Yes, I can say in full confidence. The rules have changed, are changing and will change in the future.

New ministers must put their stamp on things (think new coke) and also they have in-laws who need jobs (my personal theory) so there are changes in the wind always.

The one I am waiting for....thank God I have my residence....is the need to provide papers for ALL one's divorces. That should cut the volume of new gingos a bit.

I was only married once...and I know a lawyer who has been schmoozing the office help in the state capital for twenty years....that helped me do mine.

Seriously, read the forum, make a list, get a visa wrangler (Ocean cites one...she should know) and come to Cuenca or GYE to work the process in person.

I would say Quito but I'd not wish that on anyone. Mine was stuck til the visa office in Cuenca opened, they are good there.

good luck, it is worth it.

sinego

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If Ecuador is your "home" why are you trying get away with as little time as possible in the country?

Why do you want a passport if you are really living somewhere else?

If you're not allowed back in, it won't be on a technicality.

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Dana Cameron (Silverwater)
AGUA_PLATA@hotmail.com

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How I love generalizations. I did my permanent residence visa in Quito, by myself, and it only took 3 weeks.

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I believe that you are confusing apples and oranges. The rules for RESIDENCY are these: you may be out of the country no more than 90 days in your first two years. After 2 years you may come and go as you wish unless one of your trips is more than 18 months.

The rules for CITIZENSHIP (passport) are more strict. You must have been a resident for 3 years and have not been out of the country for more than a total of 90 days in those 3 years.

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Thanks RetiredPoppy,

Your answer to my question is extremely helpful. I obviously was confusing the Residency and Citizenship rules. Your answer to Residency is consistent with what I had been told. It appears that the rules and requirements for gaining my Citizenship and Passport have changed for that third year. This was where I was confused.

I thank you very much for taking the time to clarify which part of this Ecuadorian Permanent Residency and Citizenship process in Ecuador is the "Apple" and which part of the process is the "Orange." I really appreciate your help.

I can now proceed with my Ecuadorian Citizenship process knowing the correct rules of living here to qualify. Thanks to YOU I will not be "blind sided" with an incorrect assumption or mistake. This is when the Expat Exchange Forum is at it's very best. So thanks again!

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i am arriving in ecuador on the 17 ( Friday ) of this month and am wanting to apply for a commercial visa to become a preminante resident. how will this new visa change affect me if they go into effect before i arrive? I am ready to apply on Monday to the embassy,to start the process as quickly as possible. any knolagable response on will be of great help thank you everybody. ( also ) i am flying into Guayaquil Friday night I would love to touch base with anyone on Saturday if i could you will only be able to communicate with me through this forum as I have to establish phone service Saturday morning after I arrive .

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Brian and Dena Haines have a post on gringosabroad.com. the legal stuff was written by immigration lawyers Nelson and Grace. Mostly clear, however I and others are still confused about the 21 month residency requirement and the 90 day per year allowance.

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You can be out of the country 90 days in any year. Once you hit 21 months in the country you can apply for your perm residency. So you can do it quicker if you only spend 3 months total out of the country in those 2 years. But if you spend 3 months each year out, it can take as long as 28 months in total time to change from temp to perm, the time out per year and the 21 months you need to be in the country are not dependent of each other

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I love your question! "Are there new permanent Residency Requirements?"

It all depends on what day it is and who is working the front desk.

They are notorious for making up rules on a daily basis!

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Yo SALife, it does appear that Poppy can distinguish fruit, but I wouldn't take ANYTHING you hear on this (or any) forum as Gospel. While WS is a crank, it is accurate about the rules being HIGHLY variable and variably enforced.

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And where is the name calling Cristos7 today?

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I was wondering if the same list of items for a person on SSI has changed in any way with the proposed law? (:

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For those of you who are critical readers, you will have noted the date of the original post was : Feb 11, 2015. Over 2 years ago.

Ironically, aprapos.

Diverting inasmuch our fellow bromantics took to flirting over it.

Guys... Get a room

But it does give me a Moderator's Moment

Folks may note that the Thread on Expat Regulations for Permanent Residency disappeared.

That was Administration.

FYI

This would be a good location to pick up the thread

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WIND....LOL...you just demonstrated how much you miss him. Me too. Come on....that's half the fun of this blog...right< Susan? Susan?

: > ))))

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Southernamericanlife,
I think you have misunderstood something.
It was 3 years residency minimum
Out of country only 90 days max. for some specified period of time that I think was for the previous 2 ??? years, might be previous 3 years. Best check with someone that knows what they are talking about. Remember this is Monday and it will be different on Tuesday, and again on Wednesday, and again on Thursday....

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PAcountry,
Funny how some people get all momic at the least little thingy.

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Not true. I received Perm Residency and Cedula within 90 days of arriving in country.

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Read carefully, wind shadow is talking citizenship and being able to get an Ecuadorian passport.

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WVolpe3

When did you receive your visa and cedula ?

Was it after March 1st 2017 ?? I doubt it, unless it had been " in the works" prior to the new regulations.

Sure, way back when, it took only 10 days for me to obtain my permanent visa after I'd filed all the required paperwork and another week to go and get my cedula, but times and the new regulations are different.

P.S. I wasn't required to get an FBI background check back then, just a State police one.

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@Kmoriarty45, you people all worry about measuring grey matter on this site. Amazing.

1. I received Perm Residency and Cedula in Fall 2015.

2. I did have to do FBI back then. Stop trying to elude that this is a new thing that started this month.

3. I needed criminal background from 2 countries and a state with translations from Russian and English.

Next! :-)

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Thank you. You answered my question.

2015 was a lot different than now.

To paraphrase Bob Zimmerman, The Times ( and the rules ) They Are a'Changin' !

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They always change everywhere. Ecuador is no different. However, if people do their homework they can still get residency quickly. One of the recent changes is that you can stay for 6 months instead of 90 days on your tourist stamp making it possible to live here and never get residency.

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Do you know a website that explains the procedure of getting permanent residence in Ecuador, or any other authoritative source other than the embassy. Thanks for any help anyone on this forum may offer.
Bob

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K45
You hit the nail on the head.
Remoor
Just went right on by... lol

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Folks that don't think visa requirement don't and can't change alot are fooling themselves. In 2009 when I got my wife's and I residency visa's it took 5 months and some our friends even longer. So never think that you know what immigration does next. Even Dana says she will wait a couple weeks before submitting just to see how things go
Also be aware that different offices in different cities sometimes don't even do things the same way, especially Quito vs Cuenca. Cuenca so much easier

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To update those who may be getting into this, there has been a MAJOR renovation to permanent residency visas that came into play this month. Still getting the official and actual working on this and there is as yet NO Definitive Location on the Internet or even in person for how the lsaw is applied.

In summary...

To apply for permanent resident status one must now complete two years of nonresident status.

For more particulars I'll see if our visa guru Dana Cameron (Silver water) can drop in for a visit to share her knowledge.

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You must now complete 21 months on a temporary visa before you can apply for permanent residency. The categories and prices for the temporary visas are the same as the previous residency visas (9 series) They no longer accept applications under the old system. After 21 months of the two year visa have passed you can apply for permanent residency with the same documents required. This is the requirement now. Who knows if will be tweaked or changed especially following the election.

Citizenship currently requires three years as a permanent resident, the ability to speak Spanish and passing a Spanish test and that you post a newspaper ad asking if anyone objects.

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W. Volpe,

Please explain your statement that a recent change allows one to live in Ecuador, presumably year-round and indefinitely, without obtaining official residency.

Surely you jest.

cccmedia

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@cccmedia, jest? Well, yes and no. :-)

So, what do I mean by that? The bottom line is per the Ecuador constitution is that nobody is illegal in the country. You simply followed the process or you didn't and if you didn't you will pay an exit fee. That's it.

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There have been immigration checks on the coast and near the Colombian border. Have been taken off bus with all other male passengers to show papers. Also if you have an accident and are not legal they will lock you up and deport you.

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But VW...

Then you are Not on a Visa so you are without permission to exit and re-enter. Which is after all the actual purpose of having a Visa.

So explain again what you mean... because I have to repeat what without ego stated...surely, you jest!


...(insert Lesly Nielsen pun here)

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OH,
Am I missing something here? There are a few simple ways to become a permanent resident in Ecuador.
Why not follow the law and become a legal permanent resident?
Now, if you want to become a citizen of Ecuador, you can do it all over again after some time passes or you marry locally. What are the advantages or disadvantages?
Will this help someone like k45 feel more at home instead of guest-like?

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Yeah, you're missing something here, namely, my question about the process of becoming a perm resident, and of course, I mean legally. Who would ask about being illegal? If you don't know, or, don't care to say, I get it.

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So....if one already has their permanent residency visa, but is only in their first year, how long are they permitted out of the country during each of their first two years?

There's a matter of grammar in the above posts that begs clarity and more current experience:

Do you get 90 days in each of your first two years, or only 90 days in your first 24 months?

Applying for an Ecuadorian passport/citizenship appears to have different requirements, but that's a different question.

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Wind

Very funny...I AM home ! You still misunderstand what I was alluding to on the other post. Remoore picked up on it - politics, here, can be a very touchy - even within one's family !

One never knows what a regime change will bring....or how many times the new rules will be tweaked. I could say that none of it pertains to me personally, but I've been on the wrong end of a regime change or two before. I am a lot more nuanced in my political conversations and arguments than my esposa maravilhosa !

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90 days in first 24 mos

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I think we have a new visa and constitution expert here
WVolpe 3 step forward and enlighten us all, new rules be damned

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k45
Yea, that is definite! LOL
Dramas galore.

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@remoore2001 Hmmm, I don't generally wade into sarcastic waters that is this forum, but if you are serious I can provided a summary of the changes made in Jan (not March).

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Please, if you don't mind. Thanks

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As requested, the latest and greatest as of 1/2017 broken down.

Human Mobility Act (Immigration Law 2017)


Many questions have arisen in recent days regarding the new migration law titled the Human Mobility Act in Ecuador. This act will replace the current Immigration and Naturalization Law, and seeks to reduce the categories and simplify the migratory processes in Ecuador.

Temporary visas

The new migration law recognises two different types of temporary visitors:
• Tourists
• Passer-by’s: those who are in Ecuador in-transit to another destination

Tourist visas: Every person who comes to Ecuador soley for touristic purposes are prohibited to perform any work-related activities.

The initial validity of a tourist visa is 90 days, with the option to obtain an additional 90 day extension. If tourist wishes to stay for longer period of time, they may request a special tourist visa extension for further 180 days. However this type of visa extention may be obtained only once every five years.

Travel Restrictions: furthermore, every tourist must show proof of valid foreign health insurance for their entire entended length of stay in Ecuador.

Residency visas

There are two types of residency visas:
• Temporary resident
• Permanent resident

Temporary resident visa: foreigners who want to stay longer than the tourist visa outlined above will be required to obtain a temporary residency visa.

A temporary residency visa authorizes a person to stay for two years in the country and can be renewed only once. The visa permits an unlimited number of re-entries during the said period.

The categories of non-immigrant and immigrant visas under the previous law are now merged, including the previous work, pensioner, retired, investor, scientist, sportsman, religious, volunteer, student, professional, and by convention, dependant and international protection visas.

This visa required an apostilled criminal background report, proof economic resources, and a legal justification for each of the aforementioned visa categories.

Travel restrictions: temporary residence visa holders are prohibited from spending more than 90 days (each year) outside of the country from the date the visa was granted.

Health insurance requirements: the applicant for a temporary resident visa must show proof of third party health insurance or be affiliated with social security system of Ecuador.

Permanent residence visa: authorize foreign citizens to stay in Ecuador for an indefinite period of time. A temporary resident will be eligible to apply for this visa if they:

• Have stayed in the country for at least 21 months;
• Are married to an Ecuadorian citizen;
• Are the minors or a disabled person dependant on a person who is currently permanent resident of Ecuador; or
• Who are related to an Ecuadorian citizen or permanent resident of Ecuador

The requirements to obtain a permanent resident visa are:
1. A valid Ecuadorian criminal report for existing temporary residents of Ecuador; or
2. A valid foreign criminal background report for all other applications for this type of visa; and
3. Proof of economic means to subside in Ecuador.

Travel Restrictions: A person with a permanent residence visa cannot be out of the country more than 180 days each year from the date the visa was granted for the first two years. Following the first two years they may leave the country for up to five years. The penalty for staying more than 180 days during the first two years is outlined as four basic salaries; in 2017 nominal terms, this is the equivalent of $1,500.

Health insurance requirements: the applicant for a permanent resident visa must show proof of third party health insurance or be affiliated with social security system of Ecuador.


Furthermore, foreigners who have legally resided in Ecuador for at least five years shall have the right to vote and may also be elected to public office, as a right to political participation.

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Is there a part that states that if your visa expires you won't be picked up and deported?

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Hi,
Newer here to posting but I have been dealing with the Ministerio since January to extend my tourist visa. The new law only allows a 90 day extension. They also require a online background check which is found at Ministerio del Interior Ecuador certificado de Antecedents Penale. Then you are permitted to apply for another temporary visa which is good for two years, but you must meet all of their requirements. Also note that the initial two tourist visas do not count toward your 21 month requirement to apply for residency. Hope this helps.

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@remoore2001, it is the constitution of Ecuador. Nobody is deported. As soon as you land everyone has the same rights as citizens. Nobody is illegal. You may not have followed the process, but you are not illegal. Straight from my immigration lawyer that had me perm residency in 90 days.

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What your lawyer neglected to mention in his rush to get your visa in under 90 days was that visa can and have been revoked in Ecuador. Political reasons are usually the prime motivator but some criminal offenses can carry a revocation of visa, in certain circumstances.

I also know of a case, relatively recently, where an individual, who'd had permanent resident status, was deported, on the premise that her visa was expiring and renewal had been denied, due to alleged Crimes Against the State.

You cannot make blanket assumptions when it comes to visas and immigration in Ecuador.

As the man says: " Mileage may vary..."

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Wvolpe3,
That sounds like a terrific recognition of the human.

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He also neglected to mention that you will be blocked from reapplying for another entrance visa once you have left the country if you overstayed ... (with certain exceptions).

So... No.

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I was here for the month of June, month of November and Feb 23 to Mar 23. I thought that would be 88 days, but when I was leaving I was told it was 91 days and I was illegal and could not come back until Dec .24. I was told I could go to the Ecuador Embassy in Panama where I reside and pay $150.00 to get Visa extension and come back to Ecuador. I am coming back on Sept 20 to apply for the new Tourist Visa and I have to get the Social Security insurance and I think it is $66.00 a month. After 21 months I can apply for the permanent Visa and the Cedula.

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WVolpe3, point out the part of the constitution that says you can over stay your visa and you will not be deported no matter what.
Sorry buddy but if you check with 10 lawyers in Ecuador you will get 10 opinions, since case law in Ecuador means nothing.
People have been deported and there are visa checks in many parts of the country. Many Colombians and Cubans have been sent home.Also as KM pointed out, if you get in trouble with the law,and your visa has expired you're going home.
And 90 days to get your visa in 2016 or 2015 is not that great, most folks get it done in 3 weeks

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Hey WVolpe3, I think that you at least insinuated that you did your own visa and now you're quoting yuor so called atty. Hey just saying that you pointed out how easy it was for you

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What is social security insurance??!$66.

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BTW...

Remoore... Did you know that:

... if you get in trouble to the extent of a criminal infraction and you get jail time and your visa is expired, they don't send you home. They send you to carvel to do your time first.

We have a few amcits in that situation currently.

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Ocean,

That doesn't seem too bad. Carvel is an ice cream company isn't it. Did you mean carcel? a lock up, a hoose cow?, Stir, the clink, the pen, the big house? any of those?

I throw myself on the mercy of the court and ask that I be sentenced to ten years on the Rocky Road Gang breaking up chunks of chocolate. Ten years without possibility of parole until my term of incarceration has been soft served.

that what you mean chica?

sinhelado

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Absolutely!

In the Casero Pinguino!
...in the heart of Salcedo...

Funny thing about Carvel!
Created by Tom Carivello.
He was from Yonkers, my hometown and a place that has some of the most interesting folks! My Yonkers HS Chorale used to sing at his events. Always got free ice cream after. Nothing like fresh flying saucers, sundaes...hmmm.

BTW. James Comedy, FBI and that guy with three first names in Hamilton... Also from Yonkers, NY

We're a unique sort of place.

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@remoore2001, you are one of the many problems with this forum. I was asked for what I knew about it and delivered. Take it or leave it. I don't give a rip what you think. As for the 90 days, that was 90 days to get my Cedula. If it upsets you I used a lawyer, again, I don't give a rip. Also, you should really try to stay on point if you have any hope of trying to impress someone. Getting in trouble with the law and getting thrown out is not the same as overstaying your stamp. Apples and Oranges. How many times have you been stopped on the street and asked for your passport? Jeez.

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Been asked for my papers at least 4 times now. Twice at check points coming out of Colombia. Once when they pulled people off a bus and once while having beers in Crucita when they were checking all gringo papers

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@remoore2001, Phase 1 of your training. Eye on the ball. I asked "on the street" you tell me about check points. Logical fallacy. We can exclude 2 immediately. I am sure the other 2 are just as suspect. You need a class in critical thinking.

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WVolpe, you get the last word my friend because obviously you know all. My hats off to you for knowing all there is to know about immigration. Have a good life and for your sake I hope your visa is current when you get checked. Of course in your case that will never happen. Keep giving your advise to all and I'm sure nothing will change.
By the way since you have the last word, did you do it yourself or did you have to get a lawyer. By the way getting your cedula is the easy part

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WVolpe, by the way this thread was about things changing. Did you bother to tell the new folks that maybe they should get some help to learn what the new things were, or did you just tell them what worked 2 years ago and cast aspersions on folks that said get help. things change and what happened yesterday may not work today.

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@remoore2001, your question was asked and answered. Check the history and try not to go snowflake on us. I have some crayons if you need them.

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@remoore2001, you are starting to take dense to a new level. Check the history. I outlined the complete law as of 1/2017.

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But you just contradicted yourself.

There obviously is no history if the law was signed in January and went into effect just this month.

So...

Tell us all again exactly how Ecuador is going to handle cases in the future based on a history that doesn't exist, in a country that does not rely on precedent, and with new law that has yet to be applied, tested, and analyzed?

I've got my crayons ready to take notes!

Suzy Snowflake.

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The assumption many up north have, that "Law" is consistent in it's application meets a different reality here in Ecuador. That is one reason I avoid giving advise regarding residence and visas. I can relate my experience. Not much use since what happened for me was impossible, according to law and all the experts (here assembled).

"You can't get a residence visa (pension) for Ecuador in Washington DC!" Only in Quito! Yet six years ago that was my experience. But the process was even more varied then.

Precedent? as useful here as it is in dice games and quantum mechanics. Probability is your best bet. In that our moderator's repeated advice is good.

Hire someone who has their eye on the ball - every day. They can read the wind and tea leaves then choose one current among many. They isolate you from the frustration. Its worth the money.

I saw several gringos spontaneously combust while waiting in the visa office in Cuenca. All it took to set them off was learning that because an eye wasn't crossed or a tea wasn't dotted, they'd have to start all over again. Silly gringos!

Going into the woods with a map known to be inaccurate and an erratic compass in order to save the money you'd pay a back woods guide isn't smart.

I tell people, The law here is written tight and interpreted loose. The authorities can selectively go by the letter or leave the gate open, whichever strikes their fancy at the moment.

Coming here and jumping thru the hoops as required was the best thing I've ever done. Being able to live out my years here is a blessing I acknowledge every day...even the rainy days.

sinego

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Might be a good idea to remember, they don't care if it doesn't make sense. If they screw you to the wall, They don't care how much it is going to cost you if they come up with some hair-brain idea that you need to have something changed. Bottom line---they don't care and you can't do a damned thing about it but play their game. Oh, they did this for so and so, don't count on them doing it for you. It is a rule I have found to be true when it comes to bureaucrats, Given the opportunity they will always stick their finger up your ___.

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People are indeed deported. I have been called to translate for these cases. I have gone to the airport many times to translate for people who arrived here having used up their 90 days and were deported. There are no exceptions. I have been able on occasion to negotiate to a neighboring country instead of their own.
I have also translated for undocumented people picked up in traffic stops. I was also involved in a case where a man involved in a bar fight was told that he would be deported or jailed. He chose deportation.
My undocumented Domenican neighbor with an Ecuadorian wife was deported.
It doesn't happen often. But it definitely happens.

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And one other point of interest for VW, a checkpoint takes place on a public thoroughfare.

The literally stop people on the street.

They stop take a public conveyance moving along a calle and review their papers.

These checkpoints are not static like, for example, a border crossing. More like a sobriety check.

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I think I have a simple question. Does this process demand finding an office in America, to show up personally with papers, to be processed for residency? Possibly traveling to other states to get to their office? My head is presently spinning!

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00abuse

No. If you have your necessary apostilled papers ( FBI, SS etc.) from the States, you can have them translated and notarized here and presented with your application - HERE.
For those of us who live in Florida, for example, and had the translations of the necessary paperwork done and notarized in Florida, then it was no hassle to go to the Consulate to have the stuff certified for presentation in Ecuador. But it's not necessary.
A good facilitator, like Dana, can walk you through the process with a minimum of pain and hassles and/or expense. I recommend going this route, particularly if your Spanish reading and writing skills are not very good.

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