SENESCYT Degree Registration Guide

Document Checklist

A complete checklist of every document required for SENESCYT degree registration. Getting these right the first time is the single biggest factor in how fast your application moves.

Important Notes Before You Start

• No translation or notarization is needed for SENESCYT registration. Translation and notarization are only required later for the visa process.
• Only the diploma needs an apostille. No other document requires apostille.
• All documents must be scanned and uploaded digitally as part of the online submission.
• Timeline: The full process typically takes 35–120 days from submission to approval, depending on document quality and analyst responsiveness.

1. Passport

Your original, valid passport. Used for identity verification during the online submission and at the in-person appointment. Make sure it is not expired.

2. Original Apostilled Diploma

This is the most important document and the one that takes the longest to prepare. The process is:

1. Get your diploma notarized by a notary public.
2. Get the notarized diploma apostilled by the Secretary of State in the state where your university is located. Walk-in service is significantly faster than mail-in.
3. Ship the apostilled diploma to Ecuador via FedEx or DHL. Do not use USPS — international USPS shipments to Ecuador are unreliable and frequently lost or delayed.

You will need the original apostilled diploma for the in-person verification appointment. A scan is uploaded during online submission, but the physical document must be presented at the appointment.

3. ISCED Certificate or Letter Stating Lack of ISCED

The International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) code classifies your degree type. Some universities provide an ISCED certificate. If your university does not issue one, request a letter from the registrar's office stating that the university does not assign ISCED codes. Either document is accepted by SENESCYT.

4. Academic Transcript

Your official, certified academic transcript. Must be signed by the appropriate university official. Must be an official/certified copy, not an unofficial student printout. Best if the signature is in black ink (not blue) for scan clarity. Mail the original to Ecuador for the in-person appointment. A scan is uploaded online, but the physical document is verified at the appointment.

5. Field of Knowledge Letter

A letter from your university that explains the contents and focus of your degree program. This should describe what subjects the degree covers and what field of knowledge it falls under. Must be signed by the registrar's office or an authorized university official. Can be an emailed PDF — does not need to be a physical original. This is one of the documents universities are least familiar with. You may need to explain to your registrar exactly what SENESCYT requires.

6. Modality Letter

A letter from your university containing specific details about how the degree was completed. This letter must include: graduation date, number of terms/semesters completed, full-time or part-time status, enrollment date, accreditation information for the program, and whether the degree was completed online or in-person.

Important note about online degrees: Online degrees have restrictions for SENESCYT registration. Not all online programs are eligible. Check the official list of restricted programs at: siau-online.senescyt.gob.ec

7. Signed Letter Specifying Study Dates and Curriculum

A signed letter from your university specifying the beginning and end date of your studies, along with the degree curriculum. This may overlap with information in the modality letter, but SENESCYT requires it as a separate document. Ensure it includes: start date of enrollment, end date / graduation date, and the degree curriculum or program of study (list of courses or program description).

8. Proof of University Accreditation

Documentation proving that your university is accredited. This can be a letter from the accrediting body, a printout from the accrediting organization's website, or a letter from the university referencing its accreditation status.

9. Official Letter About Transferred Credits (If Applicable)

If you transferred credits from another institution to complete your degree, you need an official letter documenting the transferred credits. This letter should come from the degree-granting university and explain which credits were transferred, from where, and how they were applied to your degree. If you did not transfer any credits, this document is not required.

Scanning Best Practices

Poor scan quality is one of the most common reasons for rejection. Follow these guidelines: minimum 300 DPI resolution for all scans, PDF format for all uploaded documents, no phone photos — use an actual scanner or a high-quality scanning app with proper lighting and alignment. No blurry or cropped scans. Every edge of the document must be visible, every word legible, and every signature clear.

If SENESCYT rejects your submission for scan quality, you will need to rescan and resubmit. Getting it right the first time saves weeks.

Registration Process

A step-by-step walkthrough of the SENESCYT degree registration process, from initial submission through final approval.

Step 1: Beginning the Process

The SENESCYT registration process begins on the official SENESCYT website through their SIAU online portal. You will create an account and submit your documents digitally. During the initial submission, you will need to upload: your passport, your apostilled diploma, your official academic transcript, your Field of Knowledge letter, and your Modality letter. Each document must be a clean, high-resolution scan in PDF format. The system may reject uploads that do not meet formatting requirements.

After submission, your application enters a queue for review. You will receive a request code that you should save — this code is used for all follow-up communication and to check your application status.

Step 2: Common Rejections

Rejections happen frequently and usually happen quickly after submission. They are almost always for minor, fixable issues. Common rejection reasons include: unclear scans, missing signatures, formatting issues, and incomplete information. The good news: resubmission is free. When you receive a rejection, read the reason carefully, fix the specific issue, and resubmit. A single rejection typically adds 1–2 weeks to your timeline.

Step 3: Applying From Outside Ecuador

The SENESCYT registration process is almost entirely online. You can complete the submission, respond to document requests, and communicate with your analyst from anywhere in the world. The only step that requires a physical presence in Ecuador is the verification appointment. At the verification appointment, you present your original apostilled diploma at a SENESCYT office. However, you do not need to attend in person — a proxy can attend the appointment on your behalf.

To authorize a proxy, you need: a copy of the proxy's cédula (Ecuadorian ID) or passport, and an authorization letter signed by you granting the proxy permission to attend on your behalf. About 90% of our clients complete the entire process remotely using a proxy for the appointment.

Step 4: Handling Difficult Document Requests

During the review process, the assigned SENESCYT analyst may request additional documents or clarifications. Always include the Field of Knowledge letter with your initial submission — this is one of the most commonly requested follow-up documents, and including it upfront avoids a round of back-and-forth that can add weeks.

If your case stalls after the verification appointment — meaning you have submitted everything requested but receive no updates for an extended period — it is time to escalate. The most effective escalation method is sending an intervention email to SENESCYT directors and key contacts. See the Email Templates & Contacts section below for the exact template and email addresses.

Email Templates & Contacts

When your SENESCYT case stalls, the right escalation email sent to the right people can save you weeks of waiting.

When to Use the Intervention Email

Do not send an intervention email too early. Wait at least 14 days after your verification appointment before escalating. Use this email when: you have completed the verification appointment and received no updates for 14+ days, your analyst has stopped responding to messages, or you have submitted all requested documents but your case has not moved forward.

How to Send the Email

Include all SENESCYT email addresses in the CC field. Sending to everyone simultaneously creates visibility across departments. Attach a single PDF containing your complete case timeline and all supporting documents. Fill in all bracketed fields with your actual information before sending.

Subject Line Template

Solicitud de intervención – Registro de título extranjero – [YOUR REQUEST CODE]

Email Body Template

Estimada/o Directora/or [DIRECTOR'S LAST NAME],

Me dirijo a usted respetuosamente para solicitar su intervención en mi trámite de registro de título extranjero, el cual se encuentra en proceso ante la SENESCYT.

A continuación, detallo la información relevante de mi caso:

Código de solicitud: [YOUR REQUEST CODE]
Nombre completo: [YOUR FULL NAME]
Título/Área de estudio: [YOUR DEGREE TITLE / FIELD OF STUDY]
Universidad: [YOUR UNIVERSITY NAME]
Fecha de inicio del trámite: [DATE YOU STARTED THE PROCESS]
Fecha de presentación de documentos: [DATE YOU SUBMITTED DOCUMENTS]
Fecha de cita de verificación: [DATE OF YOUR VERIFICATION APPOINTMENT]

Desde la fecha de mi cita de verificación han transcurrido [NUMBER] días sin recibir una resolución ni actualización sobre el estado de mi trámite. He cumplido con todos los requisitos solicitados y he proporcionado toda la documentación requerida de manera oportuna.

Adjunto a este correo un documento PDF con la línea de tiempo completa de mi caso y copias de todos los documentos presentados para su referencia.

Solicito respetuosamente su intervención para agilizar la resolución de mi caso. Quedo a disposición para proporcionar cualquier información adicional que sea necesaria.

Agradezco de antemano su atención y colaboración.

Atentamente,

[YOUR FULL NAME]
[YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS]
[YOUR PHONE NUMBER]

SENESCYT Email Contact List

Include all of the following addresses in the CC field of your intervention email. Sending to the full list creates maximum visibility for your case:

erobles@senescyt.gob.ec
mmoreno@senescyt.gob.ec
acvillabab@senescyt.gob.ec
namores@senescyt.gob.ec
cvasquez@senescyt.gob.ec
rflores@senescyt.gob.ec
dastudillo@senescyt.gob.ec
vsubia@senescyt.gob.ec
ajimenez@senescyt.gob.ec
lacarrion@senescyt.gob.ec
eabualcaraz@senescyt.gob.ec
larboledar@senescyt.gob.ec
nchavez@senescyt.gob.ec
cvappez@senescyt.gob.ec
yflores@senescyt.gob.ec
jarce@senescyt.gob.ec
ksoto@senescyt.gob.ec

Tips for Maximum Effectiveness

• Wait at least 14 days after your verification appointment before sending.
• Include all addresses in CC — do not send individual emails.
• Attach a single, complete PDF with your full case timeline and all documents.
• Be respectful but firm. The template is in formal, professional Spanish.
• Follow up once per week if you do not receive a response. Reply to your original email thread.

Common Mistakes

The SENESCYT registration process is not inherently difficult, but a handful of avoidable mistakes cost applicants weeks or months.

The single most common mistake is not beginning your document requests now. If you are reading this guide and have not yet contacted your university, stop and do that first. Every day you wait to request documents is a day added to your timeline.

1. Taking Too Long to Gather Documents

The SENESCYT registration process cannot begin until you have every required document in hand. Universities can take weeks or even months to produce specialty letters like the Field of Knowledge letter and Modality letter. Many registrar offices are unfamiliar with SENESCYT requirements and need multiple rounds of clarification. The apostille process itself can take 2–6 weeks depending on the state. Start requesting documents from your university the moment you decide to pursue SENESCYT registration. Contact your registrar's office, explain what you need, and begin the apostille process for your diploma in parallel.

2. Giving Up After a Small Rejection

SENESCYT rejections are common and almost always minor. A rejection does not mean your degree cannot be registered. It usually means a scan was not clear enough, a signature was missing, a letter did not include a specific piece of information, or a file was in the wrong format. Read the rejection reason carefully, fix the specific issue, and resubmit. Resubmission is free. Many successful registrations involved one or more rejections along the way. A rejection is a normal part of the process, not a dead end.

3. Assuming SENESCYT Recognition Grants a Professional Visa

This is a critical misunderstanding that catches many expats off guard. SENESCYT degree registration and the professional visa are two separate processes administered by two different government entities. SENESCYT registration means Ecuador officially recognizes your foreign degree as equivalent to an Ecuadorian degree. It is a prerequisite for applying for a professional visa, but it does not automatically grant you a visa. After completing SENESCYT registration, you still need to apply separately for a professional visa through Ecuador's immigration system.

4. Not Pushing Back on Impossible Requests

During the review process, SENESCYT analysts may request documents that do not exist or ask for information your university cannot provide. This happens because analysts apply the same checklist to all foreign degrees, regardless of country, and some items do not have equivalents in the US education system. The mistake is accepting these requests at face value. Instead, push back politely and provide evidence. If a document does not exist, have your university write a letter explaining that the requested document is not issued by US institutions. Be persistent. Analysts rotate, and a second analyst may accept what the first one rejected.