Belize Island Life

Relocating to the Caribbean was once a dream for most people, but it’s becoming more of a reality everyday. More and more people are moving to the Caribbean for the quality of life. Every year, thousands of people are leaving the hectic life back home for the laid-back life style and the stress free living the Caribbean has to offer. Have you ever dreamed of living on a Caribbean island, but never thought it was possible whether it be family, work or just not enough time to make it happen. Packing up and moving to the Caribbean takes some research, paradise is in the eye of the beholder. Being unprepared about the place where you choose to live can be very disappointing.
Every country, in the Caribbean, has its advantages and disadvantages from shopping, to the language they speak. The best way to get to know a place is to visit for a period of time, the longer the better. If you plan it right it can be very rewarding. Getting to know the infrastructure, the people and the way they live, can help you make the right decision. Finding the right place for you can be fun and exciting. Once you have found your place in paradise it’s time to make the move. I moved to the Caribbean over seventeen years ago. I live on an island called San Pedro in the country of Belize. My husband and I have lived and worked here since 1997. There are several options for you to enter Belize and stay. If you plan on staying more than 30 days you will have to get your passport stamped. This gives you a 30-day visa. You can get stamped every thirty days, up to six months. After six months you have to apply for a work permit or leave the country and re-enter. Things do change so call the immigration office to verify.
There are two types of work permits:
Application for permission to employ a foreigner (after being in the country for six months), and
Application for Temporary Self-Employment. The six-month residency requirement can be waived.
After being in the country for one year, without leaving the country for no more than fourteen days you can apply for Permanent Residency. After becoming a permanent resident and living in the country for five years you are entitled to apply for citizenship. Yes, you can have dual citizenship. Forms for residency and citizenship www.embassyofbelize.org
If you do not plan on working you can apply for retires status. This is for those that qualify.You or your spouse must be at least 45 years old.
You must deposit a minimum of US$2000 a month into a local bank or the equivalent US$24,000 per year, as long as you are a part of this program.

Under this program, you are not allowed to seek employment. However, voluntary work and business incentives are encouraged.

The Retired Persons Program is not linked to the Immigration Department’s program for Belizean residency or Belizean citizenship. If you wanted to apply for their programs, you must first revoke your status under the Retired Persons Program.

Once you have become either permanent resident or have retired status you have one year to bring in a shipping container full of your household and personal effects, (as determined by the Customs department). You may find that you will want to ship a few things in, because living on San Pedro you are limited to the quantity and quality of the things you need from linens to your favorite hobby supplies. These items must be used. You are also entitled to bring in a golf cart, or other transportation like a boat or even a plane free of all duty and taxes. In the case of a vehicle, it can be no longer than 3 years. Check with customs to find out more.
You are allowed numerous entries within the one year period however, after one year you will be subject to all the duties and taxes under the Customs Department.
You will need to contact the Belize Tourism Board several weeks prior to the arrival of your items so that they can prepare your official documents. You need to have a complete master list of all things that you are going to import. You will need to submit it to the BTB upon approval into the program. If you are bring a vehicle, a title or bill of sale must be presented.
Getting things in to the country can be done quite easy. It’s the wait the drives me crazy. Things here are a bit slower here than they are in the states. If it’s a stress free, laid back life style you are looking for, than San Pedro’s for you. “Right now”, is a Belizean term which means sometime in the near future.

Not having the comforts of home maybe a disadvantage for some. For me it was my good cookware and home decor. I shipped everything in and I’m glad I did. If you choose not to ship you can go to Belize City and find anything you need, but like I mentioned the quantity and quality you would expect may not be there. That is one of the disadvantages. There are a lot of advantages to living on San Pedro. The community and people are great. The motto here is “No shirt, no shoes, no problem”. English is the official language, you can bring your pets, no problem, there are schools for the children, we have DSL, cable, trash pickup and even the chicken man delivers. I can get beer and sodas delivered to my house. We have a big selection of grocery and hardware stores, and if you love the water, this is the best place to dive and fish. Bring your favorite dive equipment and your fishing gear , something’s can get expensive.

If you plan on relocating to the Caribbean make sure you do your research. Look for a place where you will fit in, because you will not change the place the place will change you. Make sure you can adapt to your surroundings and make friends before you make the move. Make sure that you can deal with the infrastructure that is in place and have patience when things don’t go as planned. It can be a wonderful experience if you don’t expect too much and enjoy the Caribbean for what it is.
By Tina Callanan