Category: Ecuador for Investors

2012 Changes to Ecuador Residency Requirements

2012 ecuador residency changes

One big reason to move to Ecuador is the ease with which you can become a LEGAL resident.

Trust me, it stinks to have to make border runs every month or two like expats in Thailand, or overstay your visa illegally.

This year, in 2012, I’ve started helping new expats in Ecuador get residency visas or tourist visa extensions while they stay in my B&B in Guayaquil.

And through this work, I’ve witnessed a few changes to the requirements over the course of 2012.

Here they are as I write this on November 23, 2012…

1. A few months ago they abolished the rule that you had to submit your application for residency visas or extensions with at least 30 days remaining before your current visa expires. Now, as long as you get it in while still on a valid visa in Ecuador you’re OK.

2. Around August they started requiring foreigners bring a birth certificate (apostilled or certified in an Ecuadorian embassy abroad) from their home country in order to get the “cedula” or your official Ecuadorian ID card.

3. Over the course of the last year Ecuador has opened immigration offices in both Manta and Cuenca where you can apply for residency visas but in Manta you still cant attain your Ecuadorian “Cedula”.

4. Last week while helping someone get their cedula, I learned of a brand new rule on the books (directly from the Cedula Officials) that foreigners getting first time cedulas need to get proof of their civil state, meaning if they are single, they need to go to their Secretary of State and get a document verifying they are in fact “single” in their home country, or bring an apostilled or Ecuadorian-Embassy-Certified marriage certificate. Before, if you were single just doing a quick sworn statement in a local notary would do. As of now, they still might accept the sworn statement because new laws usually take a while to begin to get enforced.

What hasn’t changed?

Thankfully, for several years now the main qualifications needed for a residency visa have not changed… as of yet. You still qualify for residency in Ecuador if you have a pension over $800 a month (or $900/mon if you’d like to bring a spouse), or an investment in the country legally valued over $25,000.

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What to do in Loja?

tigrillo
El Tigrillo

loja-ecuador

Loja is an interesting place. Some acquaint it to a mini-Cuenca, but it actually has a flavor all its own. The people are very proud of the heritage, are very into the fine arts, classical music and they even have their own gastronomy, and arguably the best coffee in Ecuador.

Where to stay in Loja?

Hotel Prado Internacional: Near the old town, this is by far the best value for buck place in Loja, with top quality although cramped rooms for a reasonable price ($20 per person).

Hotel Londres:Sucre 07-51 My pick for budget travelers with rooms that start around $7 per person.

What to do in Loja?

– Meander the Old Town. Its one of the most picturesque in Ecuador.

– Visit nearby Parque Podocarpus.

– Visit the locally-famous zoo.

– Try the local eats like the TAMAL LOJANO, TIGRILLO, and LAS HUMITAS.

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My Take of Chordeleg

chordeleg-ecuador

chordeleg

If there’s somewhere in Ecuador that has a true eternal spring-like climate, maybe it’s Chordeleg. Besides the wonderful climate, Chordeleg is neat to visit as the country’s top silver destination. The silver shops line the streets all around the main plaza.

Where to stay in Chordeleg?

Residencial Gualaceo: Gran Colombia 3-02 In nearby Gualaceo, this is my pick for budget travelers for the warm atmosphere and cheap prices with rooms starting around $8 per person.

What to do in Chordeleg?

– Go jewelry shopping in and around the main plaza in town, Ecuador’s finest!

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‘Must dos’ in Cuenca

parque-cajas-ecuadorA Llama

cuenca-ecuador-flower-marketA Flower Market in Cuenca.

From the breathtaking views of the old town from the riverside to the friendly locals, you just might want to stay.

Where to stay in Cuenca?

Hotel El Barranco: Calle Larga My pick, a clean, eloquent old colonial turned hotel right where you want to be in Cuenca in the old town near the river with rooms starting around $20 per person.

Hostal El Capitolio: hermano Miguel 4-19 A good budget option right in the center of the old town…and cheap… with rooms starting around $8 per person.

What to do in Cuenca?

– Browse the old town around Parque Calderon

– Mix with expats at the Inca Bar or the California Kitchen.

– Visit nearby Parque de las Cajas.

– Buy flowers at the outdoor flower market near Parque Calderon.

– Visit the largest typical Ecuadorian street market at Feria Libre.

– Get a taste of the hip, local nightlife scene along Calle Larga in the Old Town.

– Try the local delicacy, fried Guinea Pig (Cuiy).

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Azogues, worth a visit?

azogues-ecuador
Azogues is like the unappreciated, ugly sister of nearby Cuenca, but if you stick around long enough to notice, it actually has a unique flavor of its own.

Where to stay in Azogues?

Hotel Paraiso: Vascones y Veintimilla My pick, a clean, eloquent business hotel with rooms starting around $24 per person.

What to do in Azogues?

– Buy a Panama Hat at the Saturday market on Rivera.

– Visit arguably the most impressive church in Ecuador, visible from about everywhere in town. They also use church management software which makes them easy to communicate with people for events and donators as well.

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