A little a. retentive here, but I would like my application, pension driven, to be right upon arrival in Quito.
#7 and #8 below are optional. The first six, I would very much appreciate the experienced to respond.
1. Requirement calls for application with .....photograph, passport size...
I have the printed application in my hand with upper right corner for photo, but that corner does not appear to be big enough for a photo passport SIZE ! Does it have to fit inside the black border frame of the form ? It appeasrs a photo of passport size would obscure printed lines and some verbiage in that corner. (My passport is stored out away from my home; maybe my photo is smaller than I recall ?)
2. No question or comment on this line. (Keeping my question numbers below in line with gov't web site enumberated requirements.
The following questions related to visa application requirements cited at the Ecuador gov't web site:
3. #3 requires "Original and 2 legal copies of the paper of identifications of the passport and migrations's seal of the lst entry to Ecuador".
I am concerned about this one because item #2 already clearly refers to bringing the passport in when submitting application and doc's.
Regardless, is this requirement referring to the passport page itself that was stamped upon entry to Ecuador ? Is this a call to bring the passport itself and two copies of the passport page relating to my most recent, at the time, entry to Ecuador ?
4. #4 of requirements refers to criminal check: "duly apostilled or legalized at the Consulate of Ecuador...."
My state's Sec of State will do the apostille on a state police issue. From that point, an Ecuador consulate in the U.S. does not have to subsequently process anything related to that criminal check which has the apostille ?
5. #5 refers to requiring an "Updated Migratory Movement Certificate issued by Eucadorian Immiagration Authorities..."
Is this a seperate agency/office I will have to find while I am in Quito before submitting my application ?
6. (My blank; no question here.)
Optional reading, the final two requirments below. I really am interested, but it is not relevant except in some cases in which an alternate way to satisfy a requirement has been noted in earlier posts and recounted here in 7B.
7. #7 requirement here is about pension documentation. (Mine has recent apostille on it from my state's Sec of State fulfilling the requirement cited in the next statement to "certify.")
The requirement calls for "duly certified at the country of origin or authenticated by the Consul of Ecuador in the place of origin."
A. Questions: Is it fair to say this requirement was formulated with words that give consideration to nations not signatory to the Hague convention and its creation of the apostille ? That some nations have elected not to apostille documents ? This then would require the citizen/applicant with pension from inside that country to seek an Eucador consulate alternatively "authenticate" the pension document ?
B. Question: I see repeated reference at this expat exchange web site of posters collecting their doc's for a pension driven application for residential visa stating they have gotten the apostille on a pension documentation AND next are going to an Ecuador consulate in the U.S. to have it certified. FACT: the requirement reads "or," and does not state "and." FACT: I have seen posted and had a PM exchange with another poster who went to a consulate and got his militar pension document "authenticated" by the consulate with no mention to me of having had an apostille on his doc to certify it prior to the consulate visit. That was early on in my investigations, and I had no reason to ask at the time if he had his military pension documentation with an apostille prior to his consulate visit. I took him to mean his had the consulate authenticate his pension evidence,something in the domain of the consualate as set out in this #7 requirement.
It is only now as I write this that it has dawned on me that pension documentation without apostille is not a requirement but a convenience for the applicant and consulate. If an applicant can readily assert other evidence that convinces the consulate of his pension, the Consul will authenticate--not apostille--but "authenticate" the pension as provided for in the government requirement verbiage. In the case of the military retiree, he showed his monthly statements, (perhaps a yearly 1099-R with a gross 12 times his monthly). He showed on their computer, as I understand, his password protected site of the official source that issues his retirement pay. His retirement got authenticated. Please understand I know a certiication comes but only to serve the purpose of the next requirment #8.
8. Requirement here is that an Ecuadorian Foeign Service Officer in the applicant's country issues a certificate "determining the perception" of such retirement, pension, or permanent income." The consulate in #7 has to make a judgment to accept "certification" (by apostille) or agree to "authenticate," if pension doc is not already "certified." Also is the documentation sufficient to prove the stream of income is sufficient to meet the minimum amount required, especially if the gross has deductions for liabilities of the applicant. Here in requirement #8, an Officer perhaps has to make judgment on the quality of the source of income and its sustainability. I am not sure of the meaning of "determing the perception" and appears to be purposely made wiggle room for the Officer.
FACT: A week ago, I had a choppy (language clarity thing) conversation with staff at my nearest (two states away) consulate. She said it would be $ 40 for me to have me pension document reviewed. Is that $40 to certify my document ? It is already certified with the highest level of certification called an apostille. Or is it for the Officer in step 8 to "determine the perception ?"
My biggest fear is releasing doc's out of my hand that may not get back to me in a timely fashion. Based on when they get returned, I will either be able to book well into the future to get a decent air fare or pay big for a reservation the week after I get them returned. The doc's do have limited time of life, right ?
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