If you are planning to move to Ecuador, it is vital you familiarize yourself with the various visa requirements, from the duration you need to stay in the country for a permanent resident visa to health insurance requirements for a temporary resident visa.

In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about the visa requirements for Ecuador, what health insurance options are available, and who are some of the best international health insurance providers in the country.

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Ecuador Visa Requirements

Visitors from most countries do not require a visa to enter Ecuador for up to 90 days, with some notable country exceptions including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cuba, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, and Senegal.

Nationals of the following countries can stay in Ecuador for up to 180 days as a tourist: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Citizens from the following countries will require a visa to enter Ecuador:

Tourist Visa Extension

If tourists want to stay in Ecuador for longer than 90 days, they may do so by applying for a tourist visa extension, which will allow them to stay in the country for an additional 90 days.

Tourists may also apply to extend their stay for a maximum period of one year by sending a special request to the Human Mobility Authority. This special extension can only be granted once every five years.

Please note here that anyone who wants to apply for a tourist visa extension must secure and show proof of having either a health insurance policy or travel insurance that will cover them for their entire stay in Ecuador.

Temporary Residency Visa

Foreigners who are granted a temporary residency visa will be allowed to stay in Ecuador for up to two years. During this period of time, those with a temporary residency visa in Ecuador are allowed to leave the country for up to 90 days in the first year, and again up to 90 days in the second year.

Temporary residency visas are subject to cancellation if the visa holder fails to comply with the 90-day requirement, in which case they will need to either re-enter Ecuador with a new temporary residency visa and/or new tourist visa, depending on their circumstances.

There are thirteen categories under this type of migration status:

• Worker
• Independent means
• Pensioner
• Investor
• Scientist, researcher or academic
• Athlete, artist or cultural agent
• Religious or religious volunteer
• Volunteer
• Student
• Professional, technician, technologist or master craftsman
• International convention
• Dependent (i.e. children, spouse or common law partner, etc.)
• International protection

Those applying for a temporary residency visa must show proof of having private health insurance or must be affiliated with Ecuador’s social security system, commonly known as the IESS or Instituto Ecuatoriano de Seguridad Social. Please note here that the temporary residency visa can only be renewed once.

Permanent Residency Visa

Permanent residency visas allow a foreign citizen to remain in Ecuador for an indefinite period of time. To obtain permanent residence status, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Have stayed in Ecuador for at least 21 months
• Have married or formed a legally recognized civil union with an Ecuadorian person
• Be a minor or a disabled person who depends on an Ecuadorian person or foreigner with permanent resident status
• Be related to an Ecuadorian person or permanent resident of Ecuador

For the first two years from the date the visa is granted, those with a permanent residency visa are not allowed to be out of the country for more than 180 days each year. Those who fail to comply with this requirement will be charged a hefty fine.

As with the temporary residency visa health insurance requirements, those applying for a permanent residency visa must also show proof of having private health insurance or be affiliated with the IESS.

Comparing Private Health Insurance and the  IESS

If you’re applying for a temporary or permanent residency visa, there are two health insurance options available:

• Membership in the IESS
• Obtain private health insurance

Here, we provide an overview of the two options:

IESS

Expats moving to Ecuador can choose to enroll in the IESS, which is paid for through contributions either by yourself or by your employer (if you are employed) as an alternative to securing your own private health insurance policy. 

The cost is 17.6% of your income, and an additional 3.41% for your spouse or common law partner, as long as they have a cédula (national identification) number for registration. These percentages, for many expats, can be a considerable amount.

Public medical care is 100% free if you’re enrolled in the IESS, as long as you visit facilities that are contracted with the IESS. That said, sometimes IESS pharmacies may not have the medications that you require, meaning you may have to go to a non-IESS facility to purchase them.

Expats should note that the quality of medical care provided by IESS facilities can vary significantly in Ecuador, with most high-quality facilities located in large cities like Guayaquil. Healthcare standards in smaller towns and rural areas are often very poor.

Combine this with the fact that the IESS can be restrictive for foreigners to be able to afford or utilize, it is recommended that expats secure their own private health insurance to fill any gaps in the IESS coverage.

Private Health Insurance in Ecuador

Those looking for private health insurance can choose to obtain either a local or international policy. If you’re on a tight budget and rarely travel, a local plan may be the best option for you. Local plans are often much cheaper than international health insurance.

That said, expats and frequent travellers often prefer international health insurance to benefit from much greater flexibility and freedom in choosing where they can seek care.

Best International Health Insurance Providers in Ecuador

The best international health insurance providers in Ecuador include Cigna, Bupa, Allianz, AXA, and VUMI. These providers offer expats comprehensive coverage in customizable plans designed for expats living in Ecuador.

Cigna Global

Cigna Global is a leading insurance provider providing policies in over 200 markets and territories around the world. The four core international health insurance plans Cigna Global offers include: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Close Care.

Among the four core international health insurance plans, the Close Care plan acts more like a local plan and only provides coverage in your country of residence. As such, the benefits and annual limit is not as comprehensive as the other plans offered.

Allianz Care

As a world-leading health insurance provider, Allianz Care is one of the top choices for expats in Ecuador looking for international health insurance plans. The core international health insurance plans Allianz Care offers include: the Care Plan, the Care Plus Plan, and the Care Pro Plan.

Among the international plans available, the Care Pro Plan offers the most comprehensive coverage with the highest limit of USD $5,000,000. Below is a table of comparison showing the limits and core coverage of each plan:

Bupa International

Bupa Global is considered one of the best insurance companies for expats in Ecuador because of its localized customer service and 24/7 medical help through Bupa’s Global Virtual Care, a leading telehealth platform capable of offering personalized treatment through technology.

Bupa policyholders can enjoy excellent benefits across all the plans offered by Bupa including lifetime renewal, direct access to specialists without referral, direct billing, and second medical opinions.

AXA

AXA Global Healthcare is a renowned brand with over 50 years of experience offering insurance solutions to more than 95 million clients in 50 countries. This makes AXA a great choice for expats in Ecuador looking for wide coverage and flexibility in their health insurance plan.

AXA’s international insurance plans include the Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus. The annual plan limits range from USD $160,000 to USD $8,000,000. 

VUMI

VUMI (VIP Universal Medical Insurance Group) offers a variety of quality plans crafted to meet the needs of expats living in Ecuador. Known for offering expats comprehensive international health insurance plans with great flexibility, expats will find highly customizable plans to suit their needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the currency used in Ecuador?

The official currency of Ecuador is the United States Dollar (USD).

What vaccinations do I need before traveling to Ecuador?

Before traveling to Ecuador, it is recommended to be up to date on routine vaccines and your yearly flu shot. The CDC also recommends vaccinations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, and rabies.

Are credit cards widely accepted in Ecuador?

Credit cards are widely accepted in major cities and tourist areas in Ecuador, but recommended that expats and tourists carry some cash, especially in smaller towns and markets where card acceptance may be limited.

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Looking for More Information on Ecuador Visa Requirements?

If you’re looking to learn more about Ecuador visa requirements and your health insurance options, Pacific Prime can help you. With over 20 years of experience in helping expats secure the best international health insurance, Pacific Prime can help you find a plan that covers your needs.

Contact us today for impartial advice and an obligation-free quote, and have us protect your safety during your expat journey!

Also feel free to have a look at our Ecuador page here for in-depth information on healthcare and health insurance in Ecuador.

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Vista Nip

Content Creator at Pacific Prime

Vista is a content creator at Pacific Prime. With over 8 years of writing experience for online platforms on various topics such as luxury lifestyle and digital entertainment. He enjoys diving into complex and otherwise confusing topics, and creating easy-to-understand content for the readers to help them navigate through the topic – something that’s perfectly aligned with Pacific Prime’s motto of ‘simplifying insurance’.

Born and raised in the cultural melting pot that is Hong Kong, and having studied at an international school, Vista has developed a multicultural perspective that he uses in his writing and strives to connect to people of different backgrounds.

In his free time, Vista enjoys immersing himself in different worlds, from video games to light novels and movies. His hobbies help him expand his writing style by putting himself in the point-of-view of different people and characters.

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