South America / Pacific · Certificate of Deposit ($47K)
Investment
$47,000 (CD, not a donation)
Presence Required
None required
Residency Timeline
1–2 months
Citizenship Timeline
3 years
Overview
Ecuador's Certificate of Deposit pathway is unique: you deposit $47,000 in an Ecuadorian bank, earning 5–6% annual interest, and use this to qualify for residency. The money stays yours — it is not a donation or investment. After 3 years of legal residency (with no minimum presence requirement), you qualify for Ecuadorian citizenship. Ecuador includes the Galápagos Islands and has a Pacific coastline.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Money stays in a CD earning 5–6%/yr — not a donation
Spanish language required for citizenship naturalization
Security concerns in some areas
How to Complete the Process
Open a CD at an Ecuadorian bank: Open a Certificate of Deposit account at a major Ecuadorian bank (Banco Pichincha, Banco del Pacífico, or Produbanco) with $47,000. The CD earns 5–6% annual interest (~$2,350–$2,820/year or $196–$235/month). Note: you need $800/month in interest, so $47,000 at 5–6% may require a slightly higher deposit.
Apply for Rentista Visa: Apply for the Rentista (Passive Income) Visa at the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores with your CD documentation, passport, clean criminal record, and health insurance. Processing time: 1–2 months.
Register with the Registro Civil: Upon approval, register with the Registro Civil (Civil Registry) to obtain your Ecuadorian cédula (identity card).
Maintain your CD: Keep the CD active throughout your residency period. You can withdraw the interest but must maintain the principal to keep your residency status.
Apply for citizenship after 3 years: After 3 years of legal residency, apply for citizenship at the Registro Civil. You'll need to pass a basic Spanish language test and demonstrate integration.
Requirements Checklist
Open a Certificate of Deposit (CD) account at an Ecuadorian bank with a minimum of $47,000
Apply for the Rentista (Passive Income) Visa at the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores
The CD interest must be at least $800/month (5–6% on $47,000 meets this threshold)
After 3 years of legal residency, apply for citizenship
Tax System
Tax System
Ecuador has a 25% corporate income tax. Personal income tax is 0–37% progressive. Ecuador taxes worldwide income for tax residents. However, the territorial tax system applies to non-residents — foreign-sourced income is not taxed if you are not a tax resident. Ecuador uses the US dollar, eliminating currency risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw the $47,000 after getting citizenship?
Yes — the $47,000 is your money in a CD. Once you obtain citizenship, you are no longer dependent on the CD for residency status and can withdraw the funds. The CD is only required to maintain your residency during the 3-year period.
What interest rate do Ecuadorian CDs pay?
Ecuadorian CDs typically pay 5–6% annual interest, which is significantly higher than US or EU rates. This means your $47,000 earns approximately $2,350–$2,820 per year, partially offsetting the cost of the residency process.
Does Ecuador use the US dollar?
Yes — Ecuador adopted the US dollar as its official currency in 2000. This eliminates currency exchange risk for USD-based investors and makes Ecuador particularly attractive for Americans and others who earn in USD.