Navigating the "Amigo" Visa in Ecuador: Your Comprehensive Guide to Family Reunification

The "Amigo" visa, officially known as the Visa 9-I (Familiar), is a crucial pathway for individuals seeking to reunite with family members who are already Ecuadorian citizens or legal residents. The process is decidedly official and requires meticulous attention to detail.

The Visa 9-I is designed for individuals who have a close family relationship with an Ecuadorian national or a foreigner holding a permanent residency in Ecuador. This encompasses spouses, common-law partners (unión estable), parents, children, and siblings. Navigating the bureaucratic landscape of the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility) can be complex.

Understanding the "Amigo" Visa (Visa 9-I)

The Visa 9-I is a residency visa that allows a foreign national to live in Ecuador for an extended period, with the ultimate goal of obtaining permanent residency.

Who Qualifies?

The primary requirement is a demonstrable, legally recognized family connection to:

An Ecuadorian citizen.
A foreigner holding a Visa 10-N (Permanent Resident Visa).
A foreigner holding a Visa 9-I (Familiar Visa), provided they have held it for a minimum of 18 months and are applying for permanent residency themselves.

Eligible Family Relationships:

Spouses: Legally married individuals.
Common-Law Partners (Unión Estable): Couples who have lived together continuously for a minimum of two years, recognized legally in Ecuador.
Children: Minors (under 18) or adult children who are dependent on the Ecuadorian national or resident.
Parents: Parents of Ecuadorian citizens or residents.
Siblings: Siblings of Ecuadorian citizens or residents.

The Application Journey: A Step-by-Step Approach

The application process for the Visa 9-I is primarily handled by the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana.

Step 1: Gather Essential Personal Documents (Applicant)

Passport: A valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining and a clear copy of all its pages.
Recent Photographs: Two recent passport-sized color photographs with a white background.
Birth Certificate: An original or certified copy of your birth certificate. Crucially, this document must be apostilled by the issuing country and officially translated into Spanish by a certified translator in Ecuador.
Criminal Record Check: An original criminal record check from your country of origin and any country where you have resided for the past five years. This document must also be apostilled and officially translated into Spanish.
Health Certificate (Optional but Recommended): While not always strictly mandated for the initial visa application, obtaining a health certificate from a recognized medical facility in Ecuador can be a proactive step.

Step 2: Obtain Proof of Relationship Documents

This is where the specific requirements vary based on your relationship.

For Spouses:
- Marriage Certificate: An original or certified copy of your marriage certificate. If married outside Ecuador, it must be apostilled by the issuing country and officially translated into Spanish. If married in Ecuador, a copy of the Ecuadorian marriage certificate (issued by the Registro Civil) will suffice.
For Common-Law Partners (Unión Estable):
- Declaration of Unión Estable: This is a legal document obtained from an Ecuadorian judge or notary. It requires evidence of cohabitation for at least two years. This document must be registered with the Registro Civil.
- Proof of Ecuadorian Partner's Residency/Citizenship: A copy of the Ecuadorian national's cédula (ID card) or the resident foreigner's Visa 10-N or cédula de extranjero.
For Children/Parents/Siblings:
- Birth Certificates: The applicant's birth certificate and the Ecuadorian national's or resident's birth certificate. Both must be apostilled (if issued abroad) and officially translated into Spanish.
- Proof of Ecuadorian Partner's Residency/Citizenship: As mentioned above, a copy of the cédula or Visa 10-N/cédula de extranjero.
- Guardianship/Custody Documents (if applicable): For minor children, if only one parent is accompanying them, legal guardianship or custody documents may be required. These also need to be apostilled and translated.

Step 3: The Online Application

The Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana has an online portal for visa applications.

Document Upload: You will be required to upload scanned copies of all the documents gathered in Step 1 and Step 2.
Visa Fee Payment: There will be a government fee for the visa application.

Step 4: Appointment and Submission at the Ministry

Once your online application is submitted and reviewed, you will be scheduled for an in-person appointment at one of the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana offices.

Original Documents: Bring all your original documents, along with their official Spanish translations and apostilles, to the appointment.
Biometrics: You will likely have your fingerprints taken and your photograph captured at this appointment.
Interview (Possible): In some cases, a brief interview may be conducted to verify information.

Step 5: Visa Approval and Sticker

If your application is approved, your passport will be retained by the Ministry to affix the official visa sticker. You will be notified when your passport is ready for collection.

Step 6: Registration with the Registro Civil

Upon receiving your visa, you have a strict timeframe (typically 15 days) to register your visa at the Registro Civil (Civil Registry office). You will receive a cédula de extranjero (foreigner's ID card) after this process.

Step 7: Application for Permanent Residency (After 18 Months)

The Visa 9-I is a temporary residency visa. After holding it for 18 months, you become eligible to apply for permanent residency (Visa 10-N).

Facilitator's Step-by-Step Checklist

[ ] Verify Eligibility: Confirm the exact family relationship and ensure the Ecuadorian national or resident’s status is current and valid.
[ ] Gather Personal Documents: Passport, photos, apostilled and translated birth certificate, apostilled and translated criminal record checks.
[ ] Obtain Proof of Relationship: Marriage certificate (apostilled/translated if abroad) OR registered Unión Estable documents OR birth certificates establishing parent/child/sibling link (apostilled/translated if abroad).
[ ] Secure Ecuadorian Partner's ID: Copy of cédula or Visa 10-N/cédula de extranjero.
[ ] Complete Online Application: Accurately fill out the form on the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana portal.
[ ] Upload Scanned Documents: Ensure all uploaded documents are clear and meet the portal's specifications.
[ ] Pay Visa Fee: Make the required government payment.
[ ] Attend Ministry Appointment: Bring all original documents, translations, and apostilles.
[ ] Collect Passport with Visa: Once approved, retrieve your passport with the visa sticker.
[ ] Register Visa at Registro Civil: Complete this within the specified timeframe to obtain your cédula de extranjero.

⚠️ Facilitator's Warning: The Administrative Pitfall You Must Avoid.

The most common and devastating pitfall for "Amigo" visa applicants is the apostille and translation requirement for foreign-issued documents. Presenting a birth certificate or criminal record check from your home country without an apostille and a Spanish translation from a certified translator in Ecuador is almost guaranteed to result in immediate rejection. Do not rely on informal translations or assume an apostille isn't needed. The Ministry is very strict on this. Furthermore, ensure the criminal record checks are recent (typically within the last 3-6 months) and cover all relevant jurisdictions.

Conclusion

The Visa 9-I, the "Amigo" visa, is a beautiful opportunity to build a life in Ecuador with your loved ones. While the process requires diligence and a thorough understanding of the requirements set forth by the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana, it is entirely manageable with the right guidance.