Belize Citizenship: Requirements And Benefits

Belize offers a range of visa and residency options, making it an attractive prospect for those looking to relocate. The country's strategic location, relatively low taxes, and welcoming environment make it a popular choice for investors, retirees, and digital nomads alike. Here, we will focus on the path to citizenship, which can be achieved through various means, each with its own unique requirements and benefits.

Citizenship by Investment

Belize does not have a formal citizenship by investment scheme, but foreign nationals can become citizens through the process of registration. Here is how you can become a Belize citizen by investing in the country:

Temporary Residence

To obtain temporary residence in Belize, you must invest a minimum of 500,000 Belize dollars (BZD) in the country. This investment must be supported by adequate proof of investment and valuation. With this investment, you will be granted temporary residence for one year.

Permanent Residence

After living in Belize for one year with temporary residence, you can apply for permanent residence. During this first year, you cannot leave the country for more than 14 days, and you must not be convicted of any criminal offence punishable by imprisonment of more than 12 months.

Citizenship

To become a Belize citizen, you must have been a permanent resident for at least five years. During these five years, you cannot have resided outside of Belize for periods exceeding 30 consecutive days or a total of three months in any twelve-month period. Extended travel for medical reasons or employment is acceptable.

After meeting the requirements for permanent residence and citizenship, you must submit the necessary documents, including a nationality application form, proof of permanent residence, a medical certificate, referees' identification, and more. The entire process, from obtaining temporary residence to acquiring citizenship, can take up to six years.

Citizenship by Descent

To become a Belize citizen by descent, you must meet one of the following criteria:

• You were born outside of Belize and one of your parents is a citizen of Belize.
• You were born outside of Belize before Independence Day (21 September 1981) and one of your grandparents is a citizen of Belize.
• You are a woman who married a Belizean man before Independence Day (21 September 1981).

The application process for citizenship by descent involves three steps:

• Gather the required documents, including your birth certificate and evidence that you qualify for Belizean citizenship by descent. Original documents and copies must be submitted.
• Submit your application at any Immigration Office in Belize or at any Belizean diplomatic or consular mission. Applications can be made in person or by an authorized party.
• Your application will be vetted by the Nationality Department in accordance with the Belizean Nationality Act. You will be contacted about the outcome of your application. If your application is successful, you will be informed of the completion of your certificate.

Please note that the process and requirements for citizenship by descent may be subject to change, and it is recommended to refer to the official website of the Belize Immigration Ministry for the most up-to-date and detailed information.

Citizenship for Permanent Residence Holders

To become eligible for citizenship in Belize, you must have been a holder of a permanent residence permit for a minimum of 5 years. During this time, you cannot have been outside of Belize for periods exceeding 30 consecutive days or a total of 3 months within any 12-month period.

If you have been outside of Belize for longer periods, you may still qualify for citizenship if you can prove that the purpose of your extended travel was due to employment in Belize or medical and health reasons.

Application Process

The application process for citizenship in Belize involves submitting the following documents to any immigration office in the country:

• Nationality Application Form
• Proof of Permanent Residence (Permanent Residence Card or stamp in passport)
• Medical Certificate, HIV and VDRL Tests
• Referee's Identification (two Belizeans who have known you for a minimum of 5 years)
• Declaration of Renunciation (only required for Indian Nationals)
• Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
• Birth Certificate (if applicable)
• Four passport-size photos
• All passports held since acquiring Permanent Residence status

Fees and Processing

The fee for citizenship by registration is $300. Once your application has been processed and approved, you will be invited to attend a swearing-in ceremony where you will receive your Belize Nationality Certificate.

Citizenship through Marriage

To become a Belize citizen through marriage, you must be married to a Belizean national for a minimum of one year. This applies whether your spouse was born in Belize or acquired citizenship before the time of your marriage.

Both Belize citizens and Legal Permanent Residents can file immigrant petitions for their foreign-born spouses. Spouses qualify for citizenship after residing in Belize for one year. The petitioner must prove that the marriage is bona fide, meaning it was not entered into solely for immigration benefits. Marriage fraud is a serious offence and can result in prison, fines, deportation, and a lifetime ban from obtaining legal status.

To apply for citizenship through marriage, you must submit the following documents:

• Citizenship Application Form
• Marriage Certificate
• Spouse's proof of Belizean citizenship (Belizean birth certificate, Belizean identification card, Belize Nationality Certificate, valid passport from the country of origin)
• Medical Certificate, HIV and VDRL Tests
• Referee's Identification (two Belizeans who have known your spouse for a minimum of one year)
• Declaration of Renunciation (only required for Indian Nationals)
• Letter of Financial Support (required for women who are dependent on their spouse)

It is important to note that all sections of the application form must be completed and original documents must be presented along with copies. Supporting documents must be in good condition and legible, and any documents in languages other than English must be translated by a proper authority and signed.

Citizenship Application Process

To become a Belize citizen, you must first obtain permanent residency status. This can be done through the Qualified Retirement Program (QRP) or the Temporary Investor's Residence Program.

Qualified Retirement Program (QRP)

This program is designed for individuals aged 45 or older who can prove a foreign source pension or annuity of at least USD 2,000 per month. Applicants must also sign an undertaking to transfer the income to a financial institution in Belize, usually by making a deposit of USD 24,000 in a local bank. The program includes the applicant's dependents and offers an exemption of customs duties for the first year on importing personal items, a vehicle, and an aircraft.

The steps to join this program are as follows:

• Pay a non-refundable application fee of BZ$150 (approximately USD 74) per application.
• Present the required documents, including:

• Notarized or certified copy of birth certificate for the applicant and each dependent.
• Notarized or certified copy of marriage certificate if married and your spouse is a dependent.
• Original police record or certificate no older than six months for the applicant and each dependent from their last place of residence.
• Proof of income: either a foreign bank statement or a financial statement from a Belizean financial institution certifying a minimum monthly income of USD 2,000 or its equivalent of USD 24,000 per year.
• Original medical certificate and HIV Test results no older than three months for the applicant and each dependent.
• Two 2" x 2" frontal passport photos for the applicant and each dependent.
• Notarized or certified copy of complete, valid passport, including all blank pages for the applicant and each dependent.

• Wait for the application to be processed by the Belize Tourism Board in collaboration with the Ministry of National Security and the Department of Immigration and Nationality.
• Once accepted into the program, pay a non-refundable sum of USD 1,000 to the Belize Tourism Board.
• Pay USD 200 for the QRP residence card and USD 25 for each renewal.

Temporary Investor's Residence Program

This program targets entrepreneurs with business investments in Belize valued at a minimum of BZ$500,000 (approximately USD 250,000). The investment can be in real estate or various business sectors such as tourism or agriculture. It allows the investor to live, work, and conduct business in Belize.

• Pay a basic legal fee of USD 1,535 plus 12.5% General Sales Tax (GST) and additional costs.
• Provide copies and originals of the required documentation:

• Valid passport from the foreign country of which the applicant is a citizen.
• Police record issued by the applicant's last country of residence, dated no more than six months from the application date.
• Letter to the Immigration Office Director explaining the reason for requesting temporary residence.
• Evidence of a primary place of residence in Belize, such as a rental/lease agreement and utility bill or property title and property tax statement.
• Details of investments in Belize valued at a minimum of BZ$500,000, including title of real estate ownership, business or personal bank statements, company registration certificate, social security registration, and tax returns.

• Wait for up to six months or more for the application process, which includes obtaining a security clearance.
• Upon approval, pay the temporary residence fee to receive the permit. This fee is due annually upon renewal and varies based on the applicant's nationality.

Once you have obtained permanent residency through either of these programs, you must maintain this status for at least five years before applying for Belize citizenship. During these five years, you cannot reside outside of Belize for periods exceeding 30 consecutive days or accumulating more than three months in any 12-month period.

To apply for citizenship, you will need to submit the required documents at any immigration office in Belize. The documents include:

• Application form
• Photographs
• Proof of permanent residence
• Passport
• Police record
• Medical certificate and medical tests
• Birth and marriage certificate
• Referee identification (two Belizeans as references)
• Declaration of Renunciation (only for Indian nationals)
• Additional documents for accompanying dependents

After submitting your documents, you will be scheduled for an interview at Immigration, which you must attend with any dependents and the two Belizean-born citizens listed as references on your application. Following the interview, your application will be vetted by the Nationality Department. Once the vetting is complete, you will be invited to return to the Immigration office to pay the citizenship fee of USD 150. At this time, you will be informed of the date and location of your swearing-in ceremony, where you will receive your Belize Nationality Certificate.

Frequently asked questions