The Expert's Document Checklist for Ecuador's Professional Temporary Resident Visa

Navigating Ecuador's immigration system requires more than a simple checklist; it demands precision and an understanding of the unwritten rules. As an immigration expert based in Cuenca, I've guided countless professionals through this process, and the difference between success and failure often lies in the details that generic guides miss. This definitive checklist is built on experience and grounded in current Ecuadorian law, specifically the Ley Orgánica de Movilidad Humana (LOMH).

The visa formerly known as the "9-V Professional Visa" has been replaced. Today, we are discussing the Temporary Residency Visa for Professionals, Technicians, Technologists, or Artisans. While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana, MREMH) internally categorizes applicants (often referred to as T2 for employees and T3 for independents), your application falls under the single umbrella of "Professional." Success hinges on proving your qualifications are valid and needed in Ecuador.

A critical, often overlooked first step for many professions is registering your foreign university degree with SENESCYT (Secretaría de Educación Superior, Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación). This process is separate from the visa application, can take months, and is mandatory for regulated professions like doctors, lawyers, and engineers before they can practice. Failing to start this process early is one of the most common and costly mistakes applicants make.

The Master Document Checklist

Each document must be meticulously prepared. A single error can result in rejection. All foreign-issued public documents must be apostilled (if your country is a member of the Hague Convention) or legalized by an Ecuadorian Consulate, and then translated into Spanish by a court-certified translator in Ecuador.

1. Core Personal Identification

• Visa Application Form (Formulario Único de Solicitud de Visa): This is now completed online through the Ecuadorian government's GAC visa management portal. You will upload digital copies of your documents here. Ensure scans are high-resolution and in color.
• Passport:
  • A color copy of the main page and all pages with Ecuadorian entry/exit stamps.
  • Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the visa's expiration date.
• Passport-Sized Photograph: One digital photo, passport-style (5cm x 5cm), with a white background, high resolution, and taken within the last six months.
• Application & Visa Fees: Be prepared for two separate payments. The initial non-refundable application fee is $50 USD. Upon approval, the visa issuance fee is $400 USD. These fees are per applicant.

2. Proof of Professional Qualifications (The Most Critical Section)

This is where applications are scrutinized most heavily.

• University Degree:
  • Your original Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. diploma.
  • It must be apostilled or legalized in its country of origin.
• SENESCYT Registration Certificate:
  • As mentioned, for most university-level professions, you must provide the certificate of registration from SENESCYT. This is a non-negotiable requirement proving Ecuador recognizes your degree. The process involves submitting your apostilled degree, transcripts, and other documents to SENESCYT for validation. This step alone can take 2-3 months.
• Hyper-Specific Detail #1: Don't just translate your diploma. You will need an official translation of the Apostille page itself. This is a small but common error that causes document rejection.

3. Criminal Background Checks

• Federal/National Level Check: An apostilled criminal background check from your country of origin and from any country where you have been a resident for the past five years.
  • This document is only valid for 180 days (6 months) from its date of issuance for immigration purposes. Time this step carefully.
• Ecuadorian Background Check: If you've been in Ecuador for more than 90 days on a tourist entry, you will likely need to provide an Certificado de Antecedentes Penales from the Ecuadorian Ministry of the Interior. This can be obtained online relatively easily once you are in the country.

4. Proof of Financial Solvency

You must prove you can support yourself. The LOMH requires demonstrating "medios de vida lícitos."

• Bank Statements: Official statements for the last 6-12 months showing consistent income or a substantial balance. While there's no universally fixed amount, a closing balance of over $5,000 USD is a safe benchmark for a single applicant. The statements do not typically need to be apostilled but should be officially translated if they contain extensive text.
• Hyper-Specific Detail #2: A simple bank statement printout may not be enough. A best practice is to also obtain an official, signed, and stamped "Bank Reference Letter" from your financial institution. This letter confirms you are a client in good standing and states your average balance. It adds a layer of credibility that immigration officials appreciate.

5. Documents Specific to Your Professional Activity

This is how the MREMH differentiates between employed (T2-like) and independent (T3-like) professionals.

For Employed Professionals:

• Employment Contract (Contrato de Trabajo): The contract must be drafted in accordance with Ecuadorian labor law and registered with the Ministerio del Trabajo. The registration document (a printout from the SUT system) must be included.
• Company Documents:
  • The employer’s RUC (Registro Único de Contribuyentes).
  • Nombramiento of the company's legal representative (proof of their authority to hire you).
  • A letter from the company explaining why your specific skills are required.

For Independent Professionals / Service Providers:

• Professional Services Contract (Contrato de Servicios Profesionales): A notarized contract with an Ecuadorian person or company, detailing the services, duration, and payment.
• Hyper-Specific Detail #3: For independent professionals, simply having a contract is not enough. You must demonstrate you are a legitimate, active professional. This can be done by providing your RUC as an independent professional in Ecuador, or a sworn statement (declaración juramentada) notarized in Ecuador, detailing your professional activity, where it will take place, and a projection of your income. This demonstrates serious intent to contribute to the economy.

6. Post-Approval: The Cédula is Mandatory

Receiving your visa approval email is not the final step.

• Health Insurance: You cannot get your ID card (cédula) without proof of public or private health insurance valid in Ecuador. This is mandated by Article 53 of the LOMH.
• Cédula Order (Orden de Cedulación): Upon visa approval, you will receive an electronic visa. You must then generate and print an Orden de Cedulación and take it to a Registro Civil office.
• Hyper-Specific Detail #4: The main Registro Civil on Av. Remigio Crespo in Cuenca is often overwhelmed. A common mistake is to show up without an appointment or with incomplete documents. An expert tip is to use the Registro Civil in Azogues, a 30-minute drive away. It is often less crowded, and staff can be more accommodating, significantly speeding up the process of obtaining your mandatory cédula. Bring exact change for the cédula fee (currently $5 USD for the first issuance) as they are often unable to break large bills.

⚠️ Legal Alert: When to Consult an Expert Immediately

This checklist is thorough, but self-filing is risky if you encounter:

• SENESCYT Complications: If your university is not on the pre-approved list or your degree title doesn't neatly fit into an Ecuadorian category.
• Past Visa Issues: Any history of overstaying a tourist entry or a previous visa denial requires a strategic approach.
• Complex Employment Contracts: If your contract involves non-standard clauses, stock options, or international components.
• Dependents: The process for adding dependents (spouse, children) has its own specific documentation trail, including apostilled birth and marriage certificates.

The law is clear, but its application can be subjective. An error in document preparation can lead to months of delays and wasted fees.