Your Expert Document Checklist for the Ecuadorian Temporary Resident Retirement Visa (Jubilado)

The visa you are applying for is the Visa de Residencia Temporal - Jubilado. The old numbered system (e.g., "9-I") was phased out with the implementation of the Ley Orgánica de Movilidad Humana (LOMH). Using the correct, current terminology is the first step to a successful application. This checklist is meticulously crafted to align with the current law and prevent common, costly mistakes.

Understanding the Core Legal Requirements

Before gathering documents, it's crucial to understand the legal foundation of the Jubilado visa, as outlined in Ecuador's Ley Orgánica de Movilidad Humana. Applicants must demonstrate:

1. Sufficient, Lifelong Income: You must prove you receive a stable, permanent income from a foreign source, typically a pension. This income must meet or exceed the minimum threshold set by Ecuadorian law.
2. Clean Criminal History: A mandatory criminal background check from your country of origin and any other country where you have resided for the last five years is required.
3. Valid Passport and Legal Entry: Your passport must have at least six months of validity at the time of application, and you must have entered Ecuador legally.
4. Proof of Health Insurance: You must have public or private health insurance with coverage in Ecuador for the duration of your stay.

Let's dissect the specific documents needed to satisfy these legal requirements.

The Comprehensive Document Checklist

1. Foundational Identity Documents

• Original and Color Copy of Your Passport:
  • Requirement: The biographic page and all pages with entry/exit stamps must be clear. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the application date.
  • Expert Insight: Your name and date of birth must match identically across every single document submitted. Even a missing middle initial can trigger a request for clarification (subsanación), delaying your process.
• Current Visa & Migration Certificate (Certificado de Movimiento Migratorio):
  • Requirement: If applying from within Ecuador, you will need to obtain this certificate from a Migration office. It costs approximately $5.00 and details your legal entries and exits.
  • Expert Insight: This document proves you have not overstayed your tourist visa, a critical prerequisite for applying for residency from within the country.

2. Proof of Income: The Cornerstone of Your Application

This is the most scrutinized part of the application. The government needs absolute certainty of your financial self-sufficiency.

• Official Pension Certificate or Letter:
  • Requirement: An official, apostilled (or legalized) document from the entity providing your pension (e.g., Social Security Administration, Veterans Affairs, private fund). The document must state the monthly amount you receive.
  • Expert Insight: The income must be at least one Salario Básico Unificado (SBU) per month. For 2024, the SBU is $460. The key detail many miss is that the letter must explicitly state the pension is "for life" (vitalicio) or for an indefinite term. A letter simply stating your current monthly benefit without this lifelong guarantee is a common reason for rejection.
  • This document must be issued within 6 months of your application date and officially translated into Spanish in Ecuador.

3. Criminal Background Checks

• Apostilled Criminal Record Certificate from Your Country of Origin:
  • Requirement: An apostilled, federal-level background check (e.g., an FBI Identity History Summary in the US). It must be issued within the last 180 days.
  • Expert Insight: The "five-year rule": Per Artículo 35 of the Reglamento a la Ley Orgánica de Movilidad Humana, you must also provide an apostilled police certificate from any country where you have lived for five or more years. This catches many applicants by surprise.

4. Marital Status and Dependents (If Applicable)

• Apostilled Marriage Certificate:
  • Requirement: If applying with a spouse as a dependent, your official marriage certificate is required.
  • Expert Insight (Cuenca-Specific): This is a critical, two-step process. First, the apostilled and translated certificate is used for the visa. However, before your dependent spouse can get their cédula (national ID card), you must first register the marriage at the Ecuadorian Registro Civil. Many expats show up for their cédula appointment in Cuenca only to be turned away, initiating a separate 2-4 week process to get their foreign marriage recognized. Plan for this!
• Apostilled Birth Certificates for Dependent Children:
  • Requirement: Required for any children under 18 applying with you. The same apostille and translation rules apply.

5. Additional Mandatory Documents

• Official Visa Application Form (Formulario de Solicitud de Visa):
  • Requirement: Available on the government's online portal. It must be filled out perfectly, with no errors.
• Passport-Sized Photograph:
  • Requirement: One digital photo in JPG format, passport-style (white background, no glasses, neutral expression), under 1MB.
• Proof of Health Insurance:
  • Requirement: A certificate from a public (IESS) or private insurance company demonstrating you have health coverage valid in Ecuador.
  • Expert Insight: This is a firm requirement under the LOMH, reinforced by regulations like Acuerdo Ministerial No. 0000179. While enforcement was initially inconsistent, it is now standard practice. Arriving without proof of insurance can halt your application.
• Proof of Payment for Government Fees:
  • Requirement: You must pay two separate government fees.
  • Expert Insight: The current fees are $50 for the application (solicitud) and $400 for the visa issuance (expedición) upon approval. These fees are non-refundable.

6. Essential Authentications

• Apostille/Legalization: Any official document issued outside of Ecuador (pension letters, birth/marriage certificates, criminal records) must be authenticated with an Apostille certificate (for Hague Convention countries) or legalized by an Ecuadorian consulate. This process can take weeks; start it early.
• Official Spanish Translations: All non-Spanish documents must be fully translated by a court-certified translator (perito traductor) in Ecuador after you arrive. Do not use online services or uncertified translators.

⚠️ Legal Alert: When to Stop and Consult an Expert

This checklist is comprehensive, but you should immediately seek professional guidance if:

• Your Income is Complex: If your income is not a straightforward government or corporate pension (e.g., from a trust, annuity, or a combination of sources), an expert is needed to structure the proof acceptably.
• You Have Any Criminal Record: Any offense, regardless of how minor or old, requires careful legal strategy. Do not attempt to self-file without disclosing it and receiving advice. Ecuador is strict on this point.
• You Have Past Immigration Overstays: If you have ever overstayed a visa in Ecuador, a penalty and specific procedure may apply before you can regularize your status.
• Your Documents Have Discrepancies: Mismatched names (e.g., "John F. Smith" on passport vs. "John Smith" on pension letter) must be legally reconciled before submission.

Your dream of retiring in Ecuador is achievable. Success lies not just in gathering documents, but in ensuring each one is precise, legally compliant, and correctly authenticated.

Ready to ensure your application is flawless? Schedule a consultation with our office. We'll personally review your documents and create a clear, actionable plan for your successful transition to life in Ecuador.