Colombia vs Ecuador: which digital nomad visa fits you?

Colombia Digital Nomad Visa and Ecuador Temporary Residence Visa – Remote Work, side by side. Every figure comes from the official government source, with the date we last checked it.

Income: Ecuador is lower
Family: Colombia: Yes · Ecuador: Yes
Renewable: Colombia: Not confirmed · Ecuador: Yes

	ColombiaDigital Nomad Visa	EcuadorTemporary Residence Visa – Remote Work
Minimum income	≈ $1,655/mo5,252,715 COP / month	≈ $1,446/mo$1,446 / month
Official rule	COP 5,252,715 per month: 3× Colombia's 2026 legal monthly minimum wage (SMMLV COP 1,750,905), shown in bank statements for the last 3 months	USD 1,446 per month: 3× Ecuador's 2026 Unified Basic Salary (SBU USD 482) for each of the 3 months before applying, or USD 17,352 a year (36 SBU)
Stay	Up to 2 years	Up to 2 years
Renewable	Not confirmed	Yes
Family	Yes	Yes
Fees	Not confirmed	USD 50 application + USD 270 issuance
Official source	cancilleria.gov.co ↗Verified, checked Oct 22, 2026	gob.ec ↗Verified, checked Oct 24, 2026

USD figures are approximate (FX Oct 20, 2026). The official currency figure is what the authority applies.

Key differences

Both bars are 3× the national minimum wage. Ecuador’s is lower: USD 1,446 a month (3× the 2026 SBU of USD 482) for each of the 3 months before you apply, or USD 17,352 a year. Colombia asks for COP 5,252,715 a month (3× the 2026 SMMLV), shown in bank statements for the last 3 months.
Both give up to 2 years. Ecuador’s temporary residence is renewable once; the Colombian page we check doesn’t state a renewal rule.
Both allow dependants. Ecuador adds USD 250 a month to the income bar for each dependant; the Colombian page we check doesn’t state an extra amount.
Ecuador publishes its fee (USD 50 application + USD 270 issuance, 50% off for applicants 65+); Colombia’s fee isn’t on the page we check. Colombia also needs a passport from a country exempt from short-stay visas. Both ask for health insurance covering the whole stay.

Quick answers

Which needs less income, Colombia or Ecuador?

Ecuador Temporary Residence Visa – Remote Work has the lower bar: about $1,446 a month, versus about $1,655 for Colombia Digital Nomad Visa (a gap of roughly $209 a month at exchange rates of Oct 20, 2026). Ecuador Temporary Residence Visa – Remote Work: USD 1,446 per month: 3× Ecuador's 2026 Unified Basic Salary (SBU USD 482) for each of the 3 months before applying, or USD 17,352 a year (36 SBU) (gob.ec, checked Oct 24, 2026). Colombia Digital Nomad Visa: COP 5,252,715 per month: 3× Colombia's 2026 legal monthly minimum wage (SMMLV COP 1,750,905), shown in bank statements for the last 3 months (cancilleria.gov.co, checked Oct 22, 2026).

Which lets you stay longer, Colombia or Ecuador?

Colombia Digital Nomad Visa: Up to 2 years. Ecuador Temporary Residence Visa – Remote Work: Up to 2 years. The temporary residence (2 years) is renewable once.

Can I bring my family on the Colombia or Ecuador visa?

Colombia Digital Nomad Visa: yes, family members can be included. Ecuador Temporary Residence Visa – Remote Work: yes, family members can be included.

How much do the Colombia and Ecuador visas cost?

Colombia Digital Nomad Visa: not confirmed on the official source. Ecuador Temporary Residence Visa – Remote Work: USD 50 application + USD 270 issuance.

Full official notes

Colombia Digital Nomad Visa

Passport must be from a country that is exempt from short-stay visas. Remote work only for foreign companies (employee or freelancer), or a digital-content/IT start-up. Health insurance covering Colombia for the whole stay required. No paid work for Colombian companies. Dependants (beneficiarios) allowed. 2026 minimum wage per Decreto 1469 de 2025 (same figure restated in Decreto 159 de 2026); the Council of State lifted its provisional suspension of Decreto 1469 in July 2026, with the final ruling still pending.

Sources: cancilleria.gov.co · cancilleria.gov.co · dapre.presidencia.gov.co

Ecuador Temporary Residence Visa – Remote Work

Foreign-source income shown on international bank statements. Remote work for an employer, client or company based abroad. Health insurance with cover in Ecuador for the whole visa period. +USD 250/month for each dependant. Temporary residence is valid 2 years and renewable once. 50% fee discount for applicants 65+. SBU 2026 per the Ministry of Labour (Acuerdo MDT-2025-195).

Sources: gob.ec · trabajo.gob.ec

Not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the issuing authority before you apply. How we verify