Ecuador uses the US dollar and offers a 2-year digital nomad visa to remote workers earning about $1,446 a month, three times the national basic wage. It's one of the lowest income bars in the world.
Checked against the sources at the end on November 2, 2026. This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the official source before you apply.
At a glance
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Visit first | 90 days visa-free, extendable |
| Route for remote workers | Digital nomad visa (visa de nómada digital) |
| Money you need to show | At least three times Ecuador's basic wage, about $1,446 a month in 2026 ($17,352 a year), from employers or clients outside Ecuador |
| Length | 2 years, renewable |
| Government fees | About $300 in government fees |
| Timeline | About 30 days after a complete application |
| Where you apply | Online through Ecuador's Foreign Ministry (Cancillería) consular portal, from the US or after entering Ecuador |
| Family | Family members can usually apply as dependents; confirm current requirements with the consulate |
| Long-term residence | Permanent residence generally after 21 months of temporary residence |
| US taxes | Still due every year. See our US taxes and banking guide |
Who qualifies
Ecuador uses the US dollar and offers a 2-year digital nomad visa to remote workers earning about $1,446 a month, three times the national basic wage. It's one of the lowest income bars in the world.
- Remote employees of companies outside Ecuador: yes.
- Freelancers and business owners: yes.
- Income: At least three times Ecuador's basic wage, about $1,446 a month in 2026 ($17,352 a year), from employers or clients outside Ecuador. That's about $1,450 a month.
Open question: Sources describe the family requirements differently; confirm with the consulate.
Documents
Order US documents first: apostilles and FBI checks are the slowest part.
- Passport
- Proof of remote work for foreign employers or clients
- Proof of income or savings
- Apostilled FBI background check
- Health insurance valid in Ecuador
Step by step from the US
- Check your numbers against the rule above, using the last 6 to 12 months of income.
- Order US documents: FBI background check, apostilles and translations where needed.
- Apply: Online through Ecuador's Foreign Ministry (Cancillería) consular portal, from the US or after entering Ecuador.
- Buy health insurance that meets the requirement for your whole stay.
- Arrive and register your address and any residence card on time.
Taxes
- More than 183 days makes you an Ecuadorian tax resident, taxed on worldwide income
- No US-Ecuador tax treaty or totalization agreement, so use US credits or the exclusion
- US citizens still file a US return every year. The foreign earned income exclusion is up to $132,900 for 2026; the foreign tax credit is the alternative. See our US taxes guide.
Common mistakes
- The income bar is tied to the basic wage and rises most years
- Translations into Spanish and apostilles are needed for US documents
Where to live in Ecuador
Our city guides cover costs in dollars, neighborhoods, live weather and the time difference: Quito · Cuenca · Guayaquil · Manta.
Moving with a partner or kids? See Moving abroad with family.
Sources
Checked on November 2, 2026. Where sources disagree, we say so above.
- Ecuador Foreign Ministry: Consular services (official)
- WhereNext: Ecuador digital nomad visa (Sep 2026)
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