First i want to know that, If i will study in Belize for 1 year duration, Will i get residency after 1 year.

I heard that, It is also possible to reject the application of residency after 1 year of duration. And it also take long time to answer and in many cases they dont give residency.

Its really hurting situation that, if someone stay One year in belize, and then he is rejected for getting Permanent residency after spending lot of money.

Please let me know, and solve this conjuction in my mind


I am the one who want to live in belize.

nothing is guaranteed in life-I have not heard of anyone that has been turned down if they have fullfilled all the requirements.However it is not a right, and noone will give a hoot how much money you have spent here-presumably you want to get a job or do you want to start a business?-work permits are relatively easy to come by especially if you start a business-a word of warning do not come here with just a few thousand dollars-if you want to spend a year here-I reckon with a good appt -decent lifestyle 40,000usd and that is if you don't drink

Double that.

But i dont have $40,000.

i just want to follow, study and live in belize. after studies i will apply for Permanent residency, after residency, i will start job in belize.

ok well go and live and study in punta gorda/dangriga or possibly cayo do not come to the islands

Peter you got me laughing hard this morning.
BP
Tourist say often that its expensive living here.
I say an egg is 25cents,us, but an omelet at a five star restaurant is 17 dollars.so learn to cook.
I live remarkably cheap, but enjoy cooking at home.

Peter is broadly right - it does cost a great deal to live here in San Pedro. Living on the mainland is way cheaper, and you can stay in San Ignacio (which is a nice place) or the Dangriga area (which is OK) for not much more than 1/3 of what it will cost here.

But you have to decide WHY you want to be here and what you want to do. Don't plan on getting a job and supporting yourself - there is a lot of unemployment and preference is given to Belizeans. I also wouldn't plan on getting a technical education in Belize - better to go to a university in north America or Europe and come here when you have enough stability to weather the storm you'll encounter here.

The best think you can do is to come here for 3 months as a holiday and once here look and listen. You'll learn far more that way, and it'll be cheaper than jumping in with both feet.

but i heard that:

Room with bath: contains two single beds,two chairs, two closets with seperate shared bathrooms for men and women down the hall. Price: $240BZD a month if only one person or $130BZD a month if two person.

I am planning to sattle in belize, i will take admission in University, I am very technical person, I am Very expert in computing field. So should i not join Belize?

Also there is opportunity in belize to get Permanent residency after one year. But 40k is impossible for this purpose.

Come here and see for yourself.

You are belizian, you should guide me, whats the best:)

No, you have to see for yourself. If you can't afford the time or the money to come here for a few months (not just a week or two) then you can't afford to live here.

Oh, 40,000$ per month is very high, its even high for USA. its impossible

I have been here several months. I can tell you it cost more than most people think to live here. I have 2 boys in school. I could live a lot cheaper but I choose to live in a safe place in a good location we eat out at least a few times a week.
If I do stay longer I would want an even nicer place. I would guess if I were to stay here long term I would need at least $4,000 a month to live here. I would say that is not living like the most wealthy. I could live in $2000 US a month but then I would be living more like I did while I was in college. It depends on how you live. Do you want AC, a golf cart, do you like to eat out, do you drink?
If you are single person maybe you could live on less than $2,000 a month on the island but you will be living like a college student.
Mary

It wasn't $40k per month, it was per year.

The average per capita income in Belize is less than USD 6,000

Average monthly per couple costs for water are around USD 25, electricity is quite expensive with average monthly costs for a couple reaching USD 100, internet costs are around USD 55 a month, cable TV is around USD 18 a month and telephone costs can vary massively depending on the number of local and international phone calls made with the latter being expensive in Belize.

Yearly average income is 6000$.
its mean i can live in 6000$ a year.

BestPerson, please note that those prices may be correct for some parts of Belize, but they are definitely not accurate for San Pedro.

which is cheap , cool, crime free location to study and live at lowest cost?

and let me know the cost of lowest , lowest crime rate, and good location to study in belize.

BestPerson, I'll repeat what I said - you have to come and see for yourself. Some people love San Ignacio, which is about as far from the sea as it's possible to get in Belize. Others love the mid-south (the Stann Creek area, main town Dangriga). Still more like Punta Gorda, by the sea in the deep south of the country. Very few people like Belize City.

Prices vary enormously across the country and San Pedro is by far the most expensive place to live. When people who live here tell you something about costs don't question their conclusion as that is fruitless. Do try to get a feel for the way the country operates. And whatever you do, don't harbour a secret belief that everyone here doesn't know what they're talking about and you will be able to live here more cheaply than they say they do. It won't happen.

You MUST come on an extended visit to find out for yourself, living not as a tourist but as a local. If you don't and just come to live here, you and whatever money you have will soon be parted. That may not be convenient for you, but being penniless in a strange and fairly unfriendly country (if you're penniless) is way more inconvenient.

If you're going to UB Technology you don't have much choice, you'll have to live in Belmopan.

UB Belmopan Dorms
The Student Residence Hall includes Bedrooms, a Restaurant, a Shopping Center, and a Laundromat for your convenience. All rooms are furnished and include prepaid telephones and free internet access. All prices include electricity and water.

Room 1
2 person room with shared bath: contains two single beds,two chairs, two closets with seperate shared bathrooms for men and women down the hall. Price: $240BZD a month if only one person or $130BZD a month if two person.

Room 2
2 person room with private bath: contains two single beds,two desks, two chairs with private bathrooms. Price: $350BZD a month if only one person or $200BZD a month if two person.


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I think its cheapest in the whole belize. 150$USD a month

now count my expense.
How much for eating, will my living cost goes more than 1k a month?

i do not drink or smoke
I dont pay for leisure.

BestPerson
I’m really having a hard time taking you seriously. What in the world made you think you would like to come to Belize and study? And Study what? How much education do you now have? How old are you? What is your background?
I got a feeling you are yanking our chain and most people are being very polite in responding to you.

NO KIDDING ...HAHAHHAA

Are Electricity, Water and Cable TV more here than elsewhere in Belize?

yes

I am 24 year old, i have done Diploma in business. :):)

$350BNZ for accomodation in university.
and what will be the cost of food and other stuffs

350=175$USD its mean i can live under 500$

i have done Diploma in business .... From where?

Folks this looks like another joker...

After all who would name themself BestPerson.

My guess is that it's Pedro1 looking to have some fun with an alter ego.

you should really try asking your questions on the www.belizeforums.com message board. That one is more about life on the mainland, where UB Belmopan is. This one is mostly about life on the islands which are more expensive and more "leisure" oriented. Good luck.

Hello Mary,
I read what you wrote on Permanent residency. My husband has been pushing for the possibility of moving to Belize. He has always wanted to move out of the country. He has traveled more then I have, so I am very nervous about uprooting and moving. He thinks it's a better way of life, and is looking for a simpler way of living. We went to Hopkins in July, and would like to explore that option. I worry about the kids schooling. Age 14 and 9. Can I home school?? We are not stuipid people that have our eyes closed to the "real" life in Belize. We dont think it will be Disney world!!! But we did notice things were better in a good way. I am worried! We can live on $2000.00 per month, but cant seem to find a house in Hopkins.
Please give me your thoughts!!!!!!!!
Jackie

Four gringo people living on $2,000 a month - very difficult.
Don't do it.

We are a family of 5 living in Punta Gorda. We also have homeschooled since being here. Living on the mainland for 2000 Us per month for 4 is very doable as long as you do not plan oon lving like Americans. PM me if you have any questions.

I wonder if the permanent residency angle is less expensive
than the QRP which seems to be benefiting some high priced
lawyers and some immigration officials?

Can I really get permanent residency in Belize just by living
there and showing an income of $2,000 per month and save lots
of bucks on the high priced lawyers who may be working with
immigration on the QRP program and making lots of money off of
unwary people who want to move to Belize?

AlexB, can I ask where you live and where here in Belize you'll be living?

The QRP program is administered through the Belize Tourism Board and not by the Immigration Department.

--Lan Sluder

Residency is not cheap and takes some time after the 12 month residency period. QRP can happen much faster and does not require lawyers and others to help you. You can easily do it all yourself as many here can attest to. We also did residency on our own with no lawyers, etc. Lots of frustration but a good learning process about the country.

Permanent residency does not require the $2,000 per month referenced in Alex B's question.

I don't think you need a lawyer at all for QRP, and yes it is meant to attract affluent retirees. QRP is meant to stimulate the enconomy by providing residency to people who spend money in the local economy and do not take jobs out of it.

When navigating the channels that lead to residency it might be wise to remember that it's a privilege, not a right to move here.

ho much are apts in cay caulker we would like to move there. thanks genentonick@msn.com

what needs to be done can you live there during the process and how much are cheap yearly apt rentals if they have or what would be the best way to go about it thanks Allman/Linda genentonick@msn.com

Permanent Residence in Belize

Before applying, you must stay in Belize for 1 year (you are allowed to be out of the country for a total of 14 days during the year).

At an immigration office, get an application form (4 pages) and a list of requirements.

The requirements per person are:
1. Complete photocopy of passport including front & back covers.
2. Copy of birth certificate.
3. Copy of bank statement(s).
4. Copy of marriage certificate (if applicable).
5. Police background check; 3 photos required (BZ$12.00 when I did it).
6. Statement from Belize Tax Office in Belmopan (no fee when I did it).
7. Medical report showing results of A.I.D.S. test; can not be done at a free clinic (BZ$50 when I did it).
8. Guarantor / Surety signed by a Belizean citizen who has known you for at least 6 months.
9. Photos; the application will state the number & size.

There might be one or two more that I've forgotten (it was a long time ago and the fees have probably changed too). I recall that one document (probably the application) had to witnessed & signed by a J.P. Just go across the road from the Immigration building in Belmopan, to the market and find any J.P. They will do it for no fee.

Submit all the documents yourself; I think the original passport & birth certificates are submitted but not kept. No lawyer necessary.

First interview (about 20 minutes) was one month after submission of application. Second interview (about 5 minutes) was two months later. Then just wait; could be anywhere from 3 more months to ??.

I think payment is made at the end of the process (BZ$1000 to $1500), and the tourist visa/stamp must be renewed every month while waiting.

Apply for Belize Social Security within 2 weeks after receiving PR.

Application fees for Permanent Residency vary by nationality, ranging from US$250 to $5,000. For U.S. citizens, currently the fee is US$1,000 per person (US$2,000 per couple). There is also, upon approval, a fee of US$150. There are some other miscellaneous charges.

--Lan Sluder