I didn´t believe it when I heard it.
In fact, even though it´s not my main business in Ecuador, I´ve helped over a dozen people get their residency visas to live here in Ecuador.
And the last couple I helped just 3 months ago in mid-December.
The last several I´ve helped it just took one day. So I just charged a daily fee ($150).
One day. In and out, file submitted. Approved in two weeks. Come pick up visa, get cedula (Ecuador ID card). Stay in Ecuador as long as they want.
It really is that simple.
But now, as of 2015, I confirmed in the Quito immigration office talking to the officials a few days ago in March, it´s just got a bit harder.
Specifically harder for Americans, or people from the States, who want to live in Ecuador.
Americans now need a state-wide police check AND a federal FBI level check, which sometimes can take months to attain.
Before, a simple police check from your local town would suffice.
Easy… actually it was WAY too easy.
And easy to game the system if you know what I mean, so maybe this change is ultimately good for Ecuador but for us people applying to live here it just got a bit more complicated.
So why just for Americans?
Well, the new requirement officially states, people from countries with a federal government need both the state check AND federal police check, but really, as one friend who does this for a living tells me, they are only applying this new visa requirement to Americans and Canadians (for now).
Better time than ever to consider getting a second passport!
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