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Permanent Residence - MERCOSUR or Andean Framework

EcuadorFree movement

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

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Explore pathways in Ecuador Read the five questions ↓

Which citizenship, status or regional agreement creates the person's right to move/reside?

The right derives from being a national of a State Party to the MERCOSUR Residence Agreement, or a citizen of an Andean Community country under the Andean Migratory Statute (Decision 878).

See recorded sources

Under which circumstances can the person reside: worker, self-employed, student, jobseeker, self-funded person or another recognised basis?

MERCOSUR and Andean Community nationals entering to settle in Ecuador may reside to carry out lawful activities, holding a regular migratory status.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Means-of-living amount not captured; the MERCOSUR page cites Ministerial Agreement No. 31 of 2014 while other pages cite No. 70 of 2024.

What entry, registration or residence-document formalities remain?

MERCOSUR applicants must hold a MERCOSUR temporary residence and apply within the 90 days before it expires, with a valid passport, Ecuadorian criminal-record certificate (over-18s), fee and proof of lawful means of living. Andean applicants must apply while in regular status, with at least 21 months of uninterrupted residence in Ecuador holding an Andean Statute (or any other) temporary residence visa.

See recorded sources

Which non-member-country family members can accompany or join, and what broad rights do they receive?

Family members who are not MERCOSUR or Ecuador-Venezuela Statute nationals can obtain permanent residence as dependants ('amparo') of a permanent resident under those frameworks; a spouse or de facto partner must present an apostilled and translated marriage certificate or union record. The official source does not state an equivalent family provision for Andean Statute permanent residence.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • No equivalent family provision was found for the Andean Statute permanent residence page.

When do permanent/long-term rights arise and what continuity, absence or retention conditions matter?

The permanent residence is indefinite. During the first two years the holder may not stay abroad more than 180 days per year; after two years, the holder may be absent up to two continuous years, beyond which permanent residence is lost.

See recorded sources

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

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