If you are looking to expand your business into Latin America and considering the Ecuadorian market as a potential destination, you will need to understand Ecuador investment visa requirements. In Ecuador, the visa that most investors acquire in order to visit and do business in the country is called a temporary residency investor visa, which for simplicity will be referred to as an investment visa. Below, details are provided regarding Ecuador investment visa requirements, including for those who want to set up a company in Ecuador. This guide details the investment options, the required documentation, and the step-by-step process for securing temporary residency in Ecuador through investment.
Key Takeaways: Ecuador Investor Visa
| What is the minimum investment required for the investor visa? | The minimum investment is 100 times the Unified Basic Salary (SBU). This currently is around USD$40,000. |
| Do I have to invest in property? | The investment can be in real estate or a certificate of deposit. |
| How long does the residency last? | The visa grants temporary residency for two years. |
| When can I apply for permanent residency? | After 21 months, a temporary resident can apply for permanent residency. |
The 4-Step Application Process
Expert Tip: The Importance of Document Apostille and Translation
From our experience, the most common cause of delays in the Ecuadorian visa process is improperly prepared documents. All foreign documents, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and criminal background checks, must be officially apostilled in their country of origin. Once you arrive in Ecuador, these apostilled documents must then be translated into Spanish by an official, court-certified translator. We strongly advise clients to have all their personal documents apostilled before traveling to Ecuador. Starting this process early is critical for a smooth and timely application.
Step 1: Make the Qualifying Investment
You must either purchase real estate in Ecuador or deposit the required funds into a certificate of deposit at a regulated Ecuadorian bank.
Step 2: Gather and Legalize All Required Documents
This includes your passport, a clean criminal record check, and proof of your investment (e.g., property deed or CD certificate). All foreign documents must be apostilled.
Step 3: Submit the Visa Application Online
The application and all supporting documents are submitted digitally through the official portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Step 4: Obtain the Residency Order and Cédula
Once the visa is approved, you receive a residency order. You must then register at the Civil Registry to be issued your Ecuadorian ID card (cédula).
Investment Options for the Investor Visa
Among the Ecuador investment visa requirements you will have to meet are minimum investment requirements. As such, you will need to be able to present at least one of the following pieces of evidence:
- A title, policy or certificate of deposit with a minimum term of seven hundred and thirty days, issued by a credit institution recognized by the banking authorities of Ecuador of a minimum amount USD$40,000.
- A deed of ownership of a property with a minimum value of USD$80,000 that is located in Ecuador and is registered in any Property Registry within the country.
- Shares in an Ecuadorian company, with a minimum value of USD$10,000.
- Copy of public deed of an investment contract signed with the Ecuadorian State, and which is in force.
- Copy of a delegated management deed signed with entities of the central or decentralized autonomous governments, and which is in force.
Governing Body: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility is the government entity in Ecuador responsible for processing and issuing all visas. Applications are submitted through its online portal, and final orders are issued by the ministry.
Ecuador investment visa requirements: other considerations
As well as demonstrating that you have met the minimum investment related to your commercial activity, you will also need to present a range of documentation in order to meet Ecuador investment visa requirements:
- Valid passport
If your passport is due to expire during the two-year period for which your Ecuador investment visa will be valid, it would be advisable to renew it. - Background checks
You will need to provide background checks from the relevant government agency where you are based, as well as from any countries where you have resided in recent years. This check must be less than six months old when processing your application. - Visa fees
Your investor’s visa will come with a non-refundable administrative charge (approximately $50) as well as a larger fee (around USD$400) for the visa once it is approved.
FAQs on Ecuador investment visa requirements
According to our experience, these are the most common questions we receive.
There are 32 types of visa in Ecuador, although this is really many subclasses of three basic types:
Non-resident visas
Temporary resident visas (the investor visa is a subclass of this)
Permanent resident visas
In Ecuador, the visa that most investors acquire in order to visit and do business in the country is called a temporary residency investor visa, which for simplicity will be referred to as an investment visa.
The usual documents needed are any of the following:
A title, policy or certificate of deposit with a minimum term of seven hundred and thirty days, issued by a credit institution recognized by the banking authorities of Ecuador of a minimum amount USD$40,000.
A deed of ownership of a property with a minimum value of USD$80,000 that is located in Ecuador and is registered in any Property Registry within the country.
Shares in an Ecuadorian company, with a minimum value of USD$10,000.
Copy of public deed of an investment contract signed with the Ecuadorian State, and which is in force.
Copy of a delegated management deed signed with entities of the central or decentralized autonomous governments, and which is in force.
The company must be duly incorporated in Ecuador and fully compliant with all local laws.
No, there are no restrictions on investment in property in Ecuador and foreigners have the same rights as Ecuadorian nationals.
All documents must be provided depending on the type of visa, i.e. there are types of visas that require all the documents of the foreign applicant duly authenticated and apostilled from the country of origin.
The minimum investment is 100 times the Unified Basic Salary (SBU), which is a figure that changes annually. As of 2024, this is approximately USD $45,000.
Yes, the main investor can include their legal dependents, such as a spouse and children, in the visa application. They will also receive temporary residency.
Yes, the temporary residency granted by the investor visa allows you to live and legally work in Ecuador.
A “cédula de identidad” is the official Ecuadorian national identity card. Once your temporary residency visa is approved, you must register with the Civil Registry to obtain your cédula, which is required for most official and commercial activities in the country.
Why invest in Ecuador?
Ecuador has witnessed considerable growth since the turn of the century, only seeing gross domestic product (GDP) decline during two years between 2000 and 2020, including the final year of that period due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bordered by Colombia and Peru — two of the most popular investment destinations in the region — Ecuador is a member of the Andean Community of Nations (CAN) alongside its two neighbours and Bolivia.
While CAN was established more than 50 years ago, it has recently been implementing a series of measures to deepen integration between members that are beneficial to businesses within the bloc.
Among other aspects that make Ecuador attractive for doing business is the fact that, despite the country’s modest size, in Guayaquil it has one of the biggest ports in Latin America and the Caribbean by container throughput, contributing to the country’s status as a significant hub for trade.
Investors based in the United States or who do a lot of business in US dollars also benefit from the fact that Ecuador is one of three dollarized economies in Latin America — offering a greater measure of stability than in other markets.
The country is also home to a growing tech industry, and the innovation sector is among a range of significant and untapped business opportunities, for which you will need to meet Ecuador investment visa requirements if you wish to take advantage of them.
Biz Latin Hub can help with Ecuador investment visa requirements
At Biz Latin Hub, we provide tailored packages of integrated back-office services and have the personnel and expertise to assist you entering and doing business in the Ecuadorian market, including meeting Ecuador investment visa requirements.
Our portfolio of services includes accounting & taxation, company formation, due diligence, legal services, and visa processing, among others, and we have teams in place in 16 markets around Latin America and the Caribbean, including Ecuador.
Contact us today to find out more about how we can assist you.
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