Overview
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility grants the “residencia temporal rentista para trabajo remoto” to foreigners who intend to settle in Ecuador to work remotely, whether for a foreign employer, foreign clients or their own business registered abroad. It is a full temporary residence visa, applied for entirely online through the e-VISAS platform, valid for up to two years and renewable once.
Because Ecuador uses the US dollar, the income test is set in dollars as a multiple of the unified basic salary (SBU).
Editor's note — The official procedure page lists the visa fee at US$270 (plus US$50 to apply); several 2026 guides quote US$400. Fees are set by ministerial agreement and have moved before — verify on gob.ec before paying.
Who is eligible
- Foreign national intending to work remotely from Ecuador for employers or clients abroad, or through a foreign-registered business.
- Monthly foreign income of at least three basic salaries (3 × US$482 = US$1,446 in 2026) or 36 basic salaries per year.
- Original criminal-record certificate, apostilled or legalised.
- National or foreign health insurance valid in Ecuador.
- Passport valid at least six months; add US$250 per month for each dependant.
Income & financial requirements
3 × the 2026 SBU of US$482.
36 × SBU per year.
Per month, per person covered.
Application and visa issuance.
Applicants show “three Unified Basic Salaries per month” from foreign sources, documented with international bank statements for the three months before filing, or 36 basic salaries per year. Each dependant adds US$250 a month. The SBU is set every year by ministerial agreement (US$482 for 2026), so the threshold moves annually.
Costs & fees
- US$50 application fee and US$270 visa fee per the official procedure page; 50% discount over 65 and full exemption for applicants with a disability of 30% or more.
- Apostilles and Spanish translations of the criminal record and income documents.
- Health insurance covering Ecuador for the visa period.
Taxes
Spending more than 183 days in a year makes you an Ecuadorian tax resident, taxed on worldwide income at progressive rates up to 37%. Ecuador has a limited treaty network; check whether your income is already taxed at home before relying on credits.
How to apply
Create an e-VISAS account
On serviciosdigitales.cancilleria.gob.ec; choose the rentista trabajo remoto visa.
Upload documents and pay US$50
Passport, apostilled criminal record, photo, insurance and three months of bank statements.
Respond to any requests
The ministry may ask for clarifications before deciding.
Pay US$270 and receive the visa
Then register with the Civil Registry for your Ecuadorian ID (cédula).
Duration & renewal
Up to two years, renewable once for the same period. After 21 months as a temporary resident you may apply for permanent residence under Ecuador's Organic Law on Human Mobility — one of the few nomad visas that leads to settlement.
Bringing family
Spouse and dependent children can be included; each adds US$250 to the monthly income requirement and needs their own documents.
Pros & cons
Advantages
- Low income threshold in a dollar economy
- Two-year residence and a route to PR
- Fully online application
- Diverse geography at low cost
Considerations
- Worldwide taxation once resident
- Fee amounts have changed and sources conflict
- Security concerns in some coastal cities
- Bureaucracy for the cédula after arrival