Articles on: Americas

Ecuador — Digital Nomad Visa: Everything you need to know to live and work remotely in Ecuador

By Víctor Pizarro, Co-founder of QUESTRAVEL

Why Ecuador?

Picture starting your workday in a café in Quito with Andean views and ending it with a Pacific-coast sunset. One of the world’s most biodiverse countries, Ecuador now attracts digital nomads who want quality of life, low costs, and an authentic cultural experience. To meet this trend, the government created a temporary residence visa for remote workers so you can live in Ecuador while working for foreign employers or managing your own non-Ecuadorian business. (Ecuador Travel)

What is Ecuador’s Digital Nomad Visa?

Officially the Temporary Residence Rentista Visa for Remote Work (Visa de residencia temporal rentista para trabajo remoto), it lets eligible nationals live in Ecuador while they continue working for foreign employers/clients. The goal is to boost the local economy through long-stay visitors while offering a safe, accessible base for a flexible lifestyle. See the official service page for the visa. (Gob)

Who manages it?

Processing is handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility (MREMH), via Ecuador’s e-visa/consular portals.

Duration & renewals

  • Initial validity: up to 2 years.
  • Renewal: available (subject to policy and eligibility at the time of renewal).

Tourism and legal summaries confirm a two-year residence period with the option to renew. Always verify current rules before applying. (Ecuador Travel)

Main requirements

  • Remote work proof: contract with a foreign company or evidence of self-employment with clients outside Ecuador. (Gob)
  • Minimum income: at least 3× Ecuador’s Unified Basic Salary (SBU). For 2025, SBU is US$470, so the monthly income floor is ~US$1,410. (Tourism/press materials describe “3× SBU”; the Ministry of Labor sets the current SBU.) (Ecuador Travel)
  • Health insurance valid in Ecuador. (Gob)
  • Passport valid (commonly ≥6 months). (Gob)
  • Clean police record (apostilled/legally legalized as applicable). (Gob)

Step-by-step application

  1. Gather documents: remote-work proof, income evidence, health insurance, passport, police record. (Gob)
  2. Apostille/legalize documents per your country rules.
  3. Apply online (e-Visas) or via Consulado Virtual / embassies.
  1. Fees: commonly US$50 application + US$400 issuance (≈US$450 total); a Ministry of Tourism release cites ~US$460 total—check the exact amount at submission time. (asociacionmiraecuador.org)
  2. Interview (if requested) and processing (often 2–4 weeks, varies by office).
  3. Approval & stamping/issuance → you can enter and reside in Ecuador under the remote-worker category.

Key benefits

  • Live in a country spanning Amazon, Andes, Pacific, and Galápagos.
  • Dollarized economy; generally lower costs vs. many U.S./EU cities. (Ecuador Travel)
  • Eligibility to rent long-term and open accounts (per bank policies).
  • Strong internet in major cities (Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca); growing expat/nomad hubs (Cuenca, Montañita).
  • Official campaign resources for digital nomads. (Gob)


QUESTRAVEL experience

Clients choose Ecuador for the cost–quality balance, proximity to nature, and easy hops around Latin America. We help you:

  • Validate financial/legal eligibility (incl. SBU-based income).
  • Prepare translations, apostilles, and consular filings.
  • Get ready for interviews and avoid common documentation pitfalls.
  • Build a custom stay strategy to make the most of your time in Ecuador.

💡 Plan it with QuesTravel Experience: book at fromquestravel.com for a clear, hassle-free roadmap from application to arrival.

Updated on: 03/11/2025