Following a growing number of countries looking to attract digital nomads, Ecuador is launching a new visa that allows international remote workers to work from the country for up to two years, Euronews reports.
Speaking at World Travel Market in London, Ecuadorian Tourism Minister Niels Olsen promised “authentic and genuine” experiences under the "Rentista for Remote Work" visa. "Rentista" refers to a person who lives off an outside income.
“The pandemic allowed us to rethink tourism and opportunities," he said, adding that the country—known for its high mountains, deep rainforests, and biodiverse Galápagos Islands—has "really embraced" the idea of the digital nomad visa.
“We have great infrastructure and connectivity, and the cost of living is significantly lower than in the UK," Olsen was quoted as saying.
Numbeo, a leading cost-of-living database, estimates the monthly cost for a single person in Ecuador at about €470 , excluding rent.
Who can apply for Ecuador's digital nomad visa?
According to Euronews, the requirements for applying for this type of visa are as follows:
- A passport that's valid for at least six more months
- A clean criminal record
- Proof of a monthly income from abroad of at least €1,266 (three times the Ecuadorian basic salary)
- A health insurance valid in Ecuador
- A €460 application processing fee
The initiative is open to applicants from most countries except the following: Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Cameroon, North Korea, Cuba, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Gambia, Ghana, India, Iraq, Iran, Kenya, Libya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Syria, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Yemen.
Applications can be submitted through Ecuador's virtual consulate. The application process is expected to take two to four months to complete.
The digital nomad scene in Ecuador
Ecuador not only has a low cost of living, but also vibrant cities, laid-back beach towns, and more, making it a digital nomad's paradise that many people have yet to discover.
The cities of Quito and Guayaquil, and to a lesser extent Cuenca, offer a wonderful selection of cultural experiences, stores, restaurants, bars and nightlife that is sure to excite and entertain international remote workers.
It's easier for digital nomads in Ecuador to get to know each other on a more personal level because the community is smaller. Many small businesses and startups use co-working spaces, and some host startup accelerators.
All in all, Ecuador—located in the Andes, between Colombia and Peru—is a great home base in Latin America and an excellent place to make local contacts and gain new experiences as part of the nomadic lifestyle.
Other digital nomad destinations in Latin America
With the introduction of the digital nomad visa, Ecuador joins other Latin American countries such as Brazil, Colombia, and Costa Rica that have launched similar initiatives to attract more international remote workers.
Brazil, as Euronews reports, has a one-year visa for digital nomads. Applicants must have a minimum income of about €1,460 per month or an available balance of nearly €17,500 in their bank account.
It's noteworthy that the first digital nomad village in South America is emerging in the small northeastern beach town of Pipa, Brazil.
The village is being created by Lisbon-based startup NomadX, which has named the project "Nomad Village Brazil". The village will offer a range of accommodations and facilities for digital nomads (including a swimming pool) and is scheduled to open later this month. The initial run will last until April 30, 2023.
The Colombian digital nomad visa allows foreign remote workers to work from the country for two years. It's open to digital nomads who earn around €$670 per month.
To apply for Costa Rica's remote work visa, which is valid for two years, applicants must have a minimum regular monthly income of about €2,435 from a guaranteed source for two years.
