Belize is a small state located in Central America. Today, many enterprising Russians wish to become citizens of this state in order to make it their place of permanent residence. Next, consider the full list of the main options for lawfully obtaining Belizean citizenship. In addition, we find out the main features of this procedure.
What gives Belize citizenship
Many people, noticing the excitement among the representatives of the Russian population related to obtaining citizenship of the country in question, are wondering why it is so attractive? Consider the main advantages that this status gives its carriers.
First of all, they use the opportunity to obtain it in order to change their place of residence to a new one, without burdening themselves with the constant issuance of visas for travel.
Some businessmen say: they are wondering about changing citizenship because they see great prospects in Belize. They are attracted by the opportunity to re-register business in this country, and many of them consider the state as an excellent platform for startups.
Fans of travel regard the fact of obtaining Belizean citizenship as an opportunity to visit more than 100 countries of the world with which the state in question has signed an agreement on visa-free border crossing.
The easiest way to obtain citizenship
Until 1998, it was possible to obtain Belizean citizenship through investment. This rule does not currently exist, but this does not mean at all that there are currently no other ways to obtain a citizenship document.
How to get Belize citizenship to a Russian citizen as quickly as possible? For this, attention should be paid to economic programs for obtaining citizenship of other small states. These include Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, as well as Dominica and Grenada. Based on current legislation and signed agreements, if you have the citizenship of any of these states, a person has the right to become a legal resident of Belize. By receiving a citizenship document in this way, the applicant will not have to fulfill the requirements related to the confirmation of the so-called residency qualification.
Naturalization
In the event that a Russian citizen does not have the desire or ability to formalize his legal affiliation with one of the countries listed above, he will have to go through the naturalization process - the natural acquisition of citizenship.
Obtaining Belizean citizenship by naturalization involves the candidate’s residence on the territory of this state for a certain time (5 years), and it is also necessary to fulfill a number of conditions in parallel, which include obtaining a residence permit, finding a permanent and sufficient income for living, as well as studying the state language in the right amount. Besides this, at the time of filing an application, you need to provide a certain package of documents, based on the results of which the commission makes an appropriate decision.
It should be noted that at the very beginning of his stay in Belize, a tourist must draw up a special card giving him the right to do so. Such a visa provides the right to monthly residence in the country. It can be extended many times. After a year of stay in the country on such grounds, the Russian already has the right to submit documents for granting him a residence permit.
It should be noted that in order to freely obtain a document providing a residence permit, during this whole year a tourist should not leave Belize for a period longer than a couple of weeks.
How to apply for a visa to Belize
In order to draw up a document granting the right to cross the border of Belize, a Russian citizen needs to contact the British Consulate or visa centers that work with representative offices of this state.
To obtain a permit, you need to provide a package of papers, which should include passports (international standard and confirming Russian citizenship) and their copies, a pair of high-quality color photos measuring 3.5 x 4.5 cm, as well as a certificate of employment indicating size average monthly salary. In addition, among the main documents, a correctly completed application form must be present, the form of which can be downloaded from the official website of the UK representative office in Russia.
The representative office of the United Kingdom will certainly be interested in data regarding the financial solvency of the applicant. To confirm it, you also need to prepare the relevant certificates (bank statements, salary information, etc.).
All documents must be translated into English, but notarization is not required.
How to apply for a residence permit
As mentioned above, obtaining a residence permit in Belize is possible only after a permanent one-year stay of a Russian in the country, on the basis of a pre-issued visa.
To obtain a residence permit in Belize, the diplomatic mission should provide a package of documents consisting of the original and a copy of the passport, a criminal record, and a medical report on the general state of health. It should be noted that in addition to personal documents, the applicant must provide the same papers, but only those issued in respect of all members of his family, as well as certificates indicating kinship.
In addition to the above, in the general package should be enclosed 4 color front and four photos in the profile size 3 x 4 cm.
And, in addition, in order to obtain a permit for permanent residence in the territory of Belize, the applicant must indicate his sufficient material support for this. The representative office will ask for recommendations from at least two Belizeans, as well as offer to undergo psychological tests.
Citizenship through marriage
Another legal way to obtain Belizean citizenship is to enter into marriage with a representative of the local population. To complete this procedure, you must first obtain a special permit, which is issued by the Prosecutor General of the country. In accordance with the established rules, the cost of such a service is $ 25 (1750 rubles).
It should be noted that obtaining Belizean citizenship in this way is possible not immediately after the legalization of relations, but only after a year. This process can be significantly accelerated if a child appears in an existing family.
Business in Belize
One of the options for obtaining Belizean citizenship is to immigrate to the country as a businessman. A person who wishes to open his own company in the territory of this country should become a member of the investment program. To participate in it, the applicant must have a starting capital of at least $ 50,000. Some Russians say that this is an excellent option for obtaining Belizean citizenship for money.
After opening a business in the named country, the Russian gets a lot of advantages. Among them are the status of a permanent resident of the state, the possibility of residence and employment in any of its regions, as well as the right to obtain Belizean citizenship, after five years of being in investor status. This prospect certainly attracts many.
The process of obtaining citizenship for senior citizens
Under the current QRP program, people who have reached retirement age are entitled to visit this state with certain advantages. This opportunity is available for those who have a monthly income of at least $ 2,000 and have reached the age of 45 years.
Persons falling into this group in all respects are eligible for instant approval of permanent residence in Belize (a visa and Russian citizenship are also important). This group of persons receives an additional advantage - the ability to import any amount of property without paying any duty.