Ecuador Digital Nomad Visa: Easiest to Qualify

Ecuador has launched a digital Nomad Visa (called the “Rentista” Visa) with one of the lowest barriers to entry in the world. This Visa is a two-year temporary residence visa for digital Nomads that have income from outside the country. It is available to Nationals of 182 countries and territories as determined by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism. 

See the list of the 182 nations that qualify for the new Ecuadorian Digital Nomad Visa. 
The Ecuadorian government is hoping that by inviting digital Nomads and remote workers, it will encourage more travel and foreign dollars to flow into the country. Remote-worker visa holders cannot perform local work in Ecuador.

This Visa is designed for  people who want to operate remotely and live and work in Ecuador. It has one of the lowest income requirements and barriers to entry of any digital Nomad Visa program. you only have to earn $1,275 a month from outside sources in order to qualify.  That's only $15,300 USD per year  (this requirement used to be lower! But was recently increased in 2022).

Most remote workers who work for U.S. or Canadian employers will qualify, as well as many self-employed workers. You must also have a clean police record and then documents that confirm you are the owner of a company or a remote worker for a foreign firm. 

If you are currently self-employed but do not have proof, a home-based business license, LLC, or even a corporation can be to obtained. For example, in a state like Nevada, which has no state income tax and is a great place to transfer residency if you plan to leave the United States for an extended period. If you want advice on how to transfer residency to another state, consult your financial advisor. 

Ecuador in general has a lenient Visa policy,  and one of the world's quickest citizenship programs. You don’t have to apply right away–most foreigners can enter Ecuador and stay for up to 90 days. So you can go, visit the country, enjoy the beautiful coastal areas end cool mountain  cities, and then easily apply for residency if you like it well enough to stay. 

​General requirements and links for the Ecuadorian digital Nomad Visa:

• Eligibility. The visa is available to nationals of 182 countries/territories as determined by the Ministry of Tourism.
• Duration. The visa can be granted for up to two years, renewable in two-year increments.
• Income Requirements. Applicants must have earned a minimum of USD $1,275 per month in the last three months, or a total of USD $15,300 over the past year from sources outside Ecuador. You must also carry health insurance valid in Ecuador. 
• Process. Applicants submit their application online through the Virtual Consulate website and complete either a virtual or an in-person interview, depending on the consulate. Upon approval and visa payment (approximately USD 450), applicants receive an electronic visa.

According to official government sources it takes about a week the process the paperwork. family members can also apply after the principal applicant of teams their digital Nomad Visa the principal Visa holder must demonstrate an additional monthly income of at least $250 USD per dependent.  so for example, a married couple with two kids  would have to demonstrate income of $1,275 + ($250 + $250 +$250) = $2,025.

You can check more requirements on the official Ecuadorian Visa government website.

More resources and a well-known Visa facilitator for Ecuador: Joseph Guznay-Expats Ecuador