Visitor & short-stay visas
Ecuadorian Visa-free tourist entry (short stay on arrival)
Nationals of most countries can enter Ecuador for tourism without a visa, receiving a permitted stay stamped in their passport on arrival.
Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
Under review — check current rules
The visa-free maximum stay (90 days) and the reported 180-day cap within a 12-month period should be verified against the current Ley Orgánica de Movilidad Humana and Ministry regulations; the exact list of visa-exempt vs special-regime nationalities changes and must be checked on the official source.
Important information
Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official Ecuador government website before you apply.
On this page
- Official name
- Ingreso como visitante temporal (turismo)
- Route type
- Visa-free entry / stamped stay on arrival
- Maximum stay
- Up to 90 days per stay
- Extendable for a further 90 days; a 180-day total within a 12-month period is widely reported but should be confirmed against the current regulation.
- Passport validity
- At least 6 months
- Cost
- No visa fee for visa-free nationals
- Extension
- Extendable once for a further 90 continuous days
- A single tourist extension (prórroga) is available, on prior request and payment.
- Entries
- Multiple entries permitted
- Days spent in Ecuador count towards the 90-day cumulative cap regardless of how many trips you make in the 12 months.
- Cost of entry
- No visa fee for visa-free nationals
- Cost of extension
- One third of Ecuador's Unified Basic Salary (SBU)
- The fee is set as a fraction of the SBU rather than a fixed sum; confirm the current USD amount for the applicable year before paying.
- Where to extend
- Servicios de Apoyo Migratorio (Migration Support Service) offices, or the online portal
- 20 Migration Support Service offices operate across Ecuador's provinces, Monday-Friday.
Who it is for
- Tourists, visitors to family and friends, and short-term leisure travellers
- Nationals of countries that are NOT on Ecuador's special-regime list requiring a prior tourist visa
What you can do
- Travel and tourism throughout Ecuador, including the Galápagos (separate transit control card and Galápagos entry fee apply)
- Cannot work, be employed, or carry out paid/lucrative activities on a tourist stay
How it works
- Present a passport valid for at least 6 months at the port of entry
- You may be asked for proof of onward/return travel, accommodation and sufficient funds
- Receive an entry stamp for the tourist stay; to stay beyond the initial period apply for a tourist extension (prórroga)
Requirements
- Hold a passport valid for at least 6 months
- Be a national of a country that is NOT on Ecuador's special-regime list requiring a prior tourist visa
- Travel for tourism, leisure or visiting family and friends only (no paid or lucrative work)
- Be able to show proof of onward or return travel if asked at the border
- Be able to show sufficient funds to support your stay if asked
- Keep your total tourist stay within 90 days in any 12-month period, counted from your first entry
How to apply
- No prior application or visa is needed: present your valid passport at the port of entry and you are admitted as a temporary visitor (tourist) with a stay stamped on arrival
- The immigration officer may ask for proof of onward/return travel, accommodation and sufficient funds before stamping you in
- To stay beyond your stamped period, request a tourist extension (prórroga) once, for a further 90 days, on prior request and payment of the fee
- Request the extension online through the migration portal (an advisor then contacts you and the response is sent by email), or in person at a Servicios de Apoyo Migratorio office
- The extension can be requested towards the end of your regular stay; complete the extension request form available on the migration website
Documents you may need
- Valid, current passport (at least 6 months' validity) - required for both entry and any extension
- Proof of onward or return travel (e.g. return flight, bus or ferry ticket)
- Evidence of sufficient funds (e.g. bank statement or credit card)
- Proof of accommodation or itinerary for your stay
- For an extension: the completed Extension Request Form (Solicitud de Prórroga) from the migration website
- For an extension via a representative: a power of attorney issued by a notary or an Ecuadorian consulate abroad
Frequently asked questions
It is cumulative per year. The official rule allows up to 90 days within a 12-month period counted from your first entry, so multiple trips draw down the same 90-day allowance rather than resetting each time you arrive.
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.
Related Ecuadorian visas
- SHORT STAYUP TO 90 DAYSTourist visitor visa (90 days)A pre-arrival tourist visa required from nationals of certain special-regime countries, allowing a tourism stay of up to 90 days in Ecuador.View visa details
- SHORT STAYTRANSITTransit visitor visaA short transit visa for nationals of specified countries passing through Ecuadorian territory on their way to another destination.View visa details