Types of visas Ecuador

Worker (Trabajador)

A person who is authorized to do a paid activity under an employee-employer relationship in the public service, private industry or self-employed.

Independent incomes / revenue (rentista)

A person who has its own economic resources brought from abroad, from the income generated by those resources or any other legal income originated from external economic or any economic income generated in Ecuador, for example, a trust; the minimum monthly income required is $1380 in 2024.

Pensioner Visa: PENSIONADO

In order to apply for a pensioner visa, you must show you have a steady income from a reliable source such as Social Security or a corporate pension. The minimum monthly income required is $1380 in 2024.

Investor (Inversionista):

A person who has assets and economic resources to develop productive or commercial activities, whether investing in a Certificate of Deposit for 100 Ecuadorian minimum wages or a Real Estate property for 100 minimum wages. The minimum wage in Ecuador in 2024 is $460,00 USD.

Scientist, Researcher or Academic:

A person who is specialized in scientific activities, researcher or academics, hired by public or private entities, or for a person who is part of the Ecuadorian education system to work on their specialty. The permit to stay will be renewed according to the duration of the program.

Athlete, artist, cultural agent:

A person who is hired by a natural person or an entity to develop activities of this type.

Religious or religious volunteer of an organization with legal authorization and duly recognized by the Ecuadorian government:

A person who develops activities related to religion.

Volunteer (Voluntario)

A person who, by its own means or with the support of a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), in an altruistic and voluntary way, provide their services to the community according to the regulations of the Human Mobility Law of Ecuador.

Student (Estudiante)

The person who comes to Ecuador to attend Basic Education, High school education, University education, and Masters level education as a regular student in a private or public educational facility, duly recognized by the Ecuadorian government, also for people who come to do an internship program. The permit to stay can be renewed according to the duration of the study program.

Professional, technician, technologist or master craftsman

A person who comes to Ecuador to develop a profession or a technical activity, technological or handcrafted activities, under the regulation of the law that controls all of these activities. This is for professionals with a 4-year degree from a recognized college or university. Click here to access the list of the recognized colleges and universities (please note U.S. universities are listed under “Estados Unidos”). If your university is not on the list, you will need to submit a notarized, apostilled copy of your transcript(s) to the Ecuadorian Government.

International convention (Convenio)

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION VISA ECUADOR.pn

A person who enters Ecuador under the umbrella of what is stated in an international convention to which Ecuador has subscribed and recognized.

Dependent (Amparo)

A person who can be dependent under the visa of a person holding an Ecuadorian migratory status: Sons, daughters, spouse, or common-law partner, legally recognized by the principal of one of the migratory categories, detailed above.

International Protection

A person who has been recognized by the Ecuadorian government under refugee status, asylum or stateless, and cannot fulfill any of the requirements of the above-mentioned categories, will be able to get the migratory status of international protection.

Visa Options in Ecuador

There are two general categories of visas: Temporary visitors and Residents (Temporary and Permanent). Below you will find descriptions of the most common types of visas issued to foreigners in Ecuador.

Temporary Visitors in Ecuador (Tourism)

Temporary Visa (VT) 90-day extension: Upon entering Ecuador, tourists will receive a T-3 admission stamp (tourist visa), valid for 90 days. However, if a foreigner wants to stay more than 90 days within a year. You can apply online now due to new regulations have been approved by the Ecuadorian Government. Apply Online here.

Residency Visas in Ecuador

The Temporary Residency Visa (TRV): The new changes in the human mobility law effective February 5, 2021 allows all temporary residents to travel as often as they need. They can also renew their temporary residence visas several times which means that there is greater freedom of mobility for those people that previously were restricted by the condition of not being able to leave for more than 90 days each year with a temporary residence. The most direct change due to this law is that the fines for staying out of the country for more than 90 days were eliminated.

After 21 months of being a temporary resident and continuously living in Ecuador, a foreigner can apply for a Permanent Residency Visa (PRV). Under the Permanent Residency Visa, you can only remain outside the country for up to 180 days each year, for the first two years from the date of issue of the permanent residence visa. In a case of non-compliance to this law, a fine of up to 50% of the basic unified salary must be paid. Following the second year, permanent residence holders may remain outside the country for up to two years. If the holder does not return to the country within the two-year time frame, the visa will be canceled.

TYPES OF RESIDENCY VISA IN ECUADOR

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