About Ecuador Citizenship and Residency

There is NO such thing as obtaining Ecuador Citizenship by Investment without first becoming a Permanent Resident of Ecuador within 5 years of living in Ecuador, first as a Temporary Resident for one’s initial 2 years in Ecuador, followed thereafter by an additional 3 years in Ecuador as a Permanent Resident, to be able to finally qualify for Ecuadorian Citizenship at that then time.

Under new regulations that took effect on March 10, 2022, Ecuador‘s residency program qualifies as one of the best in the world and one of the easiest paths to citizenship. Ecuador offers a temporary resident visa to start, from which you can move on to a permanent resident visa.

After 21 months of being a temporary resident and continuously living in Ecuador, you can apply for a Permanent Residency Visa (PRV). Under the Permanent Residency Visa, you are allowed to stay out of the country for up to 180 days during the first two years, each year. After the second year, you can be out of the country for up to 2 years to keep your Permanent Residency Visa status. In a case of non-compliance with this law, a fine of up to 50% of the basic unified salary must be paid. Following the second year, permanent residence holders may remain outside the country for up to two years. If the holder does not return to the country within the two-year time frame, the visa will be canceled.

There are a variety of programs to apply for temporary residence in Ecuador which 3 are listed below. For all the programs listed below the applicant should be aware that they can leave only 90 days per year for the first 2 years to maintain the residency status.

Types of resident visas are as follows:

1. Pensioner Visa

 For individuals who receive a stable pension or another form of consistent income of at least 3 minimum Ecuadorian minimum wages [$1275 per month]. You do not have to be 65 years of age or older to qualify for a Pensioner’s Visa. As long as you have an income of $1275/mo (and $200/mo for each adult children dependent) coming to you in perpetuity, and you can prove it, you qualify for the Pensioner’s Visa.

2. Inversionista (Investor) Visa

• As of this year, the required investment for each type of investor visa is the same: 100 times the monthly minimum wage. For 2022, this is US$42,500.

Here are the most common types of investments used by ex-pats to qualify for an investor visa:

• A certificate of deposit (CD): You must show that it’s contracted through an Ecuadorian bank for at least 730 days…
• Ecuadorian real estate: You’ll need to present the property title, showing an assessed value of at least 100 times the minimum wage. If the property is jointly owned, then the applicant’s half must be worth the required minimum…
• Shares of an Ecuadorian company are valued at the required minimum.

3. Professional VISA

• Period: 2 years initially, indefinite upon renewal
• Entries allowed: Multiple
• Time outside Ecuador: Max 90 days per year for the first 2 years. 
• No evidence of employment required
• Visa isn’t linked to employment in Ecuador (or anywhere)
• Low proof of income is required ($2,550 within the last 6 months)
• Not linked to any investment so frees up capital
• Cheap at $450 for a visa that lasts 2 years

Main requirements:

1.  A bachelor, or higher, a level degree from a university recognized by the Ecuadorian government (SENESYCT); and
2. The course was taken predominantly in-person (not online).

To Be Eligible For Permanent Residency, You Must Be:

• The holder of a temporary resident visa, for at least 21 months;
• Married to (or have a civil union with) an Ecuadorian citizen or permanent resident;
• A minor or disabled person who is dependent on an Ecuadorian citizen or permanent resident;
• Related to an Ecuadorian citizen or permanent resident, by at least the second degree of consanguinity or affinity.

Ecuador has one of the world’s quickest citizenship programs. You can be naturalized after just three years of residency… or after just two years if you marry an Ecuadorian citizen.

Citizenship requirements:
– Continuous and legal residence of at least three years in Ecuador.
– Be an adult/consent of the minor’s parents or legal guardians.
– Birth certificate or supplementary test duly legalized and translated into Spanish.
– Copy of the identity document or copy of the valid passport, duly legalized.
– Knowledge of the patriotic symbols of Ecuador
– Attend an interview, explaining the reasons for the will to acquire Ecuadorian nationality.
– Proof of sufficient economic means for subsist in the country.

Benefits Of The Ecuador Residency By Investment Program

1. Low Cost of Living
2. High-Quality Health Care
3. Ecuador is Connected and Accessible
4. Low Property Prices
5. Residency Visas are Straightforward
6. be eligible for permanent residency in a short period.

Ecuador Residency Requirements And Qualifications

Temporary Residency Requirements:

– Valid passport, travel document, or identity recognized through International Instruments.
– Certificate of criminal record of the country of origin or in which he/she has resided during the last five years, before his / her arrival in Ecuadorian territory.
– Proof of sufficient means of subsistence in Ecuador.
– Join the public social security system or purchase private health insurance.
– Payment of the Fee set by the Migration Authorities.
– Certificate of Migration

Steps And Timeline

Step 1: Fingerprints

The first step in the process of getting your Ecuador Temporary Resident Visa is getting your fingerprints taken.

Step 2: Background Check

Step 3: Gather Visa-Specific Requirements/Documents

Step 4: Request an Appointment with the Ministry

You can go to any of the ministry offices in Ecuador to submit your application, but some have longer waits than others. Your visa agent will know which office is best at the time.

Step 5: Fill Out and Notarize the Visa Application Form

The visa application form is in Spanish and must be filled out in Spanish. Once it’s filled out, you’ll need to go to a notary to have it notarized. You need to sign the application in front of the notary after showing him or her your identification.

Step 6: Submit Your Application

Once you have your completed visa application form and all the other required documentation with apostilles as needed, go to the ministry office on the date of your appointment to submit your application. You’ll need your passport as identification.

This process is different if your visa will be issued in your home country. Your visa agent will help with that process.

Step 7: Get Your Visa from the Ministry

Once your visa is approved, the government issues an electronic visa that is digitally attached to your passport number. They no longer attach a physical visa sticker to your passport. Again, if your passport is about to expire, we recommend renewing it first before applying for your Ecuador temporary resident visas.

Step 8: Get a Cédula

After receiving your temporary resident visas, took them to the government office in Cuenca to get your cédula, as your official government-issued identification card.

It took about an hour to get the cédula and the cost was $5. You are not required to get a cédula; however, your ex-pat life in Ecuador will be much easier and you’ll have more banking options available to you if you have one. You will need a cédula to apply for the public IESS health insurance.

There are lots of steps involved with getting your Ecuador Temporary Resident Visa, and it usually takes 3 to 6 months.

Our Services

Privacy World offers its services to anyone, not only looking to obtain residency and/or citizenship processes but our experts figure out legal ways to:

• Find the best solution for your needs.
• Identify and deploy a strategy to help you accomplish your goals.
• Activate our network of people in the country where you need help without having you search for the best solution or lawyer. We only work with licensed people in every country whom we carefully vet and pass our guidelines and principles of privacy we stand for.
• Focus on cutting through the red tape and to expedite your process.
• Provide proper communication with you about your case.
  …. and above all: Offer you legal strategies to provide additional layers of privacy for your identity, while obtaining your residency or citizenship!

Privacy World can also help you with incorporating your company in Ecuador, assisting in getting you settled in the country and coordinating with you so that this experience will be less of a hassle.

Want Privacy World to handle your case? Have any questions? Contact us!

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