Gordon & Tanya B. Say:
We’re interested in relocating from Canada to Belize. We’re looking at driving our cars down and shipping a contained of household goods—we have a 2011 Honda Ridgeline and a 2022 Subaru. What are our options?
Should we apply for temporary residency then permanent after 50 weeks or use the QRP [Qualified Retired Persons] program? I would be interested in starting a business (small resort/cabanas).
IL Belize Correspondent Shane Kenny Says:
Hi Gordon and Tanya,
There’s a lot to answer here.
First, the cars. With the QRP program, the cars you import have to be no more than five years old. This means your Subaru would qualify, but the Honda would not.
Having a car at all is also a factor or where you plan to live and where you will live in that locale. For instance, there are no cars (or very few) on Caye Caulker and many expats use a golf cart in Placencia versus a car. So, depending on where in Belize you wish to live you may find it easier to simply sell your cars in Canada before moving.
As for your household goods, the price of moving goods to Belize varies considerably, depending on where you’re shipping from and on how much the Belizean company charges for transporting your goods from the docks to your residence. One way to save money is to ship goods in the winter, when relocation firms are the least busy and therefore likely to charge less.
In addition to the actual transportation cost, most people who move opt for insurance. Full-replacement insurance is usually available only when movers themselves handle the packing and unpacking. Because estimates can be tricky, it’s wise to consult a Belizean relocation expert on how to put a value on what you’re shipping.
If you have status as a Qualified Retired Person, during your first year you can import all of your household goods duty free.
Speaking of the Qualified Retired Person program, it’s the best way to get started here in Belize if you qualify for it.
Despite the QRP Program’s name, you don’t need to be retired to qualify. You do need to be at least 45 years old. You’ll also be asked to prove that you have adequate income from investments, a pension, or any other form of retirement benefit that will generate $2,000 per month from outside Belize.
Under the program, you can bring in a vehicle, such as your Subaru if you choose to bring it, tax-free.
The QRP does have to be renewed annually so converting to permanent residency would be a better long-term option once you hit the 50 of 52 weeks mark. Doing that would also allow you to run a business. Just keep in mind that it can take more than a year after you file to get your permanent residency so you will need to keep your QRP renewed until then.
If you haven’t already, the best way to cut through the confusion about your move to Belize and get step-by-step instructions on how to move down here is to pick up a copy of Escape to Belize on the IL Bookstore here.
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