EcuaPass|Investor Visa Guide
Dashboard

Investor Visa Costs

Complete budget breakdown for the Ecuador Investor Visa. The total cost is $46,000 investment + $800-$1,300 in fees and services.

Required Investment Amount
$46,000

Minimum Investment (100 Basic Unified Salaries)

This is the core requirement for the Investor Visa. You must invest this amount in ONE of these options:

  • • Bank Time Deposit (CD) - 2 year lock-in
  • • Real Estate Purchase - minimum $46,000 property value
  • • Company Shares/Equity - minimum $46,000 in Ecuadorian company
  • • Government Contract - valid contract with State

Important: This $46,000 is your INVESTMENT, not a fee. With bank CD option, you get interest. With real estate or business, you own an asset. It's not lost money - it's invested money that you maintain for 2 years.

Official Government Fees

Visa Application Fee

Paid when submitting application

$50

Visa Issuance Fee

Paid after approval before receiving visa

$270

Total Government Fees

Non-negotiable official costs

$320
Required Service Costs

These are necessary costs for document preparation and processing. Prices are typical ranges in Ecuador.

FBI Background Check (or equivalent)

From your home country, apostilled

$50-$75

Apostille Service

For background check certification

$20-$100

Spanish Translation

Certified translator in Ecuador for all non-Spanish documents

$100-$300

Passport Photos

Standard passport-sized photos

$5-$15

Photocopies & Printing

Multiple copies of all documents required

$10-$30
Investment-Specific Costs

Additional costs vary depending on which investment option you choose:

Option 1: Bank CD - Lowest Additional Costs

Bank account opening fee$0-$50
CD setup fee$0-$100
Wire transfer fees (international)$30-$75
Total Additional Costs$30-$225

Benefit: You earn interest on your $46,000 while it's locked (typically 2-4% annually = $920-$1,840 per year).

Option 2: Real Estate - Moderate Additional Costs

Property transfer tax (1% of value)$460
Registration at Registro de la Propiedad$200-$400
Lawyer/notary fees$500-$1,000
Property appraisal$100-$300
Due diligence costs$200-$500
Total Additional Costs$1,460-$2,660

Benefit: You own real estate that may appreciate. Can rent it out for income.

Option 3: Company Shares - Higher Additional Costs

Company formation (if new)$500-$1,500
Registration with Superintendencia$300-$600
Lawyer/accountant fees$800-$2,000
Annual compliance costs (ongoing)$500-$1,200/year
Total Additional Costs (Year 1)$2,100-$5,300

Benefit: You own part of a business that may generate profits and grow in value.

Complete Budget Scenarios

Here's what you should budget for the complete investor visa process, excluding the $46,000 investment itself:

Budget Route

$800

Minimum fees + Bank CD option

Government fees$320
Document services$185
Translation$100
Bank CD setup$30
Miscellaneous$165

Do everything yourself, use budget translators, minimal help.

Balanced Route

$1,100

Recommended approach

Government fees$320
Document services$230
Translation$200
Bank CD setup$100
Miscellaneous$250

Quality services, reputable translators, some professional help.

Real Estate Route

$3,100

If buying property instead

Government fees$320
Document services$230
Translation$200
Property purchase costs$2,100
Miscellaneous$250

Includes property transfer costs, registration, lawyer fees.

Recommendation: The Bank CD option with the Balanced Route ($1,100 total fees) is the sweet spot for most applicants. It's straightforward, affordable, and your $46,000 earns interest while locked.

Watch Out for These Hidden Costs
  • •Living expenses in Ecuador: Budget $800-$2,000/month while waiting for approval (2-3 months in-country)
  • •Flights: Round-trip to Ecuador from US: $400-$800
  • •Currency exchange fees: 2-3% when transferring $46,000 internationally
  • •Travel for documents: If apostille requires visit to capital city in your home country
  • •Multiple trips to government offices: Taxi/transport costs add up ($50-$150 total)
  • •Document corrections: If something is wrong, you may need new apostilles or translations ($100-$300)
Cost-Saving Tips
  • Choose Bank CD: Lowest additional costs ($30-$225) and you earn interest.
  • Get FBI check ASAP: 12-14 week lead time means less rushed (and expensive) apostille service.
  • Shop translator prices: Certified translators range from $10-$30 per page. Get 3 quotes.
  • Use wire transfer, not credit card: Lower fees for moving $46,000 (Wise/TransferWise recommended).
  • Rent furnished apartment: Cheaper than hotels for 2-3 month stay ($500-$800/month vs $1,200+).
  • Get it right the first time: Rejected applications mean re-doing documents ($200-$500 in duplicates).
Putting the Investment in Perspective

The $46,000 investment might seem large, but remember:

Bank CD Option (2 years)

At 3% annual interest: You earn $1,380 per year = $2,760 total interest over 2 years. This almost covers all your visa fees and service costs!

Real Estate Option

Ecuador property appreciation averages 3-5% annually in popular expat areas. $46,000 property could be worth $48,300-$50,600 after 2 years.

After 2 Years

Once your initial visa expires, you can renew for another 2 years OR apply for permanent residency. You can then liquidate your investment if desired (though you may want to keep it!).

Need Help Planning Your Investment?

We can guide you through choosing the right investment option and budgeting for your visa.

Contact Us on WhatsApp