I have not heard that it is required to leave the country overnight every six months; however, the tourist visa fee does double after the first six month period in the country.

I was originally under the impression that leaving Belize for one overnight would "reset the clock" on the fee and bring it back to the lower level, but I have since read/heard that that is not the case -- some folks have told me that they left the country for a week or two without having a fee "reset".

We are coming up on our six month renewal, so we shall see if they tell us we need to leave the country for a night.

Emily

1. Tourist Visa - It looks like if we stay past 30 days we will need Visa's that are $25US per month correct? Does that apply to a 2 year old? So it would be $75US per month for my family? After 6 months it doubles.....WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO DO IS GO TO THE DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION EVERY 30 DAYS TO GET YOUR PASSPORT STAMPED. THEIR OFFICE IS LOCATED ACROSS THE STREET FROM TROPIC AIRPORT. YOU WILL MAKE A PAYMENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY AND THEN GO TO IMMIGRATION TO GET YOUR PASSPORT STAMPED. YOU CAN CALL THEM DIRECTLY IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.

2. Renewing the Visa - Some website said we had to go to the capital every month to renew but I have also read that it can be done actually on Ambergris Caye at an immigration office near the airport. Can anyone clarify? NO, NO NEED TO GO TO BELMOPAN. AGAIN, YOU GO TO IMMIGRATION.

3. Proof of Sufficient funds - I have read numerous places that you need proof of $60 per person per day (I have also heard $50). Question 1, what kind of 'proof' can be provide, bank statement or my paycheck stubs? Second, does that apply to my 2 year old as well? So I would need to either have $5,400 in a bank account available at all times or show that I make $5400/mo in income (which I don't, its about $4500 net...) I'VE NEVER HEARD THIS BEFORE. THE ONLY TIME YOU SHOULD HAVE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION SUCH AS THIS IS IF YOU ARE APPLYING FOR THE QRP PROGRAM, IN THAT CASE YOU NEED TO SHOW PROOF OF INCOME VIA SOCIAL SECURITY, PENSION, ETC AND YOU HAVE TO DEPOSIT MONEY INTO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT TOTALING A CERTAIN NUMBER EACH YEAR.

4. Cost of Living - I would like to spend at most $2000-$2500 per month NOT including rent. We want to live comfortably, is this possible? Are things like golf carts and boats necessary? YES, THAT'S POSSIBLE. YOU WILL LEARN THE VARIOUS SHOPS WHERE LOCALS BUY THEIR FOODS, NECESSITIES, ETC. IT'S A MATTER OF PATIENCE AND ASKING AROUND.

5. Crime/Saftey - I hear robberies are common... how common? Is violent crime an issue? Again, I have a wife and a 2 year old daughter so this is something that concerns me. CRIME IS EVERYWHERE MY FRIEND. THE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH HAS BEEN SET UP ON THE NORTH AND SOUTH END OF THE ISLAND. THESE PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN WONDERFUL FOR OUR COMMUNITIES. MOST OF US HERE ON THE ISLAND WILL TELL YOU THAT WE FEEL VERY SAFE. MOST WOULD PROBABLY TELL YOU THAT YOU HEAR MORE ABOUT PETTY CRIMES THAN VIOLENT CRIMES.

6. Anything I missed? YES, YOU FORGOT TO SAY THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO COMING TO BELIZE!!! WISH YOU ALL THE BEST AND HOPE THIS LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATION WAS HELPFUL TO YOU. YOU CAN FIND LONG TERM AND SHORT TERM RENTALS ON VRBO.COM. THERE ARE ALSO A NUMBER OF VERY NICE CONDO'S FOR RENT ON THE ISLAND. WILL YOU NEED A GOLF CART OR BOAT? GOLF CART, MAYBE? YOU CAN GET BY WITH A BICYCLE, IT'S GREAT EXERCISE JUST GET A BASKET FOR YOUR GROCERIES. BUT IF YOU HAVE A WIFE AND CHILDREN, YOU WILL PROBABLY WANT TO INVEST IN A GOLF CART (CARTS BELIZE, MONCHOS, AND CHOLOS ARE THE THREE THAT COME TO MIND FOR RENTAL). BOAT? NOPE, YOU DON'T NEED ONE. BUT YOU MIGHT CONSIDER A DAY TRIP FOR FISHING TO STOCK YOUR FREEZER.

Leaving for one night does not reset the clock actually it is 14 days but it will depend on your Immigration officer at the border when you return and the officer who renews your passport stamp.

You do not have to have a boat (most people living here do not), nor even a golf cart, though with a young child, I agree that a cart will make life much easier. My husband and I live 2 miles north and get around just fine with bikes alone, but we don't have kids. And we had our bikes outfitted with a large front basket (mine) and a rear rack and two rear baskets (my husband) before we shipped them down from the US. We are able to haul all our groceries no problem, though we do ride into town and go to the markets 5 days a week, buying a small amount each time.

The only thing we can't easily haul is a case of beer!

"I'VE NEVER HEARD THIS BEFORE. THE ONLY TIME YOU SHOULD HAVE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION SUCH AS THIS IS IF YOU ARE APPLYING FOR THE QRP PROGRAM, IN THAT CASE YOU NEED TO SHOW PROOF OF INCOME VIA SOCIAL SECURITY, PENSION, ETC AND YOU HAVE TO DEPOSIT MONEY INTO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT TOTALING A CERTAIN NUMBER EACH YEAR."

Not necessarily correct, I personally know people who have had to show that they had $2000 available each month.

Interesting. I wonder if they looked "sketchy". We have never been asked.... We look like typical middle-aged LL Beaners.

A year or two back, while getting my passport stamped (waiting on my work permit renewal), the immigration lady requested that I bring bank statements on my next visit (for the upcoming month's stamp) to verify my ability to support myself.

Perhaps I underdressed for the occasion?