Ecuador is launching a digital nomad visa, offering low cost of living and good quality of life

Ecuador has launched a new digital nomad visa, promising remote workers “low cost of living” and “authentic experiences.”

The South American country is best known for its high mountains, deep rainforests, and the biodiverse Galápagos islands.

Thanks to a new visa, would-be digital nomads will have plenty of time to explore these stunning attractions.

Under the country’s ‘Rentista’ visa, remote workers will be able to spend up to two years in Ecuador. ‘Rentista’ means ‘rentier,’ or a person living on outside income.

Speaking at World Travel Market in London, the country’s tourism minister Niels Olsen promised “authentic and genuine” experiences.

“The pandemic allowed us to rethink tourism and opportunities,” he said.

“We weren’t the first country to invent it [the digital nomad visa] but we have really embraced it.

“We have great infrastructure and connectivity and the cost of living is significantly lower than in the UK.”

The visa is officially known as the ‘Rentista for Remote Work visa.’

To qualify for the nomad visa, you must have:

Applicants must also prove that they have health insurance that’s valid in Ecuador and be willing to pay a processing fee of €460.

The visa is open to applicants from most countries. However, applications are not permitted from Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Cameroon, North Korea, Cuba, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Philippines, Gambia, Ghana, India, Iraq, Iran, Kenya, Libya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Syria, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Yemen.

Would-be remote workers can apply via Ecuador’s virtual consulate, available here. The process should take between two and four months.

Ecuador is smaller than Italy, but remote workers will have plenty of