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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Book your initial consultation at calendly.com/ecuador-yk8/consultation — the consultation fee is deductible from any service you engage us for. 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.

$1,446 per month in verifiable pension income — three times Ecuador's 2026 Basic Unified Salary. Each dependent adds $250/month. Qualifying sources: Social Security, government pensions, military pensions, SSDI, and structured annuity distributions. Standard 401(k) withdrawals and rental income generally don't qualify; use the Rentista or Digital Nomad visa for those. In your free consultation we'll confirm exactly what counts for your specific situation.

$48,200 — 100 times the Basic Unified Salary — invested in one of three forms: real estate (property appraised at $48,200+), a 2-year bank CD earning 7–9% annual interest, or company shares. The bank CD is the most straightforward path: your capital is locked but earning interest, and it's the easiest to document. We'll walk you through whichever option fits your situation.

Yes. Ecuador's Constitution gives foreigners the same property ownership rights as citizens — no local partner, no trust structure, no special approval needed. You can own urban apartments, houses, or rural land outright. The exceptions: national protected areas (SNAP), certain border security zones, and indigenous territories. On farmland, there is no fixed acreage limit for foreigners, but excessively large rural acquisitions can attract scrutiny under the constitutional prohibition on latifundios. Closing costs on a typical purchase run 1 to 2.5% of the sale price: 1–1.5% transfer tax (alcabala), 0.1–0.5% notary fees, plus property registry and municipal certificates.

Private care is affordable by North American standards: a general practitioner visit runs $25–40, specialist consultations $40–60, and comprehensive private insurance $100–200/month depending on age and coverage. IESS is Ecuador's public health system — residents on a qualifying visa can enroll voluntarily for approximately $85/month based on declared income. IESS covers pre-existing conditions with no deductibles or copayments; the trade-off is longer wait times for specialists. Cuenca specifically has hospitals with US and European-trained physicians, many of them English-speaking. Most visa categories require proof of health insurance at application — we help you find coverage that meets the requirement at a cost that makes sense.

Ecuador's security situation varies significantly by region, and Cuenca is among the safest cities in the country. The violence that has affected coastal ports, Guayaquil, and certain border regions is largely concentrated in those areas — Cuenca and the southern highlands have been far more insulated. Our clients consistently report that within a few weeks of relocating, safety stops being a daily concern. Standard urban precautions apply: avoid displaying valuables, be aware of your surroundings at night, and stick to well-traveled areas when you're new. The expat community in Cuenca is large, well-connected, and a reliable source of practical, current safety information. Ecuador has real security challenges — but Cuenca is a genuinely livable city.

Based on what our clients actually report spending: a single person lives comfortably on $1,250–$1,830/month, a couple on $1,760–$2,600/month. That covers a furnished 2-bedroom apartment ($600–$800/month in a good neighborhood), a mix of cooking at home and dining out, private health insurance, and taxis — no heating or air conditioning costs (Cuenca sits at 8,400 feet with spring-like weather year-round). Budget-conscious singles can get by on $750–$1,050/month; those who want more — a car, premium apartment, frequent restaurant meals — spend $2,000–$3,000+. Fresh produce, local restaurants, and transportation are inexpensive. Imported and international goods approach North American prices.