Relocation to a Third World Country

Moving to Ecuador

We recently moved to Ecuador.  Getting the paperwork ready for our relocation took approximately 6 months.  What is needed before you make the move from the United States?  Below is a list of the items we had to have translated exactly as written, notarized, than apostle for each person to bring with us.

Birth certificates (apostle)

Marriage license (apostle)

HIV test

Letter from your doctor stating that you are in good health

Police record (apostle)

Social Security statement of income (notarized and apostle)($800.00 per person minimum SS when we applied for residency

We did our SS individually in case something happens to one of us the other will not be forced to leave the country because of insufficient income).

We worked with our local Ecuadorian Consulate who gave us a list of the required documents to prepare for the move.  From them we received a 180 day visa; upon arrival in Ecuador we contacted someone, usually an attorney, to help us get our censo and residency visa. 

There are different types of residency visas and each one requires different paperwork.  You need to acquire a six month visa before moving to Ecuador because the time frame to receive your residency visa varies by individual case after you apply in Guayaquil or Quito. 

We moved over to Ecuador on a retirement visa so we have to stay in country 9 months a year from our arrival date for the first two years, the 9 months does not have to be continuous months but must be at least 9 months per year.

The cost will vary depending on where you get your documents done and by whom.  Our costs were around $2000.00 USD for the two of us.