Job Discussion Forums

[sjcouture]

So... If I'm planning to work in Ecuador, but plan to do some traveling before and after, should I buy a one way ticket to my first destination, then one for Ecuador?

I heard it's better to have a ticket out of the place you will be going to first, so you can show you're not staying for more than 90 days... But I don't know when i'll be leaving, so it doesn't seem wise to buy a return ticket just yet, even if it's a bit cheaper.

Also, as far as tourist visas, etc... is it a viable option to just go into Peru or Colombia during my teaching stint in Ecuador in order to show I've left the country and am not over-staying my 90 day tourist visa?? How does that work?

And lastly, if I'm making one stop on my way to Ecuador (probably in Colombia or Brazil), where would you say is a must-see destination to hang out with friends for a week or two??

Thanks!!

Great quote for everyone from Pat Robertson "The feminist agenda is not about equal rights for women. It is about a socialist, anti-family political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians." �Pat Robertson

God, he's got me pinned

[naturegirl321]

Hey,
Email me. I can tell you a bit about Peru and Ecuador.
But, yeah, lots of people border hop. They don't usually check to see if you have a way out of the country

[lozwich]

[Justin Trullinger]

Hey there,

Legally, to enter Ecuador on a tourist visa, you need proof of "ability" to move on within the alloted time. If you don't have a flight out, simply telling them that you're planning to travel on to Peru by bus may work. (Has for some.) In any case, while you're supposed to have transport on, I've simply never been asked. As a matter of fact, I've hardly been asked anything. As a "gringo," the customs agents generally presume that I wouldn't understand anything they ask anyway, and tend to stamp my passport as quickly and with as little eye contact as possible. Occasionally, prejudice provides a benefit!

About border hops for tourist visas: for Ecuador, bad idea. Without leaving the country, you can extend your tourist visa up to 180 days. (6 months) Usually they ask why you want to stay, and most people say something like "to study Spanish," and nobody really gets to uptight about it. But if you want longer than 6 months total, you really need a non tourist visa. THe law permits a tourist visa for no more than 180 days out of any calendar year. So if you've been here for 6 months, they won't renew a tourist visa. And if you make the border run, and upon re-entry, they see the recent tourist visa in your passport, they may not let you back in. If you can offer a pressing reason, such as having a flight to catch, they may let you back,but usually on a 10 or fifteen day stamp. The penalty for overstaying starts at $200.

Regards,
Justin