Ecuador Jubilado visa requirements
Ecuador's retirement visa, the Jubilado, is a temporary residence visa for anyone with a monthly pension from abroad of at least 3 basic wages: $1,446 a month in 2026.
What the law asks for, what the government charges, and the discounts that come with it. Checked against Ecuador's official sources on Oct 8, 2026.
- Minimum income
- $1,446/mo A retirement pension paid monthly from abroad, certified by the paying institution, of at least 3 times the basic unified wage (salario básico unificado, $482 a month in 2026 under Acuerdo MDT-2025-195). Human Mobility Regulation; Human Mobility Law; Acuerdo MDT-2025-195. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Residency
- Up to 2 years, renewable Human Mobility Regulation; Human Mobility Law; Acuerdo MDT-2025-195. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Government fees
- $330 Visa application form fee and Temporary residence visa (lucrative categories and First order for the foreigner ID card (orden de cedulación). Consular fee schedule. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Lawyer
- Not required Cancillería eVisas guide. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Who qualifies for the Jubilado visa
The Jubilado visa is a temporary residence visa for anyone with a monthly retirement pension from abroad of at least 3 times Ecuador's basic unified wage: $1,446 a month in 2026. It lasts up to 2 years, can be renewed, and after 21 months in a row as a resident you can apply for permanent residence.
You need $1,446 a month: a retirement pension paid monthly from abroad, certified by the paying institution, of at least 3 times the basic unified wage (salario básico unificado, $482 a month in 2026 under Acuerdo MDT-2025-195).
The threshold is 3 times the basic unified wage, so it rises when the wage is reset each year. For 2026 the wage is $482, making the minimum pension $1,446 a month.
Temporary residence allows multiple entries with no limit on time abroad, but to count toward permanent residence you may not spend more than 90 days outside Ecuador while the temporary visa is valid.
As a permanent resident you may not spend more than 180 days a year abroad in the first 2 years; after that you can be away for up to 2 years in a row before losing the residence.
Anyone aged 65 or over who is in Ecuador pays half of the fees in the consular fee schedule, which covers visa fees.
The decision is discretionary: a visa can be refused if the authorities consider the applicant a risk to public security.
Jubilado visa documents
Every residence permit
- Online visa application on the Cancillería digital services portal (serviciosdigitales.cancilleria.gob.ec), with every document uploaded as a PDF
- Passport valid for at least 6 more months
- Criminal record certificate from your home country or from each country where you lived in the last 5 years, apostilled or legalized and translated into Spanish, issued no more than 180 days before your last entry to Ecuador
- If you apply from inside Ecuador, a recorded entry at an official border post and a regular immigration status
Cancillería eVisas guide; Human Mobility Regulation. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
This visa
- Official certificate from the paying institution abroad that you receive a monthly retirement pension of at least 3 basic unified wages, apostilled or legalized
- Health insurance, Ecuadorian or foreign, valid for the whole period of the visa; a foreign policy must state that it covers you in Ecuador
Human Mobility Regulation. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Every document issued by a foreign authority must be apostilled (or legalized, if the country is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention), and any document not in Spanish must be translated by an authorized professional. Ask your lawyer whether a document must also be translated.
Jubilado visa fees
| Visa application form fee, paid the same day you apply | $50 |
| Temporary residence visa (lucrative categories, which include Jubilado), paid on approval | $270 |
| First order for the foreigner ID card (orden de cedulación) | $10 |
Consular fee schedule. Checked Oct 8, 2026. Lawyer and agency fees are not set by law; ask for a fixed written quote.
How the application runs
- Gather documents at homeA pension certificate from the paying institution, a criminal record certificate covering the last 5 years and health insurance valid in Ecuador, apostilled and translated into Spanish.
- Apply onlineCreate an account on the Cancillería digital services portal, upload the documents as PDFs and pay the $50 fee on the same day, by card or at Banco del Pacífico.
- Wait for the reviewThe law allows up to 60 business days for a decision. You may be called to an interview, and if something is missing you are emailed a deadline to send it.
- Pay for the visaOnce approved, pay the $270 visa fee. The electronic visa is emailed to you.
- Get your foreigner ID cardAsk Cancillería for the order for your ID card ($10) and take it to the Civil Registry, which issues the cédula for foreigners for the same period as the visa.
- Move to permanent residenceAfter 21 months in a row as a resident, apply for permanent residence before your temporary visa expires. The visa fee is $225.
Discounts for people aged 65 and over in Ecuador
| Air, land, sea and river transport fares | 50% |
| Tickets to public shows and cultural, sports and artistic events, and tour and leisure packages | 50% |
| Museums | Free |
| Electricity for use up to 138 kWh a month on one meter | 50% |
| Drinking water for use up to 34 cubic metres a month on one meter | 50% |
| Basic rate of a home landline in your name | 50% |
| A basic mobile phone and internet plan in your name | 50% |
The Older Persons Law of 2019 gives these to everyone aged 65 or over who is in Ecuador, Ecuadorian or foreign, on showing an identity document. Older Persons Law. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Spouses and children
Your spouse or legally recognised partner and your children can get a dependant (amparo) visa that lasts as long as yours. You must show an extra $250 a month of income for each person you include.
Human Mobility Regulation; Human Mobility Law. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Other ways to live in Ecuador
Temporary residence visa, Rentista
For a personal monthly income from lawful rents, such as leases or investment returns, from abroad or from Ecuador, of at least 3 basic unified wages: $1,446 a month in 2026. Health insurance valid in Ecuador is required, and each dependant needs an extra $250 a month. Fees $50 to apply and $270 for the visa.
Human Mobility Regulation; Acuerdo MDT-2025-195; Consular fee schedule. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Temporary residence visa, Inversionista (investor)
For an investment of at least 100 basic unified wages ($48,200 in 2026): a term deposit of at least 730 days at an Ecuadorian bank, real estate in Ecuador in your name, or shares in an Ecuadorian company. The investment must be kept for as long as the visa lasts. Fees $50 to apply and $270 for the visa.
Human Mobility Regulation; Acuerdo MDT-2025-195; Consular fee schedule. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Temporary residence visa, Rentista for remote work (digital nomad)
For remote work for employers or clients abroad, or for your own company abroad, with foreign income of at least 3 basic unified wages a month over the last 3 months, or 36 a year, shown on bank statements. Health insurance valid in Ecuador is required, and only nationals of countries on a list kept by the Tourism Ministry can apply.
Human Mobility Regulation; Cancillería. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Permanent residence visa after 21 months
After 21 months in a row as a resident, still meeting the conditions of your temporary visa, you can apply for permanent residence before the temporary visa expires. It allows an indefinite stay. Fee $225.
Human Mobility Law; Human Mobility Regulation; Consular fee schedule. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Jubilado visa questions
How much pension do I need for Ecuador's retirement visa in 2026?
A monthly pension from abroad of at least 3 basic unified wages. With the 2026 wage of $482, that is $1,446 a month, plus $250 a month for each dependant you include.
How do I get a cédula in Ecuador as a retiree?
Once your residence visa is issued, ask Cancillería for the order for your ID card ($10) and take it to the Civil Registry, which issues the cédula for foreigners for the same period as your visa.
How soon can I get permanent residence in Ecuador?
After 21 months in a row as a temporary resident, if you apply before the temporary visa expires and have not been outside Ecuador for more than 90 days while it was valid. The fee is $225.
