Ecuador is the newest country to launch its own digital nomad visa. Ecuador is promoting their new digital nomad visa as an opportunity for remote workers the opportunity to live low-cost authentic experiences.

Ecuador is famous for its breathtaking natural assets, including the Galapagos Islands, the imposing peaks of the Andes, the biodiversity of the Amazon, and the national reserves and beaches along the Pacific Coast.

The introduction of the new digital nomad visa, the “Rentista for Remote Work visa”, remote workers will be allowed to maintain legal residence for up to two years in Ecuador.

Speaking at the World Travel Market in London, Ecuador’s tourism minister, Niels Olsen, said that the COVID-19 pandemic was an opportunity for his country to rethink the tourism sector. He also promised Ecuador delivers “authentic and genuine” experiences.

The pandemic allowed us to rethink tourism and opportunities.

Niels Olsen, Ecuador Tourism Minister

Olsen added that Ecuador boasts great infrastructure and connectivity, and a cost of living significantly lower than in the United Kingdom.

We have great infrastructure and connectivity and the cost of living is significantly lower than in the UK.

Niels Olsen, Ecuador Tourism Minister

Remote workers choosing to work in Ecuador have several options. There are major cities such as Quito, Cuenca, and Guayaquil, which have plenty of co-working spaces, as well as strong Wifi connectivity.

Visa Requirements

To apply for Ecuador’s new digital nomad visa you must:

• Demonstrate income from a foreign source of at least $1,300 per month.
• Provide proof that you work remotely for a company or person abroad. You can also apply if you are the owner of a company or company registered and domiciled abroad.
• Have health insurance coverage.

Additionally, there is a processing fee of $475, all applicants must have a valid passport and a clean police record.

The visa is open to residents of most countries. A complete list of countries has been prepared by the Ministry of Tourism.

As of publishing, applications are not permitted for individuals from Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Cameroon, North Korea, Cuba, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Philippines, Gambia, Ghana, India, Iraq, Iran, Kenya, Libya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Syria, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Yemen.

Remote workers can apply via Ecuador’s virtual consulate. The process takes between two to four months.