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 OR country of residence demonstrated at application
- National Coverage: Federal-government certificates must cover records nationwide
- File Format: PDF
- Authentication: Apostilled or legalized
- Translation: Authorized Spanish translation if the original is not in Spanish
- Validity: 180 days from issuance
- Current Rule: The October 2025 law amendment and current implementing rules govern this requirement. The government's published Rentista procedure still carries older five-year and last-entry wording; confirm any conflicting portal request with the Ministry.
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 coverage within Ecuador
- File Format: PDF
5. Proof of Passive Income (Lawful Means of Subsistence)
- Requirement: MANDATORY
- Legal Basis: Mobility Regulation Article 63 for the Rentista category; Ministerial Agreement No. 0000070 Article 19 for general lawful means of support
- Income Source: Personal lawful monthly rents from Ecuador or abroad
- Income Threshold:
- Primary applicant: USD $1,446/month minimum
- Each dependent: Additional USD $250/month
- Income Evidence: Documents must prove the source and your personal monthly income. A bank balance or investment principal alone does not show the required income.
- History: The reviewed ordinary Rentista checklist states no universal six-month income-history requirement. The Ministry can request additional evidence.
Option A: Real Estate Lease Income
- Income Document: A lawful lease identifying you, the property, rent and payment schedule
- Supporting Evidence: Matching payment records can help demonstrate receipt of the income; retain the underlying income document
- Foreign Document Preparation: Apostille or legalization and authorized Spanish translation as required; confirm how a private document's signature must be certified for authentication
Option B: Investment Income
- Income Document: Investment document or issuer's certification showing income paid to you and its monthly amount
- Supporting Evidence: Matching payment records can help demonstrate the income
- Foreign Document Preparation: Apostille or legalization and authorized Spanish translation as required
Check the Category for Other Income
Retirement-pension evidence belongs to the separate Jubilado route. Remote employment or services for foreign clients use the separate Rentista para trabajo remoto (Visa Nómada) route. Do not substitute the nomad route's annual-income alternative for the ordinary Rentista monthly test.
6. Certified Translations & Notarizations
- Requirement: CONDITIONAL
- Documents Typically Requiring Translation:
- Apostilled FBI Background Check
- Apostilled Court Records / Court Dismissals
- Authenticated investment-income or lease documents
- Foreign-language supporting bank records, as applicable
7. Family Documents, if Sponsoring Dependents
- Application: Each qualifying family member applies separately through temporary amparo
- Qualifying Relationships: Spouse, partner in a legally recognized unión de hecho, or qualifying child
- Income: Add USD $250/month for each sponsored person to the Rentista applicant's qualifying income
- Relationship Evidence: Marriage, recognized-union or birth certificate, authenticated and translated into Spanish where required
- Minor Application: A legal representative handles the application; an absent parent may require the specified special power or authorization