to get permanent residency takes 12 months as a tourist, extending the monthly tourist visa at the immigration department each month. The first 6 months it will cost $50 bz, after that it will be $100bz every month. After 12 months, you can apply for residency at the moment this is taking at least one year and some people still waiting after 3 or 4 years. during the first 12 months you are not allowed to leave the country for more than 14 days. That is a cumulative figure. after your application is in there is more leeway as long as you continue to PAY your monthly extention amount. I.E. if you go away on vacation for a week when you return they will automatically give you a FREE visa for 30 days, ignore this and go on your Due date and renew anyway. You do not even have to apply for residency if you continue getting your monthly visa extentions. Where you wish to live will have a large impact on what you can buy with your 100k and also your day to day cost of living. Hint the Cayes are the most expensive place to live in Belize.

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00abuse

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We have read that in the first year you cannot leave Belize for "more than 14 CONSECUTIVE days", not "cumulative" as stated above.

There is a big difference between"cumulative" & "consecutive". Can you please site your source please.

Brad

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00abuse

I agree with your interpretation but immigration does not and once they have denied you there is really nobody to argue with. that is not to say that there may be exceptions but they are rare and you require conections to be heard.

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00abuse

What we were seeking is a reliable source that states the policy directly, as we have seen it referred to in both definitions. I was not "interpreting" anything, I am only repeating conflicting statements we have read online on the numerous different blogs/websites about Belize.

After doing further research, I found this quoted statement on the US Embassy in Belize website, regarding "Residency in Belize"

"Normally, you must not be outside the country for more than 14 days total in a year. However, the clock will not “start over” if you must remain outside the country for longer than that, for instance to sell a property in the U.S. or to deal with personal issues. The authorities will extend the required in-country residency time by the amount of time you were out of Belize, such as an extra month or so. If you face this situation we advise that you come to the main immigration office in Belmopan"

Link to this site: https://belize.usembassy.gov/living_in_belize/residing-in-belize2.html

We now have an answer to our question, and so does anyone else considering pursuing Residency in Belize. There's other interesting information at that link too.

Brad

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10abuse

Well if you find it please pass it on Ihave been looking and asking for over 5 years and the last 2 in Belize, The only answers are verbal and whatever the person you are talking to says at the time,,

Good luck

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00abuse

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Are you guys talking QRP ? If so anyone with less than $2000/ month wont qualify and that has to be proved every yr.

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00abuse

No, this is for Permanent Residency.

And I thought I had found the "definitive" answer on the US Embassy in Belize website (see web link on my prior posting) which stated that:

"Normally, you must not be outside the country for more than 14 days total in a year...."

However, I found this link today on the following link from Belmopan (note: this does not appear to be an official government agency website):

http://www.belmopanonline.com/belize-permanent-residency-requirements

which states:

"Leaving the country for more than fourteen (14) consecutive days at any one time disqualifies the applicant."

And then I finally found the official government "Department of Immigration And Nationality Services" website here:

http://ins.gov.bz/index.php/belize-permanent-residence/pr-requirements

which has absolutely NO MENTION of this requirement anywhere on the site that relates to "Permanent Resident Requirements" pages!

So I am now as confused as I was prior to finding the US Embassy in Belize website explanation and understanding the frustration that WALJOA is expressing in their posts!

Again, I am requesting the following:

If anyone has a link to an OFFICIAL BELIZE GOVERNMENT WEBSITE with an explanation of the "14 days outside Belize" requirement, PLEASE POST THAT LINK ON A MESSAGE ON THIS THREAD....PLEASE!!!!

Brad

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00abuse

Gov. sites change often and are interpretted by their gov. officials in different ways. as youve found almost impossible to find the truth. Good luck, i wouldnt bother with getting residency if i were you, doesnt entitle you to anything much

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00abuse

At least 5 benefits of PR. 1) You don't have the pay the monthly immigration fee. 2) You don't have to pay the exit fee, especially helpful if you go to Mexico much. 3) You get the short line at airport immigration when returning. 4)PR includes a work permit. 5) Discounts or free at eco-attraction and other tourist sites. There are more just need to think of them.

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00abuse

but its going to cost you a few thou to do it , we got discounts , the locally knew we lived there and owned property. you got to be a resident a long time to make it worthwhile.

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00abuse