Job Discussion Forums

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 10:34 pm Post subject:

Thanks naturegirl.

I needed that. I feel like there's important stuff to be learned from ajarnlilly's situation, and want to deal with it publicly, so everybody benefits.

But I think I could have used a tact check before I posted some of what I did on this thread.

Best,
Justin

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

That-s ok, after a while, somethings just start to get to you. At least they do for me.

swimweh · Joined: 23 Feb 2008 Posts: 22

Jumping back to the visa topic... what's the fee for overstaying the tourist visa in Ecuador? Is it like Argentina where you get a single charge that's less than the price of a trip to Uruguay on buquebus?

john_n_carolina · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 700 Location: n. carolina

...i believe the fee can be paid at your nearest Continental office.

if i'm not mistaken, you have to get your things and go back "to where you were from" as Correa has been saying these days.

Correa should use the new visa fees to fund patrol boats off the coast of Esmeraldas.

*sorry but this new rhetoric Correa and gang have been using is almost funny. talking about the U.S. colonizing Ecuador, etc etc. it's all talk without facts and history. and i'm not in a good Valentine's mood Smile

*

john_n_carolina · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 700 Location: n. carolina

..when I meant Continental office, i was referring to buying the next flight out of there. they want you out of country A.S.A.P.

i could be mistaken though....i'm going back over to my visa group site and check the facts.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 7:36 pm Post subject:

You can buy the ticket out from Continental, Delta, or the airline of your choice. But when you go, you're going to get fined in the airport. If you cross a land border, you'll get fined as well. Last I knew, they were charging $200- but according to the law, it can go from $200 to $2000, according to how long you overstayed.

Best,
Justin

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

My son overstayed one month and one day. We went to the bank, paid $200 dollars, got the reciept, went to immigration, where he got another reciept, and he was able to leave from the airport with no problems.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 10:40 pm Post subject:

I should add- I don't know of a case where anyone has been fined anything other than $200. Not one.

BUT. THe law allows the fine to be increased. It's said that for about three years now. Since the law states only a minimum of $200US and a maximum of $2000US, there's no way to know when they might put in a sliding scale.

Best,
Justin

Saigonjack · Joined: 20 Dec 2008 Posts: 18

Further to the post from late last year....I should have put the second part in quotes...."As of a couple of days ago............to get their extension on re-entry"
That came from a reply to an email I sent to International Living and one of their local contributors who lives in Cuenca...

So it wasnt my statement, and when you look at it not really that sweeping. Just points out a reality that maybe some have had different experiences with.
That person also pointed me in the direction of the article from the living in Ecuador blog which dealt with people who had crossed and recrossed with a visa extension and NO apparent problems..www.blog.pro-ecuador.com

I am waiting on an update from International Living so find out what is going on, as two people who have contacted local lawyers there say that its "situation normal"......

and on and on it goes

paddyroyal · Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Posts: 24 Location: Mexico

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 3:03 pm Post subject:

THis makes me feel like taking out an ad on national television, explaining the *beep*ing visa laws. Employers should know, and those who don't are giving us all a bad name.

Here's the thing. As I have posted (ranted) previously in this thread: IT IS NOT LEGAL TO CHANGE A TOURIST VISA INTO ANY OTHER KIND OF VISA HERE IN ECUADOR. IT NEVER HAS BEEN.

Now let's be straight. Sometimes, when I have had to hire on short notice, and someone good walked into my office, here on tourist visa, I have figured, what the heck, no harm in trying. Sometimes it HAS been possible. Sometimes not. Most English institutes or universities, faced with a last minute hiring situation, see no harm in trying. And sometimes it works.

BUT, it isn't really allowed, so sometimes it doesn't work. You can NEVER count on it working.

Hiring someone before they arrive, and then not arranging the visa before they arrive is JUST PLAIN STUPID.

I'm not blaming you, clearly, paddyroyal. You really didn't have any way to know. But sheesh- the *beep* universities of this country are doing this kind of thing all the time. And it creates problems for us all.

Best,
Justin

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

For sure that is the biggest problem...no one knows for sure. And even when you want to do things the right way, when you go to immigration or the other applicable offices, the people there will tell you different things. There are also some institutions that will hire, knowing full well that the people they hire cant be paid on tourist visas. The person will stay for a couple months waiting for things to be straightened out, which the institution had no intention of ever doing. The bottom line, is that they had a couple months of free work from the person on the tourist visa. Even with the proper visas it can be difficult. I have a permanant visa allowing me to work, and spent five months at a very well known university. It was always, we�ll pay you next week, and no one ever got paid. I guess what I am saying is make sure you have the proper visa allowing you to work, no matter what the institution tells you because otherwise, you may end up "volunteering" your time.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 7:40 pm Post subject: