Belize · Retirement visa
Belize retirement visa for US citizens
Short answer
The main route is the Qualified Retired Persons program (QRP) (QRP Incentive Program). Retirees aged 40 or older with a pension or annuity, from the US or other listed countries.
- Money needed: $2,000 a month (or $24,000 a year) deposited into a bank in Belize
- How long it lasts: 1 year, renewed every year for $25
- Leads to: No path to permanent residence; credit toward citizenship is Not established yet
Key facts
- Money needed
- $2,000 a month (or $24,000 a year) deposited into a bank in Belize
- How long it lasts
- 1 year, renewed every year for $25
- Leads to
- No path to permanent residence; credit toward citizenship is Not established yet
- Apply from
- Through the Belize Tourism Board; whether from abroad or after arriving isn't stated
- Processing time
- No official time is published; real waits Not yet verified
Checked against the law Deposit, fees, stay rule and tax break, from the program's law and regulations.
Still being checked The 2023 and 2024 amendments, which may change the age, fees, documents and qualifying income.
What you need
- Pension letter: from your pension or annuity provider; what income qualifies is Still being checked
- Proof of payments: cheques, deposits or bank statements
- Police record: from your home country, issued within 6 months
- Certified copies: birth certificate, passport page and marriage certificate, notarized or apostilled
- Security clearance by the national security ministry
- Fees: $150 to apply, then $1,200 for you and $950 per dependant. Other costs Not yet verified
Good to know
- No local work: no job or business in Belize; remote work for a US employer is Not established yet
- Spend 30 days in a row in Belize each year to keep the status.
- Tax-free foreign income, plus duty-free import of household goods and a vehicle in the first year.
Every Belize residency route, compared → The full Belize guide →
Questions people ask
How much income do I need for Belize's retirement visa?
$2,000 a month (or $24,000 a year) deposited into a bank in Belize
How long does it last?
1 year, renewed every year for $25
Does it lead to permanent residence or citizenship?
No path to permanent residence; credit toward citizenship is (Not established yet)
Where do I apply?
Through the Belize Tourism Board; whether from abroad or after arriving isn't stated
How long does processing take?
No official time is published; real waits (Not yet verified)