The Panama 
Foundation 
An alternative to 
a Common Law 
Trust 
 

Bahamas IBC 
How to form 
an IBC in the 
Bahamas 
 

Panama Company 
How to form a 
Panama Offshore 
Company 
 

Second Passports 
Information 
about obtaining 
residency and 
second citizenship 
 

Dominican  
Republic  
Incorporations  
An Offshore 
option for those 
investors banking 
or making real 
estate purchases 
 

Using an  
Offshore  
Structure  
Some Information 
about the legality 
and tax issues of 
an offshore entity 
 

Tax Free Investing 
With Forex & 
Managed Futures 
Article about the 
investment returns 
and other aspects 
of owning a 
professionally 
traded Commodity 
Account 
 

Offshore Mutual 
Funds 
Article about tax 
free investing with 
offshore mutual funds 
Also a explanation 
about mutual funds 
for investors that 
may not be familiar 
with this investment 
vehicle 
 

The EscapeArtist 
Message Board 
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The Panama  
Report 
As featured on the 
Escape Artists site ~ 
Learn why this has 
become the only 
report to own if 
you are thinking 
about moving or 
investing in 
Panama 

Offshore Referral 
Information for 
investors and 
those thinking 
about setting up 
an offshore trust 
or other entity 
 

The Dominican 
Republic Report 
Written with an 
American 
perspective ~ 
the one report that 
tells what it is really 
like to live in the 
Dominican 
Republic 
 

Banking or Other 
Investment ??? 
Click Here to have 
your questions about 
offshore mutual 
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brady bonds, stocks 
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answered

Belizean law allows for the operation of the Economic Citizenship Investment programme. This was made possible through an amendment to the Belizean Constitution. The amended law makes provision for the grant of citizenship to persons who make a substantial contribution to the economy of Belize.  

In 1985 the Belizean Nationality Act 1981 was amended by the Belizean Nationality Amendment Act 1985 to provide as follows:  

A person who has to the satisfaction of the Minister, made a substantial contribution to the economy or well being of Belize, or who has rendered distinguished service to Belize, and who is not entitled to be registered under any of the other provisions of this Act, may be granted citizenship by registration.  

Any applicant who is granted citizenship by registration shall be entitled to have: a) The applicant's spouse, if any, resident with the applicant in Belize and b) The applicant's children, if any, below the age of eighteen years and resident with the Applicant in Belize registered as citizens of Belize at the same time.  

By this process individuals or families, can gain full citizenship and gain the right to work or do business in Belize, and settle here permanently. Belizeans enjoy Visa-free travel to more than 80 countries in Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America. All prospective applicants for the BECIP programme are carefully screened by an independent scrutinizing committee appointed by the Belize Government, the Opposition, Non-Government Organisations, Religious Denominations and a representative from the Ministry of Finance.  

Some individuals are interested in Citizenship in order to establish legal domicile in order to protect assets and income from burdensome taxation in their countries of origin, judgements, creditors or litigants.  

Others need a second legal passport to ease travel currently difficult or impossible under their current citizenship. Other applicants face persecution on religious, ethnic or political grounds in their countries of origin desire to migrate to a democratic and peace-loving country such as Belize.  

Still other potential citizens are looking for a stable and democratic country where they can make substantial investments. Belize recognises dual-citizenship so individuals who benefit under this program can retain their original citizenship if they so wish. Individuals approved under this program enjoy all rights, privileges and diplomatic protection as full citizens of Belize.  

Under the Economic Citizenship Program prospective citizens pay a fee of US $50,000 per family. This fee applies to families with children under age 18. Dependent children over age 18 pay a fee of US $15,000. In addition, a fee is payable to licensed and bonded immigration consultants who accept and prepare applications on behalf of the Belize government.  

Belize Passport Consultants are Licensed and Bonded by the Government of Belize to promote this program and accept applications for citizenship. BPC is headed by Manolo Romero, former Chief Information Officer to the government of Belize.  
 

The fee structure is as follows: US $25,000, Registration Fee and US $25,000, Investment Fee.  

The Investment Fee is non-refundable and bears no interest. The payment of such monies represents the applicant's commitment to the nation of Belize to which he looks for citizenship. Therefore the sum payable to government for one family is US $50,000.  

The Registration Fee is payable at time of application. The Investment Fee is due on notification that the application has been approved. Both Registration and Investment Fees are paid directly to the Government of Belize. A processing fee which covers all legal charges and consultant fee is negotiated with the Immigration Consultant. The fee negotiated with the Immigration Consultant is payable to the consultant.  

All applications under this programme must be made through a licensed Immigration Consultant. Applicants do not need to visit or reside in Belize. They can be sworn in at any Embassy or Consulate of Belize in many parts of the world including North, Central and South America, Western, Central or Eastern Europe, the Middle East, the Far East, North Africa and Africa.  

Belize offers significant advantages over other programs offered by other countries. Firstly, it is an independent British Commonwealth country with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the II as its head of state. It is only two hours by air from the US and there are several direct flights every day including US carriers. This is convenient for business or shopping trips.  

Belize is a mainland country and has its northern border with Mexico which is a full member of the North American Free Trade Zone. Belize has applied for entry into NAFTA and is already constructing a large Free Trade Zone facility on the border with Mexico to host commerce, manufacturing and financial services with 100 duty-free tax access. Belize is a member of the United Nations, the Organisation of American States, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Association of Caribbean States, the World Bank, the Inter-american Development Bank, and is a signatory to CBI, LOME IV, CARIBCAN and CARICOM.  
 

Size:Approximately 8,866 square miles. Belize's mainland is approximately 180 miles long and up to 68 miles wide. Belize also consists of over 200 islands, ranging in size from a few hundred feet to 25 miles long and four miles wide; most of which are located inside the 200 mile Belize Barrier Reef - the largest living coral reef in the world.  

Population: The population of Belize is approximately 220,000. There is a great deal of ethnic diversity among Belizeans, who include Creoles (African-European), Mestizo (Spanish-Indian), Garifuna (African-Indian), Mayan, Anglo-European, Middle Eastern and Asian. There is a considerable expatriate community consisting mainly of North Americans, Europeans and immigrants from Asia and the Middle East.  

Language: English is the official language and is widely spoken, as is Spanish. Other languages include Creole, Mayan and Garifuna. Hindu, Arabic and Chinese are also spoken.  

Getting to Belize: Belize is 2 hours by air from Miami, Florida and Houston, Texas. U.S. gateway cities to Belize include Miami, Houston and New Orleans. Direct flights are also available from Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C; and from Toronto, Canada. From Mexico, direct flights to Belize are available from Cancun and Chetumal.  

Most Central American countries offer direct flights to Belize, including Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Costa Rica. British Airways has recently introduced direct flights from Europe. The US border is about three days by paved highway from Belize and access to neighbouring Central American countries is also possible through the Pan American Highway.  

Tax & Financial Services: Belize is gaining increased attention as a tax haven and offshore financial centre with generous asset protection. Recent legislation introduced provides for offshore International Business Companies and Trusts which feature complete anonymity, tax-free operation and unfettered profit repatriation.  

The Belize Economic Citizenship Investment Program is handled exclusively through Immigration Consultants licensed and bonded to the Belize Government. Immigration Consultants promote the program, identify clients, and prepare application forms and required documents, render necessary assistance to prospective applicants and submit and monitor applications to government.