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Ecuador

🇪🇨Ecuador Visa 2026: Entry Requirements

South America· Updated 10/10/2026

Do you need a visa for Ecuador?

It depends on your passport. Out of 196 nationalities documented by IziVisas, 149 enter Ecuador visa-free and 47 obtain an e-visa or a visa on arrival.

Visa-free

149

nationalities

E-visa

47

nationalities

Check the rule for your nationality

Pick your passport for the exact 2026 rule: fee, processing time, allowed stay and documents.

Data updated on · Official source

Rules by nationality cross-checked against the official list (cancilleria.gob.ec), read on .

Pick your nationality to see the rule

Indicative information, drawn from official sources and Wikipedia, and updated automatically. Rules change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal

Ecuador visa requirements by nationality

The entry regime Ecuador applies to the passports most often checked on IziVisas. Open a row for the fee, the processing time, the documents and the allowed stay of that exact route.

All nationalities

Ecuador visa types, fees and processing times

Every visa category Ecuador publishes, with the official fee, the allowed stay and the processing time when the source states them. Eligibility depends on your nationality: open your route for the rule that applies to your passport.

Ecuador visa types published by IziVisas, 2026. Data updated on . Government fees only. Application centres and agencies charge their own service fee on top.
VisaCategoryAllowed stayOfficial feeProcessing timeEntriesOfficial source
Short-stay (tourism)Short stayPortal
Business visaBusiness90 days175 USD15 business daysMultiplePortal
Permanent residenceLong stayIndefinite225-275 USD60 business daysMultiplePortal
Temporary residenceLong stay2 years130-320 USD60 business daysMultiplePortal
Rentista visaRetirement2 years (then permanent)320 USD60 business daysMultiplePortal
Investor visaInvestor2 years320 USD60 business daysMultiplePortal

Visas

Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)

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Information

Capital

Quito

Population

18,000,062

Currency

United States dollar (USD $)

Languages

Spanish, Kichwa

Continent

South America

Calling code

+593

Timezone

America/Guayaquil

Area

256,370 km²

Government

Presidential republic

National day

August 10 - First Cry of Independence

Internet domain

.ec

About

Ecuador is a South American country straddling the equator, renowned for its diverse landscapes including the Andes, Amazon rainforest, and Galápagos Islands. It has used the US dollar as currency since 2000. The capital Quito is situated over 2800 meters above sea level.

Nomad Insurance travel cover (SafetyWing)

Medical cover and repatriation, can be taken out mid-trip.

Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

See SafetyWing coverage

Safety

Risk level:High risk due to violent crime and drug traffickers, especially in coastal areas.

Risk areas

Guayaquil and Esmeraldas - Violent crime and gangsColombian border - Drug traffickingQuito city center - Petty crime

Crime(High)

  • Avoid carrying valuables
  • Do not travel alone at night
  • Use official taxis

Terrorism(Low)

  • Low risk, stay vigilant in public places

Transport

  • Use Uber or radio taxis
  • Avoid night buses

Natural risks(Frequent earthquakes, active volcanoes, floods)

  • Follow seismic alerts
  • Prepare an emergency kit

Health(Limited healthcare system outside major cities)

  • Hepatitis A/B, typhoid, yellow fever vaccines for the Amazon
  • Bottled water only
  • Insect repellent

Practical tips

  • Register with the travel registry
  • Mandatory repatriation insurance
  • Copy of passport in a safe place

Accommodation (Hotels.com)

Hotels and other stays, with a free-cancellation filter.

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Compare places to stay

Cost of living

Accommodation

Studio in the city centre$300 – $450
1-bedroom apartment in the city centre$400 – $600
1-bedroom apartment outside the centre$280 – $420
3-bedroom apartment in the city centre$750 – $1,250
3-bedroom apartment outside the centre$450 – $800

Food

Meal at an inexpensive restaurant$5
Meal for two at a mid-range restaurant$30
McDonald’s meal or equivalent$7
Local beer (0.5 L, in a bar)$2.50
Cappuccino$2.50
Bottled water (1.5 L)$0.90
Bread (500 g)$1.50
Milk (1 L)$1
Eggs (12)$2.40
Chicken fillets (1 kg)$6
Apples (1 kg)$3
Bananas (1 kg)$0.80

Transport

Public transport, one way$0.45
Taxi, starting fare$1.50
Taxi, per km$0.45
Petrol (1 L)$0.75

Leisure

Gym (monthly membership)$35
Tennis court (1 h at the weekend)$15
Cinema ticket$5.50
Theatre ticket$25

Health

GP consultation$35
Dentist consultation$35
Antibiotics (one pack)$6
Cold medicine (6 days)$5

Others

Home internet (60 Mbps or more, monthly)$30
Mobile plan (calls + 10 GB, monthly)$15
Utilities for an 85 m² home (monthly)$50
Levi’s 501 jeans or similar$50
Nike sports shoes$90
International primary school (monthly)$1,100

Indicative prices in USD in Quito · estimated in October 2026

eSIM data (Saily)

Stay connected on landing, with no roaming charges. Requires an eSIM-compatible phone.

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Choose an eSIM

Practical information

Electricity

Voltage120V
Frequency60Hz
Plug typesType A, Type B

Emergency numbers

Police911
Ambulance911
Fire department911

Practical information

Driving side

Right

Tap water

unsafe

Tipping

10-15% in restaurants

Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)

Book excursions ahead, with free cancellation on most activities.

Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

See activities

Photos

Ecuador

Ecuador

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

Ecuador

Ecuador

Diego F. Parra

Ecuador

Ecuador

Ar't.d Csm Asc

Ecuador

Ecuador

Shad Meeg

Ecuador

Ecuador

iam luisao

Ecuador

Ecuador

Cristian Reyes

Ecuador

Ecuador

tommy picone

Ecuador

Ecuador

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

Ecuador

Ecuador

Viajante Dibujero

Ecuador

Ecuador

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

Ecuador

Ecuador

David Mosquera

Ecuador

Ecuador

tommy picone

Ecuador

Ecuador

Charly Chacon

Ecuador

Ecuador

Cristian Reyes

Ecuador

Ecuador

Viajante Dibujero

Ecuador

Ecuador

Thomas Mastromonaco

Ecuador

Ecuador

Tom

Ecuador

Ecuador

Lloyd Douglas

Ecuador

Ecuador

Viajante Dibujero

Plan your trip

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Guides to prepare your trip

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a visa to travel to Ecuador?▾

It depends on your passport. IziVisas documents the entry regime for Ecuador across 196 nationalities: 149 visa-free, 47 with an e-visa. Pick yours for the exact rule, with documents, fees and processing times.

Check by my nationality →
How much does a Ecuador visa cost?▾

Fees vary by visa type and nationality. The lowest published official fee is 175 USD (Business visa). These are government fees only, providers and visa application centres add their own service charge.

Is it dangerous to travel to Ecuador?▾

The overall risk level is currently rated "High risk due to violent crime and drug traffickers, especially in coastal areas.". See the Safety tab on this page for details by topic (crime, transport, health, areas to avoid) and practical tips.

What currency is used in Ecuador?▾

The official currency is United States dollar (USD $). See sample prices (accommodation, meals, transport) in the cost of living section above.

What is the capital of Ecuador?▾

The capital of Ecuador is Quito. The main spoken languages are: Spanish, Kichwa.

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