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EcuadorAsylum & protectionLast checked October 30, 2026

Refugee or stateless status

international protection, Ley Orgánica de Movilidad Humana · Official name: Determinación de la condición de refugiado o apátrida

Foreigners in Ecuador who cannot return home because of a well-founded fear of persecution (1951 Convention) or because their life, safety or freedom is threatened by events covered by the 1984 Cartagena Declaration can ask the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility (MREMH) for refugee status. The claim is started online on gob.ec, is free, and should be made within 90 days of entering Ecuador. Late claims are accepted only exceptionally.

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1 entry rule for Ecuador based on recent travel

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Life in Ecuador

Finance

3

Currency

US Dollar

USD

US Dollar

Cost of living

44

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

5–37%

Income tax (national)

VAT (IVA) 15% · social security 9.45%

2026 table: taxable income up to USD 12,208 exempt; 37% above USD 109,956.

Official rates, 2026 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

6.1

#57 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

Who it’s for

Foreign nationals inside Ecuador who fear persecution or whose life, safety or freedom is threatened in their country of origin or habitual residence; also stateless people.

Eligibility

  • Inside Ecuador

    Only people already in Ecuadorian territory can apply; claims sent from abroad are not admitted.

  • Convention or Cartagena grounds

    Show fear of persecution on 1951 Refugee Convention grounds, or a threat to life, safety or freedom from Cartagena Declaration situations.

    • Generalised violence
    • Foreign aggression or internal conflict
    • Massive human rights violations or serious disturbance of public order
    Official wording

    Fear of persecution for the reasons in the 1951 Refugee Convention, or a threat to life, safety or freedom from the situations in the 1984 Cartagena Declaration (generalised violence, foreign aggression, internal conflict, massive human rights violations, serious disturbance of public order).

  • Apply within 90 days of entry

    Apply within 90 days of entering Ecuador, as set by art. 100 of the Organic Law on Human Mobility.

    90 days

    Time limit to apply

    • Late claims use a separate 'extemporaneous' procedure
    • Late claims accepted only for duly proven chance or force majeure
    Official wording

    The Organic Law on Human Mobility (art. 100) sets 90 days from entry. Late claims go through a separate 'extemporaneous' procedure and are accepted only for duly proven reasons of chance or force majeure.

SourceDeterminación de la condición de refugiado o apátridagob.ecChecked Oct 30, 2026

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  • 5 steps
  • Processing times and conditions
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