Permanent Residence (Residencia Permanente)

Overview

Permanent residence (residencia permanente) is Ecuador's settled-status category. It is most commonly reached after holding temporary residence for the qualifying period - commonly around 21 months - having kept absences within the permitted limit during that time. You apply before your temporary status expires, online through eVISAS, issued by the MREMH. Permanent residents may generally live and work in Ecuador without an employer tie. Good to know: once you hold permanent residence, prolonged absence from Ecuador can put it at risk, so check the current absence rules before spending extended periods abroad.

Eligibility

Application pathway

1. 01

   Check the route fit

   Confirm you have completed the qualifying temporary-residence period within the permitted absence limit, using the official MREMH page.

2. 02

   Build the evidence pack

   Compile your proof of residence time, passport, Ecuadorian criminal-record certificate (if over 18) and means-of-life proof.

3. 03

   Submit through the official channel

   Apply online through the eVISAS portal at serviciosdigitales.cancilleria.gob.ec before your temporary status expires.

4. 04

   After approval

   Register your permanent residence and keep it valid; under the late-2025 rules, avoid prolonged absences that could lead to revocation.

Also explored by

Compare Republic of Ecuador with

• 🇵🇾 Republic of Paraguay
• 🇻🇪 Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
• 🇺🇾 Oriental Republic of Uruguay

Related routes

• Temporary Residence - Work (Relacion de Dependencia)

  For people moving to Ecuador with a job offer: this is the employer-tied temporary residence visa for working under an employment contract for an Ecuadorian employer.

• Temporary Residence - Pensioner (Jubilado)

  For retirees with a foreign pension: this is the popular route to settle in Ecuador - and because Ecuador uses the US dollar, US-pension retirees carry no currency-exchange risk.

• Temporary Residence - Rentista (Independent Income)

  For people with steady passive income: this route lets you settle in Ecuador on recurring income from lawful sources such as rentals or investments, without needing an Ecuadorian job.

• Temporary Residence - Investor (Inversionista)

  For people investing in Ecuador: this route grants temporary residence to those who place a qualifying investment - for example in real estate or a certificate of deposit - of lawful origin.