Most of the visitors to Ecuador are automatically given a tourist visa, a 12-X, which allows for a stay of up to 90 days. The only countries that need a visa to access Ecuador are Afganistan, Bangladesh, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan and Somalia. For all the rest, the only requirements to obtain a 12-X visa are a passport valid for at least six months, a return ticket, and proof of economic means to support yourself during your stay.

If you wish to stay longer to work in Ecuador, or to obtain an Ecuadorean censo (ID card), you will need to apply for a non-tourist visa. There are two types of these visas, which are resident and non-resident. Please note that official policy states that if you enter Ecuador on a tourist visa, any other type of visa can only be applied for from your country of origin. All visas with the exception of the 12-X and 12-IX tourism visas are renewable in country.

The category of non-resident visas includes study (12-V), work (12-VI), volunteer and religious (12-VII), cultural exchange (12-VIII), and long-stay business/tourism (12-IX). It is also possible when necessary to apply for a tourism visa (12-X) in the country, for a cost of $30. The cost of other visas ranges between $50 and $200. All visas have an application fee of $30.

Resident visa categories consist of:

 10 I, retired persons who receive pensions of at least USD $800 from their native countries; 10 II, real estate and securities investors who are willing to invest in Ecuador a minimum of USD $25,000.

 10 III, industry investors wishing to export agricultural products, livestock, or minerals (USD $30,000 minimum investment)

 10 IV, technicians or technical experts contracted by an Ecuadorian company

 10 V, Professionals with university degrees recognized by a national university who wish to practice their profession in Ecuador.

 10 VI, individuals economically dependent on spouses or family member(s). The application processes for these categories are longer and more complex than those for non-resident visas, and it may be advisable to consult a lawyer knowledgeable in immigration law if you wish to obtain a resident visa.

Other categories of visas are diplomatic visas (12-I, 12-II and 12-III) and refugee visas (12-IV). For specific information on these specialized types of visas, contact the nearest Ecuadorean consulate or embassy.

Each visa has its own specific application processes and requirements, the details of which can be found at the Ministry webpage: which is http://www.mmrree.gov.ec. It is always recommended that you take up any specific visa-related questions directly with the Ministry of Foreign Relations in Quito (Carrión 10-40 and Av. 10 de Agosto (593 2) 299-3284 / 299-3285). The offices are open from 9am – 12pm and closed on Wednesdays and weekends. Upon receiving a visa, you need to register it and obtain your censo in the offices of the Migratory Police located on Av. Amazonas in front of Mall El Jardín.