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About Our Firm
Grace & Nelson is a full-service law firm in Cuenca, Ecuador. For over 25 years we've done one thing: help people and companies relocate to Ecuador. Licensed attorneys — not facilitators, not translators. We know Ecuadorian law because we practice it every day.
We serve two types of clients. Individuals and families — retirees, digital nomads, investors — who want to build a new life here. And corporations and institutions — factories staffing international workers, schools hiring foreign teachers, companies moving executive teams. Both get the same thing: every detail handled, start to finish.
25 years of relationships is our edge. Private sector connections mean better real estate deals. Government experience means faster, smoother visa processing. Our partnership with award-winning Ecuador At Your Service gives our clients access to vetted properties and local expertise nobody else can offer.
Our office is at Luis Cordero 6-41 in the heart of Cuenca — a UNESCO World Heritage city with year-round spring weather, modern healthcare, and a dollar economy. Come see us.
Our Services
Personal Relocation Every Visa Type
Moving yourself or your family to Ecuador? We handle the entire process. Every visa type — retirement, investment, professional, Digital Nomad, rental income, dependent, student, treaty, and more. Plus everything beyond immigration: real estate through our award-winning partner, banking setup, healthcare enrollment, and the path from temporary visa to permanent residency to citizenship. One firm, one point of contact, every detail covered.
Corporate & Institutional For Companies
Relocating a team to Ecuador? We've moved entire factory workforces, international school faculty, executive teams, and NGO staff. Bulk visa processing, company registration, IESS enrollment, labor law compliance, dependent visas for families, and staff housing coordination. We work directly with your HR department and handle every legal and logistical detail so your people can focus on their jobs from day one.
Our Process
Five Steps to Your New Life
Free Consultation
We discuss your income, documents, and timeline on WhatsApp or video call. If we're not the right fit, we'll tell you — and point you to DIY resources.
Start here →Document Roadmap
Personalized document checklist for your visa type and country of origin. We review what you already have and flag what needs attention before submission.
Application Preparation
We coordinate certified translations, review your apostilles, complete forms, and organize your full application package to Cancillería specifications.
Submission & Follow-Up
We submit your application to Cancillería, track its progress, and respond to any government requests on your behalf.
Visa Approved + Cédula
After approval, we get your cédula — your Ecuadorian ID card — from Registro Civil and help you take the first steps as a resident: banking, IESS, the works.
Find Your Path to Ecuador
Four main visa pathways based on Ecuador's Ley Orgánica de Movilidad Humana. Find the one that fits your situation.
Professional Visa
Visa Profesional
For degree holders from any accredited university. Register with SENESCYT and qualify with the lowest income requirement of any visa.
Retirement Visa
Visa de Jubilación
For retirees with pension or Social Security income. Ecuador's most popular expat visa.
Investment Visa
Visa de Inversión
For those investing in Ecuadorian real estate, businesses, or government securities.
Rentista Visa
Visa de Rentista
For those with passive income from investments, rental properties, or trust funds.
Amounts based on 2026 SBU of $482. Requirements may change — we verify current figures during your consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of visas does Ecuador offer?
Ecuador offers over 14 visa categories. The most common: retirement (pensioner), investment, professional (work), Digital Nomad, rental income, student, dependent, treaty, and corporate/institutional visas. We handle every type. During your consultation we'll identify the fastest, most cost-effective pathway for your situation.
What is the Digital Nomad Visa?
Ecuador's Digital Nomad Visa allows remote workers earning income from outside Ecuador to live here legally. It requires proof of remote employment or freelance income above a minimum threshold. It's one of the newer visa categories and we've been processing them since day one.
How long does the visa process take?
Typically 30 to 90 days from submission to approval, depending on visa type. Document preparation — apostilles, translations, background checks — adds 4 to 8 weeks before that. Our relationships with government offices and our preparation standards mean fewer delays and rejections than you'd get elsewhere.
How much does a visa cost?
Government fees vary by visa type, typically $50 to $500. Legal fees depend on complexity — a straightforward retirement visa is different from relocating a 20-person corporate team. We're transparent about costs upfront. What you're paying for is 25+ years of experience, licensed attorneys who understand the law, and connections that make the process faster and smoother.
Why hire a law firm instead of a visa facilitator?
Facilitators fill out forms. Attorneys understand the law. When something goes wrong — a document is questioned, a regulation changes, an application is flagged — you want licensed attorneys who can advocate for you, not someone reading instructions. We've been practicing Ecuadorian immigration law for over 25 years. There's no substitute for that.
Can I bring my family?
Yes. Ecuador offers dependent visas for spouses and children. We process family applications together so everyone's status is coordinated. For corporate relocations, we handle dependent visas for every team member's family as part of the package.
Does Ecuador allow dual citizenship?
Yes. Ecuador allows dual citizenship — you don't need to renounce your current nationality. The path: temporary residency (2 years), permanent residency (after 21 months), citizenship (after 3 years of permanent residency). We guide clients through every stage.
What documents do I need?
Common requirements: valid passport (6+ months remaining), apostilled criminal background check, proof of income or investment, health certificate, and passport-size photos. Requirements vary by visa type. We provide a complete, personalized checklist and manage the entire document preparation process — apostilles, certified translations, everything.
Do you help with real estate and settling in?
This is what sets us apart. Through our partnership with Ecuador At Your Service — voted Best Real Estate Company by Gringo Post four years running — we connect you with vetted properties at better prices than you'd find on your own. We also handle banking, healthcare enrollment, and everything else you need to actually start living here. One firm for your entire Ecuador chapter.
How do I get started?
Book a free consultation at calendly.com/ecuador-yk8/consultation. We'll discuss your goals, timeline, family situation, and recommend the best path forward. You can also reach us by phone (USA): 651-621-3652, phone (Ecuador): 099-611-0451, email: ecuador@gracenelsonlaw.com, or WhatsApp: +593-99-611-0451. Or visit us at Luis Cordero 6-41, Cuenca.
Contact
Ready to make Ecuador home?