You may have visited Belize, but have you ever thought of retiring in Belize?
For many people, retiring in Belize is the best decision they’ve ever made—the adventure of a lifetime. It is a lot more straightforward than you think to pick up sticks and settle in a country of superb natural beauty with friendly locals. The Belize Qualified Retired Persons Incentives Program (QRP), established in 2009, facilitates just that.
Belize Tourism Board controls and runs QRP. It encourages qualified persons to spend longer periods in the country without needing to renew tourist visas on a monthly basis.
If you are 45 years or older, and are a national of the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, British Commonwealth countries, and can show that you have a minimum annual income of USD$24,000, you are eligible to apply. Belizeans living abroad who are 45 and older, can also qualify if they are returning to live in Belize. Don’t miss out on the benefits of retiring in Belize.
Looking for a tax advantage? In Belize, however, there are exemptions on all taxes from foreign income. During the first year of residence, there is additional exemption from Import Duties and General Sales Tax on all imports of personal and household goods, motor vehicles, boats, and even a plane, should you be lucky enough to own one!
QRP’s are non-residents for banking purposes. This means they can establish US Dollar bank accounts with local and offshore banks in Belize.
Want to work while you’re on your retirement? One of the conditions of the QRP is that, no member of the program may have gainful employment within Belize. However, the only exemption is if the majority of any business activity takes place outside the jurisdiction of Belize and is exclusive with non-residents of Belize.
Members of the QRP are free to move across borders without having a visitor visa or stamp in their passports. On re-entry into Belize, the member shows his or her membership card to the immigration officer who will then annotate the entry stamp with the date of expiry of the card. The only restriction is that the member, and or his dependents, are required to spend a minimum of one complete month in Belize during the year of validity of the “card.” So, why wouldn’t you consider retiring in Belize?
The sweetest part of the deal is that you can live the life you’ve always wanted, with a fresh start and better view.
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