Ecuador•South AmericaDigital Nomad Visa (Visa Rentista Trabajador Nómada)
At a Glance
3–10 days
USD $320
2 years
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
Yes
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote work OK
Overview
Two-year residence for remote workers with foreign-source income of at least USD 1,446/month (3x Ecuador's 2026 SBU). Renewable once.
Ecuador's Visa Nomada Digital, formally the Visa de Residencia Temporal Rentista para Trabajo Remoto, was created under the Ley Organica de Movilidad Humana for location-independent professionals who earn entirely from outside Ecuador.
Applicants must show foreign-source income of at least three Salarios Basicos Unificados (USD 1,446/month at the 2026 SBU of USD 482) over the prior three months, an apostilled criminal-background certificate, and health insurance covering Ecuador. The visa runs for two years and is renewable once; after 21 months of continuous presence it can be converted to permanent residence.
This visa is ideal for salaried remote employees, freelancers, and owners of foreign-registered businesses seeking a low-cost Latin American base for up to four years, with an option to settle permanently.
Cost Breakdown
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 2 years |
Conversion Paths
Visas you can typically switch to from this status.
EcuadorPermanent Residence Visa (Visa de Residencia Permanente)
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Be employed by, contracted to, or own a company registered outside Ecuador for remote/digital/teleworking activities.
Demonstrate monthly foreign-source income of at least 3 Salarios Básicos Unificados (USD 1,446/month at the 2026 SBU of USD 482), evidenced by bank statements covering the prior 3 months, OR USD 17,352 annually.
Hold a passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity.
Provide an apostilled or legalized criminal background certificate from the country of origin or residence covering the last 5 years, translated to Spanish.
Hold valid national or international health insurance covering the entire stay in Ecuador.
Add USD 250 per month of additional income for each accompanying dependent.
KEY CRITERIA
Experience
1+ years
Min. Income
17,352 USD/yr
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Completed online visa application via the e-VISAS platform
Color photograph, 5x5cm, white background, JPG under 1 MB
Passport valid for at least 6 months
Apostilled or legalized criminal background certificate from origin or residence country (last 5 years), translated to Spanish
Foreign employment contract, service contract, or proof of ownership of a foreign-registered company
International bank statements covering the prior 3 months evidencing income of at least 3 SBU/month
Valid national or international health insurance with coverage in Ecuador for the visa period
Proof of payment of the USD 50 application fee
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Two-year residence renewable once, giving up to four years of legal stay.
- Income threshold (USD 1,446/month) is modest by global digital-nomad-visa standards.
- Family members can be included with USD 250/month of additional income each.
- Counts toward the 21-month residence required for permanent residency.
- Fully online application via the MREMH e-VISAS platform.
- Low total government fees (USD 320) compared with regional peers.
Worth Knowing
- Income must come exclusively from outside Ecuador; no local employment is allowed.
- All foreign documents must be apostilled or legalized and translated to Spanish.
- Health insurance with Ecuador coverage is mandatory for the full visa period.
- Application fees must be paid the same day or the request is auto-deleted.
- Renewal is permitted only once; after that you must switch to another status.
- No qualifying foreign-source income of at least 3 SBU/month (USD 1,446 in 2026).
- Cannot supply an apostilled criminal-background certificate.
- No valid health insurance covering Ecuador for the visa period.
Application Process
Register on the MREMH e-VISAS platform at serviciosdigitales.cancilleria.gob.ec and verify your email.
Complete personal data and accept the platform's terms and conditions.
Select 'Nuevo Trámite' → 'Nueva Visa', migration condition 'Visitante Temporal', and the Visa Nómada (rentista trabajo remoto) visa type.
Upload required documents
passport, photo, apostilled criminal record, proof of foreign income (3 months bank statements), foreign employment/business proof, and valid health insurance.
Pay USD 50 application fee online or via Banco del Pacífico the same day (deadline 23:55 Ecuador time) to avoid auto-deletion of the request.
Wait for the file to move to 'Revisión de Información'; respond to any document requests within the platform.
Once approved, pay the USD 270 issuance fee and collect/print the electronic visa from the e-VISAS portal.
Application Forms
| Rentista visa application | — |
Related visas
More visas in Ecuador
Digital nomad visas in other countries
- Digital Nomad Visa
Cyprus
- Virtual Work Residence Visa
United Arab Emirates
- Digital Nomad Permit (Permiso de Nómada Digital)
Uruguay
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