Visas for Ecuador
A Word to the Wise
Please confirm all the information regarding visas
with the Ecuadorian consulate in your home country.
We do our best to provide the most up-to-date information
but visa regulations and policies change frequently.
Visas
There are two general categories of visas, resident
(sometimes known 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 Consulate General
webpages. The information is subject to change and should
be verified with the Ecuadorian Consulate in your home
country.
NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS
Citizens of most countries do not require a visa to
enter Ecuador for up to 90 days, with some notable exceptions.
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: USD 50. 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: USD 50.
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
s/he 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 s/he 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: USD 50. 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 USD 8,000 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 USD 15,000).
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 USD 25,000).
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).
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