Ecuador Dependent Visa 2026: Bringing Your Family - Requirements, Costs, and Process
Ecuador's dependent visa covers spouses, children, and parents. Full legal basis, required documents, government fees, and how to apply as a family.
Ecuador's dependent visa - formally the Visa de Residencia Temporal de Amparo - lets you bring your spouse, children, and in some cases parents to live with you legally in Ecuador. It is one of the most common visa categories we process and one of the most misunderstood.
This guide covers the legal basis, who qualifies, what documents you need, what it costs, and how the process works in practice as of February 2026.
Legal Basis
The dependent visa is governed by Ecuador's Ley Organica de Movilidad Humana (LOMH), specifically:
- Article 60 - Defines the categories of temporary residency visas, including the amparo (dependent) category
- Article 60, numeral 13 - Establishes that spouses, legally recognized common-law partners, and children of a temporary resident visa holder may obtain residency under the amparo category
The Reglamento a la Ley Organica de Movilidad Humana (Decreto Ejecutivo 111) provides the implementing regulations, including document requirements and procedures for dependent visa applications.
In October 2025, Ecuador enacted a reform to the LOMH that entered into force on October 24, 2025. The reform reinforces the principle of family unity in migration policy and updates requirements for both temporary and permanent residency. It also introduces stricter travel restrictions for permanent residents - you cannot remain outside Ecuador for two or more continuous years without losing your permanent residency.
Who Counts as a Dependent
The pool of eligible dependents depends on whether the principal visa holder has temporary or permanent residency.
Temporary Residency (Visa Temporal)
- Spouse - legally married
- Common-law partner (union de hecho) - must be legally recognized in Ecuador or in the country of origin
- Minor children (under 18) - biological or legally adopted
- Adult children - in limited circumstances, such as disability or full-time student status
Permanent Residency (Visa Permanente)
All of the above, plus:
- Parents of the principal visa holder
This is an important distinction. If you want to bring your parents, you must first obtain permanent residency yourself. During the temporary residency phase, only spouses, partners, and children qualify.
Previously, the LOMH allowed siblings and grandparents to apply under the amparo category. That is no longer the case under the current law.
Principal Visa Holder Requirements
The dependent visa is not a standalone visa. It is an extension of the principal visa holder's status. The principal must hold (or be simultaneously applying for) one of Ecuador's temporary or permanent residency visas:
- Pensioner (Jubilado) - 3x SBU = $1,446/month
- Rentista - 3x SBU = $1,446/month
- Digital Nomad - 3x SBU = $1,446/month
- Professional - 1x SBU = $482/month
- Investor - 100x SBU = $48,200 lump sum
- Any other category under Article 60
For each dependent added, the principal must demonstrate an additional $250/month in income beyond the base requirement for their visa type. This is a flat amount that has not changed with the 2026 SBU increase.
Example: A couple applying under the Pensioner visa needs $1,446 + $250 = $1,696/month total. A family of four (two adults, two children) needs $1,446 + $250 + $250 + $250 = $2,196/month.
The principal must also demonstrate lawful means of subsistence sufficient for the entire family group, not just themselves.
Document Checklist
Every dependent visa application requires the following documents. All foreign-issued government documents must be apostilled in the country of origin and translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
For Every Applicant (Principal and Each Dependent)
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
- Passport-style photograph (white background)
- Apostilled birth certificate
- Apostilled criminal background check - from every country where you lived for more than 5 years. US citizens need both federal (FBI) and state checks.
- Health insurance valid in Ecuador - required at the application stage, not after approval
- Proof of Ecuadorian address
Relationship Documents
- Spouse: Apostilled marriage certificate. If married abroad, the marriage must be registered at a Civil Registry office in Ecuador.
- Common-law partner: Apostilled certificate of union de hecho, or proof of legal recognition of the partnership
- Children: Apostilled birth certificate showing parentage. For adopted children, apostilled adoption decree.
- Parents (permanent residency only): Apostilled birth certificate of the principal showing parentage
Financial Documents
- Bank statements from the last 3 months showing the required income (base threshold + $250 per dependent)
- Pension letter, employment verification, or other proof of income source
- If a family member in Ecuador is sponsoring: sworn notarized declaration plus bank statements showing sufficient funds (the threshold tracks the SBU - for 2026, budget at least $1,446 to match the 3x SBU standard)
Important: Only government-issued documents require apostilles. Bank statements, employment letters, and pension letters do not need apostilles, but they do need certified Spanish translations.
Government Fees
Government visa fees for 2026:
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $50 per person | Non-refundable, paid at submission |
| Visa grant fee | $270 per person | Paid upon approval |
| Senior discount (65+) | $135 grant fee | Reduces total to $185 |
| Total per person | $320 | Standard rate |
| Total per senior (65+) | $185 | Reduced rate |
These fees apply to each person individually - the principal and every dependent each pay their own application and grant fees.
Family cost example:
| Family Member | Application | Grant | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principal (under 65) | $50 | $270 | $320 |
| Spouse (under 65) | $50 | $270 | $320 |
| Child 1 | $50 | $270 | $320 |
| Child 2 | $50 | $270 | $320 |
| Family total | $200 | $1,080 | $1,280 |
These are government fees only. They do not include legal representation, apostilles, certified translations, or health insurance costs.
Applying Together vs. Adding Dependents Later
You have two options: apply as a family at the same time, or have the principal obtain their visa first and add dependents afterward.
Applying Together (Recommended)
The principal and all dependents submit their applications simultaneously through the eVISA portal. This is the approach we recommend for most families because:
- One set of financial documentation covers everyone
- The applications are reviewed together, reducing the chance of inconsistencies
- Everyone's visa timeline aligns - no gap where some family members have legal status and others do not
- Lower total legal costs if using an attorney
Adding Dependents Later
The principal obtains their visa first, then files separate dependent applications afterward. This makes sense when:
- The principal needs to move first for work or logistics
- A dependent's documents are not ready (e.g., waiting for an apostille or translation)
- The family situation changes after the principal is already in Ecuador (marriage, birth of a child)
The downside is that dependents added later go through a separate review cycle, require a fresh set of financial documentation showing the updated income threshold, and face their own processing timeline.
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Gather and Prepare Documents
Start with the items that take the longest: criminal background checks and apostilles. The FBI background check can take 8 or more weeks through standard channels. An FBI-approved channeler costs $50-100 extra but returns results in 3-5 days.
Get all foreign documents apostilled in the issuing country. Then have everything translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
Step 2: Arrange Health Insurance
Obtain health insurance valid in Ecuador before you submit. Private plans from providers like BMI or Saludsa work. IESS (Ecuador's social security system) also qualifies. Every applicant - principal and each dependent - needs their own coverage.
Step 3: Create an Account on the eVISA Portal
Go to serviciosdigitales.cancilleria.gob.ec and create an account using passport information. Each adult applicant needs their own account. Minor children can be included under a parent's application.
Step 4: Select Visa Category and Upload Documents
Select the appropriate visa category for the principal and the amparo category for dependents. Upload scanned copies of all documents. The portal specifies file format and size requirements.
Step 5: Pay the Application Fee
Pay the $50 per person application fee online through the portal. This is non-refundable.
Step 6: Wait for Review
The Cancilleria reviews the application and supporting documents. They may request additional documentation or clarification. Respond promptly to any requests - delays in responding extend the timeline.
Step 7: In-Person Appointment
After the digital application is reviewed, you will need to appear in person in Ecuador for biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) and to present original documents for verification. This step cannot be done remotely.
Step 8: Visa Approval and Grant Fee
Upon approval, pay the $270 grant fee (per person). The visa is then issued.
Step 9: Obtain Your Cedula
After the visa is granted, register for your cedula (Ecuadorian identity card) at the Civil Registry. The cedula is your primary identification document in Ecuador and is required for banking, signing contracts, and most daily transactions.
Timeline
Realistic timelines for 2026:
| Phase | Duration |
|---|---|
| Document gathering (background checks, apostilles, translations) | 4-8 weeks |
| eVISA submission and initial review | 2-4 weeks |
| Cancilleria processing | 4-8 weeks |
| In-person appointment and biometrics | 1-2 weeks |
| Cedula issuance | 1-3 weeks |
| Total (start to cedula) | 3-6 months |
Clients working with our firm average 4-5 months from start to cedula. DIY applicants typically take 6-8 months due to document errors, missed requirements, and unfamiliarity with the portal. The background check is usually the longest single phase if you use the standard FBI process instead of a channeler.
Rights of Dependent Visa Holders
Dependent visa holders in Ecuador have the following rights:
- Legal residency - You can live in Ecuador lawfully for the duration of the visa
- Work authorization - Adult dependents can apply for work authorization and pursue employment with private or public entities in Ecuador
- Access to public services - Including healthcare through IESS (once affiliated) and public education
- Banking - Open Ecuadorian bank accounts with your cedula
- Property ownership - Buy and sell real estate
- Path to permanent residency - Time on a dependent visa counts toward the 21-month requirement for permanent residency
- Path to citizenship - After 3 years of legal residency (temporary + permanent combined), you can apply for Ecuadorian citizenship
The work authorization point surprises many clients. Unlike some countries where dependent visa holders cannot work, Ecuador allows adult dependents to seek employment. You will need to apply for a separate work authorization, but the dependent visa does not bar you from working.
What Happens If the Principal Visa Holder's Status Changes
Because the dependent visa is tied to the principal's status, changes to the principal's visa directly affect dependents.
Divorce or Separation
If the marriage or partnership that formed the basis of the dependent visa ends, the dependent's visa status is at risk. The specifics depend on who initiates the separation and where the divorce is filed. If you are the dependent and your relationship ends, you should immediately consult an immigration attorney about switching to an independent visa category before your status lapses.
Death of the Principal
For visas issued after February 2021, the dependent does not automatically lose their visa if the principal dies. However, you must notify the Ministry within 30 days and take steps to ensure legal continuity of your status - typically by applying for your own independent visa.
Principal's Visa Revoked or Not Renewed
If the principal's visa is revoked or they fail to renew, the dependent loses their legal basis to remain in Ecuador. The dependent would need to apply for their own visa under an independent category or leave the country.
Practical Recommendation
We generally advise clients to consider whether each adult family member could qualify for their own independent visa. If both spouses qualify for a Pensioner or Professional visa independently, applying separately (rather than as principal and dependent) provides more security. If the relationship changes or one spouse's status is affected, the other retains their own independent legal status. The tradeoff is higher total fees and more documentation, but the added protection is worth evaluating.
Path to Permanent Residency
After 21 continuous months of temporary residency, both the principal and their dependents can apply for permanent residency. The 21-month clock applies individually - each person's time starts from when their own temporary visa was granted.
Key requirements for the transition:
- You cannot be outside Ecuador for more than 90 days total during the 21-month period (non-consecutive days count)
- You must demonstrate continued financial means
- Criminal background check must be current
- All visa fees and obligations must be up to date
Once permanent residents, the family gains additional benefits:
- Parents of the principal can now be added as dependents
- Travel flexibility increases - up to 180 days outside Ecuador per year during the first two years
- After two years as a permanent resident, you can be outside Ecuador for up to 2 continuous years (but the October 2025 LOMH reform revokes permanent residency if you exceed this)
- Eligibility for Ecuadorian citizenship after meeting the total residency requirement
Common Mistakes
These are the errors we see most often in dependent visa applications:
1. Not apostilling documents in the correct country. Your marriage certificate must be apostilled in the country that issued it. If you married in the US, apostille it in the US. If you married in another country, apostille it there. Getting this wrong means starting over.
2. Forgetting to register a foreign marriage in Ecuador. If you married abroad, register the marriage at a Civil Registry office in Ecuador before applying. Since 2000, Ecuadorian consulates can no longer register overseas marriages - you must do this in Ecuador. An unregistered foreign marriage may not be recognized for visa purposes.
3. Insufficient income documentation. Your bank statements must show the base visa requirement plus $250 per dependent. If you have three dependents, that is $750 above the base. We see applicants calculate for one dependent when they are applying for three.
4. Expired background checks. Criminal background checks are valid for a limited period. If your document gathering phase takes too long, your background check may expire before the application is submitted. Plan the timeline so the background check is one of the last items obtained.
5. Missing health insurance. Health insurance is required at the application stage. Applications submitted without proof of coverage are returned. Do not plan to arrange insurance after approval - that is no longer how it works.
6. Assuming parents qualify during temporary residency. Parents can only be added as dependents after the principal obtains permanent residency. We regularly hear from clients who assumed they could bring their parents from day one. The law is clear - spouses, partners, and children only during the temporary phase.
7. Not budgeting per-person fees. Government fees are per person, not per family. A family of four pays $1,280 in government fees alone. Add apostilles, translations, health insurance, and legal fees and the total is significantly higher.
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Moving to Ecuador with your family? Contact us or call 651-621-3652.