Frequently asked visa questions.

Yes, usually is the validity of the documents, meeting exactly what they ask for, law is not clear and we know what they need or may ask. We always need a plan b that the client should know and that's why till now 99% of the cases have being approved. Apostille, translations, dates, type of certificate or formats. They need someone to make sure everything match and meet the requirements.

Individuals receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are generally encouraged to apply under the Pensioner Visa category, provided they meet Ecuador's minimum income requirement. The key requirement is that the issuing institution provides documentation confirming that the applicant will receive the qualifying amount for the remainder of their life.

Yes, but only when one spouse is applying as a dependent of the principal applicant. If an individual is applying for a visa independently, whether temporary or permanent, they must independently meet and demonstrate the applicable financial requirements.

It's important to review the $1,446 at least in the deposit. If it's different with any discount there's no problem meanwhile the Letter shows a minimum of $1,446 but the deposit has to match at least the $1,446 as well, after discount.

Yes, but also the extra income not necessarily has to come included in the retirement. If someone has $1,446 and deposits on his/her own extra $250+ still will meet the requirement for dependents. For example $1,500 USD retirement + own deposit $250, works.

They can use 2 different retirements, example: Social Security + VA, or Social Security + Federal pension. I had a consultation with that and I asked in Azogues, they said yes, could be possible. Still haven't applied with one of those cases but they said it could be possible.

In the cases I have personally handled, Rentista visas have been approved only with: passive income, private pensions, temporary or lifetime private pension payments, rental income, dividends, interest from fixed-term deposits held outside Ecuador, or similar passive-income sources. It is common for some companies to pay a pension without issuing a certificate explicitly stating that it is a lifetime pension. If they provide an official document confirming that the person receives a pension, even if it is temporary, it may work when combined with another passive-income source.

Yes. For rental income, for example, the lease should generally have a minimum duration of 2 years or include an automatic renewal clause. If the lease has only a few months remaining (for example, 8 months), the visa will likely not be approved, because the Ministry expects the applicant to demonstrate sufficient income for the entire validity period of the visa, which is 2 years.

Documents that commonly need to be apostilled or legalized before arrival include criminal background checks, marriage certificates, birth certificates for dependent children, retirement / pension letters, and academic degrees. However, the exact document requirements should always be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

The FBI background check is currently valid for 180 days (6 months) from the date of issuance. It must be no more than 180 days old on the date it is submitted.

For U.S. citizens, both the FBI background check and a State Police Report are generally required. Applicants from federal countries must provide both the federal criminal background check and the corresponding state background check.

Children must provide a police background check only once they are 18 years old. It does not matter that some U.S. jurisdictions use different age thresholds; Ecuadorian law requires police certificates from anyone aged 18 or older.

White background. Neutral facial expression. Size: 5 cm x 5 cm. No eyeglasses. No earrings. No necklaces or visible jewelry.

We need just the last 3 months. Well, actually it's just the last month but I always use 3.

Insurance from Ecuador. International insurance is a real problem when applying.

Generally, applicants can apply from within Ecuador while they are in valid tourist status. They cannot apply if they have overstayed their authorized stay or do not meet the requirements for the visa category.

Processing times vary significantly depending on the visa category, document readiness, and current Ministry workload, so I would avoid publishing fixed timelines. Cases can be completed in as little as 2 months, while others may take 4-5 months or longer. Once the visa is approved, we typically obtain the cédula within 7-10 days.

Visa applications are no longer filed in person. Ecuador's immigration system changed in November 2025, and all visa applications are now submitted online. Many cases require a Power of Attorney (POA). In those situations, our visa specialist submits the application online on the client's behalf. Some cases do not require a POA; in those situations, we submit the application using the applicant's own email account for greater transparency. The application is handled by our visa team. An attorney is not required to submit a visa application, although our visa team is fully trained and experienced in Ecuadorian immigration procedures.

Professional visas typically take longer because the foreign degree must first be registered, which can take 1-2 months, followed by approximately 3-4 months for visa processing.

Dependent visas also tend to take longer because the principal applicant must first obtain their own visa before the dependent application can be filed.

Applicants may generally reapply after a denial, but a new application fee must be paid. Depending on the reason for the denial and the validity of the supporting documents, updated or newly issued documents may also be required. Our professional fee structure would need to be reviewed based on the work required for the new filing. Government fees, translation costs, and other administrative expenses are not waived and must be covered again as applicable.

Currently, the Ministry is not applying the senior-citizen discount when the visa application is filed from outside Ecuador. I encountered this new change in the John Yandell case: the system automatically notified us that the discount would not be applied. To preserve eligibility for the senior discount, the applicant must be physically present in Ecuador at the time the visa application is submitted.

Yes, at the day 91 they can obtain an extension but they will receive a fine. They can apply for the extension until the day 120. But the multa (ticket) is 50% of the basic salary plus the extension. This process only can be done in person in any Migración office. This process can't be done for other person, just the applicant.

To qualify for permanent residence, you cannot leave Ecuador for more than 90 days total during the two-year temporary visa period.

During the first two years of permanent residency, you cannot be outside Ecuador for more than 180 days per year.

Beginning in the third year of permanent residency, the resident may not remain outside Ecuador for more than two consecutive years, or they risk losing their permanent residency status.

The 180-day period is not calculated using calendar years. Instead, it is calculated based on the anniversary date of the permanent residency visa grant.

In general, a foreign national may apply for Ecuadorian naturalization after holding permanent residency for three consecutive years. For foreign nationals married to an Ecuadorian citizen, naturalization may generally be requested after two years from the date the marriage is registered in Ecuador.

Naturalization applications must be submitted in person by the applicant. They cannot be filed through a third party or under a Power of Attorney.

The marriage visa grants direct permanent residency. The applicable rules are the same as for any permanent resident: First 2 years, the resident may not remain outside Ecuador for more than 180 days per year, counted from the visa approval date. After the first 2 years, the resident may not remain outside Ecuador for more than 2 consecutive years. The important distinction is that this residency may be lost if the relationship that gave rise to it ceases to exist, particularly in the event of divorce.

If the couple divorces before the foreign spouse acquires Ecuadorian citizenship, then the foreign spouse loses the right to apply for naturalization through marriage; the 2-year fast-track naturalization benefit is lost entirely.

A Volunteer Visa can lead to permanent residency, provided the applicant satisfies all legal requirements, including maintaining at least 21 consecutive months in Ecuador during the temporary residency period.