VISA FINE WAIVER & VISA PROCESSING SUSPENSION DURING COVID-19 EMERGENCY

During the last few days we have received a lot of emails from our clients asking for the compliance of the Ecuadorian Immigration Law (Human Mobility Law) and their very specific situation, especially about fines for overstaying outside of Ecuador or fines for staying in Ecuador as Tourist during the closing down of the country while the COVID-19 emergency last.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a National Ministry Decree for those who eventually will not be in compliance with the Immigration rules of Ecuador, having said that:

FOR THOSE WHO CURRENTLY THEIR VISAS WHETHER IS TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT ARE UNDER PROCESS

ARTICLE FIRST. _ TO SUSPEND, as of March 19th, 2020, the deadlines and terms related to administrative procedures on human mobility within the area of competence of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, during the declaration of sanitary emergency.

FOR THOSE WHO THEIR CURRENT MIGRATORY STATUS IS GOING TO EXPIRE DURING THE STATE OF EMERGENCY (OVERSTAYING IN ECUADOR)

ARTICLE SECOND. -TO EXTEND, as of March 19, 2020, and for the duration of the measures of the sanitary emergency, the deadlines that are taking place or those that have expired after that date, so that foreign nationals can remain in Ecuador in the following cases:

a) Tourists in accordance with the provisions of article 56 of the Human Mobility Law.

b) Temporary residents in accordance with the provisions of articles 60, 62 and 85 of the Organic Law of Human Mobility.

c) Permanent residents as stated in article 63 and 86 of the Organic Law of Human Mobility.

In order to ensure orderly administrative procedures and without agglomerations, within a quality public service; the foreign person, once the declaration of sanitary emergency has concluded, must proceed to its regularization within the period of thirty days provided for in article 15 of the regulations of the Organic Law of Human Mobility, without the payment of a fine for immigration irregularity.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE OUTSIDE OF ECUADOR AND OVERSTAYING BEYOND THE ALLOWED DAYS ACCORDING TO THEIR TEMPORARY/PERMANENT RESIDENCY VISAS

ARTICLE THIRD. - TO SUSPEND, as of March 19, 2020, the absenteeism periods indicated in article 65 of the Organic Law of Human Mobility, for temporary or permanent residents who are outside Ecuadorian territory while the emergency declaration lasts and as a result of this they have not been able to return to the country.

Note: To learn about how many days are allowed to stay outside of Ecuador on each category, whether is Temporary or Permanent residency visa, click on the images below.

TEMPORARY RESIDENCY VISA RULES

PERMANENT RESIDENCY VISA RULES

ONCE EVERYTHING COMES BACK TO NORMAL

ARTICLE FOURTH. - ARRANGE, once the declaration of sanitary emergency has ended by the governing body of Public Health that, in the cases of suspension provided for in this Ministerial Agreement; the terms are resumed and carried on as they were prior to its suspension.

For more information about your current situation please email us at info@ecuaassist.com