Ecuador - residency
Ecuador Investor Visa 2026: The Real $45K Threshold and What Counts
Ecuador's Visa de Residente Temporal por Inversion sets the minimum investment at USD 45,000 in qualifying assets. That makes it one of the lowest investor-visa bars in Latin America. We map what qualifies (CDs, real estate, businesses), what does not, and the speed advantage versus Pensionado.
Key takeaway
USD 45,000 in a 2-year Ecuadorian bank CD, USD 45,000+ in Ecuadorian real estate, or USD 45,000 invested in a registered Ecuadorian business with at least 3 employees - any of these qualifies. Process time runs 3-6 months. Permanent residency at 21 months, citizenship at year 5. The CD route is the simplest and most reversible.
Ecuador's investor residency category, under Article 64 of the Ley Organica de Movilidad Humana, sets one of the most accessible investment thresholds in Latin America. USD 45,000 in qualifying assets opens the door to a 2-year temporary residency that converts to permanent at 21 months. The investment can be financial (CD), property, or business equity.
Three qualifying paths
| Path | Detail | |
|---|---|---|
| Bank CD (Certificado de Inversion) | Path | USD 45,000+ deposited in a 2-year fixed term certificate at an Ecuadorian bank. Interest paid to you. Capital locked for the 2 years. |
| Real estate | Path | USD 45,000+ in registered Ecuadorian property. House, condo, commercial. Held in your name. Can be primary residence or rental. |
| Registered business | Path | USD 45,000+ invested as equity in an Ecuadorian company (SAS, S.A., compania limitada) with at least 3 Ecuadorian employees. Business must be active and registered with SRI for taxes. |
Comparison: Investor vs Pensionado
| Investor | Pensionado | |
|---|---|---|
| Financial threshold | USD 45,000 lump sum | USD 1,410/month lifetime income |
| Capital deployed | Yes, locked for 2 years | No, income remains in home country |
| Process time | 3 - 6 months | 3 - 6 months |
| Permanent residency | At 21 months on temporary | At 21 months on temporary |
| Income source flexibility | Any income, any source | Lifetime pension only (or Rentista if passive) |
| Best for | Younger expats with capital, no pension | Retirees with pensions, no lump sum |
Application process
Maintenance of qualifying investment
The CD must be maintained for the full 2-year initial visa term. Early withdrawal or asset disposal during this period can trigger Cancilleria review and possible visa cancellation. After 2 years, the investment can be redeployed: roll the CD over, sell the property, exit the business. Some applicants then switch to Pensionado or Rentista for the next renewal cycle if they have qualifying income.
Costs (2026)
| Item | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Visa application fee | ~$50 |
| Visa issuance fee | ~$400 |
| Apostilles + translations | $150 - $300 |
| Lawyer (recommended) | $1,000 - $2,500 |
| Cedula and Migracion fees | ~$30 |
| Health insurance (1 year) | $500 - $1,200 |
| Bank CD setup fees (if CD route) | $50 - $150 |
| Real estate closing costs (if RE route) | $1,800 - $3,500 |
| Total typical outlay (CD route) | ~$2,180 - $4,630 |
| Total typical outlay (RE route) | ~$3,930 - $7,980 |
Path to citizenship
Investor + 21 months continuous temporary residency converts to permanent residency. 3 years on permanent residency qualifies for naturalization. Total Investor-to-citizenship: roughly 5 years from initial visa. Ecuador allows dual nationality. The investment can be redeemed any time after the initial 2 years; you do not need to keep the USD 45,000 deployed for the full 5-year citizenship pathway.
Sources
Related visa guides
Frequently asked questions
Can the USD 45,000 be borrowed?
No. The investment must be your own equity. Cancilleria reviews the source of funds during the application. Loans secured against the same asset (e.g., a mortgage on the qualifying property) reduce the qualifying equity below the threshold.
How safe is an Ecuadorian bank CD?
Ecuadorian banks are regulated by the Superintendencia de Bancos and the COSEDE deposit insurance covers up to USD 32,000 per depositor per bank. CDs above this amount face partial exposure if the bank fails. The largest banks (Pichincha, Guayaquil, Pacifico, Produbanco) are systemically important and considered low-risk. Some applicants split the USD 45,000 across two banks to stay within deposit insurance limits.
What if I want to sell the property before 2 years?
Early sale can trigger Cancilleria review. Most lawyers advise waiting until after the 2-year initial visa to transact the property, or switching to a different qualifying category before sale. The standard workaround is timing real estate transactions for after the 2-year mark when the asset has served its visa purpose.
Can I qualify with a business that I own but do not actively manage?
Yes, if the business is properly registered, has at least 3 Ecuadorian employees with formal contracts, and you contribute USD 45,000+ in capital. Many investors hire a local manager and act as passive owner. The business must generate genuine economic activity; shell companies created solely for the visa are flagged.
Do I have to live in Ecuador full-time on Investor Visa?
No. Absences up to 90 days per year during the 21-month qualifying period are tolerated. Investor Visa holders include some part-time residents who travel extensively. For citizenship, deeper integration evidence matters; absences accumulate scrutiny if you spend most of your year outside Ecuador.
More Ecuador articles
Not sure which Ecuador visa fits you?
Answer a few quick questions about your income, profession and family situation, and we will narrow down the visas you likely qualify for.