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Actos de Comercio y Otras Actividades

180-day temporary visitor visa for business, cultural, and administrative activities — easier to get than most residence visas and extendable once for another 180 days.

Overview

The Actos de Comercio visa is a temporary visitor visa for foreign nationals who need to stay in Ecuador for business, cultural, administrative, or similar short-term activities. It is valid for 180 days with multiple entries and can be extended once for another 180 days.

This is an extremely valuable visa option because it is significantly easier to get than most two-year temporary residence visas. The requirements are simpler and the process is faster.

Requirements

  • Passport — valid with at least 6 months remaining.
  • Criminal background check — from your country of origin or where you resided in the last 5 years, apostilled and translated into Spanish.
  • Means of livelihood — proof you can support yourself during your stay. See the Means of Livelihood guide.
  • Sponsorship letter — a letter from a person or company in Ecuador explaining the business purpose. See below.
  • Payment — $50 application fee + $125 issuance fee.

You need a sponsor in Ecuador — either a person or a company — to write a letter that includes:

  • Their full name and identification information (cédula or RUC number)
  • The business purpose of your visit to Ecuador
  • The length of time you will be in Ecuador

The sponsor's contact information (email and phone number) must be provided so the Ministry can verify the letter if needed. If the information cannot be verified, the visa application will be denied.

Costs

  • Application fee: $50 USD
  • Visa issuance fee: $125 USD
  • Senior discount (65+): 50% off
  • Disability discount (30%+): 100% off

How to Apply

The application goes through the eVISA portal, following the same steps as other visa types:

  1. Register at the eVISA portal and verify your email.
  2. Select Visas → Nuevo Trámite → Visas Ordinarias y diplomáticas → Nueva Visa.
  3. Identify yourself as Titular/Beneficiario.
  4. Choose Visitante Temporal as the migratory category.
  5. Select Actos de comercio y otras actividades as the visa type.
  6. Complete the application and upload all documents, including the sponsorship letter.
  7. Pay the fees before 23:55 Ecuador time the same day.

See the eVISA Portal Guide for a full walkthrough with screenshots.

Extension

This visa can be extended once for an additional 180 days, giving you up to a full year in Ecuador under this category. Apply for the extension before the initial 180 days expire through the same eVISA portal process.