I don't have all the answers. In fact, I have very few answers so please don't look to me for advice. All I'm going to be doing here is telling you what our plan is and how we came to make that our plan. This is subject to change, of course, and we will definitely keep you appraised of the process as we go along. So let's get to it.
First off - you don't need to apply for a visa prior to entering Ecuador. The country has a lovely 'open door' policy for pretty much everyone, save a few countries (I'm looking at you, Pakistan).
When coming through Immigration you will receive what's called a T-3 visa that's good for 90 days in a chronological year. You don't pay or do anything except fill out the paperwork they hand you on the plane, then hand it to the lovely people in Immigration while they ask you if you've been to Ecuador before and how long you plan to stay. After inputting the information into their computers, they smile at you and say, 'Bienvenido a Ecuador!' and you go on through. You now have 90 days (3 months) in the country.
There are two other visas that we're planning on applying for to ensure a full year's stay. A 12-9 visa is good for 6 months and a 12-10 visa is good for another 90 days.
All three of these visas are considered 'non-immigrant' visas. If we wanted to stay permanently in the country, we'd have to apply for an immigrant visa on the grounds of retirement, professional ability or investment. We had considered going the professional visa route, but Ecuador places some restrictions on travel after receiving an immigrant visa and we ultimately decided that we only want to commit ourselves for a year at this point.
So right now, I'm thinking that we will apply for the 12-9 visa to start off our sojourn. Apparently you can do all the paperwork and legwork before ever leaving the States and simply arrive in the country with the visa in hand, therefore bypassing the need for the T-3 at the get-go.
Originally we were considering doing the T-3, then the 12-9, then the 12-10. Then, one of John's best friends got engaged over the holidays (congrats, Will and Amanda!!) and it's looking like their wedding will be in October of 2015. Since we're planning to arrive at the end of March/beginning of April, that puts the wedding roughly six months out from our arrival in Ecuador. Since the 12-9 is good for 6 months, it seems like it would be easier to start with that, then take a trip out of the country once it expires, then return on either the T-3 or 12-10.
This is all subject to change, but that's my thought process so far. If you have any questions or advice, I'd love to hear it!
When coming through Immigration you will receive what's called a T-3 visa that's good for 90 days in a chronological year. You don't pay or do anything except fill out the paperwork they hand you on the plane, then hand it to the lovely people in Immigration while they ask you if you've been to Ecuador before and how long you plan to stay. After inputting the information into their computers, they smile at you and say, 'Bienvenido a Ecuador!' and you go on through. You now have 90 days (3 months) in the country.
There are two other visas that we're planning on applying for to ensure a full year's stay. A 12-9 visa is good for 6 months and a 12-10 visa is good for another 90 days.
All three of these visas are considered 'non-immigrant' visas. If we wanted to stay permanently in the country, we'd have to apply for an immigrant visa on the grounds of retirement, professional ability or investment. We had considered going the professional visa route, but Ecuador places some restrictions on travel after receiving an immigrant visa and we ultimately decided that we only want to commit ourselves for a year at this point.
So right now, I'm thinking that we will apply for the 12-9 visa to start off our sojourn. Apparently you can do all the paperwork and legwork before ever leaving the States and simply arrive in the country with the visa in hand, therefore bypassing the need for the T-3 at the get-go.
Originally we were considering doing the T-3, then the 12-9, then the 12-10. Then, one of John's best friends got engaged over the holidays (congrats, Will and Amanda!!) and it's looking like their wedding will be in October of 2015. Since we're planning to arrive at the end of March/beginning of April, that puts the wedding roughly six months out from our arrival in Ecuador. Since the 12-9 is good for 6 months, it seems like it would be easier to start with that, then take a trip out of the country once it expires, then return on either the T-3 or 12-10.
This is all subject to change, but that's my thought process so far. If you have any questions or advice, I'd love to hear it!
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