In June 2022, the country announced the Rentista for Remote Work Visa and joined other South American nations that opened visa programs for foreigners. These programs are suitable for specialists and freelancers who wish to work remotely for companies or clients abroad. Now, instead of the 6 months allowed for tourists, expats can legally stay in the country for 2 years and extend their stay for the same period. Simple legalization makes the program even more accessible for nomadic relocators looking for a place under the sun.
Applicants from 183 countries on the government’s list, with a regular income of $1,380 per month, can apply for the rentista residency. Documents are accepted online through the Trámites en Línea government portal and the virtual consulate website.
Specifics of Ecuador’s Freelance Visa
The Minister of Tourism stated that the program’s conditions attract wealthy foreigners to the South American country for living and working. They invest in goods and products of local manufacturers, contributing to the development of small and medium-sized businesses. One of the country’s strategic goals is the further development of the digital ecosystem, accessible and useful services. The authorities believe that the exchange of experience between highly qualified IT professionals and local tech experts from professional communities will help in this. For them, in Quito, the world’s second-highest capital, an infrastructure with convenient coworking spaces has been created.
Entrepreneurs, company owners, and self-employed individuals with families who work under contracts with legal or private entities also qualify for the digital nomad visa. Temporary residency opens the path to opening bank accounts, tax benefits, and social perks.
Conditions and requirements in 2024:
- Contracts for self-employed remote cooperation for 2 years;
- Notarized and apostilled copies of work contracts;
- Criminal record certificate;
- Bank statement for the last 3 months showing cash flow.
How Much Does the Visa Cost
The Digital Nomad visa costs $400, with a $50 application fee. For people over 65, the fee is reduced by 50%. The cost of an annual health insurance policy is $45 per person. For individuals with disabilities, the Ministry of Health of Ecuador has waived all fees with a disability card. Relocators pay separately for translation and notary services, which cost around $100.
What Taxes Does a Freelancer Pay
Tax laws are regulated by the SRI service. The maximum income tax rate in the country is 35%, while the minimum is 25%.
Required documents and conditions
All types of permits, including the Professional Visa, are issued electronically. Before applying, foreign citizens must translate official papers into Spanish and have them apostilled. The document package must include:
- A passport valid for at least 6 months;
- Contract, agreement for services, or other activities;
- Criminal record document;
- Health insurance policy;
- Proof of relationship with dependents if relocating with family.
In the case of family relocation, $250 is added for each dependent, or proof of having an amount equivalent to 36 Ecuadorian salaries in the account for a year must be provided.
Applicants provide personal contact details for communication with the immigration service and payment authorization. Documents in PDF format are uploaded to the consulate’s website after creating an account. Then they schedule an interview, wait for a payment number, and attend the interview with their document folder. The processing time takes up to 2 months. Those who are rejected can enter the country on a tourist visa and resubmit the application, considering immigration requirements.
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Recent Changes in Ecuador’s Visa Policy
In June 2024, to improve service and processing speed, the authorities introduced a new system for obtaining electronic visas and apostilles. The innovations simplify the application process, eliminating the need for personal visits to consulates and regional offices. The General Coordinator of Ecuador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that centralizing legal procedures through an IT system in Quito will allow for faster processing of applications without creating waiting lists. The Foreign Minister recently confirmed that, as of July, the DTV visa processing time has been halved.
Changes to digital nomad visas have also appeared in the visa policies of many countries. For example, Thailand introduced a digital nomad visa for the first time this year.
Journalist, editor with 9 years of experience in investment immigration. I specialize in analysis of residency and tax programs, as well as individual selection of jurisdictions for relocation.
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