The latest scoop. Yesterday, during our first and only visit, my wife and I obtained six month visitor's visas from the Consulate of Ecuador in Houston. These can be "rolled over" to pensioner's visas only in Quito. You have six months from the date you arrive in the country to do this. However, your cedulas can be obtained within a day or so of your arrival in Quito, or Guayaquil, at addresses the Consulate will give you.
Caution: We had our ducks in order. If you live in the U.S or its territories refer to www.ecuador.org/consulates/htm. and be sure the consulate where you are applying has jurisdiction over your area.
All documentation you provide must be apostilled.
This means that if you present a statement from Social Security detailing your annual benefits, and it was issued in Boston, it may not be accepted at the Consulate in Miami
That said, here is how it worked for us: Along with our passports, we presented criminal background clearances issued by the Sheriff's Dept. of Montgomery County Texas, disease free statements from local doctors, Social Security Benefits statements issued in Conroe, Texas. (A Federal Employees Pension Benefit issued by the U.S. Government was not accepted, nor needed for income purposes.) Maryse used her Certificate of Naturalization issued in Houston as proof of U.S. citizenship. (Even though she has a U.S. passport, it indicates her place of birth is France). And finally, we presented our marriage certificate which, though issued in France and translated into six languages - Spanish among them - was not accepted. We were told we would need an apostilled version, with the apostille translated into Spanish. We were told that could easily be accomplished in Quito.
The entire process took about 4 hours and cost $790. We actually had to pay $150 more because Maryse was considered a separate traveler, rather than my wife due to the lack of proper apostilled marriage certificate.
Still, since all fees are set by the Government, and we had no legal or translation assistance, I'm sure we came out way ahead financially.
If you live in Houston, New Orleans, Oklahoma, or New Mexico, Señor Estaban Cadeña is the consular officer who helped us. He was every warm and congenial and welcomes questions. His tel# is: 713-572-8731. And yes, he speaks fluent English.
Ray
Caution: We had our ducks in order. If you live in the U.S or its territories refer to www.ecuador.org/consulates/htm. and be sure the consulate where you are applying has jurisdiction over your area.
All documentation you provide must be apostilled.
This means that if you present a statement from Social Security detailing your annual benefits, and it was issued in Boston, it may not be accepted at the Consulate in Miami
That said, here is how it worked for us: Along with our passports, we presented criminal background clearances issued by the Sheriff's Dept. of Montgomery County Texas, disease free statements from local doctors, Social Security Benefits statements issued in Conroe, Texas. (A Federal Employees Pension Benefit issued by the U.S. Government was not accepted, nor needed for income purposes.) Maryse used her Certificate of Naturalization issued in Houston as proof of U.S. citizenship. (Even though she has a U.S. passport, it indicates her place of birth is France). And finally, we presented our marriage certificate which, though issued in France and translated into six languages - Spanish among them - was not accepted. We were told we would need an apostilled version, with the apostille translated into Spanish. We were told that could easily be accomplished in Quito.
The entire process took about 4 hours and cost $790. We actually had to pay $150 more because Maryse was considered a separate traveler, rather than my wife due to the lack of proper apostilled marriage certificate.
Still, since all fees are set by the Government, and we had no legal or translation assistance, I'm sure we came out way ahead financially.
If you live in Houston, New Orleans, Oklahoma, or New Mexico, Señor Estaban Cadeña is the consular officer who helped us. He was every warm and congenial and welcomes questions. His tel# is: 713-572-8731. And yes, he speaks fluent English.
Ray
