THE CONSULATE OF BELIZE IN FLORIDA
Retire in Belize
Stop working & start living
Around the world, many dream about retiring on an island with unlimited sun-drenched beaches, limitless recreational activities, tranquility, and most importantly, an affordable cost of living. Belize posses all this and more! The Belize Retired Persons (Incentive) Program has many advantages for those thinking of retiring or moving to Belize at the age of 45 and over.
From the stable economy, low taxes and the affordable real estate to the sense of community, English language and close proximity to nearby countries, Belize is the perfect place to retire!
To learn more about retiring in Belize, please visit Belize Tourism Board and the Qualified Retirement Program.
Return to Belize - Belizean Diaspora
Welcome home!
Many Belizeans abroad look forward to the day when they are able to return home, either to retire, invest, or share what they have received in their host countries. The Government welcomes returning Belizeans and their families, and has worked to facilitate your re-entry both through policy-making and providing necessary information for this process.
The Government has refined the procedures involved in the process of repatriation so as to make it easier for Belizeans abroad to return home. Thus the purpose of the Qualification Retirement Persons Act was passed with this intention in mind. Its provisions and benefits include:
1. Anyone 45 years or older (and his dependents which includes spouses and children under the
age of 18 or 23 if enrolled in a university)
2. Must demonstrate a consistent inflow of monthly income of no less than US$2,000.
3. Applicable to Dual Citizenship Holders (e.g. U.S./Belizean)
4. Successfully completed background check.
5. Considers Belize their new home land.
6. May import his/her personal effects and an approved means of transportation, free of all
import and duties and taxes.
7. Will be exempted from the payment of all taxes and duties on all income and receipts which
accrue to him/her from a source outside of Belize whether that income is generated from
worked performed or from an investment.
*Exemption from taxes is also provided under the Fiscal Incentives Act
This legislation tries to anticipate matters a returning resident might encounter, matters which require briefing on. The information provided here ought to provide answers to most of your questions, but please do not hesitate to contact the consulate for any further questions.
Efforts are being made to simplify the bureaucratic processes involved in repatriation, however be informed that penalties for the abuse of relevant laws and regulations remain in effect.
Belizean Diaspora
The Belizean Diaspora Program is a work in progress. This program was approved by the Government of Belize in September 2009 and is being Established and Administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade – Diaspora Focal Point and the Diaspora Advisory Council of Belize.
The Major Focus of this program effective August 2010 is the Registration of Belizeans Abroad. A registration drive was also launched in August 2010 to add members to the Belizean Diaspora Medical Brigade and the Belizean Diaspora Law Enforcement and Defense Brigade.
For more information about the Belizean Diaspora, please visit www.diasporaofbelize.org
