Professional Temporary Residency
Ecuador
Last updated: December 23, 2025
2 years (renewable)
$270
4-7 months
Medium
About this Visa
This visa lets you live and work in Ecuador if you have a bachelor's degree or technical qualification. You can stay for 2 years, renew it once, and eventually become a permanent resident. You don't need a job offer to get this visa. You can work, start a business, or just live in Ecuador. Many retirees with degrees use this visa too. The main requirement is proving you have a recognized degree. This visa is designed for skilled professionals, but you can do almost anything once you're in Ecuador.
Key Benefits
- Work anywhere or start a business
- Bring spouse and children
- Access Ecuador healthcare system (~$100/month)
- Travel freely in and out of Ecuador
- Apply for permanent residency after 21 months
- Get citizenship after 3 more years
- Ecuador allows dual citizenship
Eligibility & Requirements
Eligibility Criteria
- Have bachelor degree or higher qualification
- Degree must be registered with Ecuador education authority
- Online degrees must be at least 80% in-person study
- Degree from recognized real university
- Pass health check
- Have health insurance
- No serious criminal record
- Age 18 or older
Financial Requirement
$0 for applicant. First dependent: $475/month. Additional dependents: $250/month each.
Documents
- Valid PassportDoes not expire for at least 6 months
- Bachelor Degree CertificateMust be officially stamped and notarized
- University TranscriptMust be officially stamped and notarized
- University Confirmation LetterLetter from university confirming degree validity, officially stamped
- Criminal Background CheckFrom your home country, officially stamped and apostilled
- Passport Photos5 passport-style photos (5cm x 5cm)
- Health Insurance ProofProof of health insurance or enrollment document
- Health ClearanceMedical exam confirming no serious communicable diseases
- Degree ClassificationUNESCO classification document of your degree field
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Visa requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Please verify all information with official government sources and consult a qualified immigration attorney before making decisions.