Ecuador Investor Visa Cost 2026: Beyond $48,200
Ecuador's investor visa requires $48,200 in capital plus $1,800-$3,100 in fees for 2026. Full budget breakdown for the bank CD, real estate, and business paths.
Ecuador's investor visa minimum investment is $48,200 for 2026. But when our clients ask what the visa actually costs, the answer includes government fees, legal representation, document preparation, and - for the real estate path - property closing costs. The total budget runs roughly $50,000 for the bank CD path to $53,000+ for real estate.
We have processed investor visas in Cuenca for over 25 years. Here is every line item, by investment path, so you can budget accurately before you commit.
The $48,200 Minimum Investment in 2026
The investment threshold is 100 times the Salario Basico Unificado (SBU), which is $482 for 2026. That equals $48,200 - up from $47,000 in 2025.
This is not a fee you lose. It is capital that stays in your name:
- Bank CD: Principal returned after permanent residency (~21 months), plus 7-9% annual interest. At 8%, that is roughly $3,856 per year in earnings.
- Real estate: You own the property. A visa lien prevents sale during temporary residency, but you can live in it or rent it out.
- Business shares: You own equity in an Ecuadorian company.
For a detailed comparison of all three paths, see our 2026 Investment Visa Guide.
Government Visa Fees: $330 or $195 for Seniors
The Cancilleria charges the same fees regardless of investment path:
| Fee | Standard | Age 65+ |
|---|---|---|
| Application (non-refundable) | $50 | $50 |
| Visa grant | $270 | $135 |
| Cedula | ~$10 | ~$10 |
| Total | ~$330 | ~$195 |
Each dependent (spouse, children under 18) pays separately - an additional ~$320 per person, or ~$185 for those 65+.
Legal Fees: $1,400 Flat
Our firm charges $1,400 for the complete investor visa process from initial consultation through cedula in hand. That covers:
- Visa pathway recommendation
- Personalized document roadmap
- Apostille review and certified translations
- Complete eVisa application assembly and submission
- Government follow-up
- Cedula appointment coordination
The fee is collected in two parts: a $600 non-refundable retainer when you engage us, with the remaining $800 due during or upon completion. For the real estate path, this covers immigration only - property due diligence and closing are handled through our partnership with Ecuador At Your Service.
Document Preparation: $100-$160
Every investor visa application requires documents that carry their own costs:
| Document | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| FBI background check (US citizens) | ~$18 |
| Federal apostille (US Dept. of State) | ~$20 |
| Certified translation (background check) | ~$50-$100 |
| Passport photos (digital, 5x5cm) | ~$10-$20 |
| Total | ~$100-$160 |
These figures are for US citizens. Canadian and European applicants have different background check processes and fees - our document roadmap covers the specifics for your nationality.
One critical timing note: the FBI background check takes 12-18 weeks to process and is valid for only 180 days. Start this immediately. It is almost always the bottleneck.
Where the Paths Diverge: Closing and Formation Costs
Bank CD: No Additional Costs
The CD path has no closing costs, transfer taxes, or notary fees. You open a bank account, wire funds, and open the CD. Setup takes 1-2 weeks. We recommend depositing slightly above the minimum - $49,000 to $50,000 - as a buffer against any bank fee deductions.
Real Estate: Add 3-5% in Buyer Closing Costs
Property purchases involve buyer-side costs. On a property near the $48,200 minimum:
| Item | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Alcabala (transfer tax, 1-1.5% per COOTAD Art. 535) | ~$500-$750 |
| Notary fees (sliding scale) | ~$200-$300 |
| Property registry inscription | ~$50-$150 |
| Municipal certificates | ~$20-$50 |
| Total buyer closing costs | ~$770-$1,250 |
On a higher-value property - say $80,000 to $100,000 - expect $2,400-$5,000 in buyer closing costs. The seller pays Plusvalia (10% municipal capital gains tax on urban property profit per COOTAD Art. 556).
Business: Add $1,000-$3,000+ for Company Formation
Establishing a company through the Superintendencia de Companias costs $1,000-$3,000+ depending on entity type. Ongoing compliance - accounting, SRI filings, annual reporting - adds $200-$500 per month. We do not recommend this path unless you have genuine business plans in Ecuador.
Total Budget: Side-by-Side Comparison
Here is the full picture for a single applicant under 65:
| Cost Category | Bank CD | Real Estate (~$50K) | Business |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investment capital | $48,200 | ~$50,000+ | $48,200+ |
| Government fees | ~$330 | ~$330 | ~$330 |
| Legal fees | $1,400 | $1,400 | $1,400 |
| Document costs | ~$130 | ~$130 | ~$130 |
| Closing/formation | $0 | ~$770-$1,250 | ~$1,000-$3,000+ |
| Non-refundable fees total | ~$1,860 | ~$2,630-$3,110 | ~$2,860-$4,860+ |
| Grand total | ~$50,060 | ~$52,630-$53,110+ | ~$51,060-$53,060+ |
For applicants 65+, subtract $135 from government fees. For couples, add approximately $320 in government fees per dependent ($185 if 65+), plus document preparation costs per person.
The CD Path Pays for Itself
One detail worth noting: the bank CD earns interest the entire time your capital is locked. At 8% annually on $48,200, you earn roughly $6,700 in interest over the 21-month temporary residency period. You can withdraw this interest monthly.
After permanent residency, you get the full $48,200 principal back. Subtract the ~$1,860 in fees, and the CD path leaves you ahead by roughly $4,800. The investment effectively funds the entire visa process and then some.
Post-Visa Costs to Plan For
Two ongoing expenses begin after your visa is granted:
Health insurance is required post-grant under LOMH Art. 61 before you can receive your cedula. Private insurance runs $50-$300 per month depending on coverage. After you have your cedula, you can enroll in IESS (Ecuador's public system) for approximately $85 per month.
Annual property tax applies to real estate path investors. In Cuenca, rates run 0.25-5 per mil of cadastral value - typically $50-$300 per year on properties near the investment threshold.
Keep reading:
- Ecuador Investment Visa 2026: $48,200 Minimum - All Three Paths
- Investor Visa Bank CD: Rates, Banks, and Step-by-Step Process
- Investor Visa Real Estate: Due Diligence and Closing Costs
Planning your investor visa budget? Contact us or call 651-621-3652.