Ecuador entry rules

Tourist admission

Ecuador’s implementing regulation provides a tourist stay of up to 90 days counted from the first entry in a one-year period. Entry must occur through an authorised migration-control point, where the officer records the permission ¹.

South American tourists may receive up to 180 days in the one-year period under the regulation. Travellers should rely on the period recorded by migration control for their own entry ¹.

Extension

A tourist can request one extension for up to 90 continuous days. The request and the applicable government tariff must be handled with the responsible migration authority before the original period expires ¹.

When a tourist visa is required

Nationals of countries for which Ecuador requires a tourist visa must apply through a consular office. The regulation lists a completed form, a passport valid for at least six months, criminal-record documentation, an itinerary and return travel, proof of lawful means and payment of the official tariff ¹.

The Foreign Ministry’s official service directs applicants to the online consular process and current requirements. Requirements can depend on the applicant and consular post, so the live official record should be checked before submission ².

Limits of tourist status

A tourist may not carry out labour or economic activity under tourist status. A person intending to work must obtain the appropriate immigration category ¹.