GENERAL INFORMATION
The process changes every few years and can change suddenly without warning so DO make sure you have looked up the current requirements for your visa!
You will probably need to go to Quito several times to do it and they will often say come back tomorrow. The visa process takes several days: first day - application, then processing and then you can get the visa a few days later
You will probably need to go to Quito several times to do it and they will often say come back tomorrow. The visa process takes several days: first day - application, then processing and then you can get the visa a few days later
More advice especially for Volunteer Visas
E-mailing authorities in my experience never works. They won't reply. Sometimes they answer the phone. If you go in person, they can't escape you so this is the best bet for getting advice. They won't be very helpful even face to face though or very friendly.
Get advice from people who've been through the process. Sometimes they are requirements you need that are NOT on the website!
The website you need that tells you the requirements is: www.mmrree.gob.ec.
I found it a LOT easier to do in the London consulate than in Ecuador and they were a lot friendlier. If you haven't yet travelled to Ecuador, I strongly advise trying to get the visa done in your home country.
GOOD LUCK! It can be a nightmare trying to sort out, but try not to lose hope. It took me 6 months to sort mine out but I did get there in the end.
Notes about the London Consulate
- Need posted bank statements (overdraft facility okay). If internet only account maybe can print and get stamp in branch?
- Copy of passport of foundation's president needed
- Flight details needed- you need to buy your flight before you book the appointment.
- Old passport needed if been to Ecuador on old passport as well
How to register a visa
You need to go to Direccion de extranjeria
1) Get online on one of their computers. Click registrese aqui. Domicilio refers to Ecuador. Put "-" in apellido maternal. Get them to add britanica if not there
2) Online. Click registro. Finalizar.
3) Pay in banco internacional 10USD. Address to Ministerio del Interior.
4) Go to info desk and get turno.
5) Hand in documents (certificacion, pago, pasaporte- copia de entrada, visa, foto)
6) Wait for e-mail confirming registration.
7) Pick up docs 2 days later
HOW TO OBTAIN THE CENSO
(last stage after you have obtained the visa without which you cannot leave the country)
You need to take along your passport, a copy of the stamp from registering the visa, proof of where you live (e.g. payment of a bill)
In Tena you can do this in Policia de Migracion which is in parque central. There are lots of places in Quito, Guayaquil etc where this can be done.
If they can't give you the censo, they can give you a certificate temporarily which lasts only 30 days and allows you to leave the country.
E-mailing authorities in my experience never works. They won't reply. Sometimes they answer the phone. If you go in person, they can't escape you so this is the best bet for getting advice. They won't be very helpful even face to face though or very friendly.
Get advice from people who've been through the process. Sometimes they are requirements you need that are NOT on the website!
The website you need that tells you the requirements is: www.mmrree.gob.ec.
I found it a LOT easier to do in the London consulate than in Ecuador and they were a lot friendlier. If you haven't yet travelled to Ecuador, I strongly advise trying to get the visa done in your home country.
GOOD LUCK! It can be a nightmare trying to sort out, but try not to lose hope. It took me 6 months to sort mine out but I did get there in the end.
Notes about the London Consulate
- Need posted bank statements (overdraft facility okay). If internet only account maybe can print and get stamp in branch?
- Copy of passport of foundation's president needed
- Flight details needed- you need to buy your flight before you book the appointment.
- Old passport needed if been to Ecuador on old passport as well
How to register a visa
You need to go to Direccion de extranjeria
1) Get online on one of their computers. Click registrese aqui. Domicilio refers to Ecuador. Put "-" in apellido maternal. Get them to add britanica if not there
2) Online. Click registro. Finalizar.
3) Pay in banco internacional 10USD. Address to Ministerio del Interior.
4) Go to info desk and get turno.
5) Hand in documents (certificacion, pago, pasaporte- copia de entrada, visa, foto)
6) Wait for e-mail confirming registration.
7) Pick up docs 2 days later
HOW TO OBTAIN THE CENSO
(last stage after you have obtained the visa without which you cannot leave the country)
You need to take along your passport, a copy of the stamp from registering the visa, proof of where you live (e.g. payment of a bill)
In Tena you can do this in Policia de Migracion which is in parque central. There are lots of places in Quito, Guayaquil etc where this can be done.
If they can't give you the censo, they can give you a certificate temporarily which lasts only 30 days and allows you to leave the country.