Ecuador Visitor Visa for Commercial Acts
Up to 180 days to conduct business, sign contracts, or deliver services in Ecuador. For business people, contractors, and executives who need expert help with documents and filing.
Total service fee $300 — start today with a $150 retainer. The remaining $150 is only due after your visa is approved.
Key Requirements
Commercial Purpose
You must document a specific commercial act: signing contracts, attending business negotiations, delivering consulting services, or performing similar short-term commercial activities in Ecuador.
Background Check
Original criminal record certificate from your country of origin or residence, apostilled or legalized, translated into Spanish, and valid for 180 days (required for applicants 18+).
Activity Documentation
Proof of the commercial activity such as a contract, letter of intent, service agreement, or invitation from an Ecuadorian company. Plus proof of financial means and a completed visa application.
Complete Official Guide
Everything you need to know about the Temporary Visitor Visa for Commercial Acts and Other Activities.
Description
The Temporary Visitor Visa for Commercial Acts and Other Activities is granted to foreign citizens who wish to reside temporarily in Ecuador for short stays. It allows foreign nationals to perform commercial, cultural, administrative, and other activities within the country. The visa is granted to those who meet the legal requirements and permits multiple entries into Ecuador.
Commercial Acts visas abroad are issued at Ecuadorian Consulates and Consular Offices in countries where Ecuador maintains consular relations. Inside Ecuador, these visas are granted by the Zonal Directions (Direcciones Zonales), which are distributed and decentralized throughout the national territory.
Who Is It For?
This procedure is oriented toward foreign citizens who wish to reside for short stays in Ecuador — up to 180 days — to perform commercial, cultural, administrative, and other activities in the country.
The visa is granted to foreign citizens who meet the legal requirements and includes multiple entries into Ecuador. The Temporary Visitor Visa for Commercial Acts abroad is a service provided through Ecuadorian Consulates or Consular Offices, as well as within Ecuadorian territory at the decentralized Zonal Offices (Direcciones Zonales).
Directed to: Natural Person — Foreigner.
What Will You Receive?
Upon successful completion of the procedure, you will receive a Temporary Visitor Visa for Commercial Acts, allowing you to enter Ecuador multiple times during the authorized period.
What Do You Need?
Mandatory Requirements
- Requirements established in Article 64 of the LOMH (Ley Orgánica de Movilidad Humana) and Article 58 of the Regulation to the LOMH.
- Valid passport (minimum validity of six months) or identity document from the country of origin.
- Criminal background certificate from the country of origin.
- Accredit lawful means of living in accordance with Ministerial Agreement No. 70, dated June 28, 2024.
Special Requirements
In accordance with Article 98 of the Regulation to the Ley Orgánica de Movilidad Humana, the foreign person may apply for this migratory category before the competent administrative body of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, presenting the following requirements:
- Visa application form, accompanied by justifications for the activity to be carried out, such as a sponsorship letter from a natural or legal person domiciled in Ecuador; registration, enrollment, or invitation to an event, seminar, workshop, training, competition or sporting event, or international conference;
- Valid passport with a minimum validity period of six (6) months;
- Certificate of no criminal record from the country of origin or from those in which the applicant has resided during the last five (5) years. The document must be apostilled if issued in a country party to the Hague Apostille Convention; or legalized if issued in a country that is not a party to said convention. If the original document was issued in a language other than Spanish, it must be translated by an authorized professional;
- Accredit the lawful means of living that allow the applicant to stay for the authorized time; and,
- Payment of the fee established by applicable regulations.
The applicant must provide contact information: email and telephone number of their counterpart or sponsor in Ecuador so that the authority can verify the documentation provided. If the veracity of the information provided by the foreign person cannot be demonstrated, the visa application will be denied.
What Is the Cost?
Not subject to VAT.
50% discount applies for persons aged 65 and older, nationwide.
100% exemption applies nationwide to persons with a disability equal to or greater than 30%, upon presentation of the disability card issued by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Public Health.
Where and What Are the Hours?
The procedure and inquiries related to visa applications are handled exclusively online through the official platform of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility.
The platform is enabled 24 hours a day. However, for making payments, the following should be considered:
- Physical payments via bank deposit are received only during Banco del Pacífico business hours: 08:30 to 16:00.
- Credit or debit card payments can be made until 23:55 (Ecuador time) on the same day the application was made on the platform.
- If payment is not completed within the indicated timeframes, the application will be automatically deleted and the information must be re-entered.
What Is the Validity?
The temporary visitor visa allows entry for up to 180 days with multiple entries. However, it may be renewed once in accordance with Article 56.A of the LOMH.
Citizen Service Contact
Legal Basis
Last updated: December 31, 2024. Information provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility (MREMH).
Every week you wait is a week of missed opportunity.
The biggest delay we see isn't immigration — it's applicants who overthink the document list. Pay the $150 retainer today (total service fee $300) and we'll send you a personalized checklist within 24 hours. The remaining $150 is only due after your visa is approved.
Your Business Trip to Ecuador
A structured path to your commercial visitor visa.
Expert Consultation
We review your commercial purpose and documentation before any paperwork starts, so you never waste money on a visa you don't qualify for.
Document Procurement
We give you the exact templates and order list: passport, photos, criminal background check, commercial activity proof, financial means, and application form.
Application Filing
For pre-arrival visas, we coordinate with the Ecuadorian consulate. For in-country filings, we submit at immigration before your visa-free period expires.
Approval & Delivery
We track your application, handle any follow-up requests, and deliver your approved visitor visa for commercial acts.
The EcuaPass Service Package
More than just a filing service — we provide end-to-end business visit support.
- Document review & preparation
- Consulate or immigration filing coordination
- Commercial activity documentation review
- Application tracking & follow-up
- Direct WhatsApp communication
- Personalized checklist within 24 hours
Ready to Close Your Deal in Ecuador?
You have the business purpose. You have the passport. The only thing missing is the filing order. Pay the $150 retainer now — total service fee $300 — and we'll build your exact document checklist before the weekend.
Commercial Acts Visa FAQ
It's a temporary Ecuadorian visa for foreigners entering the country to conduct commercial acts, business negotiations, contracts, or other similar activities. It is NOT a residency visa and does not lead to permanent residence. It is issued for the duration of the commercial activity (typically up to 180 days, renewable).
Business people, contractors, consultants, executives on short-term assignments, or anyone entering Ecuador to perform a specific commercial act (sign a contract, attend negotiations, deliver a service, etc.).
Up to 180 days per entry, depending on the documented commercial activity. It can be renewed or extended while the activity continues. For longer stays or work authorization, see the Work Visa or Investor Visa.
Valid passport (6+ months remaining), a clean criminal record from your country of residence, proof of the commercial activity (contract, letter of intent, service agreement, or invitation from an Ecuadorian party), proof of financial means, and a completed visa application form. We provide the full personalized checklist.
You can perform the specific commercial act you were admitted for, but it is not a general work authorization. If you need to work for an Ecuadorian employer long-term, the Work Visa is the right category. If the commercial activity evolves into a longer-term business presence, the Investor Visa or a residency visa may be more appropriate.