Question 1

Which Ecuador visa do I need?

Accepted Answer

EcuaGo handles 10 visa categories. **Tourist** (90 days) for ~45 visa-required nationalities. **Commercial** (180 days) for business activities and event-based stays. **Pensioner Residency** (2 years) for retirees with pension ≥$1,446/mo. **Rentista** (2 years) for passive income ≥$1,446/mo. **Investor** (2 years) for investments ≥~$48,200 in Ecuador. **Professional** (2 years) for those with a recognized degree + ≥$482/mo income. **Permanent Residency** (indefinite) after 21+ months of any temporary residency. **Amparo (Dependent)** for family of a temp residency holder. **MERCOSUR Residency** (2 years) for nationals of Argentina/Brazil/Paraguay/Uruguay/Bolivia/Chile/Colombia/Peru. **Student** for foreign students at accredited Ecuadorian institutions. Tourist requires a specific nationality, MERCOSUR requires a MERCOSUR-country nationality; all others are open to all nationalities.

Question 2

What documents do I need?

Accepted Answer

Most visas require: passport (6+ months), passport photo, apostilled + Spanish-translated criminal background check, and means-of-living documentation. Tourist adds a round-trip flight itinerary. Commercial adds a carta de auspicio (sponsor letter) or event invitation. Pensioner adds a foreign pension certificate ≥$1,446/mo plus Ecuador-coverage health insurance. Rentista adds passive income proof ≥$1,446/mo plus health insurance. Investor adds Ecuador-based investment proof ≥~$48,200. Professional adds an apostilled academic degree plus SENESCYT registration (EcuadorSenescyt.com handles the SENESCYT step). Permanent Residency requires Ecuador-issued criminal background check plus proof of 21+ months on temp residency. Amparo adds a marriage/birth certificate or unión de hecho declaration. MERCOSUR has the simplest doc set. Student adds an enrollment letter from an accredited Ecuadorian institution. US citizens need BOTH a federal FBI and a state-level background check for any visa.

Question 3

How long does the process take?

Accepted Answer

We review your documents within 24 hours. If everything is in order, we submit to Ecuador's government portal immediately. Government processing typically takes 4–8 weeks.

Question 4

What if my documents have issues?

Accepted Answer

We'll email you specific feedback on what needs to be corrected. You can resubmit corrected documents through a secure link at no additional cost.

Question 5

Is the $49 fee refundable?

Accepted Answer

No. The $49 service fee covers professional document review and is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. Government fees are collected separately at each stage after approval. Amounts depend on visa category — tourist $85; commercial $175; pensioner/rentista/investor/professional $320; permanent $275; amparo/MERCOSUR $250; student $130. Government fees are non-refundable once paid.

Question 6

What happens if my visa is denied by Ecuador?

Accepted Answer

If Ecuador denies your application after we submit it, we cannot control that outcome. However, our thorough pre-review significantly reduces the chance of denial due to document issues.

Frequently Asked Questions