VISAS
There
are two general categories of visas, resident (sometimes knows as
immigrant) and non-resident. Within each of these broad categories
are several types of specific visas. Please look below for the type
of visa that suits your individual needs. This information was adapted
from the Ecuadorian Embassy and General Consulate webpages. The information
is subject to change and should be verified with the Ecuadorian Consulate
in your home country.
*
Impotant Note:
Although this information is from the emassy
of Ecuador in Washington D.C., it's a good idea to find a second
source. We reccomend even calling the embassy or emailing them to
get the most updated information you can.
Non-Immigrant
Visas
Citizens of most countries do not require
a visa to enter Ecuador for up to 90 days, with some notable exceptions
including France. This "automatic" tourist visa is knows
as the 12-X. If you plan on staying longer that 90 days, working
or immigrating to Ecuador you will need one of the other types of
visas outlined below.
Visas
for Non-Working Stays Up to 90 Days (Visa 12-X)
Ecuador welcomes tourists and travelers
from every country. Citizens of the United States, Canada and most
European countries traveling to Ecuador for tourism, business or
to study do not require a visa unless they expect to stay in Ecuador
for more than 90 days in one calendar year (that is, 90 days adding
every entry in one year) or if they are drawing income from an Ecuadorian
source.
Specific
Requirements:
- Valid
passport for more than 6 months.
- Return
ticket (for air, land or sea travel).
- Proof
of economic means to support yourself during your stay in Ecuador
(may be requested by Immigration authorities upon arrival).
Nationals
of the following countries require a visa to enter Ecuador for any
reason and should approach the Consulate of Ecuador in their home
country before traveling (list may change without notice): Algeria,
Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Iran,
Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Lybia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan,
Palestine Authority, Panama, People's Republic of China, Sri Lanka,
Syria, Tunisia, and Vietnam.
Foreigners
traveling on a 12-X visa may not take employment in Ecuador. Visa
12-X status cannot be changed in Ecuador.
Visas
for Stays of More Than 90 Days
Foreign nationals planning to stay in Ecuador
for more than 90 days need to apply for a visa and must present
the following documents:
- Valid
passport for more than 6 months.
- Police
certificate with criminal record of the State where s/he resides.
- Medical
certificate.
- Return
ticket (for air, land or sea travel).
- Two
photographs
- Application
form
- Nationals
of other countries applying for this type of visa in the United
States must also present a valid US visa/green card.
Additionally,
depending on the type of visa needed, additional requirements listed
under the following visa types may apply:
Student
Visa
Specific Requirements:
- Certificate
of course registration in an educational institution in Ecuador.
- Certificate
of financial solvency (either a bank deposit of a reasonable amount
to cover expenses with a letter stating the intention of the bank
of forwarding to the student 10% of that amount per month; OR
a document signed by a relative stating that the student is supported
by his/her family; OR a legal and duly notarized document indicating
the student receives some other type of financial support).
Validity:
Up to one year; renewable.
Fee: $50 USD. Citizens from the Spain, Colombia, and Paraguay are
exempt from the fee.
Professional,
Technical, Consultant, or Official Government Visas
Specific Requirements:
- Documents showing he/she is required
to stay in Ecuador for work related purposes and that his/her
stay will be supported by the company/agency/government.
- Labor contract legalized by an
Ecuadorian Labor Court.
- Technical or specialized professionals
or industrial training personnel need a working permit from the
Ministry of Labor.
- Managers, legal representatives,
or executive officers, with also require a certificate from the
Superintendency of Companies.
Validity:
According to the appointment.
Fee: $50 USD.
Religious
and Volunteer Visas
Specific Requirements:
- Certificate
of the religious organization where the applicant will work in
Ecuador, explaining why a foreign person is required, and a brief
description of the tasks
he/she
will be assigned in Ecuador.
- A copy of the Decree in which
the Government of Ecuador authorizes the organization to work
in the country.
- A copy of the rules of the organization.
- A copy of the document stating
the appointment of the legal representative of the organization
in Ecuador.
Validity:
Two years.
Fee: None.
Cultural
Exchange Visas
Teachers or students participating
in exchange programs require:
- Application from the Ecuadorian
authority sponsoring the student/teachers visit.
- A copy of the Agreement under
which the program is carried out.
- Teachers
must sign a document stating that
he/she
will
not
receive any Ecuadorian funds for his/her work.
Validity:
One year.
Fee: None.
Tourism,
Business, and Other Activities Requireing a Stay of More Than 90
Days and Up to 180 Days
Foreigners who need or want to
stay in Ecuador for over 90 days, for activities such as tourism,
sports, studies, science and research, art, or business, require:
- Certificate of financial solvency
to the satisfaction of the Consular Officer (either a bank letter
stating the applicant's monthly balance OR a personal guaranty
of an Ecuadorian citizen or a foreigner residing in Ecuador in
a duly notarized document OR a certificate stating the applicant's
income OR any other document that proves the applicant has enough
funds for his stay in Ecuador).
Validity:
90 to 180 days.
Fee: $50 USD. Citizens from the Spain, Colombia, Denmark, and Paraguay
are exemp from the fee.
Resident/Immigrant
Visas
Foreign nationals may apply to settle
in Ecuador and obtain resident status. Resident visas are approved
by the Immigration Board in Ecuador. The documentation process takes
at least 4 to 8 weeks.
There are a number of different
resident visa categories, including:
- 10I
Retired persons who receive pensions from their native countries
(pension from a stable source, at least $8,000 USD per year).
- 10II
Real estate and securities investors who are willing to invest
in Ecuador the equivalent of at least 350 minimum monthly general
salaries (S.M.V.G.), plus 100 SMVG per dependant, or amount specified
by Consular Officer (in the U.S. at least $15,000 USD).
- 10III
Investors in industry who wish to export agricultural products,
livestock, or minerals, provided they bring capital the equivalent
of at least 600 minimum monthly general salaries to Ecuador, or
amount specified by Consular Officer (in the U.S. at least $25,000
USD).
- 10IV
Companies with foreign local agents who possess unlimited power
of attorney to represent the company in Ecuador, provided that
80% of the company's local personnel are Ecuadorian.
- 10IV
Technicians or technical experts under contract with a company
established in Ecuador.
- 10V
Professionals with university degrees recognized by a national
university, who wish to practice their profession in Ecuador.
Should the applicant's profession not exist in Ecuador, the degree
must be locally certified. The applicant must also fulfill the
requirements for such practice (e.g. bar).
- 10VI
Individuals economically dependent on spouses or on a bloodrelated
family member (family).
Overstayedyour
visa?
If you overstay your tourist visa you must obtain a stamp on your
passport before you may leave. These are referred to as "Salidas",
and are obtained in Quito at the immigration office on Isla Seymour
1152, between Río Coca and Tomás de Berlanga, and in Guayaquil at
the immigration office on Avenida Pichincha and Aguirre.
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