Hello - Is there somewhere I can find information on any guidelines and/or restrictions on living in Belize and working (telecommuting and traveling) for a company based in the U.S.?
Thank you!

Ask away, we will help all we can.

I want to move to San Pedro, and continue working for the company I'm employed with in the U.S. Is there anything special I have to do on the Belize side of things? I've read everything about retiring to Belize and starting my own business in Belize, but haven't run across anything that addresses living there and making my paycheck from another country.

If you are just doing your work over the net, you are fine to go. Pay your fee to immigration every month to renew your passport and enjoy the life. High speed internet is expensive here and not reliable as you are used to in the US. But it is doable.

Excellent. I've spent quite a bit of time there, so I'm familiar with the internet speed and price, and that works out just fine. Does anything change if I want to declare residency?

Also, I'm going to have to be traveling quite a bit, at least once a month. Any problems there?

I think if you want to apply for permanent residency you have to stay in Belize for a year straight. Someone more familiar with this may want to clarify.

You can be out of the country for no more than 14 days in the year prior to qualify for residency.

You are allowed to leave the country no more than 14 days during the course of your first year. Any more than that and you have to start all over again. Are you single or married? There are advantages to residency but it does not make sense for everyone. Now it is 25 US for the first 6 months then it jumps to 50 US per month. If you are out of the country for more tnat 14 days straight, the process starts all over again. Lots of decisions.

If you work in Belize you should get a work permit, to be legit, no matter where you clients are.

Work Permit:
http://www.belizeoffshoreinvestors.com/inv4.html

Permanent Residence:
http://www.belizeoffshoreinvestors.com/inv5.html

Thanks so much! I'm single, and qualify for the Belize retiree program, so might just go that way.

Just remember with the QRP you are strictly forbidden any type of work in Belize. Also under QRP you are not a resident so you have to pay the higher fees every time you fly out of the country. It has advantages but many disadvantages, such as tying up your US cash every month in a Belize bank in Belize dollars.

Re: Short's post

Looking at those prices I'm in the wrong business, doing it myself was a third of the cost.

I was going to say something but thought it was just me. Sure glad we did it ourselves, saved mucho bucks.

SimonB and dabunk - What did you do yourself and how did you do it that saved you so much money?

Maybe I should just come down for 6 months or so, hang out at BC's and figure out all the in's and out's before I make any decisions.

It is written that you have to be here a year prior to getting residency, theirs all the rules and regs in black and white. but it just isnt always so. I always suggest a person go to Belmopan and get an appointment and meet with the Director of Immigration. I although on my 3rd work permit never spent more than 3 months a year here when I got my residency two yrs ago I have been here full time since, and I got my husbands residency for him while he was not even in the country. No bribe money, no kick backs, I am just an artist here not a big money maker, but everyone has a circumstance and everyone has a different story, go to the horses mouth and plea your case.

We did it ourselves, not paid this company to do it for us. Gabby, that is the best thing you can do, come and live here for 6 months to a year and then decide what you want to do.

Thanks so much to all of you for your help. Great first time forum experience!

The QRP program has lots of problems. I am still struggeling with them - they keep changing the rules.