Ecuador Visa Requirements 2026: Updated Income Thresholds and What They Mean
The 2026 SBU increase changes income requirements for every Ecuador visa type. Here are the exact numbers, what changed, and what it means for your case.
The 2026 SBU is $482 and every visa threshold just moved.
Ecuador's visa income requirements are tied directly to the Salario Basico Unificado (SBU) -- the national minimum wage. On December 2025, the Ministry of Labor set the 2026 SBU at $482/month, up $12 from the 2025 figure of $470. It was formalized through Ministerial Agreement MDT-2025-195 and took effect January 1, 2026.
That $12 increase ripples across every visa category. Here are the numbers you need.
2026 Income Thresholds by Visa Type
Pensioner Visa (Jubilado)
Requirement: 3x SBU = $1,446/month in verifiable pension income
This is the most popular visa for retirees from the US and Canada. Social Security, military pensions, government pensions, SSDI, and other structured retirement income all qualify. There is no minimum age requirement. You need to prove the income is regular and ongoing -- a one-time payment or savings account balance will not suffice.
Rentista Visa
Requirement: 3x SBU = $1,446/month in passive or investment income
The Rentista is the pensioner visa's sibling for people who aren't technically pensioners. Rental income, dividends, interest, annuities, and structured investment returns all count. The income must come from outside Ecuador and must be demonstrably stable.
Digital Nomad Visa (Rentista Trabajador Nomada)
Requirement: 3x SBU = $1,446/month in provable remote income
Ecuador's digital nomad visa is officially classified as a subcategory of the Rentista visa. You must work as an employee, freelancer, or business owner for a company located outside Ecuador. The visa is issued for two years, and income earned abroad under this visa is not subject to Ecuadorian income tax.
Professional Visa (Profesional)
Requirement: 1x SBU = $482/month in income
The lowest income threshold of any residency visa, but it comes with the highest documentation burden. Your professional degree must be apostilled in your home country, then registered with SENESCYT (Ecuador's higher education authority). The recognition process adds weeks or months to the timeline. This visa makes sense if you have a degree, plan to work in Ecuador, and want the simplest income threshold.
Investor Visa (Inversionista)
Requirement: 100x SBU = $48,200 minimum investment
This is a lump-sum requirement, not monthly income. Qualifying investments include an Ecuadorian bank certificate of deposit (CD), real estate, or investment in an Ecuadorian business. The CD route is the most straightforward -- deposit the funds in a qualifying Ecuadorian bank account and obtain the certificate. Real estate purchases also qualify, but the property must be registered in your name and appraised at or above the threshold.
Dependent Visa
Requirement: $250/month added to the primary applicant's income threshold per dependent
Spouses and children under 18 can be included on your visa application. Each dependent adds $250/month to the income you must prove. So a couple applying under the Pensioner visa needs $1,446 + $250 = $1,696/month total.
2025 vs. 2026 Comparison
| Visa Type | SBU Multiple | 2025 (SBU $470) | 2026 (SBU $482) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pensioner (Jubilado) | 3x | $1,410/mo | $1,446/mo | +$36/mo |
| Rentista | 3x | $1,410/mo | $1,446/mo | +$36/mo |
| Digital Nomad | 3x | $1,410/mo | $1,446/mo | +$36/mo |
| Professional | 1x | $470/mo | $482/mo | +$12/mo |
| Investor | 100x | $47,000 | $48,200 | +$1,200 |
| Per Dependent | flat | $250/mo | $250/mo | No change |
The increases are modest. If you qualified in 2025, you almost certainly qualify in 2026. But your bank statements and income documentation must reflect the new thresholds -- immigration will apply the 2026 numbers to any application filed after January 1.
Government Fees
Government visa fees have not changed for 2026:
- Application fee: $50 (non-refundable, paid at submission)
- Visa grant fee: $270 (paid upon approval)
- Total per primary applicant: $320
- Senior discount (65+): Grant fee reduced to $135, total $185
- Dependent fee: $250 per person
These are government fees only. They do not include legal representation, document authentication, translations, or apostilles.
Health Insurance: Now Required Earlier in the Process
Health insurance has always been necessary to obtain your cedula (Ecuadorian identity card) after your visa is approved. What has changed is enforcement at the application stage.
For temporary and permanent residency visas, the Cancilleria now requires proof of valid health insurance coverage in Ecuador as part of the visa application itself. This is not optional and not something you can defer until after approval. Private health insurance plans from providers like BMI or Saludsa satisfy the requirement. Alternatively, affiliation with Ecuador's social security system (IESS) also qualifies.
If you are applying from abroad, get your health insurance arranged before you submit. Applications missing this document will be returned.
The eVISA System
All visa applications now go through Ecuador's eVISA portal. The Cancilleria no longer accepts in-person visa applications at immigration offices. You submit your documents electronically, pay the application fee online, and track your case through the portal.
That said, do not confuse "online submission" with "fully remote process." You will still need at least one in-person appointment in Ecuador before your visa is finalized. The eVISA system handles the paperwork; the biometrics and final steps happen in person.
Processing times average around 60 days, but delays are common. System outages, document review requests, and bureaucratic backlog can extend timelines. Plan accordingly and do not book travel based on optimistic estimates.
What This Means for Your Application
The $12 SBU increase is routine -- Ecuador adjusts the minimum wage annually. But three things matter for 2026 applicants:
-
Your income documentation must show the new amounts. Bank statements, pension letters, and income verification documents must reflect at least $1,446/month (for 3x SBU visas) or $482/month (Professional visa). Older documents showing 2025 amounts will not be accepted for 2026 applications.
-
Health insurance is no longer a post-approval task. Have your policy in place before you submit. This catches more applicants off guard than the income threshold increase.
-
The eVISA system is the only path. If you have not used it before, budget time to create your account, upload documents in the correct format, and navigate the interface. It works, but it is not intuitive.
We Handle This Every Day
Grace & Nelson has been processing Ecuador visas from our office in Cuenca for over 25 years. We know the current thresholds, the document requirements, the eVISA system's quirks, and exactly what the Cancilleria is looking for.
If you are planning a move to Ecuador in 2026, we can tell you exactly which visa fits your situation and what documentation you need.
Keep reading:
- Every Visa Type Ecuador Offers - And How to Pick the Right One
- Health Insurance as a Visa Requirement in Ecuador
- Ecuador eVisa Online Application Guide
Need help with your 2026 Ecuador visa application? Schedule a consultation or call 651-621-3652.