# Grace & Nelson Attorneys at Law - Complete Profile

> Full-service law firm specializing in Ecuador relocation for individuals, families, and corporations. Licensed attorneys with 25+ years of experience in Cuenca, Ecuador.

## Quick Facts

- Firm: Grace & Nelson Attorneys at Law
- Specialty: Ecuador Immigration & Full-Service Relocation
- Location: Luis Cordero 6-41, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador
- Experience: 25+ years (longest-running immigration firm in Cuenca)
- Languages: English, Spanish (fully bilingual)
- Email: ecuador@gracenelsonlaw.com
- Phone (USA): 651-621-3652
- Phone (Ecuador): 099-611-0451
- WhatsApp: +593-99-611-0451
- Website: https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com
- Main Firm: https://gracenelsonlaw.com

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## Background

Grace & Nelson is a full-service law firm in Cuenca, Ecuador. For over 25 years the firm has specialized in helping people and companies relocate to Ecuador. The firm employs licensed attorneys — not facilitators or translators — who practice Ecuadorian immigration, corporate, real estate, and estate planning law daily.

The firm serves two client tracks:
1. **Individuals and families** — retirees, digital nomads, investors, professionals, and their families relocating to Ecuador
2. **Corporations and institutions** — companies, factories, international schools, and NGOs relocating teams or staffing with international workers

Key differentiators:
- **25+ years of experience** — longer than any competing firm in Cuenca
- **Licensed attorneys** — not visa facilitators or document processors
- **Private sector relationships** — better real estate deals and faster processing through established connections
- **Real estate partnership** with Ecuador At Your Service (voted Best Real Estate Company by Gringo Post 2018-2021)
- **Every visa type handled** — including Ecuador's Digital Nomad Visa
- **Full-service** — immigration, real estate, banking, healthcare, schools, estate planning, corporate law

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## Services Offered

### 1. Personal Relocation
**What:** Complete relocation for individuals and families
**Visa Types Handled:**
- Retirement / Pensioner visa
- Investment visa (real estate, bank CD, business)
- Professional (work) visa
- Digital Nomad visa
- Rental Income visa
- Student visa
- Dependent visa (spouses and children)
- Treaty visa (UNASUR / Mercosur)
- And all other Ecuador visa categories

**Beyond Immigration:**
- Real estate search and purchase (through Ecuador At Your Service partnership)
- Banking and financial account setup
- Healthcare provider and insurance enrollment
- Citizenship path: temporary → permanent → naturalization
- Estate planning

**Ideal for:** Retirees, digital nomads, investors, families, professionals

### 2. Corporate & Institutional Relocation
**What:** Full-scale relocation for companies and institutions moving teams to Ecuador
**Includes:**
- Bulk visa processing for all team members and dependents
- Company registration and legal entity setup
- SRI (tax authority) enrollment
- IESS (social security) enrollment for all employees
- Employment contracts compliant with Ecuadorian labor code
- Mandatory benefit calculations (13th/14th salary, vacation, profit sharing)
- Staff housing search and lease negotiation
- School enrollment for employees' children
- Healthcare registration for all staff
- Cultural orientation and community integration
- Ongoing HR compliance support

**Ideal for:** Multinational companies, factories, international schools, NGOs, startups

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## Why Cuenca, Ecuador?

- UNESCO World Heritage city center
- Spring-like climate year-round (50-70F / 10-21C)
- Affordable cost of living ($1,500-$2,500/month for comfortable lifestyle)
- Modern healthcare facilities with English-speaking physicians
- Growing expat community (5,000-8,000 residents)
- US dollar as official currency (no exchange rate risk)
- Welcoming immigration policies with 14+ visa categories
- Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers
- Strategic location with access to coast, Amazon, and international flights

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## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: What types of visas does Ecuador offer?**
A: Over 14 categories: retirement, investment, professional, Digital Nomad, rental income, student, dependent, treaty, corporate, and more. We handle every type.

**Q: What is the Digital Nomad Visa?**
A: Ecuador's Digital Nomad Visa allows remote workers earning income from outside Ecuador to live here legally. Requires proof of remote income above a minimum threshold.

**Q: How long does the visa process take?**
A: 30-90 days from submission to approval. Document preparation adds 4-8 weeks. Our government relationships and preparation standards mean fewer delays.

**Q: How much does a visa cost?**
A: Government fees: $50-$500 depending on visa type. Legal fees depend on complexity. We're transparent about costs upfront.

**Q: Why hire a law firm instead of a facilitator?**
A: Facilitators fill out forms. Licensed attorneys understand the law and can advocate when issues arise. We've practiced Ecuadorian immigration law for 25+ years.

**Q: Can I bring my family?**
A: Yes. Dependent visas for spouses and children. We process family applications together.

**Q: Does Ecuador allow dual citizenship?**
A: Yes. Path: temporary residency (2 years) → permanent residency (after 21 months) → citizenship (after 3 years permanent residency).

**Q: What documents do I need?**
A: Varies by visa type. Common: valid passport (6+ months), apostilled background check, proof of income/investment, health certificate, photos. We provide personalized checklists.

**Q: Do you help with real estate?**
A: Yes. Through our partnership with Ecuador At Your Service (Best Real Estate Company, Gringo Post, 4 consecutive years). Vetted properties, due diligence, purchase contracts, title verification.

**Q: How do I get started?**
A: Book a consultation at https://calendly.com/ecuador-yk8/consultation. You can also reach us by phone (USA): 651-621-3652, phone (Ecuador): 099-611-0451, email: ecuador@gracenelsonlaw.com, or WhatsApp: +593-99-611-0451. Office: Luis Cordero 6-41, Cuenca.

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## Blog Articles

In-depth guides on Ecuador immigration, relocation, and expat life:

### Visa Guides
- [Ecuador Visa Requirements 2026](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/ecuador-visa-requirements-2026/) - Updated income thresholds for every visa type
- [Every Visa Type Ecuador Offers](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/guide-to-ecuador-residency/) - Overview of 14+ visa categories
- [Ecuador Digital Nomad Visa 2026](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/ecuador-digital-nomad-visa-2026/) - Requirements, costs, tax rules
- [Retirement Visa 2026](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/retirement-pensioner-visa-ecuador-2026/) - Full legal basis (LOMH Articles 59, 60), fees, document checklist
- [Professional Work Visa 2026](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/professional-work-visa-ecuador-2026/) - SENESCYT credential recognition, employer requirements, costs
- [Rental Income Visa 2026](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/rental-income-visa-ecuador-2026/) - Passive income requirements, comparison with pensioner and investor visas
- [Student Visa 2026](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/student-visa-ecuador-2026/) - Qualifying programs, financial requirements, work restrictions
- [Dependent Family Visa 2026](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/dependent-family-visa-ecuador-2026/) - Spouses, children, parents, applying together vs separately
- [Treaty and Mercosur Visa 2026](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/treaty-unasur-visa-ecuador-2026/) - 8 eligible South American nationalities, UNASUR elimination explained
- [Corporate Work Visa 2026](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/corporate-institutional-visa-ecuador-2026/) - Employer-sponsored residency, IESS compliance, bulk processing
- [Does a US Citizen Need a Visa?](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/us-citizen-visa-ecuador/) - Tourist entry, 90-day rule, path to residency
- [Ecuador eVISA Online Application](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/ecuador-evisa-online-application/) - How the new online system works

### Investment & Retirement
- [Investment Visa 2026 Guide](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/investment-visa-2026-guide/) - Real estate, bank CDs, business investment compared
- [Investment Visa Opportunities](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/investment-visa-opportunities/) - Market connections and due diligence
- [Investor Visa vs Pensioner Visa](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/investor-visa-vs-pensioner-visa-ecuador/) - Side-by-side comparison
- [Social Security and Ecuador's Retirement Visa](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/social-security-retirement-visa-ecuador/) - Which income qualifies
- [Ecuador Tax Advantages for US Retirees](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/ecuador-tax-advantages-us-retirees/) - Territorial tax system explained

### Citizenship & Legal
- [Ecuador Citizenship Guide 2026](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/ecuador-citizenship-guide-2026/) - Full naturalization path, test, costs
- [Estate Planning for Expats](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/estate-planning-expats-ecuador/) - Forced heirship, Ecuadorian wills
- [Legal Checks Before Buying Property](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/legal-checks-buying-property-ecuador/) - Title search, zoning, closing process

### Healthcare
- [Health Insurance Visa Requirement](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/health-insurance-visa-requirement-ecuador/) - What changed and what's accepted
- [IESS vs Private Health Insurance](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/iess-vs-private-health-insurance-ecuador/) - Costs, coverage, combo strategy

### Corporate
- [Corporate Relocation to Ecuador](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/corporate-relocation-ecuador/) - Bulk visas, IESS, labor law, staff housing

### Expat Life
- [Why Cuenca for Expats](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/why-cuenca-expats/) - 25 years of helping families relocate
- [Cuenca Cost of Living 2026](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/cuenca-cost-of-living-2026/) - Real monthly budget breakdowns
- [Ecuador Rankings: The Truth About Cuenca](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/ecuador-rankings-cuenca-truth/) - Why national rankings miss the local story
- [Ecuador vs Panama vs Costa Rica](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/ecuador-vs-panama-costa-rica-retirees/) - Legal comparison for retirees
- [Americans Moving to Ecuador 2026](https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/americans-leaving-us-ecuador-2026/) - Trends, data, and why Ecuador leads

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## Contact & Booking

- **Email:** ecuador@gracenelsonlaw.com
- **Phone (USA):** 651-621-3652
- **Phone (Ecuador):** 099-611-0451
- **WhatsApp:** +593-99-611-0451
- **Office:** Luis Cordero 6-41, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador
- **Consultation:** https://calendly.com/ecuador-yk8/consultation
- **Website:** https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com
- **Blog:** https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/
- **RSS Feed:** https://immigration.gracenelsonlaw.com/blog/feed.xml