Ecuador Visit Visa & Galapagos TCC
A Galapagos TCC is required. We can assist in processing this document.
Travel Document Type
Galapagos Transit Control Card (TCC)
Government Fee
USD 20 (Pay on Arrival)
Byevisa Processing Fee
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Processing Time
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All About the Ecuador Visas
Before you pack your bags to visit this wonderful South American country, it’s important to check the entry policy in case you need to get a visa.
Fortunately, most nationalities can visit this country for tourism or business without an entry pass. This includes citizens of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, European Union, Australia and New Zealand. If this applies to you, then you’re visa-exempt for trips of up to 90 days. So this gives you plenty of time to enjoy the Andes mountain range with its impressive snow-capped peaks, as well as a section of the jaw-dropping Amazon rainforest!
Equally, though, a total of 34 countries need pre-authorisation before they travel here. This includes nationals of India, Nigeria, Pakistan and the Philippines. In this case, you’re also eligible to visit Ecuador for up to 90 days with your travel pass. We cannot help you apply for your visa, though we provide instructions on how to do so below.
Furthermore, if you’re planning on travelling to the gorgeous Galapagos Islands, then all nationalities need to register for a Transit Control Card (TCC) to gain entry. On the bright side, you can apply for your TCC online with Byevisa in advance, to save you the stress and hassle of doing so when you arrive.
On this page, we have gathered everything you need to know. So if you are wondering: ‘do I need a visa for Ecuador and how do I get one?’, read on to find out!
Contents
- 1 What Is the Difference Between an Ecuador Tourist Visa and the Galapagos Transit Control Card?
- 2 Visa for Ecuador Policy and Application Process
- 3 Ecuador Visa Requirements and Eligibility
- 4 Ecuador Visa Application Form and Documents
- 5 Ecuador Visa Status Check
- 6 What Are the Ecuador Visa Fees?
- 7 More Questions and Information About the Visa for Ecuador
What Is the Difference Between an Ecuador Tourist Visa and the Galapagos Transit Control Card?
The tourist visa allows you to enter Ecuador and travel around the mainland for 90 days. Please see the list below to find out if you need to get one, or if you are one of the Ecuador visa-free countries.
The Galapagos Transit Control Card (TCC) is a special permit required by all visitors to visit the Galapagos Islands. The government introduced it to control the number of visitors on the islands at any given time since it’s a protected wildlife area.
You can complete your TCC application form here online. If you apply online, make sure you collect the TCC from the airport when you arrive!
Visa for Ecuador Policy and Application Process
The standard Ecuador travel visa is a Single Entry permit valid for up to 90 days for the purpose of tourism or business. You can get one by applying online at the Virtual Consulate.
There are 4 parts to the application process:
- Register on the Foreign Ministry website.
- Complete the form with all the required information.
- Upload the supporting documents.
- Pay the fee and submit the application.
Otherwise, you can also apply in person at your nearest Ecuador embassy or consulate. In this case, make sure you try to arrange an appointment before you go, and don’t forget to bring the relevant documents with you (see below section about the application form and documents).
Whether you apply in person or online, in most cases your application will be processed electronically. This means that once it has been approved, you will receive your visa directly in your email inbox. Don’t forget to print a copy and bring it with you when you travel.
In some cases, you may be called to attend an interview before your application is approved. There’s no need to worry about this, it’s just a short interview to ask you a few questions and find out more about your trip.
Ecuador Visa Requirements and Eligibility
The good news is, most countries don’t need to get a visa to visit Ecuador. Visitors from Europe, the Americas as well as most of Australasia can immediately jump on a plane and fly off to the land of giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies without a worry in the world.
All you have to do is present a valid passport on arrival and you will be granted access for 90 days in any 12-month period. What’s more, the lucky citizens from neighboring Peru can enjoy up to 180 days in the country.
On the other hand, there are 34 countries that do need to get a visa if they wish to visit Ecuador. Check our eligibility tool to see if this applies to you, or see the full list below.
These countries are:
- Afghanistan
- Angola
- Bangladesh
- Cameroon
- Congo
- Congo-Kinshasa
- Cuba
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Haiti
- India
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ivory Coast
- Kenya
- Libya
- Mali
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Nigeria
- North Korea
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Senegal
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
- Syria
- Venezuela
- Yemen
- Vietnam
If you are a national of one of these countries make sure you apply for a permit well in advance of your trip to avoid any issues or delays.
Please note that, regardless of whether your nationality is in the list above, the maximum length of stay in the Galapagos Islands is 60 days. It’s very tempting to spend your whole trip here, but don’t forget that this country has so much more to offer.
Moreover, whether you require a visa or not, you will need to get a separate Transit Control Card (TCC) to visit the Islands, so make sure that, once you’ve applied online, you pick up yours at the airport when you arrive.
Ecuador Visa Application Form and Documents
Whether you are applying for your Ecuador visit visa online or in person, the documents you need to provide are the same. There are 3 main sections that need to be ticked off for a successful application:
- Provide a completed and signed application form.
- Submit all the required supporting documents.
- Confirm payment of the fee.
Let’s look at each part in more detail.
The application form
The application form is 1 page long and is pretty straightforward. You will be asked to fill out the following information:
- Which type of permit you are applying for
- Full name
- Date and place of birth
- Home address
- Marital status
- Occupation
- Email address
- Phone number
- A list of attached documents
- A short summary explaining why you wish to travel to the country
- Your signature
Supporting documents
Along with the application form, you will need to provide a series of documents. If you are applying online, they need to be uploaded in PDF format:
- Passport style photograph.
- A Criminal Record Certificate from your country of origin or your country of residency (if you have lived there for 5 years or more).
- Proof of funds to cover the trip.
- Health insurance to cover the duration of your trip.
- Return or onward travel bookings (e.g. flights).
- Proof of accommodation bookings.
Payment
If you are applying online, once you have submitted all the information you will be asked to pay the fee by card.
You will need to include the following information:
- Full name (as it appears on card)
- Card number
- Expiry date
- CVC (3 digit code on the back of your card)
If you are applying in person, you may be able to pay via bank transfer or cash. In this case, you will need to include a proof of payment slip with the rest of the documents.
Visa-free countries
A large number of nationalities can visit Ecuador without any sort of pre-authorisation. If you are from one of the countries that doesn’t require pre-authorisation, you won’t need any additional documents with you.
However, please make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your date of travel and that it has at least 1 blank page or you may be denied entry into the country.
Notably, this does not apply to most South American countries that can enter with a simple ID card. These countries are:
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Uruguay
Ecuador Visa Status Check
Once you have submitted your application with all the relevant documents, you will need to wait a few weeks for it to be processed. Once it has been approved, you will receive it by email. If you would like an update on the status of your application, you can contact your nearest embassy or consulate.
There is the possibility you may be called in for an interview as part of the application process. In this case, you will be contacted by phone or email to arrange a date and you will need to answer a few questions in person before your application can be approved.
If your application is denied for any reason, you can contact the body who processed it to try to find out the reason for its refusal. Often, it is down to a mistake or missing information so you may be able to apply again and be successful, even if it was refused the first time around.
What Are the Ecuador Visa Fees?
The fees can change slightly, but generally speaking, you can expect to pay around 50 USD. If you are applying online you will be asked to pay the fee by card before you can submit your application.
If you are applying in person, there may be the option of paying in cash or via bank transfer. Which payment method is accepted can vary, so it’s best to call your nearest embassy or consulate to find out which methods they accept.
Don’t forget that for visiting the Galapagos Islands, you will need to get a special permit which costs 20 USD for nationals and foreigners. If you have booked a cruise, it’s a good idea to check with the company if the Transit Control Card is included.
More Questions and Information About the Visa for Ecuador
We hope you’re excited to fly off to this incredible destination, explore the spectacular Galapagos Islands and discover the local culture. Below we have included our most frequently asked questions to answer any lingering doubts.
