Ecuador Forum

JayRock
Joined 2009
Posts: 73

14 years ago

12-IX Visa

14 years ago

Just FYI that the Ecuadorian Embassy in DC processed my 12-IX (tourism) visa application in record time. I sent it priority mail with delivery confirmation (note, not express or overnight) last Monday, included a pre-paid priority mail return envelope, and I received the passport with visa today. One week! Very impressive! And I do not leave until late January, so they did not need to rush.

I was not certain if I needed to get an apostille on the state criminal check or the certificate from the doctor saying that I had no communicable diseases. I decided not to get the apostille, figuring that the documents were staying within the US. Evidently this was a good decision.

I did request two originals of both the state police report and the doctor's certificate and HIV test. And I am having those apostilled tomorrow in the state capital. I will take these with me to EC to use when I will apply to change my visa status to the 10-II (9-II) real estate residency visa.

By the way, to get an apostille, you have a document notarized, then the county clerk or similar body verifies the signature of the notary, then the Secretary of State or similar verifies the signature of the county clerk and applies a fancy stamp, etc. to the document. This must be done for many documents to be accepted outside the US.

I know that fancy stamps and such are appreciated in South American bureauocracy in general, so I decided to play it safe and get the doctor's certificate notarized and get the apostille. I'm not 100% certain it is necessary, especially since the Ecuadorian Embassy in DC already accepted the excat same documents.

Just FYI. I'll keep posting information on my immigration experience as I go along, just in case it helps anyone.

Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Living in Ecuador Guide

Expats in Ecuador share some of the pros and cons of living in Ecuador. Topics covered include where to live, the bureaucracy, the people and more.

Ecuador Forum
Join our Ecuador forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Ecuador.

Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Ecuador.

Best Places to Live in Ecuador

If you're dreaming about living in Ecuador, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Ecuador in 2023.

Healthcare in Ecuador

Expats in Ecuador share their experiences with healthcare and overseas medical insurance in Ecuador.

Cost of Living in Ecuador

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Ecuador.

Moving to Ecuador Guide

Expats in Ecuador offer advice to newcomers and people considering a move to Ecuador about clothing, sunscreen, renting before buying, gringo pricing, Ecuadorians politeness and much more.

Real Estate in Ecuador

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Ecuador.

Pros & Cons of Living in Ecuador

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Ecuador.

Retiring in Ecuador

Advice for people retiring in Ecuador.

10 Tips for Living in Ecuador

If you've recently arrived in Ecuador, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Ecuador.

Additional Information:

Visit our Ecuador Index for a Full List

Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Contribute
Help others in Ecuador by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Ecuador.