The Qualified Retirement Program

Incentives and Benefits

Any person who has been accepted into the QRP Program is entitled to the following under the Belize Retired Persons Incentives Act

• Belize Residency Status – QRP’s and their dependents shall receive a QRP Resident Card to reside in Belize allowing multiple entries into the country without a Visa. *Resident card to be renewed annually *Link to renewal process
• Duty Exemptions – QRP’s shall be entitled to import duty and tax exemption on the following, for personal use only, within the first year of acceptance into the program
  • Household & Personal Effects multiple entries allowed with no limit on the dollar value of effects
  • Motor Vehicle [Model must be within the last 5 years] – QRP’s are allowed to purchase a new vehicle every three [3] years with proper disposal of the previous vehicle
  • Light Aircraft [Model must be less than 17,000 kg]
  • Motor Boat
• Tax Exemptions – QRP’s shall be exempted from all taxes and duties on income received from a source outside of Belize, capital gains tax and inheritance tax
• Ease of purchasing land – QRP’s are entitled to purchasing land for the construction of a home or purchasing a home for residential use only

Application Requirements [NEW]

• Application Form [Completed, signed and dated for applicant and each dependent] *include application forms
• Birth Certificate [Notarized or certified copy for applicant and each dependent]
• Marriage Certificate [Notarized or certified copy]
• Police Record [Original police record or certificate no older than 6 months from last place of residency for applicant and each dependent]
• Passport Pages [Notarized or certified copy of complete valid passport including all blank pages for applicant and each dependent]
• Proof of Income [Certificate of document showing applicant as the recipient of retirement income amounting to a minimum of $2K monthly or $24K annually in an approved foreign currency] 
• Bank Statement certifying Retirement Income [original or certified copy of international financial statements from financial institute exhibiting the deposit of the sum stated above]
• Written Undertaking of Deposit to Financial Institution in Belize [Undertaking letter signed by applicant stating the deposit of the requisite funds into a local domestic financial institution] *include draft copy provided by BTB
• Medical Certificate [Original certificate or lab report of complete physical medical examination inclusive of HIV Test results no older than 3 months required for applicant and each dependent]
• Two (2) 2”x2” Frontal Passport Photos [1 recent notarized/certified passport photograph and 1 unnotarized/uncertified passport photograph of the same image for applicant and each dependent]

Application Requirements [QRP INVESTOR]

A Qualified Retired Person who desires to carry on business in Belize shall apply in writing to the Belize Tourism Board for approval accompanied by the following

• Business Plan [including employment of 5 Belizean Citizens]
• Proof of Investment Capital [minimum of one million Belize dollars]
• Proof of Residency [passport pages showing applicant has resided in Belize for at least 90 non-consecutive days]

A Qualified Retired Person granted approval to carry on business in Belize shall

• Employ Belizean Citizens [minimum of 5]
• Submit proof of employment of Belizeans to the BTB [within 12 months of approval]
• Submit proof of business operation [within 18 months of approval]
• Pay full duties and taxes on any business carried on in Belize

Application Requirements [RENEW]

• Application Form [Completed, signed and dated for applicant and each dependent]

*include link to application forms

• Passport Pages [Notarized or certified copy of complete valid passport including all blank pages for applicant and each dependent]
• Bank Statement [Original or certified copy of annual statement from local dometic licensed financial institution]
• Two (2) 2”x2” Frontal Passport Photos [1 recent notarized/certified passport photograph and 1 unnotarized/uncertified passport photograph of the same image for applicant and each dependent]

Application Fees [NEW]

• Application Program Fee — US$150 [per application]
• Final Program Fees
  • Applicant Fee — US$1000
  • Dependent Fee — US$750
  • QRP ID Card Fee — US$200 [per card]
• QRP ID Card Renewal Fee — US$25  [annually]

*All application fees must be made in US Currency and are non-refundable

Dear Qualified Retirement Program (QRP) Member:

In an effort to keep you, our QRP member informed of the benefits and use of the new QRP machine readable cards, please be advised of the following information we received from the Immigration Department, which becomes effective immediately.

1. The QRP Card carries the information of your Biometric Passport Page.
2. The QRP Card is to be scanned at least once by the Immigration Department, in order to link your membership record to the card and the Immigration Departments’ System.
3. The QRP Card can be used as a form of Identification/Immigration Status, if requested while moving within Belize.
4. The QRP card cannot be used alone in crossing border points, but instead, is to be used in conjunction with your National Passport.
5. Your Passport will be stamped when travelling in and out, across border points.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding, as we work with the Immigration department in streamlining the process.

• QRP’s shall be entitled to carry on business in Belize with the approval of the BTB, if the person meets the following criteria:
  • Detailed Business Plan – A formal written document outlining the gaols of the business, methods for attaining goals and the timeframe for achievement of goals.    The business plan MUST include but is not limited to – The Executive Summary/Company Description, Marketing Plan, Financial Plan and Business Plan
  • Proof of Investment Capital of at least one million BZD/$500,000USD – Original or certified copies of international bank statements, investment account statements and official letter[s] from a financial institution confirming the availability of funds MUST be provided
  • Proof of having resided in Belize for a minimum of 90 non-consecutive days
  • The Business must employ at least five Belizean citizens.
• A QRP granted approval to carry on business in Belize shall be eligible for
  • Permanent residency after designation as a QRP for five [5] years
  • For the grant of any other license or permit necessary for carrying on business in Belize
  • To practice philanthropy in Belize [this is not applicable to a dependent member]

Household + Personal Effects

• A master shipping list of household and personal effects must be presented to the BTB three weeks prior to the importation of said effects for approval and preparation of the official Duty Exemption Letter *include sample master list
• Multiple entries are permitted only within the first year from official entry into the Program
• Household and personal effects are as determined by the Belize Customs & Excise Department

Motor Vehicle

• A Certificate of Registration, Title or Bill of Sale must be presented to the BTB three weeks prior to importation for approval and preparation of the official Duty Exemption Letter
• Vehicle model can be no older than five years in order to qualify for duty and tax exemption
• Every four (4) years thereafter, upon proof of proper disposal of the means of transportation previously imported, to import a new approved means of transportation for personal use

A QRP properly disposes of an approved means of transportation if:

• (a) he exports the approved means of transportation from Belize
• (b) sells, gives, leases or otherwise disposes of the approved means of transportation to another person within Belize and proves that all the import duties and taxes have been duly paid
• (c) proves that the approved means of transportation has been lost or otherwise rendered unserviceable through theft, fire or accident.

Vessel + Light Aircraft

• Certificate of Registration, Title or Bill of Sale must be presented to the BTB three weeks prior to importation for approval and preparation of the official Duty Exemption Letter