Ecuador Treaty and UNASUR Visa 2026: Which Countries Qualify and How to Apply

Ecuador maintains several treaty-based visa pathways for South American nationals - but the landscape has shifted dramatically since 2021. The original UNASUR visa is gone. The Mercosur visa is the primary replacement. The Andean Migratory Statute added a third option in 2023. And the Ecuador-Venezuela bilateral statute was terminated in 2025.

If you are a South American national planning to move to Ecuador, this guide covers every treaty-based residency pathway that exists today, which ones have been eliminated, and what each one requires.

Legal Basis: Where Treaty Visas Come From

Ecuador's immigration framework is the Ley Organica de Movilidad Humana (LOMH), enacted in February 2017. Articles 60 and 61 define temporary residence categories and general requirements. The LOMH recognizes "residencia por convenio" - residency through international agreements - as a distinct visa category governed by the terms of the applicable treaty.

The Reglamento a la LOMH (Decreto Ejecutivo 111) provides the implementing regulations, including document requirements and processing procedures.

Three international instruments are relevant:

1. UNASUR Constitutive Treaty (2008) - Created a framework for free movement across South America. Ecuador withdrew from UNASUR in March 2019, and the LOMH reform of February 5, 2021 derogated Chapter VI, eliminating both temporary and permanent UNASUR visas.

2. Mercosur Residence Agreement (Acuerdo de Residencia para Nacionales de los Estados Parte del Mercosur) - Ecuador acceded to this agreement as an associated state. It remains active and is now the primary treaty-based visa for South American nationals.

3. Estatuto Migratorio Andino (Decision 878 of the Comunidad Andina) - Entered operational effect in Ecuador on April 1, 2023. Applies to nationals of Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru.

The LOMH was further reformed in October 2025, tightening criminal background requirements and expanding deportation grounds. These changes affect all visa categories, including treaty visas.

The UNASUR Visa: What Happened

The UNASUR temporary residence visa was created under the original LOMH in 2017. It allowed nationals of all twelve South American nations to obtain two-year temporary residency in Ecuador with minimal documentation and a low fee (around $250 total). It was the simplest path to legal residency for South American nationals, and approximately 90,000 people - many of them Venezuelan - obtained one.

Ecuador suspended the UNASUR visa on February 5, 2021, when the LOMH reform derogated the entire Chapter VI that governed it. Applications submitted before that date were still processed, but no new UNASUR visa applications have been accepted since.

The UNASUR visa no longer exists. If you see references to it on older government pages or immigration forums, they are outdated. Former UNASUR visa holders who want to remain in Ecuador must transition to a Mercosur visa (if eligible) or another visa category.

Which Countries Qualify for Treaty Visas in 2026

Ecuador currently operates three treaty-based residency pathways. Here is which nationalities qualify for each:

Key points:

• Mercosur visa: Available to nationals of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. This is the broadest treaty visa still active.
• Estatuto Migratorio Andino: Available to nationals of Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru only (the other CAN member states besides Ecuador).
• Ecuador-Venezuela Statute: Denounced by President Noboa in September 2025. Venezuelan nationals now require a transit visa to enter Ecuador and must pursue other visa categories.
• Guyana and Suriname do not qualify for any current treaty visa in Ecuador. Despite being UNASUR members, they were never parties to the Mercosur Residence Agreement and are not CAN members.

Mercosur Temporary Residence Visa: Requirements

The Mercosur temporary residence visa is the primary treaty visa for South American nationals. Here is what it requires.

Eligibility

You must be a national of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, or Uruguay. You must have entered Ecuador with regular migratory status (lawful entry). You must intend to reside in Ecuador to perform lawful activities.

Income Requirement

You must demonstrate "medios de vida licitos" - lawful means of subsistence. The specific amount is governed by Ministerial Agreement No. 70 of June 28, 2024. This generally means proving income or economic capacity sufficient to sustain yourself and any dependents. The threshold is lower than standard visa categories like the Rentista or Pensioner visa - there is no fixed SBU multiple published for the Mercosur visa specifically. Proof can include employment contracts, bank statements, business registration, or IESS (Ecuadorian social security) contribution certificates.

Duration

Two years, with the option to renew for an additional two years. This renewal option was added recently - previously, Mercosur visa holders had to convert to permanent residency or another visa type after the initial two years.

Work Authorization

The Mercosur visa grants full work authorization in Ecuador. You can work as an employee, be self-employed, or start a business. No separate work permit is needed.

Document Checklist: Mercosur Visa

Prepare the following before you apply:

1. Passport - Valid for at least six months from the date of application
2. Color photograph - JPG format, maximum 1 MB, 5x5 cm (2x2 inches), white background, neutral expression, both eyes open
3. Criminal background certificate - From your country of origin or from any country where you have resided in the past five years. Must be apostilled or legalized and translated into Spanish if issued in another language. Valid for 180 days from the date of issue
4. Proof of lawful means of subsistence - Per Ministerial Agreement No. 70 (June 2024). Employment contract, bank statements, business proof, or IESS affiliation
5. Health insurance - Private insurance with coverage in Ecuador, or IESS affiliation. Required at the application stage
6. Application form - Completed through the eVISA portal

All foreign documents must be apostilled (for Hague Convention countries) or legalized through the Ecuadorian consulate in the issuing country, and translated into Spanish by a certified translator if not originally in Spanish.

Government Fees

The $50 application fee is non-refundable and paid at submission. The $200 visa grant fee is paid upon approval.

These are government fees only. They do not include legal representation, document apostilles, translations, or courier costs.

For comparison, standard temporary residence visas (Rentista, Professional, etc.) cost $50 application + $270 grant = $320 total. The Mercosur visa is $70 cheaper on the government side.

Estatuto Migratorio Andino: The CAN Alternative

If you are a national of Bolivia, Colombia, or Peru, you have a second treaty option - the Estatuto Migratorio Andino, created under Decision 878 of the Comunidad Andina.

This statute grants temporary residence for two years with multiple entries. It provides the same rights as the Mercosur visa - full work authorization, access to public services, and the ability to study. After two years of temporary residence, you can apply for permanent residence under the same Andean Statute.

The document requirements are similar to the Mercosur visa. If you qualify for both, we generally recommend applying under whichever agreement has faster processing in practice at the time of your application - both lead to the same outcome.

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Enter Ecuador lawfully. Mercosur nationals from the eight eligible countries can enter Ecuador without a visa for up to 180 days. Use this tourist period to gather documents and begin the process.

Step 2: Obtain your criminal background certificate. Request this from your country of origin before traveling, or from the country where you have resided for the past five years. Have it apostilled and translated. It must be valid for 180 days from the date of issue - time this carefully.

Step 3: Secure health insurance. Get private health insurance in Ecuador (providers like BMI, Saludsa, or others) or affiliate with IESS. You need proof of coverage before submitting.

Step 4: Prepare your means of subsistence documentation. Bank statements, employment contracts, business registration, or other evidence of economic capacity.

Step 5: Create an account on the eVISA portal. Go to serviciosdigitales.cancilleria.gob.ec and register. Upload all documents in the required formats.

Step 6: Submit your application and pay the $50 fee. The system generates a case number for tracking.

Step 7: Wait for review. The Cancilleria reviews your documentation. Processing takes approximately 30 business days, though delays are common.

Step 8: Attend your biometrics appointment. Once approved, you will be scheduled for an in-person appointment at a Coordinacion Zonal to provide fingerprints and photographs.

Step 9: Pay the $200 visa grant fee. Paid after approval, before the visa is issued.

Step 10: Obtain your cedula. With your visa approved, register for your Ecuadorian cedula (national identity card) at the Registro Civil. This is your primary identification document in Ecuador.

Timeline

These are realistic estimates, not optimistic ones. The Cancilleria's eVISA system experiences periodic outages and backlogs. Criminal record certificates from some countries take longer than others. Plan for the longer end of each range.

Rights Under a Mercosur or Treaty Visa

Once your Mercosur temporary residence visa is approved, you have the right to:

• Work - Employment (dependent or independent), self-employment, or business ownership. No separate work permit required.
• Study - Enroll in educational institutions at all levels.
• Access public services - Healthcare through IESS (once affiliated), public education.
• Open bank accounts - With your cedula, you can open accounts at Ecuadorian banks.
• Enter and exit freely - Multiple entry. No need to request exit permits.
• Include dependents - Spouse and minor children can apply for dependent visas under the same treaty.

You are treated under the same conditions as Ecuadorian nationals for purposes of employment and education access. This is a direct provision of the Mercosur Residence Agreement.

Path to Permanent Residency and Citizenship

Permanent residency: After 21 months of continuous temporary residence, you can apply for permanent residency. You must not have been absent from Ecuador for more than 90 cumulative days during that period. Requirements include proof of continued lawful means of subsistence and a clean criminal record.

The Mercosur agreement also provides a direct path to permanent residency - you can apply before your temporary visa expires, provided you meet the 21-month residency threshold and submit proof of IESS affiliation or tax returns.

Citizenship: After three years of permanent residency, you can apply for Ecuadorian citizenship by naturalization. You will need to demonstrate basic Spanish language ability and knowledge of Ecuadorian culture, geography, and constitutional principles. Ecuador permits dual citizenship.

Total timeline from first entry to citizenship eligibility: Approximately 5-6 years (2 years temporary + 21 months minimum before permanent + 3 years permanent before naturalization).

How Treaty Visas Compare to Other Visa Types

The treaty visa's main advantages are the lower fees, streamlined income requirement, and automatic work authorization. The disadvantage is simple - it is only available to nationals of the eight Mercosur member and associate states.

Common Mistakes

1. Assuming the UNASUR visa still exists. It was eliminated in February 2021. We still see clients arrive in Ecuador expecting to apply for it based on outdated information online.

2. Letting the criminal record certificate expire. It is valid for 180 days from the date of issue. If your application is delayed or you wait too long before submitting, you may need to request a new one. Count the days carefully.

3. Not having health insurance before applying. The Cancilleria requires proof of health coverage at the application stage. This is not something you arrange after approval.

4. Confusing Mercosur eligibility with UNASUR eligibility. The old UNASUR visa covered all twelve South American nationalities. The Mercosur visa covers only eight. Venezuelan, Guyanese, and Surinamese nationals do not qualify.

5. Failing to apostille documents. Every document issued outside Ecuador must be apostilled (or legalized if the issuing country is not a Hague Convention member). Submitting documents without an apostille is the single most common reason for application rejections.

6. Waiting until the tourist period expires. Mercosur nationals get 180 days of tourist stay. But document preparation takes time, and the eVISA system can be slow. Start the process early - do not wait until month five.

7. Not budgeting for the full cost. Government fees are $250, but total costs including apostilles, translations, health insurance, and legal assistance typically run $800-$1,500 depending on your situation and country of origin.

The October 2025 LOMH Reform: What Changed

The most recent reform to the LOMH, approved in October 2025, affects treaty visas in several ways:

• Criminal background certificates are now mandatory for entry, not just for visa applications. If you cannot produce one, you may be denied entry at the border.
• Expedited deportation procedures have been introduced for individuals deemed a threat to public safety. Deportation now carries a 40-year re-entry ban.
• Visa revocation grounds have been expanded to include criminal recidivism and document falsification.

These changes apply to all visa categories, including Mercosur and Andean treaty visas. The reform does not change the core eligibility or requirements of treaty visas, but it makes compliance with document requirements more critical than ever.

We Handle Treaty Visa Cases

Our firm processes Mercosur and Andean Statute visas regularly from our office in Cuenca. We know the current document requirements, the eVISA portal's quirks, and what the Cancilleria expects in 2026. If you qualify for a treaty visa, we can tell you which pathway makes the most sense and handle the application from start to finish.

Keep reading:

• Ecuador Visa Requirements 2026
• Guide to Ecuador Residency
• Ecuador Citizenship Guide 2026

Are you a South American national moving to Ecuador? Contact us or call 651-621-3652.