To qualify for Ecuador’s Investor (Inversionista) Visa, applicants must make one of the following three types of investment in Ecuador:

1. Deposit no less than 100 Ecuadorian monthly minimum wages (US$46,000 in 2024) in a recognized Ecuadorian financial institution; or

2. Acquire real estate in Ecuador for at least 100 monthly minimum wages (US$46,000); or

3. Invest in the shares of an Ecuador-domiciled company for no less than 100 minimum wages (US$46,000).

Additionally, the applicants must demonstrate that they have the means to support themselves financially while in Ecuador.

Whichever qualifying path the applicants choose, they must maintain their investment for the duration of their temporary residency and may only divest once they have obtained permanent status, typically in year three.

Program benefits

• Minimal investment required;
• Path to citizenship;
• Permits dual/multiple citizenship;
• Lower cost of living;
• Warm climate;
• Short processing time

Requirements to qualify for citizenship

Unlike for Ecuador’s Independent Means Visas, those holding investor visas have no limitations on the amount of time they can spend outside the country. For purposes of obtaining permanent residency or eventually citizenship, however, the applicant may not be absent from the country for more than 180 days a year during the years preceding their application.

After 2 years of continuous residency in Ecuador, the applicant is eligible for permanent residency.

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

Applications for this program may be directed to:

Ecuador Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility

Legislation upon which this program is based: