Common Rentista Visa Mistakes
Learn from others' errors. The most common reason for rejection is insufficient or inconsistent income documentation.
1. One Month Below $1,840 Threshold
The Mistake: Showing 5 months at $2,000 and 1 month at $1,700, thinking average is what matters.
Why It Fails: EACH month must meet $1,840 minimum. No averaging allowed.
✓ The Right Way:
Show ALL 6 months at $1,840+ minimum. Better yet, aim for $2,000+ each month to give yourself buffer.
2. Including Active Work Income
The Mistake: Combining passive income ($1,200) with salary/consulting ($800) to reach $2,000.
Why It Fails: Income must be 100% passive. Active work income disqualifies you.
✓ The Right Way:
Only count passive sources: investments, rentals, royalties, pensions, trust funds. Must total $1,840+ without ANY active income.
3. Income From Ecuador Sources
The Mistake: Using rental income from Ecuador property or Ecuador bank interest.
Why It Fails: Income must originate from OUTSIDE Ecuador.
✓ The Right Way:
All income must come from your home country or third countries, NOT from Ecuador.
4. Irregular or One-Time Payments
The Mistake: Showing $11,000 payment in one month, $0 in other months, claiming it averages to $1,833/month.
Why It Fails: Income must be RECURRING monthly. One-time payments don't qualify.
✓ The Right Way:
Income must be stable and recurring each month. Government wants to see predictable, ongoing cash flow.
5. Poor Documentation of Income Sources
Just showing bank deposits without explaining WHERE the money comes from.
Solution: Provide supporting docs: investment account statements, rental agreements, royalty contracts, etc. Government needs to verify source.
6. Bank Statements Not Clearly Marked
Submitting 50 pages of bank statements with no highlighting or explanation.
Solution: Highlight the relevant deposits, add sticky notes, create a summary sheet showing each month's total.
7. Expired Background Check
FBI check is 7 months old when you apply (6-month limit).
Solution: Time your FBI check to arrive 2-3 months before application, not 6+ months before.
Jennifer's Freelance Income Mistake
Seattle → Cuenca
What Happened: Combined $1,000 investment income with $1,000 freelance consulting income. Rejected.
Lesson: "I should have just waited 6 more months to build up my investment portfolio to $1,840/month ALONE. Mixing active and passive income was the killer."
David's Success with Clear Documentation
London → Quito
What He Did Right: Created 1-page summary showing rental income from 3 properties totaling $2,100/month, with supporting docs for each property.
His Advice: "Make it EASY for the officer to see your income. I highlighted every deposit, attached property deeds, and created a clear summary. Approved in 6 weeks."
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