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Ecuador Work Visa

Get a job offer from an Ecuadorian company and qualify for 2-year temporary residency. We coordinate both the employer's Ministry of Labor paperwork and your immigration filing so both tracks arrive together.

EcuaPass pricing is quoted individually after we review your case and requested support.

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Golden hour over Cuenca, Ecuador with cathedral domes and river

Key Requirements

Formal Job Offer

A signed employment contract from an Ecuadorian employer, registered with the Ministry of Labor. The employer must justify hiring a foreign worker and provide company registration documents.

Background Check

FBI and state criminal record checks from your country of origin, apostilled and translated into Spanish. Must be valid within 180 days on arrival. Required for applicants 18 and older.

Health Coverage

National or international health policy valid in Ecuador for the visa period. We recommend getting covered before you apply.

If your route is time-sensitive, an earlier document review may reduce avoidable delays.

Requirements and fees can change, and the exact document list depends on the route. Request a case review and we will send the current checklist, service scope, and written quote before paid work begins.

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Your Journey to Residency

A structured path to your new life in Ecuador.

Expert Consultation

We review your job offer and employer documents before any paperwork starts, so you never waste money on a visa the company cannot support.

1

Document Procurement

We give you the exact templates and order list: passport, photos, FBI check, state check, employment contract, and employer registration documents.

2

Apostille & Legal Translation

We coordinate certified Spanish translation and Ecuadorian notarization of your apostilled documents.

3

Submission & Finalization

We submit your application to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and walk you through receiving your visa and Ecuadorian cédula.

4

The EcuaPass Service Package

More than just a filing service — we provide end-to-end relocation support.

  • Document review & preparation
  • Apostille guidance
  • Certified Spanish translation coordination
  • Cédula (ID card) appointment support
  • Banking & health insurance introduction
  • Direct WhatsApp communication
  • Application tracking & follow-up
Chip Moreno, Founder of EcuaPass, in Cuenca Ecuador

Ready to Start Your New Career?

You have the job offer and the passport. The next step is to confirm the filing order, service scope, and written quote before paid work begins.

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Work Visa FAQ

Yes. The Work Visa requires a formal job offer from an Ecuadorian employer. You cannot apply on speculation or before an employer has extended an offer.

Changing employers is allowed but requires your new employer to complete its own Ministry of Labor approval and register a new employment contract. You cannot work during the transition period.

Yes, eligible spouses and minor children may be able to apply through a separate dependent route. Confirm the relationship evidence, sponsor status, and any work conditions under the current official requirements.

Validity, renewal, employer conditions, and any permanent-residency option depend on the current category rules and the facts of the application. Confirm the process before the visa expires or an employment relationship changes.

The employer registers the employment contract with the Ministry of Labor, provides company registration documents (RUC), submits a justification letter explaining why a foreign hire is necessary, and provides company financial statements.

Official application reference

Documents you may need

Use this document list to plan your application. The exact requirements can vary by case and may change; the official government procedure controls.

Official Ecuador government source

Official temporary employment residence procedure ↗

1. Passport Photograph

  • Requirement: MANDATORY
  • Applies To: All applicants
  • File Format: JPG
  • Max File Size: 1 MB
  • Dimensions: 5 x 5 cm / 2 x 2 inches
  • Background: White
  • Expression: Neutral (preferred) or natural smile; both eyes open

2. Valid Passport

  • Requirement: MANDATORY
  • File Format: PDF
  • Validity Rule: ≥ 6 months remaining

3. Criminal Record Certificate(s)

  • Requirement: MANDATORY for applicants 18+
  • Sources Required: Country of origin AND any country of legal residence in past 5 years
  • File Format: PDF
  • Authentication: Apostilled or legalized
  • Translation: Spanish
  • Validity: 180 days from issuance
  • US Citizens: BOTH FBI and State background checks required

4. Proof of Lawful Livelihood

  • Requirement: MANDATORY
  • Legal Basis: Ministerial Agreement No. 70 (June 28, 2024)
  • File Format: PDF

5. Employment Contract

  • Requirement: MANDATORY
  • Document: Official Personnel Action (Acción de personal) OR dependent labor contract executed with a valid public or private entity in Ecuador
  • File Format: PDF

6. Labor Ministry Registration

  • Requirement: MANDATORY
  • Document: Official certificate of contract registration issued by the Ministry of Labor (Ministerio rector del trabajo)
  • File Format: PDF

7. Employer Institutional Clearance

  • Requirement: MANDATORY
  • Documents Required: Official up-to-date certificates showing employer holds zero outstanding liabilities with:
    • SRI (Internal Revenue Service)
    • IESS (Social Security Administration)
    • Superintendencia de Compañías
  • File Format: PDF

8. Migratory Status Verification

  • Requirement: CONDITIONAL
  • Applies To: Applicants physically within Ecuador at time of application
  • Document: Proof of valid regular migratory status (active tourist stay, extension/prórroga, or current visa)
  • File Format: PDF

9. Minor Representation Documents

  • Requirement: CONDITIONAL
  • Applies To: Applicants under 18
  • Documents Required:
    • Processing by authorized parent, legal guardian, or appointed representative
    • Valid power of attorney if representative is filing

10. Certified Translations & Notarizations

  • Requirement: CONDITIONAL
  • Documents Typically Requiring Translation:
    • Apostilled Criminal Background Check
    • Foreign corporate, dependency, or birth certificates (if applicable)
How this page is sourced and reviewed

Owner: EcuaPass editorial team. Last reviewed July 31, 2026; review due October 1, 2026.

Reviewer: Immigration professional review required for changed claims.

Educational planning information only. It does not determine eligibility, replace individualized legal advice, or guarantee an approval, timeline, fee, or outcome.

Review status: source-controlled review record.

Primary sources

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