Effective immediately, foreign nationals and authorized third parties must use the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility’s new electronic visa system, eVISAS, to submit all initial and renewal visa applications within Ecuador. This includes applications for Work Contract Visas, Acts of Commerce Visas, Temporary Mercosur Visas, and Permanent Residence, among others.
Previously, applicants could submit their visa applications in person. However, this option is no longer available, and all filings must now be done through the online system.
The processing time for online applications is generally around 30 business days, a significant increase compared to the previous in-person process, which typically took fewer than 10 calendar days.
Employers and foreign nationals applying for visas from within Ecuador should be aware of these extended processing times, which could lead to delays in the approval of work permits and the start of employment.
Related topics:
- EU Struggles with Worker Shortages Amid Rising Anti-Immigrant Sentiment
- Industries Most Vulnerable to Trump’s Immigration Crackdown
- Looking Ahead: The Economic Impact of Immigration Through Two Key Indicators
