Process for moving down

no one should do that qrp  thing  it is very intrusive    will have to much access to personal   information.   when i move i am leaving all banking   where it is now  and use bank card to pay bills get cash  etc  that way  i still control  my  money  not  some government

I guess it depends in part, on where you are shipping from. I would probably crate the items and ship by air, since it sounds like you have less than a 1/2 container.
You could possibly also share a container, or 1/2 container, with someone else who is shipping to Belize over water.
My particular circumstances, I will ship a 1/2 container out of Mobile, AL, but I will be bringing linens, kitchen items, tools, mattress, etc. The 1/2 container will also serve as a storage shed in the future.

karenjoe...from whom are you getting a container???????   i have been trying to get one myself     but the only one i found  costs over 4k$$  and i have to bring my stuff to  the port  in  the everglades??????????   i live in western  oklahoma  if  i had so much room that i could take it to the port  i  would  not need  container........plus  i have two  large dogs and three cats   to add to the problems

You can get a water-tight 1/2 container (20 ft x10x10) for about $2,000. You can get one that is not guaranteed water-tight for less than $1,000, depending on where you live.  Shipping to a port depends on your distance from the port. In my case, less than 20 miles, as I am currently living in Mobile.

I'm new to this. What is a QRP? We are considering moving from Michigan with our dog to Belize. We would drive through Mexico. How hard will it be driving with a dog through Mexico?

QRP is a retirement program in Belize that is good for some, but not for everyone. You can Google it for details. Administered by the Belize tourism board. I can't help you about the other, but some on the forum have done it, and there are recent posts regarding that. You can use the search function to find them.

lisa strong wrote:

I'm new to this. What is a QRP? We are considering moving from Michigan with our dog to Belize. We would drive through Mexico. How hard will it be driving with a dog through Mexico?

- QRP is the Qualified Retirement Program. You can read about the requirements, restrictions and benefits on the Belize Tourism Board webpage.
- It’s not hard to drive through Mexico with a dog. Be prepared with all the required paperwork for your animal, yourself and your vehicle, for both Mexico and Belize. Take your time. Book hotels ahead of time and try not to drive late at night.

Small world, we are also planning on moving down from MI with our fur baby.  We are north of Detroit.  Won’t miss the winters up here.

I'm also north of Detroit. Harrison to be exact. Getting divorced Monday and I would really love to relocate to Belize. But I don't even know where to begin. Any helpful ideas?

I always follow Karenjoe with interest, but must correct the shipping container information. standard containers are 8ft x 8ft, both 20ft and 40ft.oversize9ft 6inches high are also available.but a word of warning, most shippers require containers to be "in date". the registration plate has an expiry date.    containers can be bought with aprox.two years left on the plate... if it is coming by truck the plate is not relevant.

That is generally true regarding size, but there are containers available near me with various measurements, from 12' long to 40' long and widths of 8' to 10' and heights of 8' to 10'. Shippers may not be able to accommodate various different sizes of containers because of space or specific size requirements, but they are available. I can get a water-tight container, 20' x 8'6" x 10' for ~$2,000. You can PM me if you want the website information.

If you have not been to Belize, visit first. Spend time in different areas in order to know what area you might be interested in.
Although Belize is small, the terrain is very varied, and different districts have different topography as well as different amenities. The cayes are different from each other, and the mainland districts are different from each other as well. There is a lot of information on this site, and you can use the search function to look for specific topics that have been addressed.
You would have to be able to support yourself for a year 'in country', or utilize the QRP program if you are serious about relocating.
Hope you find what you are looking for.

We are in Waterford, putting our house on the market mid July.  If all goes well we will be doing a 3 month visit to see the different areas we are interested in living.  So much information out there it’s a bit overwhelming.  We want to do some hands on research 😎.

Hello

Are you talking about 2,000 blz or us

also can you share the site 

Thank you i have been up in arms about the QRP 

  Hi


I also need this info ...at the bottom of the page theres someone talking about shipping 

Hello

     Im doing the same i would love to reach out to you i've spoken to folks in belize ..and done a lot of re-seach ...my email is mschintrini2@gmail.com .....lets help each other ....

hello Tiffany,
  as advised elsewhere a touring holiday is essential before making your move...it is difficult to offer advice without more knowledge of your interests and experience.. I have twelve years experience of Hopkins and the Stann creek area,  and have a good circle of Belizean and Expat friends who can offer support to newcomers.  there is a private messaging service if you are hesitant about using the public forum.

Im newly divorced, so I just Wanna pk a bag Are move down there with just me and my cat I wanna live close to the Mexican border so I can have over for the health care and be able to go to the big box stores like Walmart and target Kind of just like looking to just start life over again

hello

i wrote to you  last week telling you i'm looking on doing the same thing next to mexico my email is *** lets talk i'm a single women also now

Hello, we are moving to Corozal for the same reason. We are driving down in September! Hopefully it works out...all the shipping, banking ,home construction, etc.

If anyone who is wanting to move to the Corozal area and is in need, to either buy, or rent property, I may have a number of options available, both to purchase, or Lease Long-Term only - ie 6 month  Drop me a line or 2,,, be patient with me as this platform does not inform me when I have messages,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Hi KarenJoe
My hubby and I are moving down in November. We have rented a condo so we have lots of time to looking around before we buy.
Many expats have mentioned not to do the Retirement program. I understand that if you do that program you need to be in Belize for 2 years before being able to apply for permanent status, as your 1 st year does not count. Am I understanding that correctly?
Also, if we choose to use a international shipper without the retirement program, would you have any knowledge about approximately the duty would be?  I did read up on that, but it is so confusing. Some things are 5% to 45% on your goods. I guess I’m trying to figure out are we better to pay the duty on a 20x20 container or better to do the retirement program.
I would really appreciate your thought on that
Thanks Terry

what kind of goods are you bringing

"first year doesn't count"  Uhmmm, where did you get that info?
NO years while on QRP counts. Not the first, second, or tenth. As long as you are on QRP, no time on Belize soil counts as the 12-months requirement for THEN be able to apply for residency.
You will have to renounce QRP (itself a process), then pay the duties on your stuff (although depreciated by how many years you were on QRP), unless you ship your stuff back. I also heard that they frown upon QRP'ers that resign before a couple of years, but I have no proof of that.
YMMV

For duties, it's a lot better to talk to a Custom Broker about. Rates are many and very confusing, plus they got ins to get you off cheaper...

Hi Textitilian
The one year thing was something that I was told.
Here’s our plan
Coming down to buy a house… leaving Canada permanently & will be staying in Belize.. Corozal area
No plans on returning to Canada except maybe for a 2 week visit.
No plans to work in Corozal at all as we are both retired

I was told in order to apply to be a resident & are on the retirement program then the 1st 12 months do not count as your 12 months. I understood that in order to become a resident, you must be in Belize for a consecutive 50 weeks. Then you can apply   
Am I to understand that if you choose to do the retirement program you are not allowed to apply for residency? No matter how long you have been there
Also, a fee of $100 each for every 30 days is also needed
Does that apply if you choose the retirement program?
Thanks Terry

Household things some furniture & personal belongings

Tropical greetings terrysnewglc,

From reading the treads there appears to me the existence of a misconception of the provisions of the QRP program and obtaining residency in Belize. For the interest of the forum, I will attempt to make the distinction between the two as it relates to qualifying time requirement of each, clear as I possible can. First the QRP - The qualifying time requirement for the QRP in a MINIMUM of 30  consecutive days in Belize per annum. The QRP, in and of itself does not qualify you for the RESIDENCY status, but entitles you to a residency card which allows for multiple entry into the country without the need for a visa. As a citizen of Canada, and USA as well as several other countries you qualify for multiple entries into Belize without the need for a visa anyway and therefore in this respect, the QRP provides no additional benefit.

On the other hand, the qualifying time requirement for PERMANENT residency (as there is provision for temporary residency) is LEGALLY residing in Belize for a minimum of 1 year and that during this year, you have not left the country for more than 14 days in total. 

To summarize, the qualifying time requirement for QRP is 30 consecutive days in Belize per annum, while the qualifying time requirement for permanent residency is a minimum of 1 year in Belize with not more than 14 days spent outside of Belize during that 1 year period. QRP status alone does not qualify you for residency for reason that only 30 consecutive days in country is required for QRP status. Therefore, if you obtain QRP status and you wish to qualify for permanent residency you MUST also satisfy the qualifying time requirement of a minimum of legally RESIDING in Belize for a minimum of 1 year and during that year have not left the country for more than 14 days in total.

I avail myself for any questions that may arise.

Kindest regards,

ray4s1

Hey Ray
Thanks. Yes I am clear on that explanation. We do plan on living there permanently, so we would be looking for the permanent resident. The 50 weeks consecutive wouldn’t be a problem.
What I am wondering about is the $100 visa renewal fee each month. I know that is required for the 12 months, but after applying for permanent residency, do you still have to pay that while you are waiting to be accepted?

I really wish that when your answering someone, you could see & read that original text.. ugg

Thanks Terry

Hi Terry,

The short answer is yes. Yes you will still need to pay the $100 up until your permanent residency status has been granted. The $100 charge is the VISITORS visa renewal fee. During the time you are awaiting your permanent residency status, your legal status will be the basis of a visitors visa which expires every 30 days, and hence the need for renewal in order to continue residing in Belize legally until your status change from visitor to residency.

Please do not hesitate to get back with any questions you may have.

Kindest regards,

Ray

Thanks Ray!!!!
Kind of thought that. After all the info we are leaning to NOT doing the retirement program and just doing the residency & paying the duty on our personal things that we ship over.
Probably will have more questions at some point… lol
Thanks again so much!!
Terry

Good morning Terry,

In my view the QRP is only worth it if you are planning to import luxury items such as an expensive car, boat, or aircraft. There is a nonrefundable application fee of $150. When approved there is a further fees of $1,000 for the main applicant and $750 each per dependent and on top of that you still need to pay the visitor visa renewal fee if you intend to spend the 1 year in country to qualify for permanent residency.

I avail myself for any questions that may arise.

Kindest regards,

Raymond

Hi Raymond, I agree with you on the QRP.
I have a question on something I saw on the government web site. https://immigration.gov.bz/

It is called a multiple entry visa. Good for one year, and cost $400usd/yr. But no one seems to know about it.

I had been coming down for vacations of a week or two since 2008. In 2015 I retired and in 2016 bought a small house in Placencia Village. Up until covid hit, My wife and I had been coming down to our place 3-4 times a year for 6-7 months total a year.

We never did the one year residence thing, because of the 14 day max one can be out of country during that first year. I need to have a minor medical treatment every couple of months in the states.

Now that the visa extension has gone up to $200usd/month for the both of us, that puts a new face on our expenses.  The Website also mentions "Visitor’s Permit Extension" not sure of the difference.

Do you know where its available? and what paperwork do I need? We will be coming back down in April, so I want to make sure I have whatever documentation they are looking for on that multiple entry visa.

We have always taken the Hokey Pokey (ferry) over to Big Creek immigration office to renew. But that office is hit or miss on information and procedures. it was just 2 years ago that that office world even admit we could get more than one month extension at a time....but only if the right officer was in that day....

I  see also that as we own a house in Belize, we do not need the new health insurance. But it would not be the first time a government website said one thing and the government employees were enforcing things differently. 

Thanks for any info you can offer on those subjects.

Hello.
Yes I would also like that information. Paying $200 for my husband &I will get costly. The multiple one sounds much better.
Any info you have Ray would be greatly appreciated.
At least we still have a bit of time to find some answers on that as we won’t be arriving until November
Thanks again, Terry

Hi Ray
Hey, I just read that you are also a real estate agent.. that’s awesome as Dean & I will be looking for some help in finding a home.
We are thinking the Corozal area… Consejo Shores is what the plan is for now… lol.
Are you in that area & can help or would you have a recommendation for someone there?
Thanks Terry

Greetings Aerodex,

I fully understand your concern and I believe that the main source of your concern derives from the fact that we have been using the terms 'Visitor Visa and Visitor Permits' interchangeably, when in fact they have two separate and distinct meaning for the purposes of Belize immigration. In the interest of clarity, lets start with the Visitors Visa.

The Visitors Visa is what provides you to enter the country. If you are a citizen of Canada or the USA or several other countries that are visa exempt, or citizens of non exempt countries who are holders of a valid multiple entry or permanent residency card issued by  the USA, or holder of a valid multiple entry Schengen visa or a valid multiple entry visa or Permanent Residence Card issued by Canada, then the Belize Visitors Visa and the associated fees are not applicable to you (regardless if it is the single entry or multiple entry).

The Visitors Permit is what is issued on arrival by the immigration officer. The Visitor Permit is ordinarily granted for up to 30 days, however I have heard instances of Permits for up to 2 and 3 months. The 2 or 3 months are ordinarily granted to those who are not visiting Belize for the first time, and particularly to folks such as yourselves who already owns real estate in Belize. Therefore, the Visitors Permit Extension you mentioned is what makes provision for folks to remain legally in Belize after the expiration of the initial Visitors Permit, being either 30, 60, or 90 days. The immigration officer is empowered with the discretion to grant either the 30, 60, or 90 days permit. Providing evidence that you are the owner of a house in Belize would certainly aid the immigration officers' decision making process in determining which of the 3 options to grant to you.

Please note that the prices listed on the immigration website are in Belize currency and therefore the $200 is actually US $100. This fee has been in place since 2020 and therefore there is no new increase.

To summarize, the Visitors Visa merely provide you with entry, while it is the Visitors Permit which permits the length of the stay. I hope this explanation brings some clarity.

I avail myself for any questions that may arise.


With kindest regards,

Raymond

Good day Terry,

Yes I am a real estate broker with operation throughout the country of Belize. I can certainly be of assistance in that area by initially providing some options for your consideration based on guidance you provide such as size or property (number of bedrooms/bathrooms), price range you have in contemplation, and any other factor you consider would be important in your Belize home. Once you have made a short list of properties of interest, I will be able to schedule a viewing appointment, even if the listing is with another broker/agent. In order to avoid the risk of violating any of the forum's advertising policies, for matters pertaining to real estate,  please feel free to contact me at raymond@shepherdbelizerealty.com or visit us at www.shepherdbelizerealty.com

With best regards,

Raymond

Hi Ray
Thanks for that info. We will definitely be contacting you when we arrive.
Your previous message to Andeox(?) again can’t go back and look.. anyhow talks about visas
What would you suggest for us… obviously we plan on staying when we come in November with no plans to return to Canada. Really don’t want to pay the fee for 30 days of $100 for each of us.
I did look at the schengen visa. Kind of confusing. Not sure if that would pertain to us, especially when we plan on buying a home & eventually becoming a permanent resident of Belize.
What would you suggest?
Thanks Terry