News about QRP

[DAVID L.]

Here is the latest concerning the QRP program from the Belize Tourism Board (BTB):

QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PROGRAM [QRP] ADVISORY

Please be advised of the new changes as it relates to the Qualified Retirement Membership Program [QRP].

• BTB will no longer be printing QRP cards. The cards will now be printed by the Immigration Department.
• BTB will continue to process the application forms and the cards will be available for pick-up at the BTB office.
• One of the benefits of the new cards is that they are now machine readable and share the same information as the biometric information of the passport.
• A date is yet to be set for the machine readable cards to be available, however as soon as we have that date the members will be duly informed.

For more information on the application and licensing process please feel free to contact the BTB at 227-2420 Ext. 232 or email leannie.azueta@belizetourismboard.org if you have any questions or concerns.

Application forms can be picked up at the BTB Office at 64 Regent Street, Belize City, at the San Pedro Office or downloaded from the Resources page on http://www.belizetourismboard.org.

[COUNTRY EXPERT ANN KUFFNER]

Thanks, David, for adding this recent QRP update. I was traveling in Mexico during the last 10 days, so just caught this change today. But it’s a pretty nominal change that won’t really inconvenience us.

The change in the QRP renewal process that the BTB told me about recently is that QRPs will now supposedly have to copy all pages of their passport and bring them in with their renewal form. The QRP used to do the copying in their office. So this would be an extra step I have never had to do. Also, I was told that now the 30 days we are required to be in the country need to be 30 consecutive days, and that they will indeed be more serious about checking that.

The other serious change is that QRPs are now no longer allowed to own a business in Belize. Those that do already have a business in Belize will to be penalized. But new QRPs will not be allowed to open a business here, or to work. The government is working on a new residency program focused on expats who are interested in owning a business in Belize that will employ Belizeans. But there is no estimate to when this program will come into place.

I’m getting ready to renew my QRP status this month. So if anything else comes up that is a major change, I’ll report back on this forum.

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