Temporary Residence - Work (Relacion de Dependencia)

Overview

This is Ecuador's temporary residence visa for foreign nationals coming to work under an employment relationship (relacion de dependencia) with a public or private employer in Ecuador. The role is tied to that employer, and the employment contract is registered with the labour ministry. It is issued by the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana (MREMH) and applied for fully online through the eVISAS portal. It is typically granted for up to two years, and after a qualifying period of temporary residence (commonly around 21 months) you can apply for permanent residence.

Eligibility

Application pathway

1. 01

   Check the route fit

   Confirm your job offer and employment relationship qualify and that the contract can be registered with the labour ministry, using the official MREMH page.

2. 02

   Build the evidence pack

   Gather the employer personnel documents, the labour-ministry contract registration certificate, your passport and proof of lawful means of life.

3. 03

   Submit through the official channel

   Apply online through the eVISAS portal at serviciosdigitales.cancilleria.gob.ec, paying the fee within the same day as instructed.

4. 04

   After approval

   Register your visa and obtain your foreigner ID as required, and renew before expiry while building time toward permanent residence.

Also explored by

Compare Republic of Ecuador with

• 🇬🇾 Co-operative Republic of Guyana
• 🇨🇱 Republic of Chile
• 🇸🇷 Republic of Suriname

Related routes

• Temporary Residence - Professional (Profesional)

  For degree-holders and qualified tradespeople: this route grants temporary residence to professionals, technicians, technologists or artisans who can certify their qualification.

• Permanent Residence (Residencia Permanente)

  For temporary residents ready to settle: after roughly 21 months of temporary residence you can apply for Ecuadorian permanent residence - but be careful about long absences once you hold it.