Ecuador Visa Policy

Most of the nationals can travel to Ecuador without a visa for up to 90 days, but even if you are not one of them, you can realize a planned trip to Ecuador by getting an Ecuador visa.

Ecuador visa has the following types:

• Ecuador Tourist visa
• Ecuador Temporary Resident visa
  • Ecuador Work visa
  • Ecuador Student visa
  • Ecuador Retirement visa
• Ecuador Permanent Resident visa

You can apply for Ecuador Tourist Visa for realizing your touristic travel to Ecuador. Reasons to apply for this type of visa can be tourism, visiting family or friends, and many other non-permanent nuances. Ecuador Tourist Visa’s validity period can be a maximum of 90 days.

Additionally, there is one category of Tourist visa to Ecuador:

• “Special Tourist Visa”

Special Tourist visa’s validity will be 180 days instead of 90 days. Visa-exempted nationals can also apply for an Ecuador Special Tourist visa in order to stay more than 90 days (up to 180 days) in Ecuador. Foreigners can obtain Special Tourist Visa only once every five years.

Required Documents for Ecuador Tourist Visa

1. Application Form 

• Fully completed, signed, and dated by the applicant himself (signed by both parents in case of minors, below the age of 18)

2. Passport

• Validity minimum of six months beyond the date of your departure from Ecuador.
• Signed by bearer
• Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
• At least one or two free “visa pages”
• Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport

3. Photo

• NEW! Should not be older than 6 months.
• A frontal view of the face-covering 70-80% (32-26mm) of the photo.
• A uniform and white background.
• Clear facial features and eyes – not covered by hair or glasses frame.
• 5x5 size

4. ID Card Copy

• Valid during your travel dates

5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)

• Valid during your travel dates

6. Photocopies

• Copy of the main page of your passport
• Copies of previous visas

7. Travel Itinerary 

• Flight reservation (return ticket)
• Valid (existing) hotel/accommodation booking/reservation with the full address (name, street, city, zip code, contact information, booking ref.)

8. Proof of Financial Means

• Personal bank statements, personal property, assets, etc.

9. Travel Insurance

• It should cover all the duration you intend to stay in Ecuador

10. Criminal Record

• Obtained from relevant authorities in your country of origin and/or country of residence

11. Supporting Documents that Show Your Reason for a Trip

      For tourism:

• Confirmation of the accommodation (hotel confirmation, apartment rental contract, etc.)

      For business/congress/sports travel:

• Original invitation letter by the company/organization
• Confirmation of the accommodation (hotel confirmation, apartment rental contract, etc.)

      For private visit:

• Original invitation letter by inviting person
• The original document that confirms the ownership of estate (home) of your inviting person, if you are going to stay there
• Copies of passport, ID card/residence permit of your inviting person

12. For Minors:

• Copy and English translation of either birth certificate/proof of adoption/custody decree if parents are divorced/death certificate of parent
• Letter of consent from parent/s or legal guardian/s, if traveling unaccompanied

*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.

Processing Time for Ecuador Tourist Visa

The average processing time for an Ecuador Tourist Visa is 2-15 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.

Ecuador Tourist Visa Fee

Ecuador Tourist Visa fee is 60-100 USD for foreigners (it can vary depending on your country and nationality).

Where to Apply for Ecuador Tourist Visa?

You will apply for an Ecuador Tourist Visa at Ecuador embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.

Ecuador Temporary Resident Visa is issued to foreigners who intend to live in Ecuador for a long period for different reasons (such as employment, study, retirement, etc.). Temporary Resident Visa is issued for up to 2 years and it is extendable within Ecuador.

Ecuador Temporary Resident Visa has the main following types:

• Ecuador Work visa
• Ecuador Student visa
• Ecuador Retirement visa

Required Documents for Ecuador Temporary Resident Visa

1. Application Form 

• Fully completed, signed, and dated by the applicant himself (signed by both parents in case of minors, below the age of 18)

2. Passport

• Validity minimum of six months beyond the date of your departure from Ecuador.
• Signed by bearer
• Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
• At least one or two free “visa pages”
• Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport

3. Photo

• NEW! Should not be older than 6 months.
• A frontal view of the face-covering 70-80% (32-26mm) of the photo.
• A uniform and white background.
• Clear facial features and eyes – not covered by hair or glasses frame.
• 5x5 size

4. ID Card Copy

• Valid during your travel dates

5. Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)

• Valid during your travel dates

6. Photocopies

• Copy of the main page of your passport
• Copies of previous visas

7. Travel Itinerary 

• Flight reservation

8. Proof of Financial Means

• Personal bank statements, personal property, assets, etc.

9. Travel Insurance

• It should cover all the duration you intend to stay in Ecuador

10. Supporting Documents that Show Your Reason for a Trip

      For private visit:

• Original invitation letter by inviting person
• Original document that confirms the ownership of estate (home) of your inviting person, if you are going to stay there
• Copies of passport, ID card/residence permit of your inviting person

      For studying:

• Original invitation letter by the educational establishment in Ecuador
• Acceptance letter (proof of enrolment) to education establishment in Ecuador

      For employment:

• Original invitation letter by a company in Ecuador
• Work contract with the company
• Documents proving that the company has no obligations with SRI and IESS (and Superintendence of Companies, if it is a private company)
• Registration Certificate of the company (if it is a private company)

      For retirement:

• Proof of retirement from the relevant government body
• Proof of your sustainable income

11. Proof of Accommodation

• Confirmation of the accommodation (apartment rental contract, dormitory contract, house contract, etc.)

12. For Minors:

• Copy and English translation of either birth certificate/proof of adoption/custody decree if parents are divorced/death certificate of parent
• Letter of consent from parent/s or legal guardian/s, if traveling unaccompanied

*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.

Processing Time for Ecuador Temporary Resident Visa

The average processing time for an Ecuador Temporary Resident Visa is 5-25 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.

Ecuador Temporary Resident Visa Fee

Ecuador Temporary Resident Visa fee is 130 USD for study purposes, 250-450 USD for other purposes. The fee may vary depending on your nationality and purpose of visit.

Where to Apply for Ecuador Temporary Resident Visa?

You will apply for an Ecuador Temporary Resident Visa in Ecuador visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.

Ecuador Permanent Resident visa is obtainable for foreigners who have already lived in Ecuador for at least 21 months with an Ecuador Temporary Resident visa. You can obtain an Ecuador Permanent Resident visa within Ecuador. The fee for an Ecuador Permanent Resident visa is 450 USD, but it can vary depending on your nationality and your reason of stay.