How To Retire in Ecuador as a US Citizen | IAS (2024)

Page Contents

• What Is the Ecuador Retirement Visa?
• Who Can Apply for the Ecuador Retirement Visa?
• What Are the Requirements to Retire in Ecuador As a US Citizen?
• How to Retire in Ecuador as a US Citizen
• What Documents to Include in Your Ecuador Retirement Visa Application?
• Retire in Ecuador as a US Citizen Permanently
• How Can IAS Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

The Ecuador retirement visa (also called Jubilado or 60-III pensioner visa) is a residency visa for foreigners wishing to retire in Ecuador. Of Ecuador’s 13 residential visa options, the Ecuador retirement visa is the most common choice among foreign retirees.

If your visa application is successful, you can reside in Ecuador for up to only two years because the visa is temporary. However, you can either renew the visa for another two years or convert it to a permanent residence visa if you wish to stay in Ecuador long-term. Find more details about the permanent residence visa later in this article.

With the retirement visa, you can travel in and out of the country as you please (new law). Likewise, an Ecuador retirement visa for foreign retirees means they have equal rights to Ecuadorians.

As a US citizen retiring in Ecuador, you get a chance to do the following conveniently:

• Start a business
• Work as a freelancer or be self-employed
• Purchase properties.

The Ecuador retirement visa application process requires you to pay a $50 basic fee for your application and another $400 for your visa approval. Note that these rates don’t include VAT. Above all, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility handles the visa application and approval processes and issues visas.

Foreigners from numerous countries can apply to retire in Ecuador using a retirement visa. However, your country of citizenship determines whether you need a visa to enter the country. For instance, if you are a Canadian, Australian, or US citizen, you don’t need a retirement visa before entering Ecuador.

It implies that you can quickly enter the country for a tourist visit as a US citizen. However, you will need a US passport, which guarantees you a tourist stamp valid for three months (90 days) within a single rolling year. It means you can stay in Ecuador for 90 days within a year (starting from your entry date and ending 365 days after your entry).

For instance, if you entered Ecuador on 20 Jan. 2022, you will have till 19 Jan. 2023 to complete the 90 days. You can come and go as you please till the 90 and 365 days elapses. On the other hand, if you are a citizen of countries like Egypt, Nigeria, and Afghanistan, you must get an Ecuador residence visa before entering the country.

Nationality aside, for a successful visa application, you need to earn the minimum income stated by Ecuadorian laws by your application time. More importantly, there is no age requirement to apply for the visa, but those aged 65 and above can enjoy tercera edad (elderly) benefits. Later, you will see more requirements foreign retirees must fulfill to ensure a successful visa application.

Completed Application Form

A successful application starts with completing and signing your visa application form. Additionally, you should have a valid passport and pay the visa fee.

Marriage or Birth Certificate

If you are applying for a retirement visa with a dependent, you must get your marriage license (if married to dependent) or birth certificate (for children and other dependents). It is advisable to have a fresh copy of your documents (under six months old) to have them apostilled.

The following are the three methods of applying for the Ecuador retirement visa for US citizens:

1. Apply in Ecuador

Since you can enter the country with just your valid passport, you can apply for an Ecuador retirement visa when you arrive there. You should have prepared your required documents before traveling to Ecuador — find these documents in the next section.

One of the necessary documents you must provide is the certificate of protocolization, which guarantees your social security income. You are required to get this certificate from the Ecuadorian consulate, located in the country where your guaranteed income originates.

If your income source is from the US, you can get this done by mail or from Ecuador. You will need the following documents if you are mailing the consulate:

• A genuine apostilled social security letter to show your income
• Two colored copies of your passport (must be notarized)
• A $40 money order to make payment
• A return envelope and cover letter

Once the protocolization certificate and other documents are ready, you can visit Ecuador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility offices.

2. Apply Abroad (in Person)

In this case, you will need to prepare all your documents and submit them at the Consular office closest to you. After submission, you should pay the application fee. Following the approval of your application, you are to pay the approval fee to get your visa.

3. Apply Abroad (Online)

You can register on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility site, submit the required documents, and pay the application fee. After confirming your payment, you should select an interview date you will attend in person (at the closest embassy).

After submitting your application at the ministry office (within Ecuador) or the Ecuadorian consulate (abroad), you will have to wait for its approval. Due to changing laws and delays, the waiting period can take about three months or more.

Suppose you are in Ecuador on a tourist visa, and your retirement visa isn’t granted within the valid 90 days — you can stay by extending your tourist stamp till your visa is granted. You must pay an extra $133.33 to prolong your stay for another 90 days.

Once you have received your retirement visa, you should go to a government office in your city to get your cedula (Ecuador ID card). It takes a few hours to get the cedula, if not less, and it costs $15.

The following are the documents you need to complete and verify your application:

• Completed application form
• Certificate of protocolization
• Proof of health care insurance
• Original passport
• Certification of your criminal record
• Police clearance certificate
• Your marriage and birth certificate and that of your dependents (if you have).

Important note: your birth certificate is not a required visa document if you don’t have dependents, but you will need it to get your cedula in Ecuador. Furthermore, ensure you have them all apostilled, translated, and notarized.