Belize QRP visa requirements
Belize's retirement visa, the Qualified Retirement Program (QRP), is open from age 40 to anyone with $2,000 a month of retirement income from abroad, deposited in a Belize bank.
What the law asks for, what the government charges, and how the application runs. Checked against Belize's official sources on Oct 7, 2026.
- Minimum income
- $2,000/mo A retirement income from outside Belize, such as a pension, annuity, Social Security, investments or savings, in US dollars, pounds sterling, euros or Canadian dollars, deposited in a bank in Belize ($24,000 a year). Belize Tourism Board; QRP brochure; QRP application form. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
- Residency
- Resident card, renewed yearly Belize Tourism Board; QRP brochure; QRP application form. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
- Government fees
- $1,150 Application fee and Program fee. Belize Tourism Board. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
- Per dependent
- $750 Program fee, each dependent. Belize Tourism Board. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
- Lawyer
- Not required QRP application form. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
- Minimum age
- 40 Belize Tourism Board; QRP brochure; QRP application form. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
Who qualifies for the QRP visa
The Belize Tourism Board's Qualified Retirement Program is open from age 40 to anyone with a retirement income from outside Belize of $2,000 a month, deposited in a Belize bank. It gives a QRP resident card renewed every year, duty-free import of household effects and a vehicle, and no tax on income from abroad.
You need $2,000 a month: a retirement income from outside Belize, such as a pension, annuity, Social Security, investments or savings, in US dollars, pounds sterling, euros or Canadian dollars, deposited in a bank in Belize ($24,000 a year).
A QRP may not work for pay or hold an investment that earns income in Belize. The QRP Investor option allows a business with at least BZ$1 million (US$500,000) of capital that employs at least 5 Belizeans, after 90 days in Belize.
Household and personal effects, a vehicle no more than 5 years old, a boat and a light aircraft can be imported free of duty and tax in the first year. BTB must approve the shipping list three weeks before import.
The QRP card is not a travel document: use it with your passport at the border, where the passport is stamped.
QRP status is not permanent residence. Permanent residence is a separate application to the Immigration Department after a year living in Belize.
Tell BTB before leaving Belize for good, so that goods imported duty-free under the program can be disposed of.
QRP visa documents
This visa
- QRP application form, completed, signed and dated, for you and each dependent
- Proof that you receive a retirement income of at least $2,000 a month or $24,000 a year in an approved currency
- Bank statement from abroad showing that income being paid in
- Signed undertaking to deposit the income in a bank or credit union in Belize (BTB provides the draft)
QRP application form; QRP undertaking letter. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
Every residence permit
- Notarized or certified copy of the whole passport, including blank pages, valid at least 6 more months
- Notarized or certified birth certificate, and marriage certificate if a spouse applies
- Original police record from your last place of residence, no older than 6 months, for you and each dependent
- Medical examination report including an HIV test, no older than 3 months, for you and each dependent
- Two 2x2 inch passport photos of the same image, one notarized or certified
QRP application form; Belize Tourism Board. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
BTB asks for notarized or certified copies of the passport, birth and marriage certificates, and one photo; the police record and medical report are originals. Ask your lawyer whether a document must also be translated.
QRP visa fees
| Application fee, non-refundable | $150 |
| Program fee, principal applicant, paid on approval | $1,000 |
| Program fee, each dependent | $750 |
| QRP ID card | $200 |
| QRP card renewal | $25 |
Belize Tourism Board. Checked Oct 7, 2026. Lawyer and agency fees are not set by law; ask for a fixed written quote.
How the application runs
- Gather documents at homePolice record, birth and marriage certificates, a medical report with an HIV test, and proof of your retirement income, as originals or notarized copies.
- Apply to the Belize Tourism BoardSend the form and documents to BTB at 64 Regent Street, Belize City, with the $150 application fee. You pass a security check by the Ministry of National Security.
- Pay on approvalBTB contacts you for the $1,000 program fee ($750 per dependent) and $200 per card, and approves your list of household effects to import duty-free.
- Deposit the income in BelizeOpen a local account and deposit $2,000 by the 15th of each month, or $24,000 by April 1 each year.
- Renew every yearRenew by December 31 with a statement from your Belize bank and the $25 card fee, and spend at least 30 days in a row in Belize each year.
Spouses and children
Your spouse and children under 18 join as dependents, each with their own form, police record, medical report and photos, a $750 program fee and a $200 card. Dependents receive the same QRP resident card.
Belize Tourism Board; QRP brochure. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
Other ways to live in Belize
Permanent residence (Immigration Department)
After living legally in Belize for a year, without leaving for more than 14 days in total, you can apply to the Immigration Department for permanent residence by showing you are financially stable. The fee depends on nationality: BZ$4,000 for US citizens, BZ$3,000 for Commonwealth citizens such as British, Canadian and Australian, BZ$6,000 for other Europeans; half for minors.
Immigration Department. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
QRP visa questions
What are the requirements for the Belize retirement visa?
For the Qualified Retirement Program: age 40 or over, a retirement income from outside Belize of at least $2,000 a month deposited in a Belize bank, a security check, and at least 30 days in a row in Belize each year. Fees are $150 to apply, $1,000 on approval and $200 for the card.
How much money do I need to retire in Belize?
The QRP asks for $2,000 a month, or $24,000 a year, of retirement income from abroad, at any age from 40. Social Security, a pension, an annuity, investments and savings all count.
Can Canadians and Britons use the QRP?
Yes. All Commonwealth countries qualify, as do the United States, the EU, South America and listed Asia-Pacific countries, and income in Canadian dollars, pounds sterling, euros or US dollars is accepted.
Is the QRP permanent residence?
No. It gives a resident card renewed every year. Permanent residence is a separate application to the Immigration Department after a year in Belize with no more than 14 days away.
