Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here. 

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

Everyone knows that the equator is a conditional line that divides our planet into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. This strip is more than 40 thousand km long. crosses 2 continents and passes through 14 states of the world. But only one thing made it its main attraction, and its name borrowed from it. This, Ecuador – “the center of the world”, as it is called by the locals.

What do you know about this beautiful land of mountains and volcanoes? Ecuador is a small and poor state, which is the world’s largest exporter of bananas. The main income of the country comes from oil production and export. The majestic Andes grow from here, ancient medieval temples are frozen in time here, and the amazing Galapagos Islands are hidden nearby.

Ecuador is like medieval Europe. And this is no accident, because historically, for almost 300 years it was a colony of the Spanish crown. The beauty of Ecuador is in all its diversity. The main state language here is Spanish, and the currency is the American dollar. Even after trying traditional Ecuadorian cuisine, you will immediately notice its special national flavor.

Everyone knows that the national cuisine depends on the location of the country. Half of all Ecuadorians live near the ocean, so they love seafood. The other half live in the mountains and cannot imagine their life without meat. In order not to offend anyone in Ecuador, they even came up with a unique dish – Mary Tierra, in which both meat and seafood were combined.

You can talk about this amazing and unique “center of the world” for a long time. We will ask other questions. And what about the everyday life of ordinary Ecuadorians? What are the pros and cons of living and working in this country?

The advantages of living in Ecuador:

• Comfortable climate for living

For fans of stable hot weather, Ecuador will seem like a paradise. In this country, there is no difference between winter and summer, and there are no hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, or anticyclones. The average temperature in July is + 25 ° C, and in January + 24 ° C. In the mountains, of course, it is much cooler, on the coast, it is hotter. In general, choose the temperature that suits you and enjoy.

• Housing affordability, low prices

It should be said that the price of real estate in Ecuador is quite affordable for an ordinary European. The average price per square meter of housing in large centers (Quito, Guayaquil) is about $ 500. In small towns, of course, it is much lower.

• The amazing diversity of the natural world

It is enough to say only about one amazing place in Ecuador and everything will become clear. Since 1832, the Galapagos have been part of Ecuador.

The Galapagos Islands is a huge nature reserve in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, it is a unique nature, rare exotic animals that can be found only here and nowhere else in the world. Here, only 3% of the territory is inhabited by people – there are only 10 small villages on 19 islands. Everything else belongs to the animals, and not a single person has the right to enter their territory without special permission and a personal guide.

Here, comfort and coziness for animals has been created, and for people, there are many prohibitions: you can only walk in strictly designated places, take pictures only without a flash. And it is strictly forbidden to make loud sounds so as not to scare one of the animals. It got to the point that it was strictly forbidden to feed the birds here. The fact is that the birds on the Galapagos are so lazy that they have ceased to get their own food on their own. And in order to somehow return them to the regime of the wild, they decided to ban their feeding.

It is also forbidden to touch any animals here, so as not to infect them with human disease. The animals feel quite comfortable – fur seals lie on benches on the embankment next to people. But what can I say, here even a turtle cannot be removed from the road, you need to stand two meters from it and wait for it to clean itself.

Compliance with these rules on the islands is monitored by special authorities. For violation of the rules – immediate deportation from the islands and a ban on entry for a year.

The disadvantages of living in Ecuador:

There are also disadvantages of living and working in Ecuador, and in our opinion, they still outweigh the advantages. Here are the main ones:

• Low living standards

The standard of living in Ecuador is low. According to the United Nations Organization, the country ranks 74th in the world in terms of living standards. The average monthly salary in Ecuador is $ 550 per person

• Seismic activity

Ecuador is prone to natural disasters – volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. This country is home to one of the highest active volcanoes on the planet – Cotopaxi (height 5,911 meters), and their total number reaches 40. Every year, about 200 earthquakes of various strengths occur in the country.

Suffice it to recall the 2016 disaster in the city of Muisne, when an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 killed 660 people, 32 went missing, and more than 51 thousand were injured of varying severity.

• High crime rate

Latin American crime is known in Europe, the Colombian drug mafia is famous all over the world. It must be said that the Ecuadorian is not far behind her. The rate of violent deaths in this country is well above the European average. The underworld is organized and has a significant impact on some of the decisions of the current government.

In conclusion, it should be recognized that the disadvantages of living and working in Ecuador are significant and, of course, in general, prevail against the background of the existing advantages. Yes, and to be honest, you don’t really want to live at the foot of 40 volcanoes.

Tax system. Government tax authorities.

At the state level, all responsibility for the administration of the tax system rests with the President of the country, who oversees its activities, through the Internal Revenue Service, the State Office of Appraisal and Land Taxes, and the Ecuadorian Customs Corporation. Any institution that has the right to establish taxes at the state level, which are determined by the Law as necessary, is also under the auspices of the executive branch.

At the local and municipal levels, all responsibility for the establishment of taxes is borne by: Local Prefect, Mayor, Chairmen of Local and Municipal Councils. Their power extends to the local tax system through the establishment of lower administrative corps dealing with the payment and collection of taxes.

Tax inspectorates are government agencies that handle claims and appeals filed by taxpayers in relation to amounts of money improperly collected by government auditors during financial audits.

The main types of taxes

Income tax, income tax and assets tax

• Income tax

• Tax on the amount of the asset (in the balance sheet)

• Tax levied by the Regulatory Offices

• City property tax

• Special tax on the net profit of companies

Transaction taxes

• Value Added Tax

• Tax on special consumer goods

• Capital tax

• Tax on the transfer of securities to immovable property

• Customs taxes

Currently, the State of Ecuador is analyzing reforms aimed at reducing or eliminating various taxes that are counterproductive. At the same time, the possibility of increasing the rate and the estimated base amount of other taxes, which are of great importance for the state budget, is being considered.

In Ecuador, taxpayers are divided into residents and non-residents. The resident will be taxed on all income, including earned abroad. For non-residents, tax is levied only on income earned in Ecuador.

This includes any income earned by an Ecuadorian or foreign citizen as a result of working in Ecuador. Income from professional, commercial, industrial, agricultural, mining services, and from any other employment of an economic nature is subject to taxation. For non-residents, 24% of earned income is withheld at source.

Personal income tax

Personal income tax rates in Ecuador are progressive, up to 35%. Income tax is paid by a natural person resident in Ecuador on tax-free income derived from all sources. Non-resident individuals are required to pay tax only on income from Ecuadorian sources.

Residence is determined on the basis of common law or residence, or if the person has spent more than half of the eligible income year in Ecuador unless he or she has a habitual residence outside Ecuador and does not intend to settle in Ecuador. Ecuador.

Income tax is payable on taxable profits less permitted deductions. Estimated income includes business income, employment income, certain capital gains, rents, and interest. Eligible deductions include interest and certain other expenses payable in obtaining measurable income and gifts to designated entities.

For most individual taxpayers, tax payments are deducted from each salary and salary payment made by their employer. Self-employed entrepreneurs and individuals with non-wage and salary income usually pay input tax, which is an interim payment during the year pending tax calculation after the end of the income year.

Corporate tax

The corporate income tax rate ranges from 22 to 28%. The capitalized income tax rate ranges from 12% to 18%. The tax year runs from January 1st to December 31st. The tax is payable from April 2 to April 28, depending on the tax identification number. However, taxes for the first year oblige the company to pay 50% of taxes for the first year in two equal quotas: July 30 and September 30 of the second year. The remaining amount is expected to be paid before the third year deadline, including the liquidation of the second year.

Corporate tax is paid by Ecuadorian companies on tax-free income derived from all sources. Non-resident companies are required to pay tax on income earned in Ecuador.

Resident companies are companies that are incorporated in Ecuador or do business in Ecuador and have either central management and control in Ecuador or voting rights controlled by shareholders who are residents of Ecuador.

Sales tax

Most of Ecuador’s tax revenue is generated by the IVA, which in English translates as Value Added Tax (VAT). This tax rate is currently 12% and is added to most purchases. However, if you are 65 or older, you can apply for reimbursement up to $ 92.64 per month.

Beware of merchants trying to add tax after a price has been negotiated. If, in accordance with the store’s policy, the price does not include VAT, which is rare, this should be marked with a corresponding plate. It’s the same with prices in restaurants – the menu should have a note that the tax will be added to your total amount.

Property tax

Residential property taxes are based on a percentage of the municipal property value, and urban and rural properties are taxed at different rates. Even in the case of large real estate, it is unusual to pay more than $ 200 a year in real estate tax. Homeowners over 65 are exempt from taxes on properties under $ 183,000. For married couples, if only one of them is over 65, the tax bill is reduced by 50%.

Capital gains tax

Capital gains tax is based on the change in municipal value from the time the property is purchased to the time it is sold. Technically, the percentage is 10% of the difference between the municipal value at the time of purchase and at the time of sale. Discounts may apply to this fee depending on the time between the purchase and sale of the property. The discount also applies to any improvements to the property, including the addition of furniture, appliances, etc. A short time between purchase and sale will result in a higher capital gains tax.

Social Security System

The social security system in Ecuador is governed by the Social Security Institute, which also administers it. Almost all employees in Ecuador, either private or public, foreign and even self-employed, are subject to the laws that manage the social security system. American expats are also expected to contribute to Social Security and should ask their employer in Ecuador to properly register them when starting work. Once an emigrant starts making payments to Ecuador’s social security system, he may not receive any benefits or payments from his country of origin.

Business taxes

If you have a business in Ecuador or want to open one there, you should have a RUC number received from the Ecuadorian IRS, which will be your taxpayer identification number. After receiving the RUC number, it will then be used for tracking your purchases and your sales to customers so that the IRS can ensure that all parties are following the IVA properly.

In that time when tax law is not difficult, the administrative process can be very difficult. Hiring a local specialist to manage your business records pays off at a low cost is enough changing. The penalty for failing to keep your records or for not paying the applicable tax is to close your business for seven days for the first violation.

Every businessman who opens a company to trade in something pays 15-35% of the declared income. Various installations of cash registers, registrations, etc. are absent here. And no one will indicate at what price and what to sell, what sample to put price tags on the goods. How to work and how to service, only you have the right to decide.

The import of goods into the country is quite simple. The company earns at least $ 3000 from the sale of one car. Although recently they have been actively fighting Korean and North American models collected in Brazil and Argentina.

For everything else, the duty is as follows: if you are carrying goods for a company (firm), pay 15-35%, depending on what you are carrying. If you are lucky as a private person, then, as a rule, do not pay anything. For some very exceptional check, you pay 5% of the declared value (or $ 100 in cash to the customs officer).

Typically, many business owners buy from Colombia. The border is open. Also, many people buy goods in Miami (USA). There are major wholesalers targeting trade with Latin America. The trip there is worth it, as a round-trip ticket costs between $ 300 and $ 635.

Opening your business in Ecuador: is it worth it?

Doing business in Ecuador is a fun process. The American and European business models are also rigidly organized. In our opinion, it is worth competing with them if there is already a successful experience of working according to international standards.

Taxation and the very system of inspections in the country is much more loyal than in many other developed countries. Compared to the legislation of some European countries, even without using the optimization system, in Ecuador, you will pay almost half of the taxes with equal business profitability.

The distinctive features of doing business in this jurisdiction are low tax payments. VAT is at 12%. Its upper limit is 30%. It is a mistake to consider Ecuador as a country with special preferential economic conditions for entrepreneurs. The fiscal burden is small here. But the South American country is unfamiliar to most businessmen. This is due to the low incomes of the population of Ecuador and a decrease against this background in the prestige of opening banking and financial organizations here. The profits of companies, regardless of their legal entity type, are taxed at a rate of 25%.

Opening a company for a non-resident in Ecuador is a promising direction. There is no high enough corruption, which is usual for post-Soviet countries. The economy has high growth potential. Therefore, it makes sense to invest in a South American country.

Ecuador is not very well known as an offshore zone. The fiscal system of this jurisdiction is based on the rules of direct action. Therefore, there are rarely amendments to government decrees.

Company registration in Ecuador

• Collective enterprise. A minimum of two founders are required to create a company. Founders can be non-residents of the country.
• Joint company. Created as a partnership with a local firm. This significantly reduces the risk of losing your investment. The main advantage of a joint organization is the availability of various tax incentives. But finding a competent Ecuadorian businessman in the required business line can be challenging.
• Limited liability company. The minimum authorized capital for opening an organization of this form is $ 400. At the stage of creating a company, it is necessary to contribute at least half of this amount. At the beginning of the 21st century, the local currency was abolished in Ecuador. Instead, the US dollar is used today.
• Individual enterprise. A businessman can be not only a founder, but also an employee of an Ecuadorian company. After the creation of the company, it is allowed to issue a tax deduction.
• Representative office of a foreign company. To open this legal entity, you will need an authorized capital of at least 2,000 USD. This is disadvantageous for novice businessmen. It is more expedient for non-resident entrepreneurs to create a company in the form of an individual entrepreneur or LLC.
• Holding firms, corporations. They are organizations, groups of enterprises, the shares of which are freely traded.
• Simple limited partnership. Its peculiarity lies in the different status of the founders. Some are fully responsible for debts, others – partially. The degree of influence on the activities of the partnership depends on the status of the founder of the organization.

Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here. 

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

Many potential emigrants, considering Latin America as a place of residence for retirement or for business, most often pay attention to countries such as Panama and Ecuador.

These countries have earned attention due to the high ratings of residence, which are researched by various international organizations. Panama and Ecuador are two beautiful countries with an amazing tropical climate, where you can move your whole family, open a business, invest or just live for a while enjoying the nature and culture of the country.

Each person evaluates in his own way the benefits of this or that state and determines his own evaluation criteria that are most suitable for him and meet his preferences. Of course, your own observation and comparison is the best definition.

To understand this better, you need to plan trips to these countries and see for yourself what you have read or heard. This comparison will touch upon the main categories to which emigrants most often pay their attention.

As you do not have that opportunity now, we will try to organize a virtual trip to Ecuador, tell a little about this country and review all the possible options of moving there.

Everyone knows that the equator is a conditional line that divides our planet into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. This strip is more than 40 thousand km long. crosses 2 continents and passes through 14 states of the world. But only one thing made it its main attraction, and its very name borrowed from it. This, Ecuador – “the center of the world”, as the locals call it.

Ecuador as a country to relocate has its advantages and disadvantages. There are several more of the first, otherwise how to explain the high flow of immigrants to this state. Consider all the pros and cons of living in Ecuador, shown below.

What do we know about this beautiful land of mountains and volcanoes? Ecuador is a small and poor state, which is the world’s largest exporter of bananas. The main income of the country comes from oil production and export. The majestic Andes grow from here, ancient medieval temples have frozen in time, and the amazing Galapagos Islands are hidden nearby.

Ecuador is like medieval Europe. And this is no accident, because historically, for almost 300 years it was a colony of the Spanish crown. The beauty of Ecuador is in all its diversity. The main state language here is Spanish, and the currency is the American dollar. Even after trying traditional Ecuadorian cuisine, you will immediately notice its special national flavor.

The advantages of living in Ecuador

Comfortable climate for living

For fans of stable hot weather, Ecuador will seem like a paradise. In this country, there is no difference between winter and summer, and there are no hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones or anticyclones. The average temperature in July is + 25 ° C, and in January + 24 ° C. In the mountains, of course, it is much cooler, on the coast it is hotter. In general, choose the temperature that suits you and enjoy.

Housing affordability, low prices

It should be said that the price of real estate in Ecuador is quite affordable for an ordinary European. The average price per square meter of housing in large centers (Quito, Guayaquil) is about $ 500. In small towns, of course, it is much lower.

The amazing diversity of the natural world

It is enough to say only about one amazing place in Ecuador and everything will become clear. Since 1832, the Galapagos have been part of Ecuador.

The Galapagos Islands is a huge nature reserve in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, it is a unique nature, rare exotic animals that can be found only here and nowhere else in the world. Here, only 3% of the territory is inhabited by people – there are only 10 small villages on 19 islands. Everything else belongs to the animals, and no one has the right to enter their territory without special permission and a personal guide.

The cons of living in Ecuador

There are also disadvantages of living and working in Ecuador, and in our opinion, they still outweigh the advantages.

Low living standards

The standard of living in Ecuador is low. According to the United Nations, the country ranks 74th in the world in terms of living standards. The average monthly wage in Ecuador is $ 550 per person.

Seismic activity

Ecuador is prone to natural disasters – volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. This country is home to one of the highest active volcanoes on the planet – Cotopaxi (height 5,911 meters), and their total number reaches 40. Every year, about 200 earthquakes of various strengths occur in the country.

Suffice it to recall the 2016 disaster in the city of Muisne, when an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 killed 660 people, 32 went missing, and more than 51 thousand were injured of varying severity.

High crime rate

Latin American crime is known in Europe, the Colombian drug mafia is famous all over the world. It must be said that the Ecuadorian is not far behind her. The rate of violent deaths in this country is well above the European average. The underworld is organized and has a significant impact on some decisions of the current government.

In conclusion, it should be recognized that the disadvantages of living and working in Ecuador are significant and, of course, in general, prevail against the background of the existing advantages.

Methods of immigration to Ecuador

Emigration to Ecuador begins with a visa. It is renewed every year. When you have lived in the country for 3 years, you can apply for citizenship. There are more than 50 visas in total, consider the most popular.

Marriage. The migration authorities will approve a residence permit when concluding a non-fictitious marriage with a citizen of the state.

Work. You can apply for citizenship regardless of qualifications. Even workers in unskilled industries can count on a national passport.

Investments. Investors – those who bought shares of a local company, land, real estate. You can also deposit at least $ 1,400 into your local bank account. If you want to take your family with you, the amount increases by $ 400 for each relative.

Business. You can register a company with a minimum amount of authorized capital – $ 2,400 for yourself and $ 400 for each family member.

Standard. Just living without working or studying will be allowed with passive income. To do this, you need to prove that you have income or savings in the amount of $ 600 for yourself and an additional $ 130 for each family member monthly. If you provide savings, they should be enough for 3 years of life in the country.

Visas to Ecuador

Residents of a few countries can leave for Ecuador without a visa. This requires only an internal civil document. At the same time, you don’t even need to pay anything – upon arrival, a small form is filled in and a tourist visa to Ecuador is automatically purchased for a period of 3 months.

Sometimes, in order to control those who come to the country, they put a 2-month permit to stay in Ecuador. A tourist, if there is a need to stay longer, can extend it for another month – free of charge. If there is a need for an even longer stay, then you will have to contact the migration police for this with a compelling justification. In this case, there is a fee of $ 10.

It should be borne in mind that such a stay in Ecuador does not allow doing business or work. For this, you can easily end up behind bars for a whole month. For these cases, long-term visas are provided, there are more than 50 of them, but consider the most common:

• “Inversionista de Polizas de Bonos; de Bienes raices ”or 10-II, is suitable for those who do not want to start their own business and generally work. It is drawn up by investors of bank policies, owners of securities and real estate. After 3 years of living in Ecuador and having invested $ 1,400, plus $ 400 for each person who comes with him, a citizen becomes a full-fledged Ecuadorian. But all this time he should not work and run a business, but only withdraw interest from the deposit. The restrictions are lifted as soon as permanent residence with citizenship is acquired.
• Inversionista industrial or 10-III. Emigration with such a permit will be available to people who wish to conduct their business in the country. This visa gives a person all civil rights, except for voting in elections and the opportunity to work for an employer for 3 years. Such a visa requires a deposit of 1,000 dollars in the beginning, and 20,000 for 3 months, already living in Ecuador.
• Especialista or 10-IV. Such a visa is issued to people who have already concluded an agreement with an employer or if they are partners of a firm in Ecuador. For 3 years, a citizen cannot run his own business and work in another company. If the contract is terminated or lost, the visa will be canceled.
• 12-IX operates for only six months and allows you to work temporarily. After this period, it is reissued, which can be done 2 times, no more. With such permission, it is good to come to Ecuador to get to know the country and make a decision – to move here for permanent residence or stay in your country.
• 12-IV – issued for a year to refugees. It allows you to temporarily work, start your own business, enter and leave their countries. And a year later, it is reissued.

Arrival to Ecuador in refugee status, according to numerous reviews, is the easiest one, which does not require financial investments and the need to provide a contract with an employer. Two weeks after arriving in the country, an interview is held, and after 3 months the status of a “refugee” is acquired. And after two years of life, you can become a full citizen of Ecuador.

It should be kept in mind that the migration rules have tightened a little. For example, citizens who entered on an investor visa and did not confirm their investment on time face deportation. Those who have a residence permit are required to stay in the country for the first 2 years 275 days without a break. And obtaining any migration visa, if a temporary one has not been issued before, will be considered illegal.

The time for obtaining permanent residence is reduced to two years for those who have married an Ecuadorian woman and have a child. To obtain Ecuadorian citizenship, you need to pass exams in subjects such as history, as well as the law and geography of the state. You can also change the last name and first name given to you at birth.

Obtaining a residence permit in Ecuador

So, in Ecuador, there is practically no separation of concepts like “visa” and “residence permit”. All perpetual (immigration) visas shown in the table above are residence permits.

When emigrating, it is received at the Ecuadorian Embassy in your country or a visa center. To make an appointment at the embassy, ​​it is recommended to go to the official website. When deciding to apply to the visa center, they choose the most convenient option.

You can also apply for a visa after arriving in Ecuador – at the department of the migration service. But at the same time, all the necessary documents must be on hand. The authorities put forward a small list of requirements that must be met by a candidate for a residence permit. First, a person should not be judged either in their home country or in Ecuador. This item is checked especially carefully. Secondly, it is compulsory to obtain medical insurance – public or private.

Required documents for emigration to Ecuador

Below is a general list of required papers to obtain an Ecuadorian residence permit. Additional documents will be required depending on the grounds.

• Passport with a copy.
• Photos of 3.5×4.5 size – 2 pieces.
• Birth certificate and internal passport.
• Marriage / divorce certificate (if available).
• Police clearance certificate in the home country.
• Diploma or any other document confirming the availability of education.
• Visa application.

If you plan to move with a child, then you will also need:

• his birth certificate;
• international passport;
• consent of the second parent (if he remains in his country).

All documents must be apostilled and translated into Spanish (together with apostille). In addition, translations of papers must be notarized.

Terms of obtaining a residence permit

The terms of consideration and issuance of the finished document depend on its type. For example, nonimmigrant visas are issued at the Ecuadorian consulate within 2 days, if there are no additional problems with the provided package of papers. Sometimes a visa (aka residence permit) is ready 7 working days after the application and documents are submitted.

Investor visas are considered separately. Processing times vary from 20 days to 3 months. You can find out about the readiness of the document by calling the Embassy of Ecuador (with direct contact) or at the visa center (if the application is submitted there).

To extend the residence permit, you must apply to the Ministry of Migration in advance (at least 1 month before the expiration of the document confirming your legal stay in Ecuador).

The cost

A permanent residence permit will cost 550 USD. Of these, $ 50 is the cost of filing an application, and $ 500 is directly the consular fee for registration of a permanent residence in Ecuador. A temporary permit will cost a little less than a permanent residence permit.

Benefits of permanent residence in Ecuador

Expats in Ecuador, live in a comfortable and calm environment, thanks to a very friendly attitude towards them. Moving to the country for permanent residence is encouraged and supported by the state itself. People with higher education received in European countries are in great demand and quickly find a decent job.

The salary of expats in Ecuador is an order of magnitude higher than that of the indigenous people of the country. According to reviews, Ecuadorian education is not appreciated.

Receiving in Ecuador an average of $ 400 per person, you can not deny yourself anything. And if the salary reaches 2,000, then there is an opportunity to rent a large apartment in the capital and hire a housekeeper. Pensioners also like to come to Ecuador for permanent residence.

How to get Ecuadorian citizenship?

Ecuadorian citizenship from the point of view of a visa-free stay in other countries is considered not the most liquid: you can use it to travel to Latin America, China, Russia, and to enter the Schengen countries, the USA and Canada, you will have to apply for a visa. Nevertheless, many seek to obtain second citizenship here.

The undoubted advantage of this procedure is the absence of the need to renounce your citizenship. It turns out that as a result, you can have two different citizenships.

Every candidate seeking a civil Ecuadorian passport must meet the following requirements:

• live for at least 3 years in Ecuador on a legal basis without leaving (you can leave only during the first year of stay for a period not exceeding 90 days);
• know the state language (Spanish) at an intermediate level;
• have a police clearance certificate in Ecuador;
• pass a special test for knowledge of history, geography, current laws of the country.

The list of required documents for obtaining citizenship in 2021 is relatively short.

• Internal passport of your country and international passport.
• Police clearance certificates: on the territory of your country and in Ecuador.
• Medical clearance from an Ecuadorian hospital.
• Registration book with the migration history of the candidate.
• Photos 3×4 – 6 pieces.
• For men – military ID.

A child born in the territory of Ecuador automatically becomes a citizen of this country, regardless of the citizenship of the parents. By the way, having a child significantly speeds up the process of obtaining Ecuadorian citizenship of a parent.

This applies to male immigrants who have had at least one child legally married to an Ecuadorian citizen. Then the standard terms are reduced by 1 year. If 2 or more children were born in the family, the spouse can become a citizen within 1 year. In these situations, when applying for citizenship, the list of required documents is supplemented with the originals of the birth certificates of children.

After obtaining a second citizenship, you must inform the migration service about the presence of a second citizenship. In theory, Ecuador does not recognize any other citizenship other than its own.

But a pure formality – the refusal of citizenship of the Russian Federation outside the territory – has no force in your country. Therefore, all those who received an Ecuadorian passport continue to remain citizens of your country. Thus, it is possible to maintain its citizenship and acquire a new one.

How emigrants live and work in Ecuador?

Almost all emigrants, judging by the reviews, are satisfied with life in Ecuador, which means that they have enough financial resources. It is not difficult to find a job in the country, there is quite a lot of it, and not only in the demanded specialties, but also for people with the most common professions. The most popular are the directions:

• oil production;
• IT technologies;
• medicine;
• mechanical engineering;
• agriculture;
• tourism.

The highest salaries are received by highly qualified specialists with work experience and knowledge of Spanish and English.

Below are the approximate salaries depending on the type of work:

• Doctor – $ 3,500
• Teacher – $ 1,500
• Marketer – $ 800
• Programmer – $ 2,000
• Movers, maids, cleaners – $ 500

Many expats in Ecuador prefer not to work in existing firms, but to open their own business. Some are trying to open restaurants, stalls, shops, but the most promising areas are oil, banana and cut flowers trade.

In the latter case, we mean the import of flowers to other countries, for example, to some European countries. To do this, it is enough to buy out a flower plantation (they say that leasing is considered unprofitable and does not bring income).

Those who are unwilling or unable to start their own business for financial reasons, and lack the qualifications for a well-paid job, usually freelance and work remotely.