---
title: "Ecuador Professional / tech visa requirements 2026"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-professional/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-12
---

Ecuador · Business / Startup

# Ecuador Professional / tech visa

**First stay:** 2 yrs

Visa de residencia temporal — Profesional, técnico, tecnólogo o artesano (Reglamento art. 76)

Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026, some details partly verified [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **First stay:** 2 yrs (Temporary residence authorises a 2-year stay, renewable once; permanent residence can be requested after 21 continuous months as a resident.)
- **Who can apply:** Any passport
- **Tax angle:** Tax relief (Residencia fiscal temporal (LRTI, Ley Orgánica de Eficiencia Económica, RO 461-S of 20 Dec 2023): New arrivals who qualify may pay income tax only on Ecuadorian-source income for 5 years.)

## Key facts

Professional / tech visa is a business / startup route for Ecuador. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.

- **Government fees:** $50 · $270
- **First stay:** 2 yrs

## Cost, time and long term

**Government fees: $50 · $270**

- $50 Visa application fee, paid online when the request is filed; no VAT.
- $270 Visa grant fee, paid on approval; no VAT.

**Renewal: Renewable**

Temporary residence lasts up to 2 years and can be renewed once.

[Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana](https://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2021.05.14_ley_organica_de_movilidad_humana_-_lomh.pdf)

**Permanent residence: After 21 months of residence**

You can request permanent residence after 21 continuous months as a resident, filing before the temporary visa expires.

[Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana](https://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2021.05.14_ley_organica_de_movilidad_humana_-_lomh.pdf) [Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana](https://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2022.07.21-reglamento-a-la-Ley-Organica-de-Movilidad-Humana.pdf)

**Citizenship: Time here doesn't count**

Naturalisation needs at least 3 years of regular domicile holding a permanent residence visa, so time on a temporary visa does not count directly.

[Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana](https://www.gob.ec/mremh/tramites/obtencion-nacionalidad-ecuatoriana-carta-naturalizacion)

**Where to apply: Abroad or in-country**

Apply online through the foreign ministry's e-VISAS platform, from inside Ecuador or through an embassy or consulate abroad.

[Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana](https://www.gob.ec/mremh/tramites/concesion-visa-residencia-temporal-profesional-tecnico-tecnologo-artesano)

**Presence rules: Away max 90 days in total**

To keep the 21 months continuous, you cannot be away from Ecuador more than 90 days in total during the temporary visa.

[Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana](https://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2022.07.21-reglamento-a-la-Ley-Organica-de-Movilidad-Humana.pdf)

## Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

- Time on this route doesn't count toward citizenship

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- Applicants are foreign nationals who will practise a profession, technical or technologist activity or a craft in Ecuador.
- Applicants already in Ecuador need a regular status, either a tourist authorisation or a valid visa.

#### What you must show

- Visa application fee USD 50 (one time).
- Visa grant fee USD 270 (one time).

#### Documents

- A degree apostilled or legalised and registered with the Ecuadorian authority is required.
- Artisans show their registration and Junta Nacional de Defensa del Artesano validation.
- A passport valid for at least 6 months and an apostilled or legalised criminal record certificate (adults) are submitted.
- Lawful means of living of at least one unified basic salary a month (USD 482 in 2026) are shown.

#### Steps

1. The application is filed online on the e-VISAS platform and the first payment is made the same day.

#### After you arrive

- The visa authorises a 2-year stay, renewable once; permanent residence can be requested after 21 continuous months.

## What happens at day 183

How Ecuador decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Stay on this route:** **2 years at first, renewable**
- **Tax residence:** - **At least 183 days in a same fiscal period, or 12 months across two fiscal periods** Presence in Ecuador, including sporadic absences, consecutive or not (art. 4.1 a and b)
- **Foreign-source income:** Ecuador taxes Ecuadorian-source income and also income obtained abroad by natural persons domiciled in the country (LRTI art. 2), on a 2026 scale of 0% up to USD 12,208 rising to 37% above USD 109,956; an individual is a fiscal resident after 183 days or more in the country in a fiscal period, with a credit for tax paid abroad under art. 49.
- **Special regime:** **Residencia fiscal temporal** · Tax relief New arrivals who qualify may pay income tax only on Ecuadorian-source income for 5 years.

[All tax rules for Ecuador](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/tax/) Tax records checked 10 Oct 2026

## What you need to arrange

- **Certified translation** A degree apostilled or legalised and registered with the Ecuadorian authority is required
- **Police certificate and civil documents** A passport valid for at least 6 months and an apostilled or legalised criminal record certificate (adults) are submitted

Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts.

**Full official text**

For holders of a professional, technical or technologist degree (or registered artisans) who will practise in Ecuador. (sources 1, 2)

#### What you must show and pay

- A fee of $50 · Visa application fee, paid online when the request is filed; no VAT. (source 2)
- A fee of $270 · Visa grant fee, paid on approval; no VAT. (source 2)

#### Requirements

- Applicants are foreign nationals who will practise a profession, technical or technologist activity or a craft in Ecuador. (sources 2, 1)
- Applicants already in Ecuador need a regular status, either a tourist authorisation or a valid visa. (source 2)
- Visa application fee USD 50 (one time). (source 2)
- Visa grant fee USD 270 (one time). (source 2)
- A degree apostilled or legalised and registered with the Ecuadorian authority is required. (source 1)
- Artisans show their registration and Junta Nacional de Defensa del Artesano validation. (source 1)
- A passport valid for at least 6 months and an apostilled or legalised criminal record certificate (adults) are submitted. (source 2)
- Lawful means of living of at least one unified basic salary a month (USD 482 in 2026) are shown. (sources 3, 4)
- The application is filed online on the e-VISAS platform and the first payment is made the same day. (source 2)
- The visa authorises a 2-year stay, renewable once; permanent residence can be requested after 21 continuous months. (sources 2, 1)

#### Stay

- Temporary residence authorises a 2-year stay, renewable once; permanent residence can be requested after 21 continuous months as a resident.
- Initial permitted stay: 24 months.
- Visa validity: 24 months. Validity is the window to use the visa, not the length you may stay.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

#### Work

Practise the registered profession.

#### Family

Spouse or partner and children can be covered by the holder ("amparo"); the holder shows an additional USD 250 per month of income for each adult child covered.

Checked 2026-10-12 · partly verified

## Official sources

1. [Reglamento a la Ley Orgánica de Movilidad Humana (arts. 60-76, 83-84)](https://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2022.07.21-reglamento-a-la-Ley-Organica-de-Movilidad-Humana.pdf) · Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana · checked 2026-10-12
2. [Concesión de visa de residencia temporal de profesional, técnico, tecnólogo o artesano](https://www.gob.ec/mremh/tramites/concesion-visa-residencia-temporal-profesional-tecnico-tecnologo-artesano) · Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana · checked 2026-10-11
3. [Acuerdo Ministerial No. 0000070: lawful means of living for visa applications](https://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/0000070.pdf) · Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2024-06-28
4. [Acuerdo MDH-DM-2026-0005-A (quotes Acuerdo MDT-2025-195: Salario Básico Unificado 2026 = USD 482)](https://www.desarrollohumano.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mdh-dm-2026-0005-a.pdf) · Ministerio de Desarrollo Humano · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-02
5. [Ley Orgánica de Movilidad Humana (consolidated text)](https://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2021.05.14_ley_organica_de_movilidad_humana_-_lomh.pdf) · Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana (Ecuador) · checked 2026-10-11
6. [Obtención de la nacionalidad ecuatoriana por carta de naturalización](https://www.gob.ec/mremh/tramites/obtencion-nacionalidad-ecuatoriana-carta-naturalizacion) · Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana (Ecuador) · checked 2026-10-11

## Professional / tech visa and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Professional / tech visa | – | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| [Freelancer visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-autonomous/) | – | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| [Freelance professional M](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-profesional-independiente/) Colombia | Needs income of COP 8.8M+ a month ≈ $2,740 | 3 yr | Limited |
| [BC Entrepreneur · Base](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/canada/pnp-bc-entrepreneur-base/) Canada | Needs an investment of CAD 200k+ ≈ $140k | – | – |
| [E-1 Treaty Trader](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-states/e1-treaty-trader/) United States | – | 2 yr, renewable | Limited |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Professional / tech visa?

A fee of $50. Visa application fee, paid online when the request is filed; no VAT. A fee of $270. Visa grant fee, paid on approval; no VAT.

### How long can I stay on the Professional / tech visa?

Temporary residence authorises a 2-year stay, renewable once; permanent residence can be requested after 21 continuous months as a resident.

### Can I work on the Professional / tech visa?

Practise the registered profession.

### Can I bring my family on the Professional / tech visa?

Spouse or partner and children can be covered by the holder ("amparo"); the holder shows an additional USD 250 per month of income for each adult child covered.

### Does the Professional / tech visa lead to permanent residence in Ecuador?

Time on the Professional / tech visa counts toward permanent residence in Ecuador, which the rules allow after 21 months of residence. Time on the Professional / tech visa doesn't count toward citizenship.

### Is there a tax break for Professional / tech visa holders in Ecuador?

Residencia fiscal temporal (LRTI, Ley Orgánica de Eficiencia Económica, RO 461-S of 20 Dec 2023): New arrivals who qualify may pay income tax only on Ecuadorian-source income for 5 years. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions.

## Tax

Special regime

### [Residencia fiscal temporal (LRTI, Ley Orgánica de Eficiencia Económica, RO 461-S of 20 Dec 2023)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/tax/#tax-ec-temporary-fiscal-residence)

Tax relief

**Details**

- On: Ecuadorian-source income only, taxed on the ordinary scale
- Who: Not previously a fiscal resident of Ecuador
- Limit: $150k

New arrivals who qualify may pay income tax only on Ecuadorian-source income for 5 years.

#### Taxed on

Ecuadorian-source income only, taxed on the ordinary scale; foreign-source income is outside the base.

#### Who it applies to

- Not previously a fiscal resident of Ecuador.
- Either invest at least USD 150,000 in Ecuadorian real estate or productive activities and keep it at least 5 years, or prove non-Ecuadorian-source monthly income of at least USD 2,500 and affiliate to social security.
- Conditions must be met between day 1 and day 120 after entering Ecuador.

#### Exclusions

- Ecuadorian-source income remains taxable.

#### Limits

- $150,000 · Minimum investment in real estate or productive activities in Ecuador, kept at least 5 years.
- $2,500 a month · Alternative: proven monthly income not of Ecuadorian source; holder must join social security.

#### Tax residence

Lasts 5 years from the fiscal year the conditions are met.

#### Visas

The law links the regime to temporary residence.

#### Other taxes

Social-security affiliation is required under the income route; VAT is unaffected.

Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

[Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/tax/)

## More in Ecuador

[Digital nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-rentista-remote-work/) [Investor · $48k shares](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-investor-shares/) [Investor · $48k property](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-investor-property/) [Investor · $48k deposit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-investor-deposit/) [Retiree visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-jubilado/) [Rentista visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-rentista/) [Investor · State contract](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-investor-state-contract/) [Researcher / academic visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-researcher/)

## Business / startup visas elsewhere

[🇩🇴 Business permit NG-1](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/dominican-republic/business-permit-ng1/) [🇨🇼 Sole proprietor permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/curacao/self-employed/) [🇸🇻 Business owner residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/el-salvador/temporary-business/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-12 against 6 official sources.** Status: partly verified; the page marks the facts an official source does not fully confirm.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [Reglamento a la Ley Orgánica de Movilidad Humana (arts. 60-76, 83-84)](https://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2022.07.21-reglamento-a-la-Ley-Organica-de-Movilidad-Humana.pdf) · Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana · checked 2026-10-12
2. [Concesión de visa de residencia temporal de profesional, técnico, tecnólogo o artesano](https://www.gob.ec/mremh/tramites/concesion-visa-residencia-temporal-profesional-tecnico-tecnologo-artesano) · Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana · checked 2026-10-11
3. [Acuerdo Ministerial No. 0000070: lawful means of living for visa applications](https://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/0000070.pdf) · Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana · checked 2026-10-10
4. [Acuerdo MDH-DM-2026-0005-A (quotes Acuerdo MDT-2025-195: Salario Básico Unificado 2026 = USD 482)](https://www.desarrollohumano.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mdh-dm-2026-0005-a.pdf) · Ministerio de Desarrollo Humano · checked 2026-10-10
5. [Ley Orgánica de Movilidad Humana (consolidated text)](https://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2021.05.14_ley_organica_de_movilidad_humana_-_lomh.pdf) · Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana (Ecuador) · checked 2026-10-11
6. [Obtención de la nacionalidad ecuatoriana por carta de naturalización](https://www.gob.ec/mremh/tramites/obtencion-nacionalidad-ecuatoriana-carta-naturalizacion) · Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana (Ecuador) · checked 2026-10-11

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.