Extending Your Ecuadorian Adventure: A Lawyer's Guide to the Tourist Visa Extension (Prórroga) in Cuenca

As an Ecuadorian lawyer practicing in Cuenca, I frequently assist expatriates who, captivated by our city's charm, wish to extend their stay. The initial 90-day tourist permission often feels too short to truly explore, make connections, or finalize residency plans. This is where the prórroga de turista, or tourist visa extension, becomes an essential legal tool.

Navigating Ecuadorian immigration can be complex, but it is not insurmountable. My goal is to provide a precise, legally-grounded guide to securing this extension, moving beyond generic advice to offer actionable steps and insider knowledge that will ensure your continued stay is lawful and stress-free.

The Legal Framework: Understanding the Prórroga

Upon entering Ecuador, most tourists are granted a 90-day stay. This is authorized within a one-year migratory period, which begins on the date of your first entry. The legal basis for extending this stay is found in Article 56 of the Ley Orgánica de Movilidad Humana (LOMH).

This law allows a one-time extension of an additional 90 days, permitting a total continuous stay of up to 180 days. It is critical to understand this: the prórroga is not a new visa; it is the continuation of your initial tourist status. You must apply for this extension before your initial 90 days expire. Overstaying, even by one day, complicates the process immensely and can result in fines.

Eligibility and Critical Considerations

While the process is standardized, eligibility hinges on a few key factors:

You must be physically present in Ecuador.
You must have a valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining.
You must be within your initial 90-day authorized stay. Do not wait until the last minute. The online system can have delays, and government offices can have unexpected closures.

Hyper-Specific Expert Details:

The Process is Now Online: The application is no longer a primarily in-person affair at the local ministry office. It is initiated through the Ecuadorian government's official portal, www.gob.ec, by searching for the service "Emisión de Prórroga." Attempting to walk into the Cuenca office without first starting the process online will result in you being turned away and told to use the website.
The 180-Day Rule Clarified: The prórroga allows for a single, continuous stay of up to 180 days (90 initial + 90 extension) within the one-year migratory period that starts from your first entry. Once you have used your 180 days (either consecutively or in separate trips), you cannot re-enter Ecuador as a tourist until that one-year period has concluded. This is a common and costly misunderstanding of the LOMH.
Payment Nuances: The application fee is not just a simple payment. As of 2024, the fee is one-third of a Salario Básico Unificado (SBU), which is $460 for 2024, making the fee approximately $153.33. This payment must be made exclusively at a Banco del Pacífico branch using a specific payment order (orden de pago) generated during your online application. Do not try to pay at another bank; it will be rejected.

Step-by-Step Guide to the Modern Prórroga Process

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana or MREMH) manages this process.

Step 1: Gather Your Digital and Physical Documents

Precision is your best asset. Have these ready in both digital format (PDF or JPG) for online upload and physical format in case of a follow-up appointment:

Passport: High-quality color scans of the main biographical page and the page with your Ecuadorian entry stamp.
Application Form (Formulario de Solicitud): This form is generated and filled out online as part of the application on the Gob.ec platform.
Proof of Financial Solvency: You must demonstrate you can support yourself. The unwritten but expected standard is to show access to funds equivalent to at least one SBU ($460 USD) for each month of your extended stay. The best evidence is your last three months of bank statements, clearly showing your name and a consistent balance.
Certificado de Movimiento Migratorio: This is an official record of your entries and exits from Ecuador. You must request this certificate online, also via the Gob.ec portal. It costs approximately $5.00 and is a non-negotiable requirement for the prórroga application. You will need to upload this document.
A Clear Headshot Photo: A digital, passport-style photo with a white background is required for the online profile.

Step 2: Initiate the Online Application

Go to www.gob.ec and create a user account if you don't have one.
Search for the service "Emisión de Prórroga de Permanencia para personas Extranjeras que se encuentren en el Ecuador."
Fill out the online form accurately. Any discrepancy with your passport will cause a rejection.
Upload all the required documents in the specified formats.
Once submitted, the system will generate an orden de pago (payment order).

Step 3: Pay the Fee

Take the generated orden de pago to any Banco del Pacífico branch. Make the payment and obtain the official receipt (comprobante de pago). You will need to scan and upload this receipt to your online application to complete the process. This step is what officially moves your application into the review queue.

Step 4: Await Approval and Potential Appointment

The MREMH will review your digital submission. This can take several days to a couple of weeks. You will receive email notifications regarding the status of your application.

If everything is in order, your extension may be approved electronically.
In some cases, or if there is a document issue, you may be summoned for a brief in-person appointment at the local MREMH office—in Cuenca, this is the Coordinación Zonal 6 located on Avenida Ordóñez Lasso.

Step 5: Receive Your Digital Extension

Upon final approval, the extension is registered electronically in the immigration system. You will receive a digital confirmation. While a new stamp in your passport is no longer standard practice, it is wise to print out the official approval document and keep it with your passport at all times as proof of your legal status.

Common Expat Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Miscalculating the 90 Days: A common error is assuming "3 months." Count the exact days starting from the day after your arrival. Use a date calculator to be certain.
Submitting Low-Quality Scans: Unreadable passport scans or blurry documents are the fastest way to have your online application rejected. Ensure every scan is clear and complete.
Ignoring the Movimiento Migratorio: Forgetting to request and upload the Certificado de Movimiento Migratorio will halt your application. It is not an optional document.
The "Visa Run" Myth: Believing you can simply cross the border to Peru for a day and return to restart your 90 days is a relic of an old, defunct law. Under the LOMH, this does not work. You will be held to your one-year migratory period.

Legal Checklist for Your Prórroga Application

[ ] Passport valid for 6+ months.
[ ] High-quality digital scans of passport bio and entry stamp pages.
[ ] Digital passport-style photo (white background).
[ ] Bank statements for the last 3 months.
[ ] Certificado de Movimiento Migratorio requested and received.
[ ] Account created on Gob.ec.
[ ] Online application filled out and submitted.
[ ] Payment order generated and fee paid at Banco del Pacífico.
[ ] Payment receipt uploaded to the online portal.

⚠️ Legal Alert: When to Consult an Attorney

This guide covers the standard process. However, you should immediately seek professional legal counsel if:

You have overstayed your initial 90 days. An overstay requires a regularization process that is entirely different, involves fines, and is far more complex than a prórroga.
Your application has been denied, and the reason provided is unclear.
You have any prior immigration infractions in Ecuador.
Your long-term goal is residency. The prórroga is a temporary solution. Applying for a residency visa while on a tourist extension requires specific timing and strategy.

Attempting to resolve these issues alone can jeopardize your ability to remain in or return to Ecuador. An experienced attorney can navigate the nuances of the MREMH and protect your legal status.

Conclusion: Securing Your Time in Ecuador

The prórroga process, while detailed, is straightforward when approached with diligence and an understanding of the current, online-first system. By following these steps and preparing your documents meticulously, you can successfully extend your stay and continue your journey in Cuenca with complete peace of mind.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws and procedures are subject to change.

Need professional assistance with your visa extension or long-term residency plans? Contact our law office in Cuenca for a consultation to review your specific case and ensure a successful outcome.