Job Discussion Forums

[HLJHLJ]

You can still get an investment visa, but you have to deposit $25,000 now. Even if you can apply for the professional visa in the USA you will still need to get a 12-IX first in order to complete the SENESCYT registration. So it won't help cut those costs. If you just want to get the resident visa ASAP then contact just a mirage about pre registering with SENESCYT. I doubt it will cost as much as $300 but I can't swear to it.

You can enter as a tourist and then change to the 12-IX here. But as you can't work or register with SENESCYT as a tourist, I'm not sure that would help you. It does take longer if your university isn't on the list, as it has to go to a committee. So that would be another reason for doing it through Guayaquil, where they process them faster.

[wanderingxelmundo]

[PittsburghSound]

HLJ, what kind of offenses do you suppose could keep someone from getting a visa?

I have an underage drinking charge from when I was 19 (I'm 26 now). Other than that, my record is clean.

I know a law is a law, but in the grand scheme of things, I hope most would agree it would be a shame to miss out on a visa for something so trivial. I was wrong to do it, of course, but that was a long time ago.

What do you think?

[HLJHLJ]

I'd suggest you also send just_a_mirage a message, she is very much an expert on this.

I wouldn't swear to it, but as far as I know they are only really interested in felonies, particularly anything with serious violence or that involves messing with kids. But even with something minor, you may need help from a facilitator to avoid a 'computer says no' situation.

In any case, that would only apply to a resident visa. You don't need a criminal record check for non-resident visas.

[wanderingxelmundo]

According to the Ecuadorian embassy, you need a police check for the 12-IX visa.

But does underage drinking show up on an FBI report? Were you just fined/cited or actually fingerprinted and charged and convicted? I think it's a minor misdemeanor in most states.

http://www.ecuador.org/nuevosite/serviciosconsulares_visas_12IX_e.php

According to this site (not sure if it's reliable), http://gringosabroad.com/ecuador/new-requirement-residency-applicants-criminal-background-check/ HLJHLJ is right and it's now only a federal check again:

(But I'm not disagreeing that in any case you should ask just a mirage)

[HLJHLJ]

To some extent overseas consulates can set their own rules, so that particular consulate may make extra demands. However, overseas consulate websites are also notorious for being out of date, or just plain wrong. This is the page from Ecuadorian immigration:

http://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/visa-12-ix-turismo-deporte-salud-estudios-ciencia-arte-actos-de-comercio/

This is the English translation, but if there is a discrepancy, go with the Spanish version.

http://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/visa-12-ix-commercial-activites/?lang=en


There is no requirement for a criminal record check. Worse case scenario, wait til you get here and then apply for it.

[wanderingxelmundo]

Thanks, good to know since I was worried about the FBI check being too old once I apply for the professional visa.

Two more questions: 1) how much is the current minimum salary (I know it's on some recent thread, but not sure which one), and 2) could I stay a couple months as tourist and then still have 6 months on the 12-IX, if for some reason I wanted to delay applying for the professional visa? (still deciding where I'm going to land, for example)?

Thanks so much! You're incredibly helpful, HLJHLJ!

[PittsburghSound]

@ wandering, I'm quite sure that it will show up on an FBI report, but it would be great if it doesn't. I was never fingerprinted, didn't serve time in jail, was never photographed, etc... but it's still a guilty charge. And I wouldn't call underage drinking a misdemeanor at all, at least here in Pennsylvania.

I don't know how other states work, but here in Pennsylvania we have 3 levels of offenses:

1. Summary offense (least serious)

examples: underage drinking, harassment, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness and things of that nature.

2. Misdemeanor (moderate severity)

examples: DUI, simple assault, sexual harassment, hit and run (no injuries in the accident) and things of that nature.

3. Felonies (most severe)

examples: murder, rape/sexual assault, aggravated assault, burglary, robbery, etc...

However, it might be a good idea for me to go ahead and get my FBI check now to see what's actually on it. I could be assuming it's on there when it's really not.

I'll be sure to send just a mirage a message though, before I do that.

Thanks for your help!

[wanderingxelmundo]

I still don't think summary offenses show up on FBI reports, though the information I see online is sketchy. Apparently it may or may not show up on a PA background check, but that's not FBI. People say "background check" to include local, state, FBI, credit check, etc. It might be worth the $50-ish to get some peace of mind. If you use a channeler, you can get the check (though it won't be apostilled, so this is just for you) within 24 hours of processing online.
(for example, this one: http://www.accuratebiometrics.com/fingerprinting_FBI_Procedures_By_Mail.html here's a list http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks/list-of-fbi-approved-channelers)

You can also ask to get it expunged (via PA, or local jurisdiction -- not FBI) after 5 years, so if it shows up you may want to try to do that at some point, since unfortunately background checks are more common in US, and are also needed for residency in many countries.

[HLJHLJ]

[MotherF]

[wanderingxelmundo]

[PittsburghSound]

HLJ, a few more questions for you.

If I'm willing to have a roommate, what kind of price would I be looking at for a decent apartment in a decent location in Quito? I'm thinking in the $250-$300 per month range (all utilities included) would suffice, but please correct me if I'm wrong.

And you mentioned not arriving before any major holidays to find work. Does Easter count in that? My lease at my apartment here runs out around Easter in 2016, but of course I could arrive in Ecuador (or wherever I decide to go) a week or so after Easter if that would be better.

[esl_prof]

[AGoodStory]

Ditto what esl_prof said: Easter is a really big deal! Definitely a major holiday.

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