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valerie1966
  12/21/2019 13:39 EST

We are here!!! Our list to do
1 open bank account
2 find out where we get mail at our new Ecuador address
3 talk to a lawyer about getting residency.
Is there anything else we need to do?

remoore2001
  12/21/2019 20:00 EST

If you really want mail you will be best off getting a PO box. There is no real mail delivery in Ecuador that you would want to count on. Good luck with your new adventure. Always keep in mind, things are a lot slower here and learn to accept it. Where are you living?

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valerie1966
  12/21/2019 21:55 EST

Downtown Cuenca near Calderon Park. Thanks

gemstar007
  12/21/2019 22:19 EST

I have lived in Manta for 10 years and started with a Postal Box. But, we receive mail properly addressed to the house...no problem. Ecuador now has Postal Codes: https://worldpostalcode.com/ecuador/ and all cities and most region are listed. The reliability of delivery service to your home depends on a number of factors including your address being accurate and visually displayed to the street. Subject to that I believe most cities currently have reliable postal delivery.

valerie1966
  12/22/2019 06:27 EST

Thank you for response

valerie1966
  12/22/2019 07:49 EST

Do we need a lawyer to establish residency?

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cheshirecat4591
  12/22/2019 08:07 EST

Even here in Cuenca it can be rather "iffy" whether mail will get to you at your address (IF you are lucky enough to actually HAVE an address) PO boxes are easy to get at the Post Office in El Centro here though, we've had one for 7 years. Our mail usually eventually gets here, but the mail service in EC is (unfortunately) well known to be one of the worst!! It can take a month or 2 (the latter more likely) to have an envelope from the US or Canada get here. Packages, even sent USPS Priority Int'l, are likely to take 6 months to arrive.
Also there are many restrictions on what can be sent here through the mail...and of course, things sent through a courier (UPS, FedEx, DHL) gets an automatic extra fee of $42 added to it, plus with a package through one of those, OR via regular mail, you may have duty/customs to pay. Any envelopes with anything in them, or packages, etc. (things that won't fit in PO Box) need to be registered with a tracking number for the postal employees here to find it. (we were recently told of this change)
Despite all this--we DO get mail and packages through the EC mail, to our Cuenca box...one must have patience, and be sure that what you are receiving is OK to have sent to you!

remoore2001
  12/22/2019 16:01 EST

may have mail delivery but here in Cotacachi we have none. Check it out with your neighbors. Some places may have decent delivery but most still do not. Also a lot of places don't have an address. I have lived in three places and never have actually had a street address. But the places I have lived are towns such as Crucita Cotacachi and Ibarra

remoore2001
  12/22/2019 19:49 EST

I 've thought about the previous posts. I also have lived here over 10 years. And what ever happens in Manta is not what happens throughout the country. For someone to tell you so is ludicrous. I will tell you that mail delivery is not the same in every town. Mail delivery is not even the same in neighboring towns. Check with the locals. Your neighbors will tell you how it goes. ALWAYS check local

lizlaffs
  12/26/2019 09:21 EST

Hi, Valerie--I, too, am preparing to file for residency. It took me a couple of months to get my documents prepared and authenticated. I am working with Visa Angels. Wishing you a lovely holiday season. Elizabeth

frankEC
  12/27/2019 18:28 EST

Include proof of your education which is needed if you want to get a driver's license & maybe more. Also, once you get your cedula, request the ministry return to you the original documents you submitted with your visa application. (Solicite el desglose de documentos de su archivo.) The request ust be in writing and submitted at the office where they were filed.

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