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EC

Ecuador Standard Naturalization

Active Dual citizenship

Ecuador · Naturalización ecuatoriana por carta · Naturalization · processing 180-180 days

Official page Compare
Minimum cost $50 application fee
Timeline 3 years residency required
Visa-free access 93 passport rank #48
Dual citizenship Allowed

Path to citizenship

  1. Residency3 years · permanent
  2. Apply180-180 days
  3. Citizenshipgranted

Overview

Country
Ecuador
Program
Ecuador Standard Naturalization
Local name
Naturalización ecuatoriana por carta
Type
Naturalization
Status
Active
Residency required
3 years
Processing time
180-180 days
Dual citizenship
Allowed
Visa-free countries
93 destinations
Passport rank
#48 (Henley Index)

Foreign nationals with permanent residence may apply for Ecuadorian naturalization after three years of regular and continuous residence. Applicants must meet Spanish, knowledge, interview, lawful-means-of-support, absence, and other requirements.

Fees and costs

Application fee
$50
Government fee
$350

Eligibility and requirements

  • Minimum age 18+
  • Police clearance not required
  • Medical exam not required
  • Interview required
  • Language Spanish speaking and writing (Spanish speaking and writing evaluation)
  • Language exemptions Spanish-medium Ecuadorian university or postgraduate graduates; minors and specified intellectual disability cases. Older adults are exempt from the knowledge exam but still evaluated in Spanish.
  • Civics test Knowledge exam: Ecuadorian history, geography, culture, current affairs, and national symbols

Residency requirements

Residency required
3 years
Residency type
Permanent
Continuous
Must be unbroken
Max absence
180 days
Income required
Must demonstrate lawful means of support in Ecuador.

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, consulate
Apply from abroad
Yes
Application type
Open
Official website
www.gob.ec
Legal basis
Constitution of Ecuador Arts. 6 and 8; Organic Law on Human Mobility Arts. 70–72; Regulation Arts. 122–131

Notes and caveats

The three-year period is counted from issuance of the permanent-residence visa. Absences may not exceed 180 days in each of the first three years. Government guidance lists a USD 50 application fee and USD 350 award fee. Organic Law Art. 78 permits filing at consular offices, although the current online guide lists zonal offices in Ecuador. Language: Must speak and write Spanish; no CEFR level stated. How to apply: in person at zonal office; consular filing permitted by law.

Also in Ecuador

Last verified Oct 9, 2026 Last changed Oct 9, 2026 Source

Change history

    • Official page https://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/ https://www.gob.ec/mremh/tramites/obtencion-nacionalidad-ecuatoriana-carta-naturalizacion

    corrected residence, absence, language, civics, fees, process, oath, legal basis, passport validity, and treaty-country information from official sources Source

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