FAQs

Do I need a visa to enter Ecuador?

Citizens of almost all countries can enter Ecuador without a visa and stay in the country for up to 90 days.

Yes, you can apply for an extension of your tourist status or a temporary or permanent resident visa. However, there are important considerations to keep in mind.

When calculating the duration of your visa, count your days rather than months. For example, even if your tourist status is “valid for 3 months,” remember to count the days remaining on your visa. Some months have more days than others, so 90 days may not necessarily equate to 3 months.

Unfortunately, much of the available online information, including government websites, may not be up-to-date. Don’t be surprised if you encounter contradictory information when visiting the immigration office or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mandatory regulations can change approximately every 2 months. To ensure your application is in accordance with the most current laws and regulations, make sure your documents are up to date before submitting your application.

Citizens from most countries can enter Ecuador without a visa and stay for 90 days. If you come from a Mercosur member country, you can stay for up to 180 days.

Citizens from most countries can extend their stay in Ecuador for an additional 90 days. At ExpatExpertEc, we handle this process for you.

You can apply for a temporary residence visa, which is valid for two years, allowing you to enter and exit the country as often as you wish during that period.

If you have received a fine at any immigration checkpoint, you need to pay it in Ecuador at the bank assigned by the state. Don’t forget that after payment, you must register it with immigration. At ExpatExpertEc, we can assist you with this process.If you have received a fine at any immigration checkpoint, you need to pay it in Ecuador at the bank assigned by the state. Don’t forget that after payment, you must register it with immigration. At ExpatExpertEc, we can assist you with this process.

By paying the fine, you can return to Ecuador when your calendar year restarts. You need to take into account the date you first entered Ecuador; that is the date you can enter again the next time.

The first thing you need to know is the category of visa you are eligible for (pensioner, digital nomad, professional, work, retiree, investor, etc.). For each category, there will be different documents you need to gather.

Yes, you can apply for your visa from the nearest Ecuadorian consulate, and soon from a system created for this process.

You can apply for this visa without needing to apply for a two-year temporary visa only if you have married an Ecuadorian citizen or if you have Ecuadorian family (siblings, parents, children, etc.).

Yes, you can apply for a permanent visa as long as you already have a temporary visa and have not left Ecuador for more than three months during the duration of your visa.