirement communities along the coast. “San Pedro, Placencia, and San Ignacio have the largest expat populations,” Expat Exchange stated. Corozal also has a small expat community and is less expensive than the others. San Ignacio is popular with those who prefer a more affordable destination with mountains, jungles, rivers, and a bustling farmers’ market. (https://www.expatexchange.com/ctryguide/4347/20/Belize/Living-in-Belize-6-Best-Places-to-Live-in-Belize).

The International Living list of top places to live includes Ambergris Caye (“beautiful island”), Belize’s top tourist destination. “Its close proximity (less than a mile) to Belize’s Barrier Reef provides world-class fishing, diving, and snorkeling,” the publication stated. {A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 10,000-year-old reef is the second-largest barrier reef in the world.} “When not out on the water, there are plenty of beaches, restaurants, bars, and clubs to enjoy dotted around the island.” Another top living area is Caye Caulker, a smaller and less expensive version of Ambergris Caye. Both cities offers access to scuba diving and snorkeling at the Great Blue Hole (a giant marine sinkhole visible from space) plus wall diving at Half Moon Caye. Other popular destinations include the 16-mile-long peninsula of Placencia and the town of Corozal, just 30 minutes from Western shopping venues in Chetumal, Mexico.

Tourism is the second-largest industry in Belize, luring visitors and retirees alike to the beaches, rainforests, reefs, and caves. With more than 450 islands, several rivers, and numerous jungle wildlife reserves, Belize offers numerous opportunities for fishing, windsurfing, swimming, cave rafting, jet skiing, sailing, kayaking, birdwatching, and hiking. The country has 15 archeological sites, several Mayan ruins, and hundreds of caves – including the largest cave system in Central America. The top cave tour is at Actun Tunichil Muknal, a Maya ceremonial site that includes altars for sacrifices. Leading eco-tourism destinations include the Community Baboon Sanctuary, Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, and the Thousand-Foot Falls. To learn more about Belize for retirees and visitors alike, visit https://www.travelbelize.org/.

Belize Retirement Visa Program

Immigrants account for 14% of Belize’s population, which retirees making up a significant percentage of that number. Citizens of the United States and other counties who hold a passport valid for at least six months do not need a visa to visit Belize for stays lasting up to 30 days. If you want to stay longer than 30 days, you can obtain a visitor extension permit for $100 that gives you another month, or a six-month long stay permit for $500. Those options give people considering retiring to Belize more time to become familiar with the country before making their decision.

The Belize retirement visa is known officially as the Qualified Retirement Program (QTP) under the Belize Retired Persons Incentives Act. Rather than being issued by immigration authorities or overseas consulates, the QTP is issued by the Belize Tourism Board. The program is available to anyone at least 45 years old, plus their spouses and minor children. Applicants must have at least $2,000 in monthly retirement income (or $24,000 annually) from a source outside of Belize. The program is open to citizens of the United States, the British Commonwealth, the European Union, all Central American countries, and 17 Asian-Pacific nations. Incentives and benefits (including tax exemptions) available through the QTP program can be found at https://www.belizetourismboard.org/programs-events/retirement-program/#1490201890385-f63f29b6-c71c

There are two types of QTP paths: retiree and investor. Applicants for a new QTP must provide:

Completed application form for each applicant and any dependent(s).
Marriage and birth certificates, as appropriate.
Passport pages.
Two passport-size photos.
Proof of income averaging at least $2,000 per month, plus copy of bank statement.
Written proof of your application for deposit account with a bank in Belize.
Police records.
Medical exam certificate.

Full requirements for new applicants, renewals, and investors can be found at https://www.belizetourismboard.org/programs-events/retirement-program/#1490202032346-1e76d79c-10c0

Application fees are $150 per applicant, paid in U.S. currency. Upon approval, final fees are $1,000 for the applicant, $750 for each dependent, and $200 for each QTP card. There is also a QTP card renewal fee of $25 per year.

Residents of the United States with questions about obtaining a retirement visa for Belize -- or who would like us to help them ensure they have accumulated the necessary documents and paperwork before they travel to Belize -- can schedule a telephone call through our website or email Michael at michael@visasupply.com.