Things You Should Know Before Moving to Belize

So you are considering moving to Belize?many opportunities for them to make friends. Almost
Belize is a country full of natural beauty, warm sea,everywhere in Belize accepts and accommodates
cool breeze, and friendly people. But before you justchildren. Most places are family focused. You will know
pack up and move to Belize there are a few thingsright away which establishments are not appropriate
you need to know.for children.
Helpful FactsThere are public schools and private schools for your
* after living in Belize for one year you qualify forchildren to attend. The public schools are free. But just
permanent residencylike everywhere else you will have to pay for a private
* there is a retirement program for people 45 yearseducation.
and olderThe education system provides a pretty solid
* unless you are under the retirement program youfoundation for your children. They should have no
may have to pay duty taxesproblem returning to your home country to pursue
* there are public and private schools if you arehigher education. Most Belizean students studying
moving with childrenabroad do extremely well.
* you can bring your pets to BelizePets
* Belize has excellent communication services, includingYou are allowed to bring your pets with you. Dogs and
cellular and Internetcats can enter Belize without being quarantined.
ImmigrationHowever, they must have a veterinarian certificate
If you are moving to Belize for a short period of timedeclaring your pet free of any infectious disease. Your
then you only need a valid passport to enter thepet must also have been vaccinated against rabies.
country. Once you arrive your passport will beJust please bear in mind that Belize is not suitable to all
stamped and you will be allowed to stay for a month.pets. They may not adjust well to subtropical climate.
After that, any immigration office can extend yourCommunications
stay for thirty days at a time, for a fee of course.Belize has a pretty reliable phone service, including
If you are planning to make Belize your new homecellular phones. The majority of people who own cell
then after one year you can apply for permanentphones in Belize use prepaid cards. It works out much
residency.cheaper that way.
RetirementInternet service is widely available for your computing
If you are considering retiring in Belize you should knowneeds. Cable television service is also available for
that there is a retirement program available for peopleyour entertainment.
45 years and older. This program has some excellentGetting Your Things There
benefits.The recommended way for getting your personal
Dutyitems to Belize is to ship it down. You can ship either a
Unless you are qualified for the retirement program,half container load or a full container load. The most
you may have to pay duty. However, as long as yourcost effective way is to load the container yourself
personal effects are at least one year old, you will notand then arrange for it to be shipped to Belize City.
have to pay duty on them. You will most likely have toOnce in Belize you can clear the container through
pay duty on any vehicle you import, including cars andcustoms yourself, although this is not recommended.
boats.The easiest way to do it is to hire a customs broker.
If you are not a Belizean citizen, you must be a legalOnce it is cleared through customs it is not difficult to
resident before you can bring your stuff into thefind someone to help you unload.
country duty free.I hope that these tips have been helpful in addressing
Childrensome of the concerns that you may have before
Your children will do just fine in Belize. There will bemoving to Belize.