How to Apply for an Ecuador Retirement Visa in Atlanta

Ecuador – the “land of the equator” – remains one of the world’s most popular and affordable retirement destinations.  Retirees from the Atlanta area are drawn to its low living costs, warm tropical climate, up-to-date infrastructure, affordable healthcare, and diverse cultural and natural treasures. 

The Republic of Ecuador’s mainland straddles the Andres Mountains and borders Peru, Colombia, and the Pacific Ocean.  The South American country also includes the Galapagos Islands.  Once part of the Incan Empire, modern-day Ecuador was colonized by the Spanish during the 16th Century.  It gained independence from Spain in 1820 as part of Gran Colombia and separated from Colombia in 1830.  Its population of 18.4 million people is largely made up of mestizos (descendants of Europeans and indigenous peoples), while the rest are of African, Asian, Native American, and European heritage.  Spanish remains its official language.

The cost of living in Ecuador is significantly lower that in many other countries, making it an affordable retirement option.  Most foreigners can live comfortably on $2,000 a month or less.  Living costs average 55% lower than those in the United States, while rents are 78% less, according to Numbeo.  Apartment rentals in the popular retirement center of Cuenca can be found through such expat-oriented websites as https://gringopost.com/feeds/real-estate/, while property for sale in such popular retiree hotspots can be found at https://www.ecuadorshoresrealty.com.  Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar, so currency conversion is easy for newcomers.  Most of the country is in the Central Time Zone, making it easy for Americans to stay in touch with contacts back home in Atlanta and other parts of the United States.

More than 425,000 long-term immigrants live in Ecuador, with World Population Review reporting that 13,588 American expats reside in the republic.  Most Americans live in mountainous Cuenca, the capital city of Quito, or the coastal towns of Manta and Salinas.  Other top retirement destinations include the highlands town of Cotacachi and Vilcabamba, the “valley of longevity”.

Ecuador’s natural beauty and diverse culture also make it a popular tourist destination for Atlanta-based travelers.  In 2025, the country had some 1.7 million visitors, with the largest number – 4.6 million – hailing from the United States. “Postcard-pretty town centers, waves splashing white-sand beaches, Kichwa {indigenous} villages, Amazonian rainforest, and the breathtaking Andes: a dazzling array of wonders is squeezed into compact Ecuador,” Lonely Planet reported.  It takes less than six hours to fly from Atlanta to Quito on a Delta Airlines nonstop flight.

The majority of Ecuador lies within humid tropical rainforests along the equator.  Quito is located in the subtropical highlands, while other regions vary from coastal lowlands to mountain glaciers.  Founded in the 1500s on the ruins of an Inca city, Quito contains the best-preserved historic center in Latin America.  UNESCO named the city’s historic center as one of its first two World Cultural Heritage Sites in 1978.  The district is known for its Spanish churches and monasteries as well as the massive Parque Metropolitano Guanguiltagua urban park.  Quito’s TeleferiQo aerial tramway transports visitors from downtown Quito to the cool slopes of the Pichincha volcano for hiking and sightseeing.

While Quito is a popular retirement destination, many expats from the Atlanta area tend to favor the smaller cities and towns of Ecuador.  Cuenca, another World Heritage Site, features historic cathedrals, monasteries, museums, and Incan ruins.  Loja, located in the Andes highlands of southern Ecuador near the Peruvian border, is considered the artistic and musical capital of the country.  Expats also flock to the cool climate of Vilcabamba, where its traditional use as an Incan retreat accounts for its nickname, “Playground of the Incas.”

For those who prefer oceanside living, the 530–mile long Ruta del Sol coast offers surfing, diving, fishing, and boating.  Salinas is the best-known beach resort in the country, with numerous restaurants, bars, and coffee shops.  Manta is a busy commercial fishing port with a strong expat community.  Other popular beach cities include Santa Marianita; laid-back Ayangue; backpacker and surfer favorite Canoa; whale-watching center Puerto Lopez; and Ayampe, home to a network of rainforest trails.  The best-known Ecuadorian destination is the Galapagos Islands, famous for the unique and diverse wildlife that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution through natural selection.  Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city and chief port, also serves as the gateway to Galapagos tours and cruises.  Guayaquil is also the country’s economic center, featuring a modern waterfront promenade, coastal seafood dining, and local wildlife exhibits.

Ecuador Retirement Visa Qualifications and Documentation

The Republic of Ecuador does not require a visa for tourist travel from the United States and most other nations. (Countries whose passport holders do require a visa are listed at https://www.migracion.gob.ec/requisitos-ingreso-y-salida/.) U.S. citizens can enter the country on a passport valid for at least six months beyond their arrival; proof of health insurance; and a round-trip ticket back to the United States.  You can visit Ecuador as a tourist for 90 days before deciding to retire there, or during the process of obtaining your retirement visa.  If you plan to stay more than 90 days, you can apply for a temporary residence visa or an extended tourist visa.

Ecuador offers more than a dozen residential visa options, such as investor (which requires investing at least $42,000 in real estate or a business in Ecuador).  However, the most popular choice for residents of Atlanta who want to live in the country is the 60-III Pensioner’s program.  This retirement visa program is available to U.S. citizens who are at least 65 years old.  The 60-III retirement visa is valid for two years and can be renewed indefinitely.  It can also be converted to a permanent residency visa in the future.

The main 60-III requirement is proof you receive a pension of at least $1,446 per month -- and another $250 monthly for each dependent accompanying you to live in Ecuador. (NOTE: The pension threshold changes each year.)  You can be eligible to for the 60-III even if you are not retired, but you do need to prove you will receive a guaranteed income for the remainder of your life.  The total fee for the retirement visa is $450.

However, all documents issued abroad must be authenticated by the Ecuadorian Consulate and/or stamped with Apostilled BEFORE submission; therefore, we strongly recommend gathering all the supporting documents for the retirement visa before leaving the United States (and Visa Supply can help you with this process).  You can have your documents apostilled through the appropriate U.S. government branch (such as your state’s Secretary of State for birth and marriage certificates, or the FBI for background checks).  After documents are apostilled, they should be translated into Spanish by a certified translator (it is best to do this in Ecuador). 

You can apply for a visa online; in person at the nearest Ecuadorian embassy or consulate; or by mail.  The basic application for Ecuador visas can be found on the government website here.  While there is considerable paperwork involved, you may be able to file the application on your own – although Visa Supply strongly recommends you engage an attorney with visa experience in Ecuador to make sure your application goes smoothly.  Often it is easier to apply for a retirement visa while you are in Ecuador with the assistance of an attorney after you gather the required documentation (Visa Supply can refer you to an attorney in Ecuador).

Requirements for a retirement visa include:

  • At least 65 years old.
  • Proof of pension at least US $1,446 in monthly income through a government program (such as Social Security) or a private pension plan. For a spouse or minor children, your minimum income increases by US $250 per month per dependent.  You must provide notarized verification of the pension amount.  Proof of federal pension can be obtained from the Social Security Administration at https://www.ssa.gov.  This document must be apostilled by the Ecuadorian government.
  • Background check from law enforcement authorities in countries where you have lived over the previous five years (such as the FBI), also apostilled.
  • Health insurance that at least covers the application period. You can buy travel insurance covering a 90-day period when you enter Ecuador.
  • A passport valid for at least 12 months.

The basic process is:

  • Get the pension letter and police record apostilled in the U.S.
  • Obtain a certificate of protocolization from the Ecuador embassy to certify your guaranteed income. The process can be done online, by mail, or at a consulate.  Simply provide (as appropriate to the method used):
  1. The apostilled pension letter
  2. Two notarized color copies of your passport
  3. A $40 money order
  4. A return envelope
  5. A cover letter.
  • Get your pension letter and background check translated into Spanish and notarized. This can also be done at the Ecuador consulate.
  • File the Ecuador visa application (linked above).

You will need to provide:

  • A completed data sheet that will be used to create your cedula (Ecuador ID card).
  • Two color passport-size photos.
  • A marriage certificate, if appropriate.
  • Birth certificates for yourself and all dependents who will live with you in Ecuador. (NOTE: This is not a visa requirement, but is needed to obtain the cedula).
  • Proof of health insurance (also needed for the cedula.)

To get started, gather your documents and submit your application (online from the U.S. or via an attorney in Ecuador).  It typically takes three to four months for the retirement visa to be issued.  Once your application is approved and you arrive in Ecuador, you can finalize the cedula process.

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

Residents of the Atlanta area or anyone residing within Georgia who have questions about retirement in Ecuador -- or who would like us to help ensure they have accumulated the necessary documents and paperwork before they leave for Ecuador -- can schedule a telephone call through our website or email michael@visasupply.com. We also offer referrals for any visitors who need an Ecuadorian attorney, require private transportation, or need assistance booking local accommodations or organized tours in Ecuador.

We can also assist with numerous Ecuador visas and services for those residing in Atlanta, including:

  • Special tourism (180 days) visa
  • Business visa
  • Professional visa
  • Digital nomad visa
  • Investor visa
  • Health insurance
  • Travel insurance
  • Attorney referral