We just visted Ambergris for the first time and, like many others before us, fell in love with the place. I looked at options about moving there, and one option seems to be to atain QPR status (qualified retired person) which would apparently allow one to run a business at the same time. I would be interested to hear from expats who have attained QRP status, or are in the process of doing so--if you would be willing to share your experience (the good, the bad and the ugly) that would be awesome.
marina

That's not how I understand it.

As far as I have heard if you are retired you can't work and you have to have a set amount of monthly income.

When I was there last year it was US$2,000.00 a month

I came in on the QRP program. I applied in September of 2003 and was approved by November. I paid an agent who paid the government close to $2,000.00 US. This allowed me to bring in a container of my personal belongings duty free. FREE meaning that the money I paid covered the duty.
HOWEVER. Right at that time a bunch of residency cards were stolen and it took years (I think 3 or 4) for them to get new cards. I carried all of my paperwork with me whenever I went in and out of the country. ANOTHER HOWEVER! Immigration would not honor this as the program was administered by the Belize Tourism Board and those naughty people didn’t “ask” the immigration people for their blessing.
I finally received by residency card four years almost to the date of approval. And guess what? It clearly says “Temporary Resident – expires February 2008.” That meant it was good for only 3 months. I then had to go to Belize City with a new picture – new papers - $50 and PROOF that I had spent $2,000.00 US each month.
The requirements stated you had to have proof of income of that amount – not that you had to have proof that you spent that amount. The fact that I had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on property the year before did not carry over to the next year.
Needless to say I am very frustrated with this program that keeps making up the rules as they go along. I have all my assets in Belize, own four pieces of property on which I pay taxes and am still treated like a visitor.
My understanding is that you can own a business here but I’m not sure you could get a work permit to work in your own business. That is a fuzzy line. Many people who came in on this program have packed up and left.
The short sightedness of bureaucrats here is astounding!

Harriette why dont you become a Permanent Resident or a Citizen? I had to live there 12 months without leaving for more than 14 days and then it took 3 months to become a permanent resident.

Once you come in under the QRP program, it's not that simple, you have to revoke your QRP status and pay duty on all the things you brought in under the one year "duty free" exclusion in the program.

Thx for the in-depth reply. I also emailed the TourismBoard to try and get this clarified. I am sorry to hear that you had a negative experience. My first expatration was to Spain over 20 years ago (from Germany)-I now live in the US-- so I know how complicated paper work can get. Did you have similar negative experiences when you bought your properties?

Hi taco girl:
thx for the reply. I saw your website during the reseearch I did before we went to Ambergris. I will check out the source you provided. In our case, we would probably have the option of the QRP program or just going with straightforwrd immigration. How was your move down there--positive or negative experience?

I think the QRP process has changed for the better, and is quite efficient now. The main benefit of QRP is the duty exemption. If you are not bringing in a lot of goodies then you might as well come in the old fashioned way - tourist visa renewed over and over, then apply for residency. After that you are set.

marina16 Our move down here was a very positive experience.

We all know things here can be less than perfect and often do not make sense but after 3 years that has still not lost it charm to me.

Many have posted over at Belize forums lately that QRP process has been very speedy for approval in the last year, a couple of people reported 3 months or less to get approved. But when approved you are not a legal resident and are not legally allowed to work, at yours or anyone elses business. Many do skirt the law, but if you make an enemy or tick someone off, you could be in trouble.

After 6 months do you not have to prove an income

Where did you hear that?

I'm not unhappy. I love living here and have no regrets. I simply posted my experience. I am trying to become a citizen and was shocked when I found that they had changed to QRP to 'temporary residence." I have no intention to leave.
I found buying property very easy and my last purchase was actually done directly from the owner to me and at a reasonable price.
There are a number of documents you need including a police report from the area you are leaving and a letter from your US bank giving some basic details about your history. I also had to get a letter from my retirement board quoting my 'guaranteed' monthly income.
My surprise was to learn that they have changed this so that I had to prove that I was spending that amount each month. I had to have my Belize Bank fax them copies of the last twelve months activity.
I think each person has to learn as much as they can and make an informed decision. I did not have that kind of help. I should have brought in a golf cart as it cost twice as much here as I could have brought it in for. Little things like that.

Seems like one of the issues on the vehicle or golf cart, boat, motorcycle or whatever exemption from duty under the QRP is that you still have to get a permit for it to bring it on the island. I do not think the same problem exists on the mainland. Has anyone under QRP had any experience recently on AC with the permit issue. Just wondering as it seems vehicle permits are difficult to obtain lately unless you buy a vehicle from one of the dealers that has access to permits.

It is the little things that save you money and that is why you have to ask the right questions to the right people.

We moved in Jan 2003 and after 6 months we were told Philip (3 years old) needed a work permit. My wife and I had work permits and the 2 older children had school permits, but Philip was not in full time school. He had to prove how he was living in Belize without a work permit and was sent to Belmopan.

I would like to thank everybody for their input---we now have a lot of research to do to see if we can make the move work. All my best wishes to everyone...and we hope to return to Ambergris soon. I will continue to check this site and others. take care,

marina

Great info from everyone - both positive and negative experiences. Good luck, Marina, and keep us informed of your progress!

Will do. Believe me, the place is too great to forget. I am hooked
Marina

I found the below on another forum. How much is true and how
much is not true? Please help me separate the chaff from the
wheat please.

==========================


An added (potentially major) advantage to Belize is that once you've attained residency status, you only need to live there 1 month out of the year to maintain it.

They have a retiree residency program if you're over 45 years of age and can show a guaranteed income of $2,000US per month for a couple (I believe), or you deposit $24,000US into a Belize bank account or CD.

Otherwise I *believe* you can get residency there by living there continuously for 24 months; you would need to verify this info for yourself, as it's been a while since I researched it.

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this month to month immigration fine of 25 or 50 dollars (US)...is it paid every month or just at the end of your "overstay" of original tourist visit.

What if you brought a motorcycle or auto with you? Would there be a charge for it each month too? Or just depart with it after paying monthly fines?

If theres anything left of it...

As I understand it, you need to go get a stamp every month and you pay at that time.