Investor's Visa

[Don Gardner]

We moved to Ecuador less than 2 weeks ago and are trying to get our visas. I know the laws have recently changed and I can’t go in as a dependent under my wife’s retirement visa. We are leaning towards my putting $25,000 into a cd at one of the banks to qualify for an investor’s visa. Other than the 5% charge upon our leaving Ecuador, are there any drawbacks or pitfalls to going in on this type of visa?

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

I’m not aware of any change that doesn’t allow a dependent for someone applying for a pensioner visa. What have you been told?

[SUZAN HASKINS]

Hi Don, if you have a college degree you might also qualify on a professional visa. I’d suggest you speak to a few different facilitators to determine the best route for you. You don’t say where you are, but if you are near Salinas or Guayaquil, reach out to Dana Cameron: dana.visas@gmail.com or agua_plata@hotmail.com — the latter may be a better email for her. If you are in or near Cotacachi or Quito, contact Santiago Andrade:santiago1397@gmail.com. Edd will have suggestions for you in Cuenca.

[Don Gardner]

Hi, Ed. Visa Angels told me that the law had recently changed and my wife’s retirement visa would have to be completed before I could come in as a dependent. That could throw a kink in my 180 days; thus the reason I am probably going to opt for the $25,000 cd deposit so that we can get them at the same time.

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

Hopefully Visa Angels told you your wife’s residency can be completed from the U.S. via “visa by cable” before she even enters Ecuador. In any case the 90 days allowed with a T-3 is usually adequate time to complete the visa process, and an additional 180 days with a 12-IX extension is way more than enough.

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