Added
added the separate official exceptional route and its two-year period and USD 100 award fee Source
Minimum cost
—
Timeline
2 years
residency required
Visa-free access
93
passport rank #48
Dual citizenship
Allowed
Path to citizenship
- Residency2 years
- Applyprocessing time varies
- Citizenshipgranted
Overview
- Country
- Ecuador
- Program
- Ecuador Naturalization for Recognized Refugees and Stateless Persons
- Local name
- Naturalización excepcional para personas refugiadas y apátridas
- Type
- Naturalization
- Status
- Active
- Residency required
- 2 years
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Visa-free countries
- 93 destinations
- Passport rank
- #48 (Henley Index)
Recognized refugees and stateless persons may apply for Ecuadorian naturalization after two years of regular and continuous residence counted from state recognition. The dedicated procedure requires identity and recognition records, lawful means of life, Spanish and knowledge requirements, and an in-person application.
Fees and costs
- Government fee
- $100
Eligibility and requirements
- Police clearance not required
- Medical exam not required
- Interview required
- Language Spanish speaking and writing (Spanish speaking and writing evaluation)
- Language exemptions As specified in the regulation; older adults are exempt from the knowledge exam but are evaluated in Spanish.
- Civics test Knowledge exam: Ecuadorian history, geography, culture, current affairs, and national symbols
Residency requirements
- Residency required
- 2 years
- Continuous
- Must be unbroken
- Income required
- Must demonstrate lawful means of life 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
- Apply from abroad
- Must apply in-country
- 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. 139–146
Notes and caveats
The official service page includes adults and minors. The published fee is USD 100 for granting naturalization; fee exemptions apply to older adults and qualifying disability cases. Language: Must speak and write Spanish; no CEFR level stated.
Also in Ecuador
Last verified Oct 9, 2026 Last changed Oct 9, 2026 Source