Entry/Exit Requirements

Visa Requirements to Enter Ecuador: If you are a U.S. citizen wishing to enter Ecuador, you must present a U.S. passport with at least six months remaining validity. Ecuadorian immigration officials also sometimes request evidence of return or onward travel, such as an airline ticket. 

Under Ecuadorian law, U.S. citizens traveling for business or tourism on a tourist passport can enter Ecuador for up to 90 days per calendar year without a visa. Extensions for up to another 90 days can be requested through the provincial migration offices.

If you are planning a visit longer than 90 days, you must obtain a visa in advance of your arrival. Visit the website for the Embassy of Ecuador in the United States for the most current visa information. If you stay in Ecuador beyond the terms of your visa, you may be deported or barred from re-entering Ecuador in the future.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Ecuador.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.

Proof of Legal Status While In Ecuador: Once you have entered Ecuador, Ecuadorian authorities require you to carry identification, including proof of U.S. citizenship, at all times. We recommend you carry a photocopy of your passport (including the personal data page and the entry stamp and/or visa) with you at all times while you’re in Ecuador. Leave your actual passport in a hotel safe or other secure location. Departing Ecuador: To depart Ecuador, you must present a valid U.S. passport.

Special Entry/Exit Instructions for U.S. Citizens Born in Ecuador: The Government of Ecuador considers any person born in Ecuador to be an Ecuadorian citizen. U.S. citizens born in Ecuador will be required to show an Ecuadorian passport or national ID card (“cédula”) to Ecuadorian Immigration authorities upon entering and exiting the country. Dual citizens who do not comply with this requirement may not be allowed to enter or exit the country. Be aware that all U.S. citizens, regardless of dual citizenship, must present a valid U.S. passport upon returning to the United States. Information about dual nationality can be found on our website.

Special Exit Requirements for Minors: Ecuador has implemented specific procedures to prevent international child abduction. Under Ecuadorian law, children under the age of 18 who are citizens or residents of Ecuador and who are traveling alone, with one parent, or with a third party, must present a copy of a birth certificate and written authorization from the absent parent(s) or legal guardian. When a parent is deceased, a notarized copy of the death certificate is required in lieu of written authorization. Details about how to prepare written authorization for a child’s travel are available on Embassy Quito's website. Further information about the prevention of international child abduction can be found on the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website.

Lost/Stolen Passports: If your U.S. passport is lost or stolen in Ecuador, you should obtain a police report and apply for a replacement at U.S. Quito or U.S. Consulate Guayaquil. We also recommend obtaining an entry/exit report (“Movimiento Migratorio”), from an Ecuadorian immigration office prior to leaving the country. Please see the Embassy or Consulate’s website for further information.