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Ecuador Rentista Visa

Review whether your documented passive income meets the current category benchmark. A complete file may support a two-year temporary-residency application, but the authority decides eligibility and approval; the correct documents and filing order still depend on your facts.

EcuaPass pricing is quoted individually after we review your case and requested support.

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Golden hour over Cuenca, Ecuador with cathedral domes and river

Key Requirements

Passive Income

A commonly published benchmark is $1,446/month (3x Ecuador's unified basic salary) in documented passive income from sources such as rental, dividends, royalties, annuities, or trust distributions; verify the current category rules.

Background Check

Criminal record check from your country of origin or countries where you resided in the last 5 years, apostilled and translated into Spanish. Valid within 180 days on arrival.

Health Coverage

National or international health insurance policy valid in Ecuador for the visa period. We recommend getting covered before you apply.

If your route is time-sensitive, an earlier document review may reduce avoidable delays.

Requirements and fees can change, and the exact document list depends on the route. Request a case review and we will send the current checklist, service scope, and written quote before paid work begins.

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Your Journey to Residency

A structured path to your new life in Ecuador.

Expert Consultation

We review your passive income sources and documentation before paperwork starts, but only the current authority procedure determines eligibility and approval.

1

Document Procurement

We give you the exact templates and order list: passport, photos, background check, income proof (bank statements, lease agreements, dividend statements), and health insurance.

2

Apostille & Legal Translation

We coordinate certified Spanish translation and Ecuadorian notarization of your apostilled income and personal documents.

3

Submission & Finalization

We submit your application to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and walk you through receiving your visa and Ecuadorian cédula.

4

The EcuaPass Service Package

More than just a filing service — we provide end-to-end relocation support.

  • Document review & preparation
  • Apostille guidance
  • Certified Spanish translation coordination
  • Cédula (ID card) appointment support
  • Banking & health insurance introduction
  • Direct WhatsApp communication
  • Application tracking & follow-up
Chip Moreno, Founder of EcuaPass, in Cuenca Ecuador

Ready to Live on Passive Income in Ecuador?

You have the income and the passport. The next step is to confirm the filing order, service scope, and written quote before paid work begins.

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Rentista Visa FAQ

Rental income, investment dividends, bond interest, trust distributions, annuity payments, royalties, structured settlements, and systematic retirement-account withdrawals. The income must be recurring and verifiable, and it must come from sources outside Ecuador.

A commonly published 2026 planning benchmark is $1,446 per month (3x Ecuador's unified basic salary, or SBU, of $482). You may be able to combine sources, but the authority's current source and documentation rules control.

The Rentista Visa is for passive income. It does not authorize employment with Ecuadorian companies. Working remotely for a foreign employer or freelancing is generally treated as active income; the Professional Visa covers that case.

Yes. A spouse and dependent children can be added to your application. You'll need their apostilled birth or marriage certificate, passport, and background check.

Bank statements showing recurring deposits, lease agreements for rental income, brokerage statements for dividends, trust or annuity letters, and custodian confirmations for systematic retirement-account withdrawals. Income should be documented for at least 6 months before applying.

Official application reference

Documents you may need

Use this document list to plan your application. The exact requirements can vary by case and may change; the official government procedure controls.

Official Ecuador government source

Official temporary rentista residence procedure ↗

1. Passport Photograph

  • Requirement: MANDATORY
  • Applies To: All applicants
  • File Format: JPG
  • Max File Size: 1 MB
  • Dimensions: 5 x 5 cm / 2 x 2 inches
  • Background: White
  • Expression: Neutral (preferred) or natural smile; both eyes open

2. Valid Passport

  • Requirement: MANDATORY
  • File Format: PDF
  • Validity Rule: ≥ 6 months remaining

3. Criminal Record Certificate(s)

  • Requirement: MANDATORY for applicants 18+
  • Sources Required: Country of origin AND any country of legal residence in past 5 years
  • File Format: PDF
  • Authentication: Apostilled or legalized
  • Translation: Spanish
  • Validity: 180 days from issuance
  • US Citizens: BOTH FBI and State background checks required

4. Health Insurance Policy

  • Requirement: MANDATORY
  • Coverage Requirement: Valid for the entire 2-year duration of the visa
  • Acceptable Providers: National or international health insurance
  • Foreign Policy Specific Rule: Must explicitly state comprehensive coverage within Ecuador
  • File Format: PDF

5. Proof of Passive Income (Lawful Means of Subsistence)

  • Requirement: MANDATORY
  • Legal Basis: Ministerial Agreement No. 0000070
  • Income Threshold:
    • Primary applicant: USD $1,446/month minimum
    • Each dependent: Additional USD $250/month
  • Acceptable Documents (at least one option):

Option A: Real Estate Lease Income

  • Documents Required:
    • Registered, lawful lease contracts
    • Proof of property ownership
    • Bank statements showing receipt of rental funds
  • Authentication: Notarized, apostilled in home country, translated into Spanish

Option B: Investment & Annuity Returns

  • Documents Required:
    • Official certificates of investment payouts, trust funds, or stock dividends
  • Authentication: Notarized, apostilled, translated into Spanish

Option C: Pensions & Social Security

  • Documents Required:
    • Official Social Security benefits award letter, OR
    • Institutional pension statement
  • Authentication: Apostilled and translated

6. Certified Translations & Notarizations

  • Requirement: CONDITIONAL
  • Documents Typically Requiring Translation:
    • Apostilled FBI Background Check
    • Apostilled State Background Check
    • Apostilled Court Records / Court Dismissals
    • Apostilled Investment Income / Pension / Lease Documents
    • Apostilled Bank Statements
How this page is sourced and reviewed

Owner: EcuaPass editorial team. Last reviewed July 31, 2026; review due October 1, 2026.

Reviewer: Immigration professional review required for changed claims.

Educational planning information only. It does not determine eligibility, replace individualized legal advice, or guarantee an approval, timeline, fee, or outcome.

Review status: source-controlled review record.

Primary sources

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