Job Discussion Forums

Oreen Scott · Joined: 11 Jan 2008 Posts: 179 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico

I'm currently living in Mexico and thinking about moving to Ecuador.

I have an FM-3 Independencia.

I entered Mexico on a tourist visa and obtained the FM-3 in Mexico.

It's my understanding that in Ecuador the work visa needs to be obtained before entering the country. Am I correct?

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Try here
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=80932

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=84371

just_a_mirage · Joined: 11 Nov 2008 Posts: 169 Location: ecuador

You can enter the country on a 12-IX visa which is a six month tourist visa. It will allow you to work legally, but you must find someone to give you a work visa quickly as the 12-IX is only good for six months and cant be renewed. You are allowed to change from the 12-IX to another visa in the country. With a regular tourist visa you cannot.

Oreen Scott · Joined: 11 Jan 2008 Posts: 179 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico

Thanks for your help.

Does one get the 12-1X in the same manner as a tourist visa. That is to say, when arriving in the country or would I need to get a 12-1X through an Ecuadoran embassy?

What I have here in Mexico is an independente, which I have because of my certification. I don't need to work for any particular school.

HLJHLJ · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1218 Location: Ecuador

You get it before you arrive. Depending on your nationality, and your local consulate, they may say you have to apply in your country of citizenship.

A 12-IX is a tourist visa that also allows you to work, but once you get a job, you need to change it to a work visa, and AIUI work visas are tied to your employer.

Oreen Scott · Joined: 11 Jan 2008 Posts: 179 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico

Thanks again. Here's what I'm hoping to do - go to the Ecuador Embassy in Mexico City and see if I can get the visa there.

My problem is, when I'm in Canada in August 2011, I'll be there for only a short time. Staying in areas too small for a consulate office. Then I'm off to Europe for three months. Returning briefly to Canada, and then hopefully to Ecuador.

Has anyone on the forum applied for a visa when they are outside their country of origin? If so, how did they go about it?

Is there an independente type of visa? I'm use to not being tied down to a particular employer. For example: right now I'm working with street children and not being paid. But, I have the option to work for money if I want to, with the visa I have. I file an income report every month and hacienda doesn't seem to mind that I'm reporting no income, as long as the paperwork is done everyone is happy, and I'm out $200 pesos a month. And, migracion didn't have any trouble renewing my work visa.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

just_a_mirage · Joined: 11 Nov 2008 Posts: 169 Location: ecuador

Im not sure about all nationalities but I know UK, USA And Canadian citizens can get them. You need a criminal background check, a copy of your bank statement, proof of outgoing travel reservations, and possibly a letter from a physician stating that you are in good health and have no communicable diseases. You can PM IDIGGS> He got one a few months ago. I think, but am not positive that the cost is around $230

HLJHLJ · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1218 Location: Ecuador

We got ours in the UK, and I don't know about other nationalities either. We had to show bank statements for the previous 3 months, Dr's letters, police report, travel insurance documents, return flight tickets (with the return within the 6 month validity of the visa), and, because we are travelling as a couple, a marriage certificate.

The main visa was $230 and a further $80 for my Amparo visa.

The bank statements have to show that you are financially solvent with adequate funds to cover your time in Ecuador. Unless you have an employer sponsoring it who can provide proof of expected income, in which case you just have to show you are solvent. There doesn't seem to be any definitive answer as to exactly how much you must have in the account, and I've seen varying amounts quoted from $3,000 to more than double that. Some people have been fine with a lower amount, others have been told they needed more. It may depend on which consulate office you use. You can also have a relative at home or in Ecuador act as your guarantor/sponsor, as long as they provide the necessary bank statements.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

And this lets you stay legally in Ecuador for a year and work? Or just stay until you find work then swtich to a work visa?

HLJHLJ · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1218 Location: Ecuador

just_a_mirage · Joined: 11 Nov 2008 Posts: 169 Location: ecuador

The RUC is what you need to be able to print the invoices that you use to bill your employer for your services. You take your passport, the contract for your apartment and planilla (utility bill) to SRI, and they will give you a RUC number and a document you take to an authorized printer to have your book of invoices printed out. Make sure that you tell them that you will be teaching all ages, because that gives you more flexibility in finding jobs as they print which work you are authorized to do on your invoices.