Expat Community > Belize

SolarCat
Joined 2010
Posts: 4

Residency, working, property, and duty fees

14 years ago

Hi all!

I want to move to Belize but have a multitude of questions. It's odd that no Belize officials will even return an email. Even the embassy here doesn't or won't answer them when I call. It appears that they are very techo illiterate. Even the Washington website is mostly broken.

I'm going to purchase a piece of land and build or buy property with a house. Someone told me the minimum charge for building is $100 USD a sq ft. Is that accurate? How easy are building materials to obtain there? Do they have a huge building material outlet similar to Lowes and Home Depot in Belize City?

I want to bring my household goods and a vehicle. I have some nice furniture, some electronics, and tools. Is it more cost effective to keep my stuff in storage in the USA for a year or until I obtain residency? The vehicle duty charges are absolutely ridiculous! I'm thinking about buying an old car and rebuilding it first so it's overall Blue book value is less or do they guesstimate the value of the car? How do they determine the value of your other goods too?

I plan to work doing computer related jobs as soon as possible. It's my understanding that I have to wait 6 months before I can apply for a permit.

I want to apply for residency. Do I have to wait for 1 year before I can do it or can I apply as soon as I arrive?

Do I have to leave my money in a US bank for a year or can I transfer it or deposit a check there in a Belize bank with a letter from my bank when I apply for residency?

Do I have to obtain a special permit for my cat?

Are there any shots I should get?

Sorry about all the questions. I don't really have any where else to ask them since they tend to "skirt" the somewhat hidden cash gouging practices they are doing to immigrants.

Thanks

SolarCat

Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Living in Belize Guide

Anyone thinking about moving to Belize should carefully consider the pros and cons of expat life in Belize. The article includes insight from expats about the cons (crime, limited healthcare, poor road conditions and more) and the pros (beautiful beaches, friendly people, low cost of living and more).

Belize Forum
Join our Belize forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Belize.

Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Belize.

Best Places to Live in Belize

If you're considering a move to Belize, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Belize in 2023.

Healthcare in Belize

Expats in Belize share tips and advice about healthcare and health insurance in Belize. While some expats advise those with serious health issues not to move to Belize, other expats choose Corozal for its proximity to doctors and clinics over the border in Chetumal, Mexico.

Cost of Living in Belize

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Belize.

Moving to Belize Guide

Expats that move to Belize learn to enjoy a breathtakingly beautiful setting without some of the essentials they may have taken to granted in their home countries.

Real Estate in Belize

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Belize.

Pros & Cons of Living in Belize

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Belize.

Retiring in Belize

Advice for people retiring in Belize.

10 Tips for Living in Belize

If you've recently arrived in Belize, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Belize.

Additional Information:

Visit our Belize Index for a Full List

Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Contribute
Help others in Belize by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Belize.

Login

Or, Send Login Link

Expat Community > Belize

Residency, working, property, and duty fees

Login