Ecuador Student Visa 2026: Requirements, Costs, and What You Need to Know

Here is the short version.

Ecuador's Visa de Residencia Temporal de Estudiante gives you legal residency for the duration of your academic program - up to two years, renewable. It covers university degrees, language schools, exchange programs, and professional internships at any institution recognized by the Ecuadorian government. The government fees total $130 (application plus issuance), though additional costs for apostilles and translations apply. After 21 months of continuous presence, you can apply for permanent residency.

Here is the full breakdown - the legal basis, the documents, the fees, and the mistakes we see people make.

Legal Basis

The student visa is established under Article 60, numeral 9 of the Ley Organica de Movilidad Humana (LOMH), Ecuador's organic law governing immigration and human mobility. The LOMH was originally enacted in 2017 and has been amended multiple times, most recently through the Ley Organica Reformatoria published in 2024.

Article 60 defines the categories of temporary residency. Numeral 3 specifically creates the student category for foreign nationals accepted into academic programs at any level within educational institutions recognized by the Ecuadorian state.

The implementing regulations are found in the Reglamento a la Ley Organica de Movilidad Humana, which details the specific documentary requirements, processing procedures, and financial proof standards for each visa category.

Key articles to know:

• LOMH Article 60, numeral 9 - establishes the student temporary residency category
• LOMH and Reglamento - health insurance is required for all temporary residency visas, reinforced across multiple provisions and in the official tramite listing
• LOMH Articles 67-68 - define grounds for visa cancellation and revocation, including engaging in unauthorized employment
• Reglamento Article 62, numeral 2 - requires health insurance certification for renewal

Who Qualifies

The student visa is available to any foreign national who has been admitted to study at an educational institution officially recognized in Ecuador. This includes students at every level:

• Basic education (primary school)
• Secondary education (high school)
• Undergraduate university programs
• Postgraduate programs (master's, doctorate)
• Pre-professional or professional internships tied to an academic program

The key requirement is institutional recognition. Your school, university, or program must be accredited by the relevant Ecuadorian authority - either SENESCYT (Secretaria de Educacion Superior, Ciencia, Tecnologia e Innovacion) for higher education institutions, or the Ministerio de Educacion for primary and secondary schools.

Qualifying Programs

Not every program or course qualifies. The student visa requires that your studies last at least six months within a consecutive one-year period. Weekend workshops or short certificate courses do not meet this threshold.

Programs that qualify:

• University degree programs - bachelor's, master's, doctorate at SENESCYT-recognized universities
• Language schools - Spanish immersion programs at institutions recognized by the Ministerio de Educacion, provided the program runs at least six months
• Exchange programs - semester or year-long exchanges at partner institutions in Ecuador
• Professional internships - pre-professional or professional practices linked to a recognized academic program
• Technical and vocational programs - at institutions registered with SENESCYT or the Ministerio de Educacion

Programs that generally do not qualify:

• Online-only courses with no in-person component in Ecuador
• Short courses under six months
• Private tutoring arrangements without institutional backing
• Workshops, seminars, or conferences

Financial Requirements

You must demonstrate that you have the financial means to support yourself during your studies. Under Ministerial Agreement No. 70 of June 28, 2024, the government uses the Salario Basico Unificado (SBU) as the benchmark for financial solvency.

For 2026, the SBU is $482 per month. You need to show access to at least one SBU per month for the duration of your academic program.

Acceptable proof includes:

• Bank statements showing sufficient savings or regular income deposits
• Scholarship or grant certificates from the educational institution confirming that tuition and living costs are covered
• Proof of tuition payment combined with evidence of additional funds for living expenses
• Financial sponsorship letter from a parent or guardian, backed by their bank statements

If you are adding dependents to your visa, the financial requirements increase. Budget an additional $250 per month per dependent child under 18.

Document Checklist

Every document originating outside Ecuador must be apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator. Here is the complete list based on the official government requirements:

• Valid passport with at least six months remaining validity, plus one photocopy
• Passport-size color photograph - JPG format, maximum 1 MB, 5x5 cm (2x2 inches), white background, neutral expression or natural smile with both eyes open
• Enrollment or admission certificate from an accredited Ecuadorian institution, confirming your full name, program of study, and duration of the academic period. The institution must be recognized by SENESCYT (higher education) or the Ministerio de Educacion (primary/secondary)
• Criminal background check from your country of citizenship, covering the last five years, apostilled and translated into Spanish. Must be issued within six months of your application date
• Proof of financial means per Ministerial Agreement No. 70 (see Financial Requirements above)
• Health insurance certificate - public or private insurance with coverage valid in Ecuador for the full duration of your visa. The policy must explicitly state coverage in Ecuadorian territory
• Proof of lawful entry into Ecuador (entry stamp in passport or migration record)

For dependents (spouse or children), you also need:

• Marriage certificate or civil union documentation (apostilled and translated)
• Birth certificates for minor children (apostilled and translated)

A note on criminal background checks: in the US, this means an FBI Identity History Summary. Processing through the FBI takes approximately eight weeks by mail. If you need it faster, use an FBI-approved channeler for three-to-five business day processing at an additional cost of $50 to $100.

Government Fees

Citizens of Colombia, Spain, or Paraguay pay a reduced visa issuance fee of $30 under bilateral agreements, bringing their total to approximately $95.

Beyond government fees, budget for:

Step-by-Step Process

Since July 2024, all visa applications in Ecuador must be submitted through the e-visa portal. In-person applications are no longer accepted.

Step 1: Secure your admission. Get your enrollment or admission letter from the Ecuadorian institution. Make sure it includes your full name, the specific program, and the exact dates.

Step 2: Gather and prepare documents. Obtain your criminal background check, health insurance, and financial proof. Get apostilles and certified translations for everything that originates outside Ecuador.

Step 3: Register on the e-visa portal. Create an account on Ecuador's virtual consulate system at cancilleria.gob.ec.

Step 4: Submit your application online. Upload all required documents and complete the application form. Pay the $50 application fee online.

Step 5: Attend your appointment. Schedule and attend an appointment at the nearest Ecuadorian consulate (if applying from abroad) or Zonal Coordination office (if applying from within Ecuador). You can apply from inside Ecuador while on a valid tourist entry.

Step 6: Wait for processing. The government will review your application and may request additional documents.

Step 7: Pay the visa issuance fee. Once approved, pay the $80 issuance fee.

Step 8: Receive your visa and obtain your cedula. After visa issuance, you must register with the Registro Civil to obtain your cedula de identidad (national ID card).

Timeline

Realistic timelines based on what we see with our clients:

Delays happen. The most common causes are incomplete document uploads, expired background checks, and health insurance policies that do not explicitly mention Ecuador. Start your document preparation well before your program begins.

Rights and Limitations

What you can do

• Study full-time at your enrolled institution
• Open an Ecuadorian bank account
• Access Ecuador's healthcare system
• Include your spouse and minor children as dependents
• Travel in and out of Ecuador freely
• Apply for permanent residency after 21 months

What you cannot do

The student visa does not authorize employment. Under Articles 67-68 of the LOMH, engaging in work for remuneration while holding a student visa is grounds for visa revocation. This applies to both formal employment and freelance work within Ecuador.

Pre-professional and professional internships tied directly to your academic program are the exception - these are explicitly covered by the visa category. But a side job waiting tables or freelancing for an Ecuadorian company is not permitted.

If you need to work while studying, you would need to apply for a different visa category or obtain a change of migratory status.

Dependents

Your spouse and minor children can obtain dependent visas (Visa de Amparo) linked to your student visa. They need apostilled marriage or birth certificates, and you need to demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support them. Ecuador recognizes same-sex marriages and civil unions for dependent visa purposes.

Adult dependents can apply for their own work authorization separately.

Duration and Renewal

The student visa is valid for the duration of your academic program, up to a maximum of two years. If your program runs longer than two years (common for doctoral programs), you can renew.

Key rules:

• Maximum initial duration: two years
• Renewal: allowed once, for an additional two years, as long as you are still enrolled in the same or a continuing program
• Renewal requirement: you must present your health insurance certificate valid for the renewal period, per Article 62, numeral 2 of the Reglamento
• Renewal fee: $80 visa renewal fee plus updated documentation

If your program ends before your visa expires, your visa remains valid until the stated expiration date. However, if you are no longer enrolled and the government becomes aware, they may cancel your visa under Articles 67-68 of the LOMH.

After Your Studies - Next Visa Options

Finishing your studies does not mean you have to leave Ecuador. Several pathways exist:

Permanent residency (after 21 months)

If you have held your student visa for at least 21 months and maintained continuous physical presence in Ecuador (no more than 90 days outside the country during that period), you can apply for permanent residency. This is the most direct path and does not require you to switch to another temporary visa first.

Professional visa

If you find employment with an Ecuadorian company after graduation, your employer can sponsor you for a Professional Visa (Visa de Residencia Temporal de Profesional). This requires a formal job offer and contract.

Digital Nomad Visa

If you plan to work remotely for foreign clients or employers, the Digital Nomad Visa requires proof of $1,446/month in foreign-source income.

Investment visa

If you have capital to invest, the Investment Visa provides another pathway to temporary and eventually permanent residency.

Citizenship

The full timeline from student to citizen:

1. Months 1-21: Hold student visa, maintain physical presence
2. Month 21: Apply for permanent residency
3. Years 3-5: Hold permanent residency for at least three years
4. Year 5+: Apply for Ecuadorian citizenship through naturalization

Common Mistakes

We see the same errors repeatedly. Avoid these:

Expired criminal background check. Your background check must be dated within six months of your application. If you start gathering documents early but delay filing, the check may expire before you submit. Time it carefully.

Health insurance without Ecuador coverage. A travel insurance policy is not the same as health insurance that explicitly covers Ecuador. The policy must name Ecuador or state worldwide coverage. Vague policies get rejected.

Enrollment letter missing key details. The letter from your institution must include your full legal name (matching your passport), the exact program name, and the start and end dates. A generic acceptance letter without dates will delay your application.

Working without authorization. We cannot stress this enough. If immigration authorities discover you are working - even freelancing remotely for Ecuadorian clients - your visa can be revoked under Articles 67-68 of the LOMH. If you need to work, apply for the appropriate visa category.

Applying too late. You can enter Ecuador visa-free for up to 90 days (for most nationalities) and apply from within the country. But if your program starts immediately and processing takes six weeks, you may find yourself in a gray area. Apply early - ideally from your home country before you travel.

Ignoring the 21-month rule. If you want permanent residency, plan your travel carefully from day one. You cannot be outside Ecuador for more than 90 days total during the 21-month qualifying period. Every trip abroad counts.

Keep reading:

• Ecuador Visa Requirements 2026
• Ecuador Digital Nomad Visa 2026
• Cuenca Cost of Living 2026

Studying in Ecuador? Contact us or call 651-621-3652.