Expat Community > Ecuador

chargersfan
Joined 2012
Posts: 277

Is there still a need for an immigration attorney..?

12 years ago

I know the topic of obtaining residency has been discussed on numerous occasions; However, there’s something that has yet to be addressed (I think). With the opening of a new immigration office in Cuenca, does one still require the assistance of an attorney to facilitate the process? After some of the horror stories I’ve heard while socializing with other gringos, I was convinced that while not necessarily required, the assistance of a competent attorney would be money well spent.
Well, I like to obtain information straight from the source if possible so I paid a visit to Cuenca’s new immigration office today. This is the same building where I had previously obtained my 180 day extension after my 90 day passport allowance had expired. Unfortunately, I arrived at the office just as they were closing (4 P.M.) and was greeted at the door by a security person. As I was asking her if I was in the right place for information regarding obtaining my cedula, she asked me to wait for a second and returned with an English speaking young lady who asked me to come inside and offered to answer my questions. How nice, I thought as I offered to return in the morning. She told me she would be happy to spend a few minutes with me and answer any questions I might have. I liked this new office already!
She provided me with the two forms necessary for the application process: The “Immigrant visa application form” which is in bilingual format, and the “Miniterio de relaciones exteriors comercio e integracion” which is in Spanish (this form was very simplistic and requires only basic information so I’m sure the use of a Spanish dictionary for translation would be adequate). She then printed out three more informational items to explain the process. One in Spanish (which she went over thoroughly with me) from the website www.mmrree.gob.ec/servicios/visa9i.asp “Visa de Rentista 9-I Pension del Exterior.” She gave me the same page translated into English (but not from the website). Lastly, she gave me a list of the Ecuadorian consulates located in the United States. I won’t go further into specifics at this time regarding the finer details. The application is $30.00 to be submitted with the required forms, and the visa fee is $320.00. Once approved, a trip to Quito to take possession of the visa is required. This young woman was very friendly, spoke perfect English, and was confident that the process would take between three weeks to a month, start to finish. I was prepared to spend $1300 for the assistance of perhaps the most respected husband/wife attorney team in Cuenca. After today’s interaction at the new immigration office, I feel confident I can do it for myself and save myself quite a bit of money. Maybe I’ll finally buy some furniture for my apartment..

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Is there still a need for an immigration attorney..?

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