Master Document Checklist
Every document you need for an Ecuador visa application, aggregated across all visa types. Know exactly what to prepare, what needs an apostille, and how long each document stays valid.
Documents Requiring Apostille
These documents must be apostilled by the US Department of State (or your country's equivalent Hague Convention authority) before submission.
University degree or professional license
ApostilleOriginal plus certified Spanish translation
FBI background check
ApostilleMust be less than 6 months old
Birth certificate
ApostilleOriginal or certified copy
Marriage certificate (if applicable)
ApostilleRequired if applying with spouse
Pension or Social Security benefit letter
ApostilleMust show monthly amount of at least $1,450
Additional Required Documents
These documents do not require an apostille but are still mandatory for your application.
Valid passport
Minimum 6 months validity, color copies of all pages
Health insurance policy
Must cover Ecuador for minimum 1 year
Proof of income
Bank statements (3-6 months) or employment letter
Passport photos
4x4 cm, white background
Application form
Completed online through Ecuador e-visa system
Proof of investment
Property deed, business certificate, or securities statement
Bank statements
Showing source and transfer of investment funds
The Apostille Process
An apostille is an international certification that authenticates a document for use in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention. Ecuador requires apostilled documents for visa applications.
- 1
Obtain the original document
Request certified copies from the issuing authority (e.g., county clerk for birth certificates, FBI for background checks).
- 2
Submit for apostille
For federal documents (FBI checks), send to the US Department of State. For state documents (birth certificates), send to the Secretary of State in the issuing state.
- 3
Receive apostilled document
Processing takes 2-4 weeks by mail, or faster with expedited services. The apostille is a separate page attached to your document.
Certified Translations
All documents not originally in Spanish must be translated by an Ecuadorian-certified translator. This is a strict requirement -- translations from other countries are generally not accepted.
- Translations must be done by a translator certified by the Ecuadorian government
- Cost ranges from $30-80 per document depending on length and complexity
- Turnaround is typically 3-7 business days per document
- The translation is stamped and signed by the certified translator
- Translate apostilled documents after receiving the apostille, not before
Document Validity Periods
Documents have expiration windows. If your application is delayed, you may need to re-obtain expired documents. Plan your timeline carefully.
| Document | Validity Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FBI background check | 6 months | Most time-sensitive document. Order this strategically. |
| Birth certificate | No expiration | Apostille does not expire for this document type. |
| Marriage certificate | No expiration | Apostille does not expire for this document type. |
| University degree | No expiration | Apostille does not expire. Professional visa only. |
| Pension / Social Security letter | 3-6 months | Must show current benefit amount. Request close to submission. |
| Bank statements | 3 months | Must be recent at time of submission. |
| Health insurance policy | Must be active | Policy must cover at least 1 year from application date. |
| Passport | Minimum 6 months remaining | Renew before applying if less than 1 year of validity. |
Document Preparation Tips
Follow these tips to save time, money, and avoid costly re-dos during your visa application.
Get multiple certified copies
Order 2-3 certified copies of each document. Government offices in Ecuador may retain originals, and having backups prevents delays if a document is lost or damaged.
Start the apostille process early (2-4 weeks)
The US Department of State processes apostilles in 2-4 weeks by mail. Expedited services are available for an additional fee. State-level apostilles may be faster depending on the state.
Keep digital scans of everything
Scan every document (front and back) at 300 DPI or higher before submitting. This includes the apostille page. Digital copies are needed for the online application and serve as a backup.
Order your FBI background check first
Since the background check has a 6-month validity window and takes 2-4 weeks to receive, order it early but be mindful of timing. It needs to still be valid when your application is reviewed.
Translate after apostille, not before
The certified Spanish translation must include the apostille page. Always wait until you receive the apostilled document before sending it for translation.
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