Added
added the separate discretionary merits naturalization route, its more-than-three-year residence floor, and presidential petition procedure Source
EC
Ecuador Naturalization for Relevant Services
Active
Dual citizenship
Ecuador · Naturalización por servicios relevantes al país · Exceptional Merit
Minimum cost
—
Timeline
3 years
residency required
Visa-free access
93
passport rank #48
Dual citizenship
Allowed
Path to citizenship
- Residency3 years
- Applyprocessing time varies
- Citizenshipgranted
Overview
- Country
- Ecuador
- Program
- Ecuador Naturalization for Relevant Services
- Local name
- Naturalización por servicios relevantes al país
- Type
- Exceptional Merit
- Status
- Active
- Residency required
- 3 years
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Visa-free countries
- 93 destinations
- Passport rank
- #48 (Henley Index)
The President may grant Ecuadorian nationality by executive decree to a foreign national who has resided regularly in Ecuador for more than three years and rendered services relevant to the country. A natural person, collective, or social organization may submit a petition with supporting evidence.
Fees and costs
No fees listed for this program.
Eligibility and requirements
- Police clearance not required
- Medical exam not required
Passport and mobility
- Passport rank
- #48 (Henley Index)
- Visa-free access
- 93 countries
- Passport validity
- 10 years
- EU citizenship
- No
- Schengen access
- No
- US E-2 treaty
- Yes — eligible for US investor visa
Physical presence
- Must visit country
- Yes
How to apply
- Method
- In person
- Apply from abroad
- Must apply in-country
- Application type
- Discretionary
- Official website
- www.gob.ec
- Legal basis
- Constitution of Ecuador Art. 8(5); Organic Law on Human Mobility Art. 76; Regulation to the Law
Notes and caveats
This is a discretionary exceptional route. The official service guide says the written petition and supporting documents are delivered to the Palacio de Gobierno in Quito. Neither the law nor the official service guide sets a routine fee or processing period. How to apply: petition to the President of Ecuador; executive decree.
Also in Ecuador
Last verified Oct 9, 2026 Last changed Oct 9, 2026 Source