| Immigration & Ecuadorian Visas
Note: The following information was obtained from the Ecuadorian Embassy and Consulate General and should be confirmed with the Ecuadorian Embassy or Consulate in your own country. Visa policies and regulations change frequently.
VISAS
There are two general categories of visas: Non-Resident and Resident (immigrant).
Tourists and travelers from the United States, Canada and most European countries do not need a visa to Ecuador for a stay of less than 90 days.
If you want to work in Ecuador, or simply guarantee a stay of over 90 days, there is a range of visas available, including study (12-V), work (12-VI), volunteer and religious (12-VII), cultural exchanges (12-VIII) and long-stay business or tourism (12-IX).
Each can last from six to twelve months and has its own application process. All should be registered at the "Dirección General de Extranjería" in Quito , or at the "Sub-Dirección de Extranjería" in Guayaquil in Ecuador .
You should confirm all information before travels with the Ecuadorian Embassy or Consulate in your own country.
For additional information while in Ecuador , we have included an updated list of embassies and consulates in Quito and Guayaquil.
If you're looking for information on how to get a censo (identity card) , or if you just want to find out about extending your tourist visa, see our useful tips tourist visa section.
NON-RESIDENT VISAS
SHORT-TERM VISIT OF LESS THAN 90 DAYS OR TRANSIENT VISA, CATEGORY 12-X
Ecuador does not require a visa for a temporary visit (up to 90 days) related to tourism, business or study for citizens of the United States , Canada and most European countries.
If you plan to stay longer, or if you are drawing income from an Ecuadorian source, you will need one of the other types of visas for a stay of over 90 days.
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): Afghanistan, Algeria Bangladesh, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, EL Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras India, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, North Korea, South Korea, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Syria, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tunisia, Vietnam, Yemen, Members of the Sikh Sect.
Generally, you can just arrive in Ecuador with your passport (valid for at least 6 months) and a return ticket and you will have no problems entering Ecuador as a tourist. If you have any doubts you can check with your Ecuadorian Consulate regarding applying for a 12-X visa.
Requirements for the "automatic" 12-X tourist visa include:
• Completed application form.
• 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).
VALIDITY: Maximum of 90 days.
CONSULAR FEES:
Visa: US$30.00
Application: US$30.00.
Foreigners traveling on a 12-X visa may not take employment in Ecuador . Visa 12-X status cannot be changed in Ecuador .
Reminder: Keep your passport with you at all times in case authorities may want to see it. If you can't produce adequate identification on demand, you may be fined or detained. A copy is not acceptable.
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.
• Medical certificate and HIV test
• Return ticket (for air, land or sea travel).
• Two recent 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.
Depending on the type of visa needed, additional requirements listed under the following visa types may apply:
STUDENT VISA, CATEGORY 12-V
Specific Requirements:
• Valid passport for more than 6 months.
• Police certificate with criminal record.
• Medical certificate and HIV test
• Return ticket (for air, land or sea travel).
• Two recent photographs.
• Application form.
• 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.
CONSULAR FEES :
Visa: US$100.00
Application: US$30.00
Citizens from the Spain , Colombia , and Paraguay are exempt from the fee.
WORK VISA, CATEGORY 12-VI
Specific Requirements:
• Valid passport for more than 6 months.
• Police certificate with criminal record.
• Medical certificate and HIV test
• Return ticket (for air, land or sea travel).
• Two recent photographs.
• Application form.
• Proof showing person is required to stay in Ecuador for work related purposes, and that the hiring company assumes responsibility for expenses incurred should the person be deported.
• 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.
• A copy of the company's by-laws.
• Managers, legal representatives, or executive officers, also require a certificate from the Superintendency of Companies.
• Certificate of payment to the "Instituto Ecuatoriano de Seguro Social" (Ecuadorian Social Security Office).
VALIDITY: According to the appointment.
CONSULAR FEES:
Visa: US$200.00
Application: US$30.00
RELIGIOUS AND VOLUNTEER VISAS, CATEGORY VII
Specific Requirements:
• Valid passport for more than 6 months.
• Police certificate with criminal record.
• Medical certificate and HIV test
• Return ticket (for air, land or sea travel).
• Two recent photographs.
• Application form.
• Certificate of the religious organization where the applicant will work in Ecuador , explaining why a foreign person is required, and a brief description of what their tasks will be in Ecuador .
• A copy of the Decree in which the Government of Ecuador that 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 .
• Guarantee from the sponsor to financially support the foreigner during their stay in Ecuador .
• A legalized document stating that the sponsor assumes responsibility for expenses incurred should the foreigner be deported.
• A document from foreigner showing services are offered at no charge.
VALIDITY: Two years.
CONSULAR FEES:
Visa: US$150.00
Application: US$30.00
CULTURAL EXCHANGE VISAS, CATEGORY VIII
Specific Requirements:
• Valid passport for more than 6 months.
• Police certificate with criminal record.
• Medical certificate and HIV test
• Return ticket (for air, land or sea travel).
• Two recent photographs.
• Application form.
• Application from the Ecuadorian authority sponsoring the student/teachers visit.
• A copy of the Agreement under which the program is carried out.
• A copy of the bilateral Cultural Exchange Agreement.
• Guarantee from sponsor to financially support the foreigner during their stay in Ecuador .
• A document stating that the sponsor assumes full responsibility for expenses incurred should the foreigner terminate cultural exchange or be deported.
• A document from foreigner showing services are offered at no charge. (For teachers only.)
VALIDITY: One year.
CONSULAR FEES:
Visa: US$50.00
Application: US$30.00
TOURISM VISA, CATEGORY 12-IX
Applies for: tourists, professional players, students, scientists, artists and businessmen.
Specific Requirements:
• Valid passport for more than 6 months.
• Police certificate with criminal record.
• Medical certificate and HIV test
• Return ticket (for air, land or sea travel).
• Two recent photographs.
• Application form.
• 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: 3 to 6 months.
CONSULAR FEES:
Visa: US$200.00
Application: US$30.00
Citizens from the Spain , Colombia , Denmark , and Paraguay are exempt 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 (required minimum monthly income from a foreign account USD 800 for the main visa
holder, plus USD 100 monthly for each family dependent).
10II Real estate and securities investors who are willing to invest in Ecuador a minimum of USD 25,000, plus USD 500 for each family dependent.
10III Investors in industry who wish to export agricultural products, livestock, or minerals, (minimum investment of USD 30,000).
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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