What It Covers

The Rentista category is for foreign nationals who intend to establish themselves in Ecuador and receive lawful rental income from abroad or in Ecuador. The official procedure describes examples such as lease contracts, investment titles, and other similar evidence of lawful income.

A Rentista visa is generally issued for two years. It is different from the Rentista–Trabajo remoto category, commonly called the Digital Nomad visa, which is intended for remote work or services for clients and employers outside Ecuador.

2026 Income Threshold

The official Rentista procedure requires lawful monthly rents of at least three Salarios Básicos Unificados (SBU). Ecuador's Ministry of Labor set the 2026 SBU at $482 per month, making the current three-SBU calculation $1,446 per month for the primary applicant.

This amount can change when the SBU changes. Confirm the amount and the evidence requested by the Ministry or the relevant Ecuadorian consulate when you apply.

Alimony as a Possible Income Source

Long-term, consistent alimony may be a possible Rentista income source when it is a lawful, enforceable obligation and the payments can be traced to the applicant's account. The official procedure does not expressly name alimony, however, so this is not a guaranteed qualification. The reviewing authority decides whether the specific documents establish lawful recurring rent for the visa.

The strongest presentation is usually an alimony obligation that is court-ordered or documented in a binding settlement agreement, together with a history of regular deposits that match the obligation. A discretionary or irregular payment stream is more difficult to explain as stable income.

Documents to Prepare

For an alimony-based application, consider preparing the following evidence and ask the reviewing office whether anything else is required for your case:

  • Court order or binding settlement agreement identifying the payor, recipient, amount, payment schedule, and duration or termination conditions.
  • Bank statements showing the alimony deposits arriving in the applicant's account and matching the legal obligation.
  • A short cover letter explaining the source, amount, frequency, and continuity of the payments, with a simple cross-reference to the deposits.
  • Proof of lawful source and continuity if the order or agreement alone does not explain how the payments are made.
  • Spanish translations and apostille or legalization for foreign documents, as required by the issuing country and Ecuadorian authorities.

The general Rentista procedure also lists a valid passport, a qualifying criminal-record certificate, a passport photo, payment of the visa fees, lawful means of livelihood, and health insurance covering Ecuador for the visa period.

How It Differs from Other Visas

  • Jubilado (Pensioner): designed for a qualifying foreign retirement or pension benefit. Alimony is not the same document as a pension award or lifetime retirement benefit.
  • Rentista–Trabajo remoto (Digital Nomad): requires evidence of foreign-source remote work or services for an employer, client, or company outside Ecuador. It is not the ordinary Rentista category.
  • Inversionista (Investor): based on a qualifying investment, rather than recurring alimony or other monthly rent.
  • Profesional: based on a recognized professional degree and the requirements for that category; its income evidence should not automatically be treated as Rentista evidence.

How to Apply

  1. Confirm that you are applying for Residencia Temporal Rentista, not the remote-work Rentista category.
  2. Assemble the income evidence and the standard documents listed by the official procedure.
  3. Have foreign documents translated, apostilled, or legalized as required.
  4. Submit the application through Ecuador's official e-VISAS portal and follow the payment instructions shown for the application.
  5. Monitor the application in the portal and respond promptly if the Ministry requests a correction or additional evidence.

Official references: Gob.ec — Concesión de visa de residencia temporal rentista · Acuerdo Ministerial No. 70 · Ministry of Labor — 2026 SBU