People who want to live and work in Ecuador must acquire either an appropriate visa (for volunteer or cultural interchange positions), or identity cards, called cedula or a censo. Among ways you can qualify for a work or residency visa are:
A Resident Investor visa is available for a person who is investing a minimum of $10,000-$25,000 in Ecuador, depending on the exact circumstances. The funds must go either directly into the investment (business, real estate, etc) or be deposited in an Ecuadorian bank. As the exact circumstances and required amount varies widely, it is recommended that you employ an experienced abogado(lawyer) to work through your options.