{"data":{"program":{"slug":"ecuador-independent-means-visas","name":"Ecuador Independent Means Visas","url":"https://www.imidaily.com/ecuador-independent-means-visas/","country":"Ecuador","region":"Americas","program_type":"Independent Means Visa","status_granted":"Temporary Residency","min_investment_usd":0,"investment_options":["No Contribution Required"],"investment_range":"None","passive_investment":"N/A","min_annual_income_usd":17352,"income_range":"US$0-25,000","min_net_worth_usd":null,"max_years_validity":null,"max_years_extension":null,"annual_stay_days":275,"pr_or_citizenship_possible":false,"years_to_pr":2,"years_to_citizenship":4,"tax_residency_required_for_naturalization":"No","dual_citizenship":"Permitted","visa_free_countries":92,"notable_visa_free":["China","Russia","United Arab Emirates"],"settlement_blocs":["MERCOSUR","CAN"],"country_attributes":["Mild climate","Low cost of living"],"program_attributes":["Citizenship within 5 years"],"experts":[{"name":"Nataša Branković","company":"Nomad Capitalist","profile_url":"https://www.imidaily.com/pro/natasa-brankovic/","type":"IMI Pro"},{"name":"Khatia Gelbakhiani","company":"Nomad Capitalist","profile_url":"https://www.imidaily.com/pro/khatia-gelbakhiani/","type":"IMI Pro"},{"name":"Brendan Metcalfe","company":"My Latin Life","profile_url":"https://www.imidaily.com/pro/brendan-metcalfe/","type":"IMI Pro"}],"details":{"overview":"Ecuador offers several income-based residence permits, each of which requires an income equal to three times the Ecuadorian minimum wage of US$482 a month (2026).\n\nThe visas offer a path to permanent residency in two years and citizenship in four.\n\nNote, however, that Ecuador applies strict physical presence requirements of 275 days per year at both the temporary and permanent residence stage and that, moreover, the Ecuadorian passport is among the continent’s weaker travel documents.","how_to_qualify":"Ecuador offers three types of income-based visas:\n- Rentista\n- Jubilado\n- Digital Nomad\n\nEach has an initial validity period of 2 years, and are renewable indefinitely as long as the requirements remain fulfilled. After two years of temporary residency, the applicant may obtain permanent status.\n\nTo qualify as a **Rentista**, you must show a foreign-source income of at least 3x the minimum wage per month (US$1,446 in 2026).\n\nSuch income should take a passive form, such as that arising from investments, rental, annuities, and similar.\n\nTo qualify as a **Jubilado**, you must show you are in receipt of a monthly pension of at least 3x the minimum wage per month (US$1,446).\n\nThe payment should be certified as pension disbursements by a recognized institution.\n\nTo qualify as a **Digital Nomad**, you must:\n- Show a foreign-source income of at least 3x the minimum wage per month (US$1,446).\n- Show bank statements to indicate you are in possession of at least 72 minimum wages (US$34,704).\n\nAdditionally, you must prove that you work for or provide services to an employer, client, or company domiciled abroad.\n\nFor all three categories, dependents may be included in the application through demonstrating an additional monthly income of US$250 for each dependent. Equally, all categories require you possess a health insurance valid in Ecuador for the duration of the visa.","benefits":"- No investment or donation requirement\n- Path to citizenship\n- Permits dual/multiple citizenship\n- Lower cost of living\n- Warm climate\n- Short processing time","citizenship_timeline":"The Rentista, Jubilado, and Digital Nomad visas each have an initial validity period of 2 years, but each is renewable indefinitely as long as the applicant continues to meet the terms.\n\nNote that temporary residents must not be absent from Ecuador for more than 90 days a year. The same is true for permanent residency in the first three years of holding that status.\n\nAfter two years of living in Ecuador, applicants are eligible for permanent residency.\n\nAfter four years of holding residency in Ecuador, the applicant is eligible for citizenship, subject to mastery of Spanish language and Ecuadorian civics.\n\nBrowse 195 countries’ paths to citizenship in the hyper-detailed [IMI Citizenship Catalog](https://www.imidaily.com/citizenship-catalog/).","legal_basis":"Applications for this program may be directed to [Ecuador Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility](https://www.gob.ec/mremh/tramites/concesion-visa-residencia-temporal-rentista).\n\nLegislation upon which this program is based [DECRETO No. 354 (EXPÍDESE EL REGLAMENTO A LA LEY ORGÁNICA DE MOVILIDAD HUMANA)](https://www.gob.ec/sites/default/files/regulations/2023-05/REGLAMENTO%20A%20LA%20LOMH-2023.pdf)."}},"experts_ordering":"Order rotates daily so every listed professional takes turns at the top. Official Partners are listed before IMI Pros. Order does not indicate rank or quality.","as_of":"2026-11-12T18:23:22.556Z"},"meta":{"publisher":"IMI Daily","attribution":"Source: IMI Daily (https://www.imidaily.com). Free to use with credit to IMI Daily and a link to the item's url.","license":"https://www.imidaily.com/api/terms","disclaimer":"General information only, not legal, tax or investment advice. Rules change often; confirm with the official source or a licensed professional before acting.","generated_at":"2026-11-12T18:23:22.556Z"}}