A good moving to Belize checklist covers five things in order: your immigration status, your money and banking, what you will ship or sell, pets and vehicles, and where you will live on arrival. Start six to twelve months ahead, because residency paperwork, customs rules and pet permits all have lead times that are easy to underestimate.
The list below is organized by timeline so you can work through it step by step. It is written with northern Belize in mind, but most of it applies wherever you settle.
What should you do 6 to 12 months before moving?
Choose your immigration path
Decide whether you will arrive on a visitor permit and renew monthly, apply for the Qualified Retired Persons (QRP) program, or work toward permanent residency after a year. Each has different costs and benefits, and the choice affects what you can import duty-free. Our guide to Belize residency options compares them side by side. If you choose the QRP, the Belize Tourism Board handles the application, and you should start well before you plan to ship.
Gather documents
- Passports valid well beyond your planned arrival date
- Birth and marriage certificates, plus certified copies
- Police records, which are needed for permanent residency and the QRP
- Pension, income and bank statements
- Medical and dental records, prescriptions and vaccination records
- Your driver's licence and, if you plan to drive long term, information on getting a Belize licence
Some documents may need to be notarized or apostilled. Ask the agency requesting them what format they accept before you pay for certification.
Visit and decide where to live
Spend time in your target town in both the dry and rainy seasons if you can. If you are considering Corozal, our Why Corozal page is a useful starting point. Many people rent for the first several months while they get to know the area, even if they already own land.
Plan your health coverage
Check what happens to your current coverage once you leave. Canadians should ask their province how long they can be away before losing provincial health insurance, and Americans should check how Medicare and any private plans treat care abroad, since most do not cover routine treatment in Belize. Many expats buy an international health policy, and some combine local care in Belize with private hospitals in Mexico for specialist treatment. Get quotes before you move, because pre-existing conditions and age can affect what you are offered.
Ask your doctor for a written summary of your history and a supply of any regular prescriptions, along with their generic names. That makes it much easier to find equivalents at local pharmacies.
How should you handle money and banking?
- Keep your home bank account open. You will need it for pensions, cards and transfers.
- Tell your bank and card issuers you are moving, and ask about foreign transaction and wire fees.
- Collect bank reference letters before you leave. Belizean banks often ask for them, and they are much easier to get in person at home.
- Plan for the exchange rate. The Belize dollar is pegged at BZ$2 to US$1, so budgeting in US dollars is simple.
- Talk to a tax advisor in your home country about residency, pensions and reporting obligations before you go.
Our post on opening a bank account in Belize explains which banks operate locally and what they ask for.
What should you ship, sell or store?
Shipping a full household is expensive, and much of what you need is available in Belize or nearby in Chetumal. Sort your belongings into four groups: ship, sell, store and give away.
Know the customs rules before you decide. According to Belize Customs and Excise, used household effects can come in free of customs duty for Belizean nationals and residency permit holders if you have owned them for at least a year and they are not for resale. New items are treated differently, and General Sales Tax of 12.5% applies to new household goods. Non-residents generally pay duty at tariff rates unless they qualify for an exemption, and motor vehicles and building materials are excluded from the household effects concession. QRP members have their own duty-free allowance for the first year.
Things that usually make sense to bring:
- Good-quality tools and specialty kitchen items
- Sentimental items and important papers
- Prescription medications with documentation, enough to bridge until you find a local supply
- Electronics you already own, keeping in mind the local power supply is 110/220 volts, similar to North America
For freight options, inventories and brokers, see our guide to shipping household goods to Belize.
How do you bring pets?
Dogs and cats need an import permit from the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA). The USDA's Belize pet travel page says pets from the US need a health certificate from a USDA-accredited veterinarian, treatment for internal and external parasites within 30 days of travel, and notice to BAHA of the arrival date and flight two days ahead. Endorsement by APHIS is not required. Canadian travelers should check BAHA's current import conditions and ask their vet to follow them exactly.
Also check your airline's pet policy early. Some carriers restrict pets in hot months or limit the number of animals per flight.
What about driving and vehicles?
You can drive on a valid licence from home for an initial period. The Government of Canada's travel advice says a Canadian licence is valid for up to three months and recommends carrying an International Driving Permit. After that, you will need a Belize licence.
Decide early whether to bring a vehicle, drive one down, or buy locally. Import duties on vehicles can be substantial for non-QRP buyers, while the used market in Belize and Chetumal is active. Our driving in Belize guide covers licences, insurance and buying a car.
What should you do in your first month?
- Note the date on your visitor permit and set a reminder to renew it.
- Get a local SIM card for calls and mobile data.
- Open a local bank account once you have the documents.
- Find a doctor, a pharmacy and the nearest hospital, including options in Chetumal if you live in the north.
- Register with your embassy's travel or citizen service.
- Buy health insurance that covers you in Belize and, if you plan to use them, in Mexican hospitals.
- Sort out power and water in your name. BEL lists a Social Security card among its residential account requirements, so ask about it early.
- Make a hurricane plan. The season runs from June through November.
If you own land and plan to build, this is also a good time to meet architects and builders. Our design and build page outlines how the process works. Coastal Vista sells land only, so Phase 2 owners choose their own builder and timeline within the community covenants.
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead should I start planning?
Six to twelve months is comfortable. Residency programs, document gathering and shipping can each take several months.
Do I need residency before I move?
No. Many people arrive as visitors and renew their permits monthly while they settle in. Confirm the rules with the Immigration Department or a licensed Belizean attorney.
Can I bring my household goods duty-free?
It depends on your status. Residents and QRP members can qualify for concessions, while non-residents usually pay duty unless granted an exemption. Check with Belize Customs before shipping.
Should I buy land before moving?
Some people buy first and build later, while others rent and look around. Either works if you complete proper due diligence.
Ready to look at land?
If a home near Corozal Bay is part of your plan, browse lot sizes and prices on the Coastal Vista lot map. Questions about timing a purchase around your move? Reach our team and we will help you map out the steps.