Found this site which looks up to date on residency information:  http://www.belizeoffshoreinvestors.com/investment.html

You will want to check out the work permit requirements as well.  From what we can see it will cost$2770.00 just to get your business licensed.  Looks like you have to pay this every year.  Ouch!!

The home page is here:  http://www.belizeoffshoreinvestors.com/index.html

Looks like this may be a company that will help you get all the paper work filled out.  We are thinking that their fees are included in total costs but not sure!?!

The Kyle Davis Family

CountryLawyer~

I could not find an actual list of professionals that are currently being sought by Belize (if you fall into this catagory, your residency is expedited and you can get in in about 3 months).  I would suggest:

~contact the American Embassy in Belmopan - www.belize.usembassy.gov/

~post your question at either of the following forums (these are high traffic and you should receive a prompt reply):  www.belizeforum.com/belize/   or   http://ambergriscaye.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/forum_summary.html

~contact Lan-the-answer-man.  Lan Sluder is an American in Belize.  At least, I believe that he lives there (part-time?) now, though I can't remember for sure.  He writes the Fodor's Belize tour guide and will answer your legitimate questions quickly.  Nice guy, very informed on everything Belize; his email is:  lansluder@gmail.com  He may not know a concrete answer as to whether lawyers are being courted :) by Belize, but he could probably point you in the right direction for finding out more info.

 The biggest problem that I have come across in researching Belize is that the country is not really up to date when it comes to promoting themselves via the web.   So much of the information is outdated - many sites (including the government) contract for someone to build them a web site, and then they do not keep it updated with current information/prices.  There is also some disagreement between sites as to whether dollar costs are listed in Belizean or US funds. 

Anyway, hope this helps - and blessings in finding the info. you are looking for :)

http://www.belmopancityonline.com/belize-immigration.aspx

 There is at least a clear outline, and with the same information most of us have seen already posted on this forum, on this website.  There are further links on the page that look hopeful.

Maybe this is what some of us are looking for.

Blessings,

Shannon

http://www.governmentofbelize.gov.bz/resource_links.html

This is the official government of Belize page, on the web.  I cannot find anything in here even about immigration.  Perhaps someone else would be better with deciphering it than I.  I'd like to know.

Honestly, to get the clearest, up to date, answers about current government policy on immigration, and opportunities for foreigners wishing to reside in Belize, I think the government has to be written or called (probably). 

Hope this helps.

Blessings,

Shannon

Where can I find more info on the residency requirement being waived for professional people (such as lawyers)?  I followed the link in the reply I'm responding to, but the info seems old... 

Thanks for calling this to my attention.

The link below should be: http://ambergriscaye.com/economics/immigration-perm-resid.html

Thank you, Amber.  That was good information.

I wanted to add something that I didn't see you had touched upon.  I am trying to find additional sources for confirmation.  Perhaps you would be interested in doing this as well.

I found this information on this link:  http://www.belize-now.com/index.php?option=com_ccboard&view=post&mode=reply&forum=1&topic=13&post=0

....................."Normally, any individual seeking permanent residency must have legally resided here continuously for one year. This requirement is waived for retirees with a regular source of income, and professional or skilled people and investors with more than US$ 25,000 in hard currency to invest. These individuals can apply for a permanent residency card immediately upon arrival. This application can be made only at immigration headquarters in Belmopan, and usually takes two to three months to process. During this time, you will need to renew your visa as detailed above, AND obtain a "Temporary Self-Employment" work permit. For retirees, proof of financial independence or pension income is required in lieu of a work permit".........................

The whole "short" page is VERY interesting, and very clear.

BUT what I read into that paragraph above was that if a family arrived with $25K (or more than, as it states) to invest in their own business, that this would be accepted and they could receive  permanent residency cards within short order of applying for this status.  At first it says "immediately", but this must mean immediately upon approval, and the paperwork can take several months to process, so it isn't "instant".   

Still, I believe, for some families that the possibility of starting their own business, could mean obtaining some lift on duty (for importing household and business to Belize), and a possible tax holiday (I need to search more into this), and therefore would be a fairly good option.  Also, I am not sure what would need to be "done" with the funds that are being "invested" for sure, but I was under the impression (from someplace I had read) that they needed to be presented merely to prove the individuals involved were in earnest about investing in Belize.

I believe that when a business is started there, that at least two Belizeans need to be employed full time.

Correct me if I am wrong, please.  And confirm if I am right, if you know.  Thank you!

Blessings,

Shannon  

Hmmm...

I am not sure this is what I was speaking of, because I was thinking the deal I was talking about was about starting a business in Belize, and not paying for citizenship by making a donation to the country's funds.

I did know that this program (mentioned below) had ended.

I think the best way to go about finding out the information I am looking for will be to contact the Belizean government directly, as I did many years ago, and have the paper on these laws sent from the different departments.  I was hoping to avoid the snail mail thing.  At the very least, I will go to the government website and try to investigate it there. 

Obviously, this issue of how to let foreign people gain access to Belize is hotly debated enough to make the laws quite changeable, with every new administration or so.  

Thank you for bringing that changing of the laws about the economic citizenship up.

Sincerely,

Shannon

Hi Shannon,

I think this is what you were referring to in your previous post:

Info from: www.belizelodging.com 

 In January 1995, the Government of Belize introduced a new Belize Economic Citizenship Investment Programme (BECIP). It is designed to attract foreign investment and entrepreneurial skills to the country. To qualify for citizenship under this Programme, applications are made through Licensed Immigration Consultants, and presented to the Director of the BECIP unit, within the Ministry of Finance in Belmopan, Belize. 

Registration fees for applicants (amended February 1996) are as follows

 US$ 25,000 per family, including head of household, spouse and dependents under the age of 18 years.

US$ 15,000 for each child over the age of 18 years.

In addition to the registration fee(s), applicants approved for citizenship are required, as a minimum investment in Belize, to invest:$ 25,000 to be paid into the "Belize Economic Citizenship Investment Fund." (Sums paid into this Investment Fund by successful applicants are non-refundable and attract no interest.) This fund is used to finance reconstruction and development programs around the country, and represents the applicant's commitment to Belize.

Therefore, the total cost/investment for an entire family is US$ 50,000; there are no further obligations or investments required. Successful applicants receive passports and enjoy full citizenship status. It is not necessary to live in Belize, although these new citizens are welcome to do so at any time. Non-resident citizens are not subject to any Belizean taxes, and do not have voting rights.   

I did not include the above information in my last post, because I also found this on www.governmentofbelize.gov.bz

The staff of the former BECIP Unit have been reassigned to other Department within the Government system. 

Here is additional information from the same website I cited below (prior post), more information on doing business in Belize. 

It is encouraging and I believe it bears reading, for all who are interested in working/investing in Belize:

http://ambergriscaye.com/economics/private.html

Blessings,

Shannon

Thank you, Amber.  That was good information.

I wanted to add something that I didn't see you had touched upon.  I am trying to find additional sources for confirmation.  Perhaps you would be interested in doing this as well.

I found this information on this link:  http://www.belize-now.com/index.php?option=com_ccboard&view=post&mode=reply&forum=1&topic=13&post=0

....................."Normally, any individual seeking permanent residency must have legally resided here continuously for one year. This requirement is waived for retirees with a regular source of income, and professional or skilled people and investors with more than US$ 25,000 in hard currency to invest. These individuals can apply for a permanent residency card immediately upon arrival. This application can be made only at immigration headquarters in Belmopan, and usually takes two to three months to process. During this time, you will need to renew your visa as detailed above, AND obtain a "Temporary Self-Employment" work permit. For retirees, proof of financial independence or pension income is required in lieu of a work permit".........................

The whole "short" page is VERY interesting, and very clear.

BUT what I read into that paragraph above was that if a family arrived with $25K (or more than, as it states) to invest in their own business, that this would be accepted and they could receive  permanent residency cards within short order of applying for this status.  At first it says "immediately", but this must mean immediately upon approval, and the paperwork can take several months to process, so it isn't "instant".   

Still, I believe, for some families that the possibility of starting their own business, could mean obtaining some lift on duty (for importing household and business to Belize), and a possible tax holiday (I need to search more into this), and therefore would be a fairly good option.  Also, I am not sure what would need to be "done" with the funds that are being "invested" for sure, but I was under the impression (from someplace I had read) that they needed to be presented merely to prove the individuals involved were in earnest about investing in Belize.

I believe that when a business is started there, that at least two Belizeans need to be employed full time.

Correct me if I am wrong, please.  And confirm if I am right, if you know.  Thank you!

Blessings,

Shannon