Belize Considering Temporary Residency for Foreign Investors

The Briceño Administration is preparing to introduce a temporary residency programme for foreign investors as part of its efforts to improve the country’s business climate. The initiative is being developed under the Prime Minister’s Office and is intended to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and make Belize more competitive in the region.

According to officials, the proposal aims to address long-standing complaints from investors who face significant challenges entering and operating in the country. CEO of the Ministry of Investment, Narda Garcia, said the government will meet to finalise the details of the programme.

“We have a meeting…to look at exactly what will be the requirements,” Garcia said. “However, I can tell you from a broad perspective is that we have many investors that go through a lot coming into Belize. So for example, we have investors that have BPO in Panama and then have a BPO in Belize and they try to come in and they take them through the mill, so to speak. And that, we believe, is not conducive for investment. It’s not conducive for good business.”

Garcia added that the goal is to create a system that better supports investors rather than discourages them. “So we are trying to facilitate that type of situation. And maybe later on we will know exactly what will be the requirements and how we will get to that, but that’s what we are trying to do,” she said.

More information on the requirements and application process is expected once the internal review is complete.