It should be noted that permanent residence can be achieved for a fee and a deposit of approximately $100 US and $1,200 US respectively. Thereafter, five years of residence would be the initial time frame necessary before citizenship can be achieved.

Another alternative can be found in the Retired Persons’ Incentive Act.[1] This act allows retirees to live full time tax-free and bank in Belize. This falls under the Belize Tourism Board. The retiree is considered to have a tourist visa on a ‘permanent’ basis. Belize does have a large expatriate community, including North Americans, Europeans, Asians and peoples from the Middle East. For example, International Services LTD is one company that offers their services in attaining a Belizean passport for fees ranging from $50-70k.[2]

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[1] Belize Trade & Investment Development Service (Beltraide), Investment Guide: Legislation: RETIRED PERSONS INCENTIVES ACT, available at http://www.belizeinvest.org.bz/act_retirees.shtml (last visited on Oct. 3, 2002).

[2] International Services Ltd., Immigration Services, available at http://www.belizepassportoffshore.com/passport.html (last visited on Oct. 3, 2002).