For a successful expansion in Ecuador, obtaining the appropriate work visas for international employees is an essential step to ensure compliance.
Types of work visas in Ecuador
Ecuador offers a variety of visas to nationals from other countries. Among the most common are Ordinary Visas, which include the following:
- Temporary Visitor Visa
- Temporary Residence Visa
- Permanent Residence Visa
Applications for these can be completed via the new Ecuadorian electronic visa system for eVisas. For new hires, companies will need to apply for a Temporary Residence for Working Purposes, which is required to work in Ecuador on a temporary basis.
Requirements to obtain Ecuador work visas
The general requirements for an Ecuadorian Temporary Residence for Working include the following:
- A passport that’s valid for a minimum of 6 months
- 2 recent passport photos, which should be in color
- A copy of the applicant’s CV in Spanish
- A medical certificate
- A police background check to prove that the applicant has no criminal record in their country of residence
- A completed visa application form
- Proof of payment of the visa application fee
- A certificate of valid private health insurance
- Proof of economic solvency
There are also a number of documents required from the Ecuadorian entity sponsoring the permit. For a comprehensive list of all required documents, we recommend getting in touch with the Ecuadorian embassy in the applicant’s country of residence.
Application process
For nationals from other countries who intend to live and work in Ecuador, the first step is to get in touch with the Ecuadorian embassy in their country of residence. Applicants should confirm the list of necessary documents with the embassy and gather them for submission.
After submitting all of the required documents, applicants should remain in their country of residence while awaiting the decision of the Ecuadorian officials. Upon approval, they may travel to Ecuador to begin working. Alternatively, it’s also possible to apply in-country through a post-arrival change of status.
Other important considerations
Some employees may plan to bring family members along with them to Ecuador. The procedure for doing so will depend on the type of visa they hold.
Family members of international workers who hold resident visas may be issued family member visas. The application process and requirements for acquiring this visa are similar to those of other resident visas.
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