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Ecuador Independent Means Visas

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Program Type:

Independent Means Visa

Processing Time:

2-3 months

Citizenship Timeline:

4 years

Permanent Residency Timeline:

2 years

Physical Presence Required:

275 days per year

Citizenship Visa-Free Access:

92 countries

Minimum Contribution:

None

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Ecuador Independent Means Visas IMI

Program Overview

Ecuador Independent Means Visas

Ecuador offers several income-based residence permits, each of which requires an income equal to three times the Ecuadorian minimum wage of US$460 a month (2024).

The visas offer a path to permanent residency in two years and citizenship in four.

Note, 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.

Ecuador Independent Means Visas

How to Qualify

Ecuador offers three types of income-based visas,

  • Rentista
  • Jubilado
  • Digital Nomad

Each has an initial validity period of 2 years, and are renewable indefinitely as long as the requirements remain fulfilled. After three years of temporary residency, the applicant may obtain permanent status.

To qualify as a Rentista, you must show a foreign-source income of at least 3x the minimum wage per month (US$1,350).

Such income should take a passive form, such as that arising from investments, rental, annuities, and similar.

To 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$1,350).

The payment should be certified as pension disbursements by a recognized institution.

To qualify as a Digital Nomad, you must:

  • Show a foreign-source income of at least 3x the minimum wage per month (US$1,350).
  • Show bank statements to indicate you are in possession of at least 72 minimum wages (US$97,200)

Additionally, you must prove that you work for or provide services to an employer, client, or company domiciled abroad.

For 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.

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Ecuador Independent Means Visas

Salient Benefits

  • No investment or donation requirement
  • Path to citizenship
  • Permits dual/multiple citizenship
  • Lower cost of living
  • Warm climate
  • Short processing time

Ecuador Independent Means Visas

Citizenship Timeline and Requirements

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.

Note 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.

After two years of living in Ecuador, applicants are eligible for permanent residency.

After four years of holding residency in Ecuador, the applicant is eligible for citizenship, subject to mastery of Spanish language and Ecuadorian civics.

Browse 195 countries’ paths to citizenship in the hyper-detailed IMI Citizenship Catalog.

Ecuador Independent Means Visas

Program Authority and Legal Basis

Applications for this program may be directed to Ecuador Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility.

Legislation upon which this program is based DECRETO No. 354 (EXPÍDESE EL REGLAMENTO A LA LEY ORGÁNICA DE MOVILIDAD HUMANA).

Ecuador Independent Means Visas

IMI Pros Who Can Help You

Ecuador Independent Means Visas

Qualifying Real Estate

As noted in the program qualifications above, an investor can qualify for this program with a local property purchase above the minimum investment threshold. View eligible properties curated by IMI and our real estate partners:

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Ecuador Independent Means Visas

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Ecuador Independent Means Visas

Program Statistics

See more statistics on this program and others in the IMI Data Center.

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