Guide to Residency in Ecuador

Obtaining a residency visa in Ecuador is not always easy, but our Guide to Residency in Ecuador gives newcomers an overview of the steps involved and advice from others who have already navigated the process.

Obtaining Residency Status in Ecuador

• Determine the Type of Visa Required
• Visit the Ecuadorian Foreign Affairs website to understand the different types of visas available, such as retirement, investment, professional, and more.
• Select the visa that best suits your situation.
• Gather Required Documents
• Valid passport with at least six months validity remaining.
• Completed visa application form, available at the Ecuadorian Foreign Affairs website.
• Background check or police clearance certificate, apostilled or legalized.
• Additional documents specific to the type of visa, such as proof of pension for retirement visa, business plan for investment visa, etc.
• Apply for a Tax Number (RUC)
• Visit the SRI website (Internal Revenue Service of Ecuador).
• Click on "Clave Única de Identificación Tributaria" and then "Registro Único de Contribuyentes (RUC)."
• Follow the online instructions to apply for a RUC. You will need to provide personal information and upload a copy of your passport.
• Open a Bank Account
• Visit a local Ecuadorian bank with your passport and RUC number.
• Request to open a savings account (Cuenta de Ahorros).
• Deposit the required amount of money based on the type of visa you are applying for.
• Obtain Health Insurance
• Purchase a health insurance plan from an Ecuadorian insurance company.
• Ensure the plan covers the entire duration of your stay in Ecuador.
• Register with the Ecuadorian Immigration Office
• Visit the Ecuadorian Immigration Office website to schedule an appointment.
• Attend your appointment with all the required documents, including your passport, visa application form, background check, proof of health insurance, and bank statement.
• Pay the visa application fee at the designated bank before your appointment.
• Complete the Registration Process
• Submitted biometric data (fingerprints and photograph) at the immigration office.
• Wait for the approval of your visa application. The processing time varies depending on the type of visa and the workload of the immigration office.
• Obtain the Cedula (Ecuadorian ID Card)
• Once your visa is approved, visit the Civil Registry office to apply for a cedula.
• Present your passport, visa, and a passport-sized photograph.
• Pay the fee for the cedula.

After obtaining your cedula, you are officially a resident of Ecuador. Make sure to keep your contact information up-to-date with the immigration office and renew your visa as required.

What tips do digital nomads and expats have about residency and visas in Ecuador?

"Also, they may tell you to submit documents electronically but you WILL need them in paper versions. Visas are now electronic but Immigration requested a paper copy of my visa (and their ministry issued it!) which was NOT listed as one of the documents needed. You actually rarely use your visa once you obtain a cedula (ID card) based on the visa, not even for reentry to Ecuador once you have a resident visa. USA passport and cedula are all needed, except for at times, covid vaccine card. I took a photo of my cedula side by side with covid vaccine card and use the photo when needed. Bring extra original documents like birth certificates and marriage licenses and background checks, at least 3 originals of each and apostilled. Your background checks will be good until you return to USA, obviously you are not committing crimes there while you are living here. Expensive and difficult to get more documents while you are here sent from USA," commented one member living in Ecuador.

"In Ecuador, foreign nationals must obtain a visa prior to entering the country for any purpose. US citizens are eligible for a tourist visa that is valid for 90 days. This visa can be extended at the Migración y Naturalización service office. To obtain a tourist visa, applicants must complete an online form and provide a valid passport, return flight ticket and proof of financial support. Those wishing to obtain residency must first obtain an authorization of residence from the Foreign Ministry. This must be done through an Ecuadorian consulate abroad before entering the country. To request an authorization, applicants need to provide a valid passport and birth certificate as well as documents detailing their purpose in the country and economic resources. After entering Ecuador with the authorization of residence, the applicant must then register with the Migration and Naturalization Service office and present additional required documents. The applicant must also undergo a background check by the authenticity of documents committee and sign declarations of nationality, residence, and other required documents. Once the residency application is approved, a residency card will be issued," mentioned one member living in Ecuador.

"As can be expected, this is a whole new experience in itself. My wife is Ecuadorian so the process should have been easy. It was not. I visited numerous offices in several cities and finally got my visa after four months. All I can say is bring your patience and be prepared to deal with zero logic," said an expat in Ecuador.

"There are several types of permanent visa: Pensioner's -based on $900 income for a couple or $800 for a single, Investment - CD in a bank or property for min. $40,000 value, Professional - need a college or university degree. With proper documents the process for residency is not that difficult," remarked one expat in Ecuador.

"That is a tough one! We made some mistakes, but the best way if one would choose to live in the area where we are to go to Cuenca. We know an ex-pat that told us after we had some serious problems, that we should have been able to get everything done there instead of traveling to Machala or Quito.," said one member living in Ecuador.

"You can stay for 90 days with a valid passport (minimum 6 month validity from the expiration date). I refer everyone to attorney Floridalva Zambrano, Portoviejo office, for Visa/Residency information and assistance. The immigration laws change frequently," commented one expat who moved to Ecuador.

"The latest residency visas are a two year temporary deal that can then be exchanged for a permanent one. Rules for qualifying stayed the same as when I came 3 years ago, but the temporary visa was a new idea instituted in 2017. The requirements of background checks and proof of ability to support yourself are pretty straightforward. Canadians have had good luck at getting visas before they arrive but most digital nomads and expats I know have used an expediting service or lawyer since the actual rules can change," said one member.