I double-checked how long you can be out of Ecuador when you hold a Permanent Visa (the “forever” visa), and here’s the full picture:
During the first 2 years after your permanent visa is issued, you can’t stay outside Ecuador for more than 180 days per chronological year (counted from your visa’s issue date). Go over that, and you risk a fine of 50% of a basic unified salary under Art. 170.3 LOMH (Organic Law of Human Mobility).
After those first 2 years, the rule changes: you can then be absent for up to 2 continuous years at a time, no matter if you got your permanent visa 30 years ago or yesterday. Go over that and your visa is subject to cancellation under Art. 68, numeral 5 of the Ley Orgánica de Movilidad Humana (LOMH).
How did I confirm this? I enrolled in a “diplomado” (a course that ends with a diploma for participants) on the regulations Ecuadorian expats/immigrants need to know when returning to Ecuador after many years away, including what’s required to bring in household goods, etc.
One of the instructors works at the Ministry of Human Mobility, and during a break I got the chance to ask her directly. She confirmed the rule above, which matches Art. 68.5 LOMH.
Here’s the good news on that 2-year rule: if you left Ecuador on October 20, 2024, you can return on October 18, 2026, stay a couple of days, and then leave again for another 2 years. Why does that work? Because nothing in the law or regulations specifies a minimum time you have to spend in Ecuador to reset the clock on your time abroad — that tip also came from her.
Any questions about visas in Ecuador, dependent visas, and more — feel free to reach out.
ulisesacostac@gmail.com
Ulises, ulisesacostac@gmail.com
City: Loja
