Tourist Visa (90 Days)

Who Needs This Visa

Citizens of the following countries must obtain a tourist visa before traveling to Ecuador (Régimen Especial):

If your country is not on this list, you do not need a tourist visa — you receive a 90-day stamp on arrival.

Requirements

• Photo — color, JPG, max 1 MB, 5×5 cm (2×2 in), white background, neutral expression, both eyes open.
• 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. Must be apostilled, translated into Spanish by an authorized translator, and no more than 180 days old at the time of entry. If you live in a federal country, the certificate must cover the entire country.
• Means of livelihood — bank statements and/or other proof of sufficient funds. See Means of Livelihood guide.
• Travel itinerary — flight bookings (round trip or onward ticket) showing planned entry and exit dates.
• Visa application form — completed and signed through the eVISA portal.
• Payment — $50 application fee + $30 issuance fee.

Costs

• Application fee: $50 USD
• Visa issuance fee: $30 USD

Common Snags

These are the most frequent reasons tourist visa applications get delayed or denied:

• Bank statements not apostilled/notarized. International bank statements often need to be notarized and apostilled to be accepted. Do not assume a regular statement will work.
• Currency confusion. If your money is not in USD, include a cover letter that clearly states the balance in both your local currency and its equivalent in USD. Ecuador uses USD and wants to see that the funds are clearly sufficient.
• Criminal background check issues. The certificate must be apostilled, certified, and translated by an authorized translator. Many people use misconfigured translation providers, which can cause delays. Use a reputable service like EcuadorTranslations.com to avoid this issue.
• Photo rejected. Make sure it meets the exact specifications (5×5 cm, white background, recent, neutral expression).
• Missing travel itinerary. You need a confirmed round-trip or onward flight booking before applying.

Timeline & Expectations

Expect that the process will take much longer than you think it should. Ecuador's visa processing times can be very slow. Here are some hard truths:

• Never prepay for your Ecuador vacation — do not buy non-refundable flights or book accommodation until you have the visa in hand. Visas get denied and they can take a long time.
• Expect the first application to be denied. The process is complex and it is common for the first attempt to be rejected over minor issues (missing document, unclear bank statement, etc.).
• Plan for weeks, not days. Even a smooth application can take weeks to process.
• Consider a pre-submission consult. If you are applying yourself, consider booking a 30-minute review consultation at EcuaPass.com to catch mistakes before submitting.

How to Apply

The application goes through the eVISA portal at your nearest Ecuadorian consulate:

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 Visitante Temporal – Turista (90 días) as the visa type.
6. Upload all requested documents (photo, passport scan, criminal check, bank statements, itinerary, application form).
7. Pay the $50 application fee before 23:55 Ecuador time the same day.
8. If approved, pay the $30 issuance fee and receive your visa electronically.

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

Prórroga (Extension)

The 90-day tourist visa itself cannot be extended, but once you are in Ecuador you can apply for a prórroga de turista (90-day tourist extension). See the Prórroga section on the Temporary Visitor page for details.

FAQ

Can I enter as a tourist and switch to a residence visa from inside Ecuador?

Yes. Once in Ecuador with a valid entry stamp (90 days), you can apply to change your migratory status to temporary residence. See each visa type's page for change-of-status eligibility.

Can I work on a tourist visa?

No. The tourist visa explicitly prohibits any form of paid or volunteer work. You need a temporary residence visa (e.g., Profesional, Jubilado) to work or generate income in Ecuador.

What if I need more than 90 days but fewer than 180?

If your country is on the list above, your best options are the prórroga de turista (extra 90 days once inside Ecuador) or the Actos de Comercio visa (180 days, for business purposes). See Actos de Comercio page.