Belize, situated on the eastern coastline of North America has emerged as high growth and profitable investment region. It is not only a spectacular vacation destination but is also a great place for expats who are planning to move to South or Central America. Here are some reasons why Belize is the perfect country to move to.
Fair Laws For Foreigners
There are no restrictions on purchasing, selling and renting out property for foreign investors in Belize. The laws related to ownership of a property for expats and foreign investors are the same as those for the people who have been residents of Belize from the beginning. Decisions related to the sale and purchase of a property can be made without stressing about various regulations and taking care of multiple restrictions—because there are none.
Raising Market Potential And Economic Stability
Belize is full of diversified opportunities in the real state, from looking for residential homes to finding a place for a commercial venture. While in Belize, you can choose from a wide variety of reward and risk options, in accordance with the objectives of your investment. Foreign investors are also given various benefits for investing in or establishing tourist resorts and other infrastructure related to tourism along the coastline.
Minimum Taxes On Property
The judicial system in Belize is built on the British structure, which has a strong focus on protecting and upholding property rights. This means you can easily protect your hard-earned assets by investing in property in Belize.
There’s a minimum tax of 1.5% on the property, which is imposed relative to the value of undeveloped land. Furthermore, the Belizean Government provides various tax-sheltering benefits and incentives. For instance, gains on capital and taxes on inheritance are not imposed in Belize. Furthermore, the lower tax expenses lead to higher returns on investments.
Higher Returns On Value And Investment
The tourism and ecotourism industries of Belize have been experiencing an aggressive boom for the past many years, leading to a spike in foreign and local investments in the real state sector.
A number of expats are now investing in the purchase of property in Belize and renting out these properties to an ever-increasing number of tourists. These investors have earned handsome profits over the years. There are various communities that serve as ideal locations for investors and retirees to invest their money in.
The Belizean Government has established strict conservatory programs and policies that protect half of the territory for natural reserves, refuges for wildlife, and natural parks. These policies are imposed to prevent the available land in the country from overdeveloping and over-urbanization in the future. Investors who want to sponsor ecotourism are spoilt for choice as a result.
The Official Language Is English
If there’s one country in Central America with English as the official language, it’s Belize—which is great news for English speaking investors! From 1862 to 1981—before Belize became an independent colony—it was under British dominion. Other than English; Spanish and Belizean Creole are also widely used by natives. This makes communication incredibly easy for expats and foreigners planning to move and invest in the country. It mitigates the need for hiring a translator for understanding documentation, contracts, and legal regulations.
Easy To Establish Residency Through The Qualified Retirement Program (QRP) For Retirees
The government of Belize has announced a very enticing program for retirees. The QRP allows foreigners aged 45 and older, to move in and become a resident of Belize, along with their dependents (spouse and children).
To qualify for this program, you must be earning annuity or a pension of $24,000 or more from any country, clear a security clearance procedure, and be in the country for a total of 30 days per year.
In spite of these requirements, the process of application is extremely easy and the benefits are immense. You can even import all your belongings, such as your car, boat, furniture and other personal effects from outside Belize. Obtaining a residence card can save you from having to pay any income tax on your earnings and assets from outside the United States.
International Airport And Proximity To Home
The fact that Belize has its own international airport makes travelling and moving to this country even easier. Goldson International Airport is situated in Belize City—the largest city in Belize. It facilitates travelers to go to and from North American cities like Atlanta, Miami, Dallas and others, all of which are known for their thriving economies.
If there’s ever an emergency which requires you to head home, you’ll only be a few hours away from home. The country’s location is also convenient for those who want to explore other nearby destinations in South and North America.
Large Expat Communities Won’t Let You Feel Alone
Numerous expat communities have formed in Belize. Those in search of accommodations on a limited budget can find a great place in the Corozal District.
Exotic Local Wildlife And Proximity To The Natural Forests
You can find 5 kinds of cats in Belize Puma, ocelot, margay, jaguar and jaguarondi
Jaguar
You may not have known this, but Belize has the only preserve of jaguars worldwide. At one point, the Belize jaguars population was at risk. They then found that the Jaguar’s roaming grounds were more vast than they had realized and that they were still breeding. Numbers are not as great as they once were but they are still growing, which is a positive step for our wildlife.
Margay
Until the 1990s, margays were hunted illegally for the wildlife trade, which resulted in a large population decrease. Since 2008, the margay has been listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List because the population is thought to be declining due to loss of habitat following deforestation.
Scarlet Macaw
The Scarlet Macaw is a large colorful bird, with bright red blue and yellow feathers decorating a head to tail length that can be as long as 32 inches. Today, the Scarlet Macaw is protected against being traded, sold or bought for commercial use unless you have a special permit.
Spider Monkey
Like the Black Howler Monkey, the Spider Monkey lives in the upper areas of the forest, preferring the safety of the canopy over the dangers of the ground. Long limbs and a prehensile tail (which they use more often than their own fingers), the Spider Monkey is agile and moves through the tree tops with the grace of a trapeze artist.
Tapir
The Baird’s Tapir is the national animal of Belize. Called the mountain cow by locals, the Tapir looks like it could be related to an elephant because of its large nose, but it is actually related to the rhinoceros and the horse.
Ocelot
The ocelot is one of the smaller “big cats” and is sometimes referred to as a “dwarf leopard”. The ocelot can weigh up to 35 pounds and stands about 18″ at the shoulder and 3′ in length.
These facts make it an exciting country for those who love wildlife and specifically, Belizean cats.
Activities
Belize is home to beautiful scenery. The Belizean Inland is adorned with old Mayan ruins from the Northern region to the Southern region, as well the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere and the second biggest barrier reef worldwide, that spreads across the whole coastline.
There is a never-ending list of activities for tourists and expats while they live in Belize. For instance, watching birds, exploring caves, hiking in forests, riding on horses, snorkeling, scuba diving, boating, fishing, and hunting in the jungles the list goes on. There are a number of places worth visiting as well, such as the Belize Zoo, which is famously recognized worldwide as the “Best Little Zoo,” San Pedro, a well-known tourist attraction and the most happening town on Ambergris Island, and the biggest and most complex cave system in Central America