Ecuador offers three types of income-based visas,

1. Rentista
2. Jubilado
3. 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 in June 2023).

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 in June 2023).

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 in June 2023); OR
– 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. 

Program benefits

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

Requirements to qualify for citizenship

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 three years of holding permanent residency in Ecuador – i.e., after five years total – the applicant is eligible for citizenship, subject to mastery of Spanish language and Ecuadorian civics.

Applications for this program may be directed to:

Ecuador Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility

Legislation upon which this program is based: