Understanding the Dependent Visa for Family Reunification (Amparo Familiar) in Ecuador

Navigating Ecuadorian immigration law requires precision, especially when your family's future is at stake. For residents holding a temporary or permanent visa, bringing a spouse or child to Ecuador is accomplished through a process of family reunification. While colloquially known as a "Visa de Amparo," the correct legal term under the Ley Orgánica de Movilidad Humana (LOMH) is a visa for Amparo Familiar or Reunificación Familiar.

This is not a standalone visa. It is tethered directly to the primary resident's visa, granting dependents the same residency duration. Misunderstanding the nuances of this process is the single most common reason for delays and denials. As an editor with direct experience in these cases, this guide provides the specific, actionable details you need to succeed.

Who Qualifies as a Dependent?

Ecuadorian law is specific about who can be sponsored. According to Artículo 60 of the LOMH, the primary visa holder can request reunification for:

• Spouse or Common-Law Partner: Your legally married spouse or a partner in a common-law union (unión de hecho) legally recognized in Ecuador or the country of origin.
• Minor Children: Biological or legally adopted children under 18 years of age who are financially dependent on the primary visa holder.
• Adult Children with Disabilities: Children of any age who have a legally recognized disability that renders them financially dependent on the primary visa holder.

The primary applicant must prove the financial capacity to support all dependents. This is a non-negotiable prerequisite.

The Step-by-Step Process: A Precise Guide

The application is filed through the online portal of the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana, known as the GAC (Gestión de Atenciones Consulares) system. Precision at every step is mandatory.

Step 1: Gather and Authenticate Core Documentation

This is where most applications fail. Sourcing and preparing documents correctly is paramount.

• Primary Applicant's Documents:

  • Valid Passport and current Ecuadorian Residency Visa.
  • Ecuadorian Cédula (identity card).
  • Proof of Financial Solvency: You must demonstrate the financial means required for your original visa plus an additional amount for each dependent. Hyper-specific Detail #1: For a standard retirement (jubilado) visa holder (requiring proof of $1380/month in 2024, or 3x the Salario Básico Unificado), you must prove an additional $100 per month in stable income for each dependent you wish to sponsor. This must be documented with apostilled pension letters or 6-12 months of local or foreign bank statements.

• Dependent's Documents:

  • Valid Passport: Must be valid for at least six months from the application date.
  • Criminal Background Check: For dependents 18 years or older, an apostilled or legalized federal/national background check from their country of origin and any country where they have resided for the last five years is required. This document is typically considered valid for only 180 days from its issuance date.
  • Birth or Marriage Certificate: This is the foundational document proving the family link. It must be properly authenticated.
    • Hyper-specific Detail #2 (Crucial Mistake): The document (e.g., marriage certificate) must first be apostilled (for Hague Convention countries) or legalized in its country of origin. Only after this authentication can it be translated. The translation must be performed in Ecuador by a court-certified translator or a translator affiliated with a recognized Ecuadorian university. A translation done abroad, even if notarized, will be rejected by the Ministry, forcing you to start over.
  • Passport-Sized Photograph: A digital photo with a white background, in JPG format, meeting the specific pixel and size requirements of the GAC online portal.

Step 2: Complete and Submit the Online Application

The application is filed through the GAC portal. You must create a user profile, fill out the Formulario Único de Trámite, and upload high-quality scanned copies of every required document. Any discrepancy between the data entered and the supporting documents will result in an immediate request for correction (subsanación) or outright denial.

Step 3: Pay Government Fees

Once an official reviews and accepts the initial submission, you will receive an order to pay the government fees.

• Hyper-specific Detail #3 (Costs & Procedure): As of early 2024, the fee structure is uniform: a non-refundable $50 application fee and a $200 visa issuance fee per dependent. Payment must be made at a designated bank, typically a Banco del Pacífico branch, using the specific payment order (orden de pago) generated by the system. You cannot pay these fees before the Ministry authorizes it.

Step 4: Visa Issuance and Registration

Upon approval and payment, the visa is issued electronically and linked to the dependent's passport number in the government system. Ecuador no longer affixes physical visa stickers in passports for these applications.

Your work is not done. The final, critical step is obtaining the dependent's cédula.

• Hyper-specific Detail #4 (The Cédula Order in Cuenca): You must first register the electronic visa at the Registro Civil. This generates an orden de cedulación (cedula order). A frequent and frustrating mistake made by expats in Cuenca is showing up at the main Registro Civil office on Av. Remigio Crespo Toral expecting to walk in for this service. You must first schedule a specific appointment online for 'emisión de orden de cedulación para extranjero'. Without this appointment, you will be turned away. Only after you have the printed order can you schedule the separate appointment for fingerprinting and photo to get the actual cédula card (which costs $5 for the first issuance).

Legal Checklist for Cuenca Expats: Amparo Familiar Visa

• Primary Status: Is my temporary or permanent residency visa valid and in good standing?
• Dependent Link: Do I possess an original, apostilled/legalized marriage certificate or birth certificate?
• Financial Proof: Can I document my primary income plus the required additional $100 per dependent per month?
• Background Checks: Are the criminal record checks for my adult dependents recent (less than 180 days old) and properly apostilled?
• Translation Plan: Have I identified a certified translator in Ecuador to handle the official translation of my apostilled documents?
• Passport Validity: Do all passports involved have more than six months of validity remaining?
• Official Source: Have I reviewed the requirements on the official government website (www.gob.ec/mremh) and not relied on outdated forum posts?

⚠️ Legal Alert: When to Immediately Consult an Attorney

Do-it-yourself applications are possible for straightforward cases. However, you must seek professional counsel if:

• You have a Common-Law Union (unión de hecho): While legally recognized, proving a unión de hecho from another country requires a specific, often complex, judicial or administrative registration process in Ecuador that is far more involved than presenting a marriage certificate.
• Your Financials are Complex: If your income is from trusts, multiple investment sources, or is not easily documented through simple pension letters or bank statements.
• There are Custody Issues: If you are sponsoring a minor child and the other biological parent is not part of the application, you will need a properly apostilled and translated custody agreement or notarized permission to travel.
• You Receive a "Subsanación" Notice: The Ministry may issue a request for clarification or additional documents. These notices have a strict deadline, and failure to respond correctly will result in the definitive cancellation of your application and forfeiture of the application fee.
• Any Immigration History: If you or your dependent have a history of visa overstays, denials, or any past legal issues in Ecuador.

Conclusion

The Amparo Familiar visa process is a legal procedure, not an administrative formality. Its success hinges on perfect documentation, adherence to the correct sequence of operations (apostille first, then translate in Ecuador), and an understanding of the specific financial thresholds. By treating it with the seriousness it deserves, you can successfully and efficiently reunite your family in your new home.