10+ RESIDENCY VISAS TO ECUADOR. ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

WHICH TEMPORARY TEMPORARY VISA IS THE BEST FOR YOU?

The various types of temporary visas and the requirements to obtain them remain largely unchanged; however one significant change is related to the amparo visa. Before, siblings, in-laws, grandparents, grandchildren etc were all allowed under this visa. However, now only spouses, civil unions and children are granted temporary residency.

Another more positive change for temporary visas is the removal of restrictions on visits outside of the country and subsequently the economic sanctions and fines that were previously in place. This simply means that temporary visa holders are free to travel in and out of the country as they would like.

Article 60. – Temporary residence. – This is the migration condition that authorizes a stay of 2 years in the territory of Ecuador, which can be renewed many times. This is applicable to foreigners who enter the country under the following categories:

1. Work/Labor: Pertaining to those who enter or are in Ecuador with the intention of working in the public private or self employed sectors including professional, civil, or consulting services in favor of Ecuadorian nationals or Ecuadorian entities or foreigners legally established in Ecuador.

2. Rentier: Pertaining to those who have or create their own income or resources brought from abroad or from any other legal Ecuadorian source.

3. Retiree: Pertaining to those who retire outside of Ecuador and can cover the expenses of their stay with their retirement fund

4. Investor: Pertaining to those who have assets and economic resources obtained legally and plan to use these resources for business or commercial use in Ecuador. This category includes legal representatives, proxies, commercial representatives or similar positions in national or foreign companies. In general, this includes those who enter the country with the intention of carrying out commercial or business development in Ecuador.

5. Scientist, Researcher or Academic: Pertaining to those involved in scientific, research or academic activities, hired by public or private entities, or who are part of programs of the Ecuadorian education system to carry out work in their specialty.

6. Athlete, artist or cultural ambassador: Pertaining to those hired by nationals or legal citizens to carry out activities of this nature.

7. Religious volunteer of an organization with legal status recognized by the government of Ecuador: Pertaining to those who participate in official activities with their respective religious organization.

8. Volunteer-Missionary: Pertaining to those who, with the support of a non-profit organization, altruistically and voluntarily, provide their services to the community.

9. Student: Pertaining to those who enter the country with the intention of participating in educational activities at the Elementary, middle, high school or undergraduate/graduate level. This includes public, private and any other institutions that recognize the official language of Ecuador and are officially recognized by the country. This includes participation in pre-professional or profesional internships. The residence visa for students may be adjusted according to the duration of the academic program, although the visa cannot be granted for a stay of less than six months.

10. Professional, technician, engineer or artisan: Pertaining to those who enter the country with the intention to work in a professional, technical or artisan field in accordance with the laws related to the respective field.

11. Government employees, non-governmental organizations and foreign press: Pertaining to foreigners who are working under an agreement of cooperation with public Ecuadorian institutions. This also includes those working with foreign non-governmental institutions who have signed a basic operating agreement with the national authority on human mobility and are legally established in the country. The same is applicable for media correspondents.

12. Resident by agreement: Pertaining to those who enter the country covered by a visa issued by an international legal binding instrument in which Ecuador has agreed to.

Persons protected by this migration category include: children, spouses or partners in a legally recognized, de facto, union with the holder of the individual in this migration category: whose life span may not exceed that of the holder.

13. Persons in international protection: Pertaining to persons who have been recognized by Ecuador as asylees, refugees, or stateless and who do not meet the requirements for any other migration category mentioned in this article.

14. Seafarer/Captain: Pertaining to any person participating on a team of special, commercial, or industrial vessels and is dedicated to their service of this job. This includes crew members, captains and other cruise personnel.

The process and requirements of the provisions of this article will be subject to the provisions of the law and its regulations.

In this link you can watch a series of videos about this important changes and how they can affect you.

WATCH OUR VIDEOS HERE

Or, you can book a 15 minutes FREE OF CHARGE appointment here!

The EcuaAssist Team

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.