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Permanent Residence by Marriage or De-Facto Union

EcuadorFamily

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Explore pathways in Ecuador Read the five questions ↓

Which family relationships qualify?

The qualifying relationship is marriage or a legally recognised de facto union with an Ecuadorian citizen or a foreign national holding permanent residence.

See recorded sources

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

The spouse or partner must be an Ecuadorian citizen or a foreign national holding permanent residence.

See recorded sources

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

Applicants must provide a marriage certificate from the civil registry (a marriage celebrated abroad must be registered in Ecuador; a de facto union must be registered with the civil registry) and attend an interview. Sham marriages or unions entered into only to obtain status are sanctioned and the visa is revoked.

See recorded sources

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

Lawful means of living must be proven; for family-based permanent residence the sponsoring person may prove the means of living needed for the dependants. The official source does not state the amount required.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The amount set by the means-of-living protocol (Ministerial Agreement No. 70) was not captured.

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

Permanent residence authorises an indefinite stay. Absences may not exceed 180 days abroad per year during the first two years, and afterwards up to two continuous years. The dependant keeps the visa if the sponsor dies, if the marriage or union ends for reasons attributable to the sponsor, or if the sponsor naturalises. The official source does not state the application steps or the work rights attached.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • High-level application steps (online e-VISAS) not captured for this page (gob.ec timeout).
  • https://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2021.05.14_ley_organica_de_movilidad_humana_-_lomh.pdf
    3. Visa de residente permanente: Es la autorización para permanecer por un tiempo indefinido en el Estado ecuatoriano, conforme con las condiciones establecidas en el artículo referente a la residencia permanente.
  • https://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2021.05.14_ley_organica_de_movilidad_humana_-_lomh.pdf
    La persona residente permanente podrá ausentarse y regresar al país, pero no podrá permanecer en el exterior más de ciento ochenta días en cada año contados desde la fecha de obtención de la condición migratoria, durante los dos primeros años. En caso de incumplimiento la autoridad de control migratorio impondrá la sanción prevista en las faltas migratorias de esta Ley y su Reglamento. La persona residente permanente, transcurridos los dos primeros años, podrá ausentarse del país hasta por dos años continuos; pasado este tiempo perderá la residencia permanente.
  • https://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2021.05.14_ley_organica_de_movilidad_humana_-_lomh.pdf
    Art. 65.A.- Conservación de residencia para personas amparadas.- (Agregado por el Art. 43 de la Ley s/n, R.O. 386-3S, 5-II-2021).- Para los casos de las visas de residencia temporal y permanente de personas amparadas, en los que la persona amparante ha fallecido, la persona extranjera amparada conservará su visa, así como en los casos de amparo por matrimonio o unión de hecho y estos terminen por causas imputables al amparante, y, en las visas de residencia permanente de amparo cuando el amparante se naturalice como ecuatoriano, conforme lo establecido en el Reglamento de esta Ley.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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