Officially the Republic of Ecuador, is a representative democratic republic in northwestern South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Ecuador also includes the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific, about 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) west of the mainland.
Ecuador has virtually unmatched natural beauty in the form of mountain peaks, volcanoes, beaches, and islands. It is named after the equator, which runs through it, and is the only country in the world named after a geographical feature. The cost of living in Ecuador is very low, and if you’re American, you’ll be glad to know that the US dollar is the official currency.
The minimum salary in Ecuador is USD366 (about the highest in Latin america), with an average of USD483
The easiest way to get permanent residence in Ecuador is called a pensioner’s visa. Though designed for retirees, there aren’t actually any age requirements to get one. You just need to prove that you will receive $800 per month for the length of your stay, no matter how long that is.
There are a number of ways to become an Ecuadorian resident and the process is fairly straightforward. Although you submit your immigrant-status visa application at the Ecuadorian consulate nearest your former residence, it is, in fact, approved through the Ministry of Foreign Relations, so expect the approval process to take four to eight weeks. Visa applications for your dependents, however, can be processed directly by the consulate once your application has been approved.
We strongly recommend that you hire an Ecuadorian immigration attorney to help you navigate the visa process. Contact your attorney for the latest.
Staying on a Tourist Entry
When you first enter Ecuador, you will receive a T-3 tourist stamp in your passport, allowing you to stay in the country for 90 days.
If you wish to stay more than 90 days within a year, go to an Ecuador consulate in your home country and apply for the 12-IX visa. Often referred to as the Tourist, Commercial or Sports Visa, this allows you to stay in the country for up to 180 days in a year. If you are planning to apply for permanent residence, you are required to have the 12-IX visa when you file your application.
Why Get a Resident Visa?
While both non-resident and tourist visas can keep you in the country for a while, only the resident visa will allow importation of your goods duty free. Also, the tourist visas given upon entry have cumulative time limits per calendar year that cannot be reset by leaving and entering the country. Resident visas can be obtained while in Ecuador on a tourist visa, but the process can be much simpler at consulate back home if you’re doing it yourself.
If you’re using an attorney, the process is even easier, and they can deliver your visa to you here in Ecuador, or have it sent to you in your home country (via the consulate) before you depart.
Absences From the Country
The resident visas outlined below will grant you permanent residence. That means you’ll be allowed to come and go from Ecuador as you wish. However, you can’t be absent from the country for more than 90 days per year during the first two years of your residence, nor more than 18 consecutive months after your second year of residence.
Varieties of Resident Visas
90-I: Pensioner Visa
This visa is intended for retired persons who receive pensions from their native countries (pension from a stable source, at least $800 per month). Also for an annuity recipient or trustee who will live on cash deposited in the Central Bank of Ecuador or on income from a trust. In the case of a deposit or trust, the amount must be that which would result by multiplying the monthly minimum over a period of five years. This amount may vary from $800 monthly and will be determined by the Immigration Advisory Board.
9-II: Investor of Real Estate or Securities Visa
This is for real estate and securities investors who are investing at least $25,000.
9-III: Industrial Investor Visa
For investors in industry or investors who wish to export agricultural products, livestock, or minerals, provided they bring capital the equivalent of at least $30,000.
9-IV: Legal Representative, Work Visa, or Religious Visa
Intended for foreign local agents who possess unlimited power of attorney to represent a company in Ecuador, provided that 80% of the company’s local personnel are Ecuadorian. Also technicians or technical experts under indefinite work contract with a company established in Ecuador, and members of religious organizations. (An indefinite work contract is one that does not have a specified term.)
9-V: Professional Visa
For 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 Ecuadorian requirements for such practice, such as bar exams, etc.
9-VI: Economic Dependence Visa
This is for individuals economically dependent on a spouse or a blood-related family member with an approved immigration visa.
Requirements for Residence
The requirements to obtain a visa to live as a resident of Ecuador are relatively simple, and the process can be done by anyone if you’ve got a bit of attention to detail.
Alternatively, there are some good attorneys who can do all the paperwork for you for a fee. But remember, you’re still going to have to dig up any required information. In general, keep the following requirements in mind:
- All documents submitted for this process must be originals or certified (notarized) copies
- Documents provided by the applicant must be obtained only from the responsible U.S. authorities, and authenticated by the Ecuadorian Consul
- Documents must be legally translated into Spanish if not already in Spanish
- If you’re changing visa status while in Ecuador (for example, going from a tourist visa to a resident visa) the application and associated documents must be submitted no less than 30 days prior to the expiration of the visa that you currently have
- You must register your home address with immigration authorities, and report any change of address while living in Ecuador.
All applications for resident visas require the following to be submitted:
- A visa petition addressed to the Director General of Extranjería, signed by the applicant and an attorney
- A completed form ” Solicitud de visa de inmigrante” for the appropriate visa type
- One notarized copy of an up-to-date passport (valid for at least six months), with the notary attesting to the fact that its status is legally current
- A completed form ” hoja de datos para la cédula” (a data sheet, subsequently used for your identity card)
- Two current passport size photos, in color with white backdrop
- Visa and Application fees, totaling $350.
In addition to the six items above, there are additional submittals required depending on the type of visa you’re asking for:
9-I: Pensioner Visa
- Retirement documents showing a stable income of at least $800 monthly, certified to be correct by the party responsible for the source of the funds, and authenticated by the Ecuadorian Consul in your country of origin
- Certification by Ecuadorian Consul that the funds are no less than $800 monthly for the applicant, plus an additional $100 for each dependent.
9-II: Investor of Real Estate or Securities Visa
Proof of investment of at least $25,000 (plus $500 for each dependent) demonstrated by:
- Updated certificate of title clearance indicating that there are no liens affecting the property
- Any kind of certificates or titles, including fiduciary documents granted by the private sector, bonds, and certificates of deposits, stocks, and obligations
- The original and a copy of the relevant instrument, showing a term of at least one year.
9-III: Industrial Investor Visa
Proof of your investment of at least $30,000.
For companies:
- Constitutive Contract or “Increase of Capital” registered at the Mercantile Registry.
For partnerships or sole proprietorships:
- Certified copy of the Commercial Registry of the corporation, or of the partnership at the Mercantile Register and at the Registro Unico de Contribuyente (RUC, Federal Tax registry)
- Business license granted by the Ministry of International Trade, Industry, and Fishing
- Agreement to comply with Article 32, numeral VII (7), of the rules and regulations determined by the Immigration Laws of Ecuador (Ley de Extranjeria). Consult with your nearest Consulate about this subject.
For the agricultural and/or livestock industry:
- License granted by the Ministry of International Trade, Industry, and Fishing
- Federal Tax registry (RUC)
- Property Deeds and Titles, Registered and Indemnified Membership with the Chamber of Agricultural or Chamber of the Livestock Industry
9-IV: Legal Representative, Work Visa, or Religious Visa
Legal representatives:
- General Power of Attorney specifying the representative’s legal, judicial, and extrajudicial powers, registered in the Registro Mercantil
- The minutes from the board of shareholders meeting that granted the Power of Attorney
- Certificate of incorporation of the company or the Amendment of Capital increase, duly registered
- Certificate of fulfillment of obligations issued by the Superintendencia de Compañías y Bancos, as required for each case
- Appointment as the company’s legal representative, duly registered.
For persons under an Indefinite Work Contract:
- Indefinite Work Contract, legalized by the Labor Ministry
- Indefinite Work Authorization granted by the Labor Ministry.
For persons who are part of a religious organization:
- Certification which shows that the foreigner belongs to a religious
organization and states the assignment that he will be performing in
the country - Registered appointment of the legal representative
- By-laws of the religious organization approved by the Ministerio de Gobierno.
9-V: Professional Visa
Requirements for this visa include:- If the degree is from outside Ecuador, you must provide the original and a certified copy authenticated by the Ecuadorian Consul (in your home country), which has been validated by an accredited Ecuadorian institution of higher learning for equivalency and registered with CONESUP. The degree must be translated
- When the applicant is taking advantage of an International Agreement, a certified copy of the agreement is required
- If the degree was granted in Ecuador, provide the original and a certified copy of the degree, legalized by the granting authority and endorsed by the Ministry of Education.
9-VI: Economic Dependence Visa
The Economical Dependence Visa may be requested by an Ecuadorian citizen for his foreign spouse, children, parent, grandparent, or sibling. In addition it is granted to the family members of foreigners who have been approved for 9-I; 9-II; 9-III; 9-IV; and 9-V visas.
Applicants will need:
- The original and a certified copy of your marriage certificate. If you were married in Ecuador, this was issued by Registro Civil at the time of your marriage. If you were married outside Ecuador, the original and copy must be translated and authenticated by the Ecuadorian Consul
- If the visa is for an Ecuadorian child of non-Ecuadorian parents, you must present the curaduría especial and the original and copy of the child’s birth certificate
- Documents that accredit the Ecuadorian nationality of the spouse, father, or mother, including their cédula and voting certificate. (This is not needed for those who are taking credit for another type of Immigrant visa)
- Certification of income of the applicant’s sponsor
- Economical guarantee made before a notary public indicating that the sponsor will have sufficient funds for him or herself and their families to provide for their income in Ecuador. This includes the funds necessary to return to the country of origin in case it’s required by authorities in Ecuador.
- A copy of the sponsor’s and beneficiary’s passports if they are foreigners.
Non-resident Visas Ecuador
If you don’t want permanent residence in Ecuador, you can still remain in the country past the 90 to 180 days you’ll get as a tourist. Here are the non-resident visa options available.
Student Visa, Category 12-V
Applies to: students (at all levels, regular school year) and family members accompanying the student (husband/wife, children).
Applicants will need:
- Valid passport, at least for the next six months
- Doctor’s certificate and HIV test, indicating that the person does not have any communicable diseases
- Police certificate indicating that there is no record (criminal) for said person;
- Two recent photographs, passport size, in color
- School registration or proof of admission to an Ecuadorian school or institution duly recognized by the Ministry of Education
- Certificate from bank indicating good economic standing with letter from the parent/guardian indicating that they will support the student while in Ecuador.
This visa is valid for one school year (it is not applicable for courses less than one year). It may be renewed when presenting:
- Passing grades
- Registration for the following year
- Police certificate (available in Ecuador from the police department)
- Letter of economic support.
Consular fees:
- Application: $50
- Visa: $100.
Work Visa, Category 12-VI
Applies to: Professionals of high technical levels, professionals of specialized fields, immediate family members accompanying the professional.
Applicants will need:
- Valid passport, at least for the next six months
- Doctor’s certificate and HIV test, indicating that the person does not have any communicable diseases; including HIV test
- Police certificate indicating that there is no record (criminal) for said person; two photographs
- Authorization to work, issued by the human resources office from the Ministry of Labor-duly legalized
- Copy of the working contract duly protocolized by the Ministry of Labor
- Certificate of payment to the “Instituto Ecuatoriano de Seguro Social” (Ecuadorian Social Security Office), duly authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Certificate of fulfillment of requirements established by the Superintendent of Companies
- Legalized copy of the company’s bylaws
- Affidavit from the hiring company or person, assuming the responsibility for expenses incurred by the foreigner as a result of abandoning the country or deportation, accompanied by the appointment, duly registered, of the legal representative-all documents duly legalized.
Valid for:
- Depends on the authorization to work from the Ministry of Labor, not exceeding two years
- General Managers, only for a year.
Consular fees:
- Application: $50
- Visa: $400.
Voluntary, Missionary, or Religious Visa, Category 12-VII
Applies to: Missionaries, volunteers, religious persons.
Applicants will need:
- “Aplicación de Visa” (visa application) completed and signed
- “Certificado de Visación” completed and signed
- Passport, valid for at least six months
- Doctor’s certificate and HIV test, indicating that the person does not have any communicable diseases
- Police certificate indicating that there is no record
- Letter from legal representative of the entity requesting that the volunteer/missionary be admitted to Ecuador
- Copy of the Decree issued by the Ecuadorian government authorizing the entity to operate in Ecuador
- Copy of the appointment of the Legal representative of the entity duly registered and authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Copy of the bylaws of the host entity in Ecuador
- Affidavit from the host entity or person, assuming the responsibility for expenses incurred by the volunteer/missionary as result of abandoning the country or deportation, duly legalized
- Affidavit from the foreigner certifying to render services at no charge
- Guarantee from the sponsoring entity to support financially the foreigner during his/her stay in Ecuador.
Valid for:
- Priests or religious missionaries, up to two years
- Lay people, up to one year.
Consular fees:
- Application: $50
- Visa: $200.
Cultural Exchange Visa, Category 12-VIII
Applies to:
- Teachers involved in cultural exchange programs (schools in Ecuador must have bilateral agreements with schools in the U.S.)
- Students participating in cultural exchange programs
- Foreigners participating in the development of cultural exchange programs.
Applicants will need:
- “Aplicación de Visa” (visa application) completed and signed
- ” Certificado de Visación” completed and signed
- Passport, valid for at least the next six months
- Doctor’s certificate and HIV test, indicating that the person does not have any communicable diseases
- Police certificate indicating that there is no record
- Letter from legal representative of the sponsoring Ecuadorian entity requesting that the person be admitted to Ecuador
- Copy of the Official Registry in Ecuador, indicating the legal constitution of the entity
- Copy of the appointment of the legal representative of the entity duly registered
- Copy of the bilateral Cultural Exchange Agreement
- Affidavit from the host entity or person, assuming the responsibility for
expenses incurred by the foreigner as result of termination of cultural exchange or deportation, duly legalized - Affidavit from the foreigner certifying to render services at no charge. (For teachers only)
- Guarantee from the sponsoring entity to financially support the foreigner during his/her stays in Ecuador.
This visa is valid for one year.
Consular fees:
- Application: $50.
- Visa: $400
Sportsman, Artist, or Cultural Manager Visa, Category 12-IX
Applies to:
- Professional athletes
- Students
- Scientists
- Artists
- Businessmen.
Applicants will need:
- ” Aplicación de Visa” (visa application) completed and signed
- ” Certificado de Visación” completed and signed
- Passport, valid for at least six months
- Doctor’s certificate and HIV test, indicating that the person does not have any communicable diseases.
- Police certificate indicating that there is no record
- Copy of round trip ticket to Ecuador
- Bank letter or other evidence stating that the person has good economic standing and can support himself
- Two recent photographs in color passport size.
Valid for:
- More than three and less than six months
- May be granted only once a year (as of the date the visa was granted).
Consular fees:
- Application: $50
- Visa: $400
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