Discover Ecuador
Ecuador, home to the Galápagos Islands, Amazon rainforest, and Andean highlands, welcomes travelers with a lenient visa policy. As of March 2025, most visitors can enter visa-free for up to 90 days within a 12-month period. However, nationals from 39 countries must obtain a visa via the eVISAS system launched in July 2024. Additional requirements, like criminal background checks, apply at land borders during the ongoing internal armed conflict declared in 2024.
Required Documents
Valid Passport
Must be valid for 6+ months; citizens of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay can use a national ID instead.
Visa (if required)
Visa-free for most (90 days); 39 nationalities need an e-Visa ($50 USD).
Passport Photo
1 recent photo (5 x 5 cm, white background) for e-Visa applications.
Travel Itinerary
Proof of return or onward ticket within 90 days, required for entry.
Criminal Record
Apostilled police certificate (past 5 years) required at land/river borders from Peru/Colombia due to 2024 conflict.
Accommodation Proof
Hotel booking or host details, recommended for entry.
Proof of Funds
Evidence of sufficient funds (e.g., $470 USD/month), may be requested.
Visa Fee (if applicable)
Visa-free: Free; e-Visa: $50 USD for 90-day tourist visa.
How to Apply
Application Steps
Check Eligibility
Gather Documents
Apply for e-Visa (if needed)
Submit & Pay
Processing
Receive Visa
Enter Ecuador
Check Eligibility
Gather Documents
Apply for e-Visa (if needed)
Submit & Pay
Processing
Receive Visa
Enter Ecuador
1. Check Eligibility
Most countries (e.g., USA, EU) get 90 days visa-free; 39 nationalities (e.g., Afghanistan, Nigeria) need an e-Visa.
2. Gather Documents
Prepare passport, photo, itinerary, funds proof, and criminal record (if entering via land/river borders).
3. Apply for e-Visa (if needed)
Submit online via eVISAS portal with $50 USD fee, 1-2 weeks prior for visa-required nationals.
4. Submit & Pay
Pay $50 USD online (credit card) for e-Visa; visa-free entry requires no payment.
5. Processing
e-Visa: 3-7 business days; visa-free: immediate entry with stamp at air/land borders.
6. Receive Visa
Download e-Visa PDF or get entry stamp at border (e.g., Quito Mariscal Sucre Airport).
7. Enter Ecuador
Present passport, visa (if required), and docs at entry; Galápagos requires a Transit Control Card.
Visa Fees
- Visa-free entry (90 days): Free for most countries (e.g., USA, Canada, EU).
- e-Visa (90 days): $50 USD, single-entry for 39 visa-required nationalities (e.g., India, Vietnam).
- Extension (additional 90 days): $470 USD fine if overstayed, plus extension fee at Migración offices.
- Galápagos Transit Control Card: $20 USD, required for all visitors to the islands.
*Fees subject to change. Confirm details at cancilleria.gob.ec.
FAQ
Do I need a visa for Ecuador in 2025?
Most get 90 days visa-free; 39 nationalities (e.g., Cuba, Syria) need an e-Visa via the eVISAS portal.
What’s the eVISAS system?
Launched in July 2024, it allows online visa applications for visa-required countries, costing $50 USD for 90 days.
Can I extend my stay in Ecuador?
Yes, apply for a 90-day extension at Migración offices before the initial 90 days expire; overstays incur a $470 USD fine.
Why a criminal record at land borders?
Required since May 2024 due to the internal armed conflict when entering from Peru or Colombia.
Is a yellow fever vaccine required?
Yes, if arriving from endemic countries (e.g., Brazil, Congo), per entry rules.
References
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility: cancilleria.gob.ec
- Ecuadorian Migration Services: migracion.gob.ec
- U.S. Embassy in Ecuador: ec.usembassy.gov