Ecuador Retirement Visa

At a glance

Program

Pensionado Visa

Income

~USD 1,446/month (2026, 3x minimum wage)

Currency

US dollar

Residence

Temporary to permanent

Cost of living

Low

Benefits

• Low cost of living.
• US dollar economy (no currency risk).
• Diverse climates such as coast, mountains, and Amazon.
• Path to permanent residence, with family included.

Requirements

• ~USD 1,446/month in income.
• Clean criminal record.
• Health and related documents.

Costs

Proof of income

~USD 1,446/month

Fees

Additional fees apply

Process

1. 01

   Eligibility and income check

   Confirm you can show roughly USD 1,446 per month in regular pension or investment income (three times the minimum wage).

2. 02

   Document preparation

   Prepare proof of income, a clean criminal record certificate, and health documentation for the Pensionado visa.

3. 03

   Application

   Submit the Pensionado visa application to Ecuadorian immigration authorities, either in-country or through a consulate.

4. 04

   Approval and residence card

   Once approved, receive your temporary residence card as a Pensionado visa holder.

5. 05

   Renewal / permanent residence

   After the required period of temporary residence, apply to convert to permanent residence.

FAQ

What is the income requirement?

Roughly USD 1,446 per month in 2026 (three times the minimum wage); the figure is updated annually according to the minimum wage.

What is the currency?

Ecuador uses the US dollar, which eliminates currency risk.

Why does the income threshold change?

The threshold is indexed to the national minimum wage and changes whenever the minimum wage is updated each year.

When can I move to permanent residence?

After a certain period following temporary residence, you can apply for permanent residence; we confirm current timelines.