Retirement in Belize
Regulations:
All privileges, exemptions and regulations here in included are governed by the Retired Persons Incentives Amendment Act 2001 and the Act will serve as the basis for all purposes of interpretation.
1. Personal Household Effects: Qualified Retired Persons have one year from the date that they officially enter the program to import their personal and household effects free of duties and taxes as determined by the Customs Department. Numerous entries are permitted with the one year period; however, your detailed master list of household and personal effects must be submitted to the Belize Tourism Board upon approval into the Program after the year has elapsed, you will be subject to all duties and taxes under the Customs Department.
2. Transportation: Motor Vehicle- qualified Retired Persons are strongly encouraged to procure a vehicle in Belize. However, we will facilitate duty and tax exemption on an imported vehicle. Light Aircraft - You are entitled to import a light aircraft less than 17,000 kg. A valid Private Pilot license to fly in Belize is required. This license can be obtained by passing the requirements set by the Civil Aviation Board. However, if the participant has a valid pilot's license, that license only has to be validated by Civil Aviation Department in Belize. Boat - Any vessel that is used for personal purposes and for pleasure will be accepted under this program.
3. Disposal of Duty Free Items: If for whatever reason a qualified retired person decides to see, give away, lease or otherwise dispose of the approved means of transportation or personal effects to any person or entity within Belize, all duties and taxes must be paid by the qualified retiree to the proper authorities.
4. Offenses & Penalties: Any person who knowingly makes any false declaration or entry in order to qualify for or renew any exemption or privilege granted under the Retired Persons Incentives Amendment Act 2001 commits an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars.
5. Fee Structure: a non refundable application fee in the sum of $150.00 US payable to the Belize Tourism Board must be submitted with the application. A program fee in the sum of $1,000.00 US must be submitted upon acceptance into the program. Upon acceptance into the Program a fee of $200.00 US must be paid to the Belize Tourism Board the issuance of the Qualified Retired Person Residency Card. Each dependent is required to pay a Program Fee of $750.00 US to enter the program.
Qualifying Process
Anyone forty-five years and older 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.
To be designated a Qualified Retired Person under the program applicants must receive a monthly income of not less than $2,000.00 US through a pension or annuity that has been generated outside of Belize. All applicants are subject to a background check to be carried out by the Ministry of National Security.
