Ecuador Jubilado/Rentista Visa | An Incomplete Guide

What is Passive Income Visa?

Passive Income Visa refers to a visa system where applicants can obtain long-term residency in a destination country based on a certain amount of income/savings without the need to invest or work.

Generally speaking, passive income visa programs in various countries have the following characteristics:

1. Strict limitations on the source of income: The applicant’s income needs to be completely passive, such as interest from savings, financial trusts, pensions, or at least non-wage income like investment returns, dividends, and distributions.

2. Visa holders cannot utilize local resources: In theory, you can only consume in the destination country and cannot seek employment locally. You also need to purchase your own health insurance and cannot use free welfare resources such as medical services.

3. Potential for eventual immigration: Almost all countries with passive income visa programs allow participants to apply for permanent residency or citizenship after legally residing there for a certain period.

If you are interested in a passive income visa, you can read another guide on the website: “Global Passive Income Visas | An Incomplete Guide”.

Ecuador Retirement Visa:

Ecuador offers a retirement visa application channel called the Jubilado Visa for individuals with a pension. This visa requires that you have a stable income source that can sustain you for life, such as a government pension or insurance income.

Specifically, the financial requirement for the Ecuadorian retirement visa is an income that is three times the local minimum wage. In 2024, you need to have a lifelong income of at least $1,380 per month.

If you have additional dependents, for each additional person, the primary applicant needs to demonstrate an extra $250 of monthly income.

Additionally, you must meet basic conditions such as being in good health, having no criminal record, and purchasing health insurance that covers you locally.

There is no age limit for this retirement visa program, but if you are 65 years or older, you can enjoy various tax, lifestyle benefits, and privileges in Ecuador.

Ecuador Rentista Visa:

If you have a stable but non-lifelong passive income from sources such as rental income, interest from savings, or financial product returns, and your monthly income reaches $1,380, you may consider applying for Ecuador’s Rentista Visa.

The Rentista Visa in Ecuador has the same income requirements, application process, and visa validity as the retirement visa. The only difference between the two is the requirement for the source of income.

Application Process:

To apply for Ecuador’s Rentista Visa, you need to gather all the required documents and attend an in-person interview at the Ministry of the Interior in Ecuador or at an overseas embassy or consulate.

Required documents for this program include:

• Identity documents: Passports and photocopies for all applicants; two 5cm x 5cm passport-sized photos with a white background; documents proving the relationship between the primary and secondary applicants, such as marriage or birth certificates.

• Criminal record certificate: A criminal record certificate issued within 180 days before the application date for each adult applicant.

• Application form: This can be completed online, with the link provided.

• Proof of income: A letter from the institution providing your income, verifying your earnings.

• Proof of health insurance purchase.

All documents issued outside of Ecuador must be notarized, and any non-Spanish documents must be translated into Spanish.

If your documentation is complete and you apply within Ecuador, you can receive the visa immediately after the interview. If you apply at an Ecuadorian embassy or consulate abroad, the processing time may take around 3 to 4 months.

Dependents:

For Ecuador’s Jubilado/Rentista Visa, the primary applicant’s spouse and unmarried children under 21 can also reside in the country as dependent applicants.

Validity:

Ecuador’s Rentista Visa is valid for two years and can be continuously renewed under the same conditions. You are not required to actually reside in Ecuador.

However, if your goal is to obtain permanent residency in Ecuador, you need to physically reside in the country for 21 months from the date you receive the retirement visa, with no more than a total of 90 days spent outside Ecuador during this period.

In the first two years after obtaining permanent residency, you cannot leave Ecuador for more than a total of 180 days.

After three years of permanent residency, foreigners can apply for citizenship in Ecuador.