Proposed Immigration Reforms Under Legislative Review

At a Glance

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior of Ecuador proposed a law that would introduce the following key changes:

• Create a new Acts of Commerce Visa for foreign nationals seeking to conduct business and technical activities in Ecuador, among other activities, for up to 180 days;
• Eliminate travel restrictions for temporary residents in Ecuador;
• Create stricter eligibility rules and travel restrictions for permanent residents; and
• Replace the UNASUR Temporary Visa for Countries of South America with a visa that provides more access to South American non-UNASUR nationals.

The proposed law is in the preliminary stages of discussion and could take the National Assembly six months or more to approve.