Ecuador
Entry requirements
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Ecuador’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Ecuador set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Ecuadorean Embassy in the UK.
Documents required to enter via land or river border
If you wish to enter Ecuador via a land or river border from Peru or Colombia, you must present a criminal record certificate from the country where you lived for the last 5 years. The certificate must be legalised with the Hague Apostille and translated into Spanish if issued in another language. This mandatory requirement was announced on 11 January for implementation with immediate effect.
Alternatively, if you do not have a legalised criminal record certificate, you can ask immigration authorities to carry out a check on their ’SIMIEC’ Ecuadorean Immigration System (which flags any travel prohibitions or INTERPOL alerts). The following people are exempt from the presentation of the criminal record certificate:
- Holders of a valid Ecuadorean visa
- Holders of diplomatic passports
- Children and adolescents under 18
- Victims of human trafficking or those seeking international protection under the Ecuadorean Human Mobility Law.
There are no restrictions in place for anyone flying into Ecuador.
To obtain a UK Police Criminal Record Certificate, check the ACRO website. For information about legalising the document with the Hague apostille check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Legalisation Office website site.
Passport validity requirements
To enter Ecuador, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
Visa requirements
You can visit Ecuador without a visa for up to 90 days in any 12-month period.
If you’re already in Ecuador and want to stay longer than 90 days, you can pay to extend your stay (in Spanish) by an extra 90 days. You must apply for an extension before the first 90-day period ends or you could be fined.
If you overstay your visa, you will get a fine when you leave. You will not be allowed to return to Ecuador unless you pay the fine before you leave the country.
For immigration information, see Ecuador Migration.
To stay longer, to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons, you must meet the Ecuadorean government’s entry requirements (in Spanish).
Applying for a visa
Ecuador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility (MFAHM) has an e-visa application process (in Spanish). Find the relevant MFAHM district zone offices.
To apply in-person, you should get an appointment before visiting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility (MFA). For general guidance contact: [email protected] or [email protected]
Checks at border control
You may be asked your reason for travel and for evidence of a return or onward journey.
Peru and Colombia land border crossings
If you enter Ecuador via land from Peru or Colombia, you must get an official passport entry stamp showing your arrival date. Sometimes buses do not stop at the border, which can lead to foreign visitors not getting a stamp. You could get a fine or be asked to return to the border. Contact an immigration office as soon as possible.
Galapagos Islands
Tourists can stay in the Galapagos Islands for up to 60 days. To enter Galapagos, you must have:
- evidence of a hotel booking or an invitation letter from your host
- evidence of a return flight to the Ecuadorean mainland
- completed an online Galapagos transit control card at least 24 hours before your flight – you must also keep a copy
- travel health insurance, which is mandatory for foreign tourists
If you are travelling to or from Galapagos Islands via Guayaquil airport you should check with the airline before booking to ensure you will remain airside at Guayaquil airport. FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Guayaquil, except for airside transit through the airport.
Check the Ministry of Tourism’s accredited tourism service providers (in Spanish), which includes information on accommodation, transport, tour operators and restaurants.
Travelling with children
Leaving Ecuador
British children, including British - Ecuadorean dual nationals, aged 17 and under must have a notarised consent letter (in Spanish) to leave Ecuador if they are:
- travelling alone or with one parent or legal guardian
- resident in Ecuador or have been in Ecuador for over 90 days, even if they are travelling on a British passport
If they are tourists (not resident in Ecuador) British children (or British-Ecuadorean dual nationals) do not need a notarised consent letter (Art.137 Human Mobility Organic Law’ 2017).
If one parent is deceased, the other parent must submit the death certificate to an Ecuadorean public notary to get an indefinite notarial permit to travel with the child.
In more complex situations, such as legal disputes, a child will need judicial written permission (‘Autorización de Viaje Judicial’) issued by an Ecuadorian judge (‘Juzgado de la Niñez y Adolescencia’).
Entering Ecuador
Children entering Ecuador with someone other than a parent or legal guardian do not need a consent letter.
Vaccine requirements
To enter Ecuador, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from certain listed countries where there is a transmission risk.
For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Ecuador guide.
Customs rules
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Ecuador via air and via land. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
Taking money out of Ecuador
You must declare cash you’re carrying when you leave Ecuador. You will have to pay tax on amounts over 1,350 US dollars.