Every way into Ecuador.

Most nationalities receive a free 90-day tourist permit (T-3) on arrival in Ecuador, granted by the National Migration authority (part of the National Police), not by a consular visa. The 90 days are counted within a rolling 12-month period. A one-time tourist extension of up to a further 90 days (total 180 days/year) may be requested through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MREMH) platform; it must be applied for in the days before the T-3 expires and costs the equivalent of one third of the basic salary (about USD 161 in 2026). Tourist status does not allow paid work and does not lead to residence, but a tourist or extension holder already in Ecuador may apply in-country to change to a temporary residence category. Citizens of a small list of countries (e.g. certain African and Asian states) instead require a tourist visa obtained at a consulate before travel.

• Residency: Holder in Ecuador may apply to change to a temporary residence category, then permanent after 21 months.

Government fee

$0

Processing time

0 days

Max stay

90 days

Validity

90 days

For non-nationals enrolled in a recognised Ecuadorian educational institution for studies or pre-professional/professional practice lasting more than six months, at basic, secondary, undergraduate or postgraduate level, or in institutions teaching Ecuador's official languages. The applicant must show enrolment or an admission certificate from an accredited institution and evidence of means to support the studies. The visa is issued for the duration of the studies/practice, not exceeding two years, and is renewable while enrolment continues. Government cost is USD 50 for the application plus USD 400 for issuance. Students may later change category (e.g. to work) and time accumulated counts toward the 21 months needed for permanent residence.

• Study: Primary purpose: enrolment at the sponsoring institution.
• Residency after 2 years
• Family: Dependants under amparo category; +USD 250/month income per dependant.

Government fee

$450

Processing time

30 days

Validity

730 days

Ecuador's digital nomad route, created by Ministerial Agreement No. 70 of 28 June 2024, as a 'rentista for remote work' temporary residence visa. It is for non-nationals who own a company or work for one or more individuals or entities domiciled abroad and provide professional or service activities remotely/digitally (teleworking). The income test is at least three Unified Basic Salaries per month (USD 1,446 in 2026) over the prior three months, or 36 SBU per year (USD 17,352), evidenced by international account statements. The visa is granted for up to two years and renewable in two-year increments; valid medical insurance in Ecuador and a proof of address (lease, hotel booking or invitation letter) are required. Government cost is USD 50 for the application plus USD 400 for issuance. After 21 months of accumulated residence the holder may apply for permanent residence.

• Work: Work is for foreign employers/clients only; no local Ecuadorian employment under this category.
• Study: Residents may enrol in study.
• Residency after 2 years
• Family: Dependants under amparo category; +USD 250/month income per dependant.

Government fee

$450

Processing time

30 days

Validity

730 days

Min. income / month

$1,446

For non-nationals performing autonomous work, professional/civil services, consultancy or activities backed by a letter of sponsorship (carta de auspicio). The applicant must already hold a tourist, residence or commercial-acts migratory category, and present one of: a notarised professional/civil/consultancy services contract; a Single Taxpayer Registry (RUC, only for those already holding a resident category when changing category); or an operating permit from a Decentralised Autonomous Government for economic activity. It grants a two-year multiple-entry temporary residence permit. Government cost is USD 50 for the application plus USD 270 for issuance - cheaper than the standard USD 400 categories. After 21 months of accumulated residence the holder may apply for permanent residence.

• Work: Permits autonomous/professional services work under the declared activity.
• Study: Residents may enrol in study.
• Residency after 2 years
• Family: Dependants under amparo category; +USD 250/month income per dependant.

Government fee

$320

Processing time

30 days

Validity

730 days

For non-nationals holding a recognised professional, technical, technological or artisan qualification who wish to settle in Ecuador. It is one of the lowest-cost residence routes: the means-of-subsistence test is roughly one Unified Basic Salary per month (USD 482 in 2026), shown via three months of bank movements. The foreign degree/diploma must be apostilled or legalised and, once the visa is granted, registered with SENESCYT (or, for artisans, validated with the Junta Nacional de Defensa del Artesano) within three months. It grants a two-year temporary residence permit. Government cost is USD 50 for the application plus USD 400 for issuance. After 21 months of accumulated residence the holder may apply for permanent residence.

• Work: Holder may practise their profession/trade once the title is registered with SENESCYT.
• Study: Residents may enrol in study.
• Residency after 2 years
• Family: Dependants under amparo category; +USD 250/month income per dependant.

Government fee

$450

Processing time

30 days

Validity

730 days

Min. income / month

$482

For non-nationals with a job offer in Ecuador under an employment (dependency) relationship in the public or private sector. The core requirement is an employment contract or appointment plus a contract-registration certificate issued by the Ministry of Labour, together with the employer's tax/social-security clearances (SRI, IESS, Superintendency of Companies). Means of subsistence are assessed under Ministerial Agreement No. 70 of 28 June 2024. It grants a two-year temporary residence permit; if employment ends the holder must regularise their status. Government cost is USD 50 for the application plus USD 400 for issuance. After 21 months of accumulated residence the holder may apply for permanent residence.

• Work: Work permitted with the sponsoring employer under the registered contract.
• Study: Residents may enrol in study.
• Residency after 2 years
• Family: Dependants under amparo category; +USD 250/month income per dependant.

Government fee

$450

Processing time

30 days

Validity

730 days

For non-nationals who can show stable, lawful personal income generated abroad or in Ecuador (rental contracts, investment instruments and similar sources) of at least three Unified Basic Salaries per month. In 2026 the basic salary (SBU) is USD 482, so the threshold is USD 1,446/month. The visa is a two-year temporary residence permit allowing multiple entries; valid health insurance covering the visa period is required. Government cost is USD 50 for the application form plus USD 400 for visa issuance. Income documents issued abroad must be apostilled (Hague Convention countries) or legalised. After 21 months of accumulated residence the holder may apply for permanent residence. Time abroad is capped: the holder may not be absent more than 90 days per year without losing status during the temporary period.

• Work: Residence permits allow work, though this category is based on passive/independent income.
• Study: Residents may enrol in study.
• Residency after 2 years
• Family: Dependants apply under the amparo (family support) category; +USD 250/month income per dependant.

Government fee

$450

Processing time

30 days

Validity

730 days

Min. income / month

$1,446

For non-nationals who place a lawful investment of at least 100 Unified Basic Salaries in Ecuador. With the 2026 SBU of USD 482, the minimum is USD 48,200. Qualifying investments are: a bank certificate of deposit held for at least 730 days; real estate registered in the Property Registry and free of liens; or shares/participations in an Ecuadorian company registered with the Superintendency of Companies. It grants a two-year temporary residence permit; health insurance for the visa period is required for renewal. Government cost is USD 50 for the application plus USD 400 for issuance. The investment must be maintained for the duration of the status. After 21 months of accumulated residence the holder may apply for permanent residence. There is no broader 'golden visa' or citizenship-by-investment programme; this is the standard investor residence route.

• Work: Investor residents may carry out their productive/commercial activity.
• Study: Residents may enrol in study.
• Residency after 2 years
• Family: Dependants under amparo category; +USD 250/month income per dependant.

Government fee

$450

Processing time

30 days

Validity

730 days

Min. investment

$48,200

Ecuador's retirement route, for non-nationals receiving a monthly pension from abroad of at least three Unified Basic Salaries. In 2026 the SBU is USD 482, so the minimum pension is USD 1,446/month. The pension must be certified by the competent foreign institution and the certificate apostilled or legalised. It grants a two-year temporary residence permit with multiple entries; valid health insurance for the visa period is required. Government cost is USD 50 for the application form plus USD 400 for issuance. After 21 months of accumulated residence the holder may apply for permanent residence, which removes the 90-day annual absence cap. A spouse/partner and dependent children can be added under the amparo (family support) category, with proof of an extra USD 250/month per dependant.

• Work: Residence permit permits work, though the category is pension-based.
• Study: Residents may enrol in study.
• Residency after 2 years
• Family: Dependants under amparo category; +USD 250/month income per dependant.

Government fee

$450

Processing time

30 days

Validity

730 days

Min. income / month

$1,446

The dependent (family support) category that lets a temporary or permanent resident bring family members - spouse or recognised de-facto partner, dependent children and other dependents under the Human Mobility Law. The sponsor must show additional monthly income of USD 250 for each person supported. The amparo permit's validity is tied to the sponsor's residence visa and is renewed when the sponsor renews. Family ties are proven with marriage/de-facto-union or birth certificates, apostilled and translated. Government cost is USD 50 for the application plus USD 400 for issuance. Once dependants accumulate 21 months of residence they too may apply for permanent residence; a permanent residence by marriage/union with an Ecuadorian or indefinite-resident foreigner is a separate, distinct route.

• Work: As a residence permit it allows work; the category itself is dependency-based.
• Study: Dependants may enrol in study.
• Residency after 2 years
• Family: This IS the family route; covers spouse/partner, children and dependents.

Government fee

$450

Processing time

30 days

Validity

730 days

Min. income / month

$250

For non-nationals coming to Ecuador to carry out scientific, research or academic activities, typically hired or hosted by a public or private institution. The applicant documents the scientific/research/academic activity and the hosting/contracting institution, plus standard residence requirements (valid passport, apostilled criminal record, photograph). It grants a two-year temporary residence permit. Government cost is USD 50 for the application plus USD 400 for issuance. After 21 months of accumulated residence the holder may apply for permanent residence. Related temporary residence categories exist for athletes/cultural/artistic activity and for religious workers/volunteers, each with the same two-year duration and fee structure.

• Work: Holder may carry out the scientific/research/academic activity with the host institution.
• Study: Residents may enrol in study.
• Residency after 2 years
• Family: Dependants under amparo category; +USD 250/month income per dependant.

Government fee

$450

Processing time

30 days

Validity

730 days

For non-nationals coming to Ecuador to carry out religious activities or religious volunteering, typically endorsed by a recognised religious organisation operating in Ecuador. The applicant documents the religious activity and the sponsoring organisation, alongside standard residence requirements (valid passport, apostilled criminal record, photograph, means of subsistence). It grants a two-year temporary residence permit. Government cost is USD 50 for the application plus USD 400 for issuance. After 21 months of accumulated residence the holder may apply for permanent residence.

• Work: Limited to the sponsored religious activity/volunteering.
• Study: Residents may enrol in study.
• Residency after 2 years
• Family: Dependants under amparo category; +USD 250/month income per dependant.

Government fee

$450

Processing time

30 days

Validity

730 days

A simplified two-year residence route under the MERCOSUR Residence Agreement for nationals of Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Peru and Colombia. Eligibility is based on nationality rather than income, investment or a job offer, so the requirements are light: application form and photo, valid passport, and an apostilled criminal record. Government cost is the lowest of the residence categories - USD 50 for the application plus USD 200 for issuance. It is filed at MREMH zonal offices in Ecuador or the virtual consulate. The temporary MERCOSUR visa converts directly to a permanent MERCOSUR visa near the end of the two-year period, on proof of lawful means of subsistence.

• Work: MERCOSUR residents have the right to work on equal terms with nationals.
• Study: Right to study under the MERCOSUR Residence Agreement.
• Residency after 2 years
• Family: Family members may be included under the agreement / amparo category.

Government fee

$250

Processing time

30 days

Validity

730 days

The permanent-residence step for MERCOSUR nationals (Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Peru, Colombia) who hold a temporary MERCOSUR visa. It is requested within the 90 days before the temporary MERCOSUR visa expires, on proof of lawful means of subsistence and an Ecuadorian criminal-record certificate (for applicants over 18). It confers indefinite residence with full work and study rights and near-equal treatment with nationals; permanent residents must not be absent from Ecuador for more than 24 consecutive months to keep the status. Government cost is USD 50 for the application plus USD 500 for issuance. This is the standard permanent-residence route for MERCOSUR citizens, parallel to the general 21-month permanent residence visa available to all temporary residents.

• Work: Full work rights on equal terms with nationals.
• Study: Full study rights.
• Residency: This is permanent residence; naturalisation is a separate process.
• Family: Family members may be included under the agreement / amparo category.

Government fee

$550

Processing time

30 days

The general permanent residence visa, open to anyone who has held temporary residence in Ecuador for at least 21 months (within the two-year temporary period). The application must be filed before the current migratory status expires. Requirements are a valid passport, proof of lawful means of subsistence and, for applicants over 18, an Ecuadorian criminal-record certificate. It confers indefinite residence; the holder may not be absent from Ecuador for more than 90 consecutive days in the first two years, after which the limit relaxes to no more than 24 consecutive months. Government cost is USD 50 for the application plus USD 500 for issuance. Permanent residence is the standard precursor to naturalisation, which is governed separately by the Constitution and the Human Mobility Law (generally 3 years of legal residence for naturalisation).

• Work: Full work rights.
• Study: Full study rights.
• Residency: This is permanent residence; naturalisation generally after 3 years of legal residence.
• Family: Family members included via the amparo category.

Government fee

$550

Processing time

30 days