Stay Out Of Hot Water When You Hit The Beach: 4 Legal Issues To Consider When Living Abroad In Ecuador

If you are thinking you want to enjoy the expat life in South America, Ecuador should be among your top destinations to consider. Before you pack a bag and purchase a property, you should be aware of the legal issues that Americans face when they are moving permanently to a foreign country. By educating yourself, you can avoid common pitfalls and have a smooth transition to your dream life in Ecuador. 

Visas

U.S. citizens can enter Ecuador without a visa for 90 days. During that time, if you wish to stay longer, you need to apply for a long-term visa and residence permit. This application involves several documents from the United States that may be difficult to procure while you are abroad, such as a criminal background check from the FBI, which can take a month to be completed and another two weeks to receive an apostille.

It is best to apply for a long-term visa before leaving the U.S. However, if you are already in Ecuador and decide to stay, you should start gathering documentation as soon as possible. You must apply to change your visa status at least 30 days before your current visa, or right to stay without a visa, expires. 

Permanent Residency 

If you plan to stay in Ecuador for an extended period, or to return annually for vacation, you will want to apply for permanent residency. The easiest way for foreigners to do this is to purchase a property. Currently, if a foreigner spends $25,000 on real estate in Ecuador, they are granted permanent residency. This is a small investment amount compared to many other countries that grant foreigners residency based on investment. 

When you purchase a property, you should be aware that you will still have to submit the required documents for a change in your visa, which should be done well before your visa expires. 

Breaking the Law 

Historically, popular expat cities such as Montanita have been known as places where the rules are relaxed and foreigners are free to experiment with various lifestyles. While this may sound appealing, you should familiarize yourself with the local laws. Americans are required to uphold the local laws in Ecuador, whether you know them or not, and if you break a law there is little that the U.S. embassy can do to help you. 

According to the U.S. embassy in Ecuador, the laws you should know about include a ban on using, transporting, and selling narcotics, strict driving laws, a ban on the exportation of artifacts, and a requirement for licenses for hunting and fishing. Most surprising is that, if you are involved in a fatal auto-accident, you can be charged with murder, even if the accident was not your fault. If you want to drive in Ecuador, the embassy recommends extreme care. 

Deportation 

If you overstay your visa, fail to renew your residence permit, or break a law, you may be required to pay a fine or you may face deportation. Usually, you will be given the option of voluntary deportation if your offense is minor. If you voluntarily deport yourself, you leave within a required time and agree to stay out of the country for a period of time. This is your best option, as your passport will not receive a deportation stamp and you will be able to return to Ecuador, usually when you get a new visa. 

If you wait to be forcibly deported, you will receive a deportation stamp, which may limit which countries you can travel to, and you may be banned from returning to Ecuador altogether. 

While it is important to know your rights and obligations if you want to move to Ecuador, it should be noted that many Americans are easily able to do so without issues. Once you know how the system works, you may be surprised just how easy it is to purchase property and live abroad. Keep this information in mind as you begin looking for Ecuador homes for sale.

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