Skip to content
en
Menu
Back
EcuadorStatus in-countryLast checked October 30, 2026

Venezuelan regularisation: Exceptional Temporary Residence Visa (VIRTE) - process being wound down

Official name: Visa de Residencia Temporal de Excepción para ciudadanos venezolanos (VIRTE), proceso de regularización extraordinario

Ecuador ran an extraordinary regularisation for Venezuelans and their families who entered through an official border post but were irregular as of 1 June 2022 (Decreto Ejecutivo 436). They first registered with the Ministry of the Interior for a migratory permanence certificate, then applied for the VIRTE online. Renewals of current VIRTEs opened on 27 Sep 2024. Decreto Ejecutivo 560 of 11 Mar 2025 ordered the Ministry to begin closing the extraordinary process, and the gob.ec page for issuing new VIRTEs is no longer publicly accessible. It should not be treated as open to new applicants.

See requirements ↓
1 entry rule for Ecuador based on recent travel

These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.

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

Your edge here Premium

What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties

Get started

Who it’s for

Venezuelans already holding a VIRTE who need to renew it or move to another visa. Not a route for new arrivals.

Eligibility

  • Original cohort

    You need to have entered Ecuador at an official migration control point and been in irregular status up to 1 June 2022.

    • Applies to Venezuelans and their family
    • You must have completed the Ministry of the Interior's migratory permanence registration
    Official wording

    Venezuelans and their family who entered Ecuador through an official migration control point and were in irregular status up to 1 June 2022, and who completed the Ministry of the Interior's migratory permanence registration.

    Sign in to check this route against your profile

  • RenewalVIRTE holders

    If you hold a current VIRTE, you can apply to renew it within the 30 days before it expires.

    30 days

    Renewal window

    From 27 Sep 2024
    Official wording

    From 27 Sep 2024, holders of a current VIRTE could apply to renew it within the 30 days before it expires.

    Sign in to check this route against your profile
SourceAcuerdo Ministerial 0000076 (31 Aug 2022), rules for the VIRTE under Decreto Ejegob.ecChecked Oct 30, 2026

A sneak peek at what's inside

  • Document checklist
  • Fees
  • Steps to apply

The full requirements are for members

Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.

  • 2 documents
  • 2 fees
  • 1 step
  • Processing times and conditions
Get started See plansSign in

Want a licensed advisor to check your case?

Connect with a licensed legal advisor for Ecuador. They set their own price and you pay them directly.

Before you pay anyone, check their licence
Connect with a legal advisor

Places to visit in Ecuador

Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.

Premium feature

Finding places for you…

Official sources

Was this page helpful? Helpful Report a concern

Other routes to Ecuador

All routes to Ecuador

Status in-country in other countries