Post Study Work Options: How to Get a Work Visa in Ecuador Ater Studies

Ecuador is a country straddling the equator on South America’s west coast. Its diverse landscape encompasses the Amazon jungle, Andean highlands and the wildlife-rich Galápagos Islands.

Because the country is situated on the equator, Ecuador experiences little variation in its daylight hours during different times of the year. The sun rises at 6 AM and sets at approximately 6 PM.

Ecuador is home to golden beaches, pristine snow-capped mountains, cloud forests and much more and all these distinct terrains are found within only hours of each other.

This environmental diversity is complemented by the country’s cultural diversity (drawn primarily from a blend of Indigenous, African and European legacies)

Ecuador has a relatively developing economy and the unemployment rate is not too high as compared to other developing countries of the world. Ecuador is a vibrant country filled with many places to explore and the cost of living is quite average.

Working in Ecuador is not always a big feat since the economy of the country is still gradually growing, but notwithstanding, the country has tried to decrease its unemployment rate to a very minimal level by making available more jobs for its citizens and also foreigners.

The weather in Ecuador is very hot and there are also some things which you need to know before you consider moving to the country for work. The purpose of this article is to bring to light some of the necessary information which you would require to start your journey in your desired host country.

Ecuador has a growing economy and jobs are not always readily available for foreigners. Although, there are certain degrees that are in high demand in the country such as the field of medicine, information technology and accounting.

Before you graduate, you should weigh your options if you wish to stay in Ecuador after completing your studies. The visa options below will hopefully help you with your plan ahead.

If you want to work and live in Ecuador after your studies, you need a work permit to legally work in the country. To get a work permit you need an employer to support your application. If you want to explore your other options, read our other blog posts on post-study options to know how to get a work visa for the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America!

Temporary Resident Visa in Ecuador

A temporary resident visa for Ecuador allows a foreign national to reside in Ecuador temporarily and is usually valid for two years. This visa can be renewed or be converted to another type of temporary resident visa later. There is no limit on the number of times you renew your temporary resident visa.

Work Residence Visa

Once you have found a job with a company in Ecuador, you can apply for a work visa. This is valid for two years and can be renewed.

To apply, you need to prepare the following documents.

A valid passport
Two recent passport photos
A copy of your CV
A medical certificate
A police background check to prove that you have no criminal record
Proof of financial means
Employment contract issued by the corresponding public or private entity
Certificate of registration of the contract issued by the Ministry of Labor.
Certificate of not maintaining pending obligations with the Internal Revenue Service, the Ecuadorian Social Security Institute and the Superintendency of Companies, issued by the competent Authority in each case.
A completed visa application form
Proof of payment of the visa application fee

Temporary Residence Visa for Professional, Technician, Technologist or Craftsman

This visa lets workers with degrees from recognised universities move to Ecuador to practice their profession. This is valid for two years and can be renewed.

To apply, you need to prepare the following documents.

A valid passport
Two recent passport photos
A copy of your CV
A medical certificate
A police background check to prove that you have no criminal record
Proof of financial means
A completed visa application form
Proof of payment of the visa application fee
Professional title of technician, technologist or artisan, as the case may be, issued by the competent authority of the country of origin, which must be registered in the competent Ecuadorian institution within a period of no more than three (3) months after obtaining the visa.
Foreign nationals who have the quality of artisan, must submit to the human mobility authority within a period not exceeding three (3) months, the registration of their activity before the competent entity in Ecuador and its validation before the National Board of Defense of the Craftsman. Once the foreign person submits this requirement, the Authority that issued the visa will send the corresponding identification order to the Civil Registry Authority.

Investor Temporary Residence Visa

Temporary residence authorisation granted by the Ecuadorian State to foreign nationals who make investments in goods or economic resources of legal origin to carry out productive and commercial activities, legal representation, proxies and administrative positions. This type of visa has no time limits for staying abroad and will allow its holder multiple admissions to Ecuador.

To apply, you need to prepare the following documents.

A valid passport
Two recent passport photos
A copy of your CV
A medical certificate
A police background check to prove that you have no criminal record
Proof of financial means
A completed visa application form
Proof of payment of the visa application fee
Title, policy or certificate of deposit with a minimum term of seven hundred thirty days (730),
Deed of sale of a property located in home country
Ecuadorian company, for an amount not less than one hundred (100) unified basic salaries, duly registered in the Superintendency of Companies, Securities and Insurance.
Copy of the public deed of the investment contract signed with the Ecuadorian State, in force; or
Copy of deed of delegated management signed with entities of the central or decentralized autonomous governments, current; or
Copy of the contract Copy of an administrative contract of any nature, signed with the State.

Permanent Residence in Ecuador

Permanent resident visas authorize a foreigner to stay indefinitely in Ecuador. You can only apply for a permanent resident visa for Ecuador if you have already lived there for at least 21 months under a temporary resident visa.

Permanent residents can be out of the country for a period of no more than 180 days in each year during the first 2 years otherwise you will lose your permanent residence status. After these first 2 years, you can be absent up to 5 years.

Eventually, permanent residents can become citizens.

Naturalised Citizenship in Ecuador

To be eligible to request citizenship through naturalisation, you must have been a permanent resident on a continuous basis for at least three years and must have not been outside Ecuador for more than 180 days each year

You should pass the knowledge of national symbols of Ecuador and an interview inquiring about the reasons you wish to acquire Ecuadorian citizenship. All interviews will be done in Spanish.

It is also very important to demonstrate that your income is sufficient to live in Ecuador. The minimum amount is not established however it must be an income above the national minimum wage.

What are your thoughts on the Post Study Options in Ecuador? Is there anything we missed or anything you need clarification on? Comment below.

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If you need help with a US visa, a UK Visa, or visa to Europe, including help with appointment booking obligations, IaM can help. For more information and advice on US immigration, UK immigration law and US visa applications or if you need any help or assistance please, reach out to your Visa Coordinator at IaM.