There are three options for those wishing to retire in Belize or to spend extended periods of time in the country. Each has advantages and disadvantages.

1. TOURIST CARD. This is the easiest, cheapest way to live in the country for a  while, and it requires no long-term commitment.

The procedure is simple: You get a 30-day entry card free when you arrive in the country by air, land or sea. After 30 days, you can go to an immigration office (or police station in remote areas) and renew the tourist card monthly for US$25 a month for up to six months, and then US$50 a month after that.

Citizens of the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Norway, Venezuela, Hong Kong and CARICOM member states get a tourist card without having to apply in advance for a tourist visa. Other nationals must apply in advance for a tourist visa, and in some cases there is a fee. See the Belize Tourism Board web site, www.travelbelize.org for details.

As a tourist card holder, you can enjoy Belize without a long-term commitment. You can buy or rent property, but you cannot work for pay. In theory, when you renew your tourist card, you are supposed to be able to prove that you have sufficient resources, set at US$60 a day, to stay in Belize, but this requirement is not usually enforced. Of course, there is no guarantee that you will be able to renew your card indefinitely, as rules and conditions can change, as you have no official residency status.

If you fail to renew your permit in a timely way, or if you overstay your allotted time, technically you are in violation of Belize law and can be deported. As a practical matter, if you can offer a good reason why you failed to follow the law, and are very friendly to Immigration officers, you’ll probably be let off with a short lecture from the official, and perhaps a fine.

More Options for Belize Residency