I have titled this as the "RULES OF ENGAGEMENT" simply because that is what getting a Visa, Censo and Cedula is all about here in Ecuador.
Ecuadorians is has been said in many circles can only do one thing at a time. And certainly this seems to be much closer to the truth when one has decided to engage in the visa program. Well the reason is very simple, the evolution here is different where we came from .
Simply put the education system here is not as good as ours. ( no dis-respect intended here) there-fore training for jobs seems to be more important than formal education.
Those how have been trained here are told to do their jobs just one way, the way they were trained. These people are not educated and therefore have no ability to perform problem solving as those who are educated. So PLEASE, don't get upset with these folks, or for that matter any one in the public service sector.
So when applying for your Visa, Censo, Cedula , please be patient and remember these people have been trained to perform only one task at a time per their training.
Here is what you really need to know, write it down and adhere to it and you will not get upset during the process, causing you to blow up, shout, yell or become so frustrated you may want to leave Ecuador.
Once you have filed your application for your applicable visa and subsequently receive your Aprobada via an EMAIL from the Dirección General de Extranjería usually in 45 to 90 days ( if you have carefully followed all the instructions on line ) may be longer now since we have had so much movement, fraud, and organized disorganization in the various departments, you will need to go to Quito, YES, QUITO!
Here you will go to 3 different places.
* IMPORTANT* It is always a prerequisite to read every paper you get from anyone in Ecuador.
REREAD YOUR PAPERS.
1/ AIRPORT TICKETS, READ THEM OVER BEFORE LEAVING THE COUNTER. Some of them have taken to changing your return date and if you have not caught this you will pay a change fee when you arrive at the airport check-in.
2/ Please read and reread your papers you will receive at the 1st office you attend to in Quito, the office of Ministerio del Interior on Colon N-26-05 and 6 Decembre. You do not have to be there to line up.They are very fast here. You will give them your copy of the email, your receipt for the payment of $350.00 and your passport. I handed mine in at 0815 and at 0920 received my Passport back with my permanent visa entered into it. I was given two papers, one for the Censo, the other for my Cedula.
REMEMBER, READ AND REREAD,NOTE ANY CHANGES IN YOUR NAME, YOUR FATHERS AND MOTHERS.
Off to the office of Polica y Immigration de Pinchincha on Amazonas avenue. Taxi is $2.50 to this one. Here you will get a number from the officer at the door for you Censo. Don't let him tell you they are not giving out numbers til 1300, this is NOT TRUE.. Get your number right there and then or you will wait for many more hours.
If you have to wait for some time you can eat next door, the food is great,cheap and you cannot eat it all. $3.25
Once your number is called you need to have copy of your Passport, your new visa and of course the papers you got from the first office. Don't worry if you forget this procedure. They will show you what you need and have a copier right there inside, you copy and immediately return to the agent. No waiting .
This procedure will take about 15 minutes.
Well now don't you feel good. You did this all by yourself.
You can check the time and if it permits got to the office of the Registro Civl just down the street, Taxi, $1.50, 5 minute ride down Amazonas. These two offices are on the same street.
If time does not permit you will have to go the next day. Do not listen to the those who tell you to go at 0400 to line up. Not necessary, true there are 200 or more lined up by 0700, ( doors open at 0715 ) by you can arrive at 0930 and get it done very quickly.
Upon entering the building go to the Banco Pacifico to pay your $5.00 for Primero Vez del Visa. Go downstairs with that and sit and wait for your number to be called. All this happens very quickly contrary to what many lawyers will tell you.
You will need to make sure you have a copy of your passport, your new permanent visa and a "Factura" with your permanent address here in Ecuador printed on it. If not you will have to go outside and get these. Plan ahead. Always plan ahead.
I had my Cedula done in 32 minutes. Now you will have to ask them if they can send it down to where-ever you live via DHL. Arrange this before you leave.
Well there you have it. This was long but it is correct and I can attest to executing this withoug a hitch. I believe a long pencil is better than a short memory.
You all can gain from my personal experience.
And best of all "NO CHARGE"
Best regards
jedard
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