Requirements
Main requirement
The main requirement for the investor visa is that you have an investment in Ecuador of at least $46,000 during the duration of this visa.
Various types of investments qualify as an investment for the investor visa.
Certificate of Deposit in Ecuador
An investment of at least $46,000 in a Certificate of Deposit (CD) with a minimum term of 730 days (two years) with a financial institution in Ecuador qualifies as an investment for the investor visa.
You can take out the interest each month or decide to let the interest compound until the end of the CD duration.
Ecuadorian CDs have high interest rates. Credit unions offer about 8.5%.
The state of Ecuador guarantees a refund of $32,000 for CDs with the largest credit unions. The guarantee is per person per credit union or bank.
Most CD contracts renew by default. Some financial institutions require that you personally cancel the contract in a certain timeframe (one week for example) at their office to prevent automatic renewal.
It’s challenging to get back money from a CD before the end of the term. Some financial institutions offer personal loans with the CD as collateral as a solution.
Real estate in Ecuador
An investment of at least $46,000 in real estate in Ecuador also qualifies for an investor visa. The tax value of the property cannot be less than $46,000, and the property has to be registered at the local registry of properties.
Tax value
The property that you buy needs to have a tax value of at least $46,000. It’s very well possible that the actual price for purchasing a property is higher than its tax value. Make sure that the registered tax value is at least $46,000 before you close on a property.
Company shares or bonds
An investment of at least $46,000 in company shares or bonds of an Ecuadorian company also qualifies as an investment for the investor visa.
Other investment types
Certain investments based on contracts with the Ecuadorian government also qualify as an investment for the investor visa.
You may also qualify for an investor visa if you are a representative in Ecuador for an Ecuadorian or foreign company. This company needs to have a mínimum social capital of $ 46,000.
Capital outflow tax
Ecuador has a capital outflow tax of 5%. This means that if you bring money out of Ecuador, you have to pay a 5% tax on the value you want to bring abroad.
Spouses and children
A spouse and children can apply for a dependent visa based on the visa of the main visa holder. For each spouse and children visa, the investment has to be $500 larger.