QRD & shipping personal items

CharMace;
The QRP program is administered by the Belize Tourist Board (BTB) rather than by the Immigration Dept. as is the case with Permanent Residency.

The QRP Program can be applied for prior to moving to Belize. I have not gone that route so I cannot speak to the difficulty of the process, or the time it takes to be approved. Here is a link to the BTB page regarding this program. https://btb.travelbelize.org/media/download/1667

I would recommend making contact directly with them for the most up to date information with regards to requirements, fees, and proceedures.

Good luck, I hope this helps.

Thank you.  That does help.  Being able to get approved prior to moving there will help with timing the arrival of our personal effects.

Makes much more sense to deal with the government agency why would you go to a forum online

I have been to the tourist board's website.  I have read the packet they put out.  I have also sent an email to them with my questions - but have not heard back yet.  In the meantime, I went on this forum to seek general knowledge of the process or experiences of those who have actually done it to get opinions and comments.   

Our retirement is several years away, and by then the rules, fees, etc. could definitely change, so I'm not looking for rock solid advice.  I'm just trying to get a general idea so we can start weighing the pros and cons of each choice we have on how to get there, and how to stay there.  I know to get my final answers from officials.

With that in mind...my next question is:  If you don't do the QRD program, but still want to buy property and stay long term, what other choice do you have?  I know about the visitor route - get your passport stamped each month, and pay the monthly fees, but I can't find anywhere what happens after the first year?  Is there another way to stay long-term that I'm just not finding?

With that in mind...my next question is:  If you don't do the QRD program, but still want to buy property and stay long term, what other choice do you have?  I know about the visitor route - get your passport stamped each month, and pay the monthly fees, but I can't find anywhere what happens after the first year?  Is there another way to stay long-term that I'm just not finding?

CharMace;

Here is a link to an article that will explain your options to legally stay in Belize permanently. I hope it helps. http://bit.ly/23EIeDp

In short your options are the Qualified Retirees Program(QRP) which you know about and is a quicker process that offers some benifits with regards to import of personal items, but also has restrictions that should be considered.

The next option is Permanent Residency (PR). This is a longer process that is administered through the Dept. of Immigration and you will find less actual documentation on this option. You must live in Belize without leaving for more than a total of 14 days during that year. At that time you may apply for PR. The process to be approved generally is between one and two years. During that time you must continue to renew your visitor visa until you are approved.

Perpetual Tourist is the process of renewing your visitor visa indefinitly and it is the route that many part time expats (annual visitors) utilize. This is not usually an option for people that make a permanent move. Immigration at some point will insist that some form of residency is applied for.

The options each have their own set of pros and cons that should be considered depending on what your goals are with respect to working, owning a business etc.

Land can be purchased at anytime without any residency status. I am told by Immigration officials that purchasing land helps with the PR process. Personnaly I question the wisdom of purchasing land without living here for a while or before the residency process is approved, might be just me though.

The above post is correct buying land without having a certainty of what you're buying is a mistake there is no title insurance in Belize there is fraud and there is Maya communal land so best to live rent there for a while and ask a lot of people about what land is legal to buy and what isn't

Thank you!