As of April 8, the new US business and tourism visas (categories B1 and B2) issued for Ecuadorian applicants will increase their validity from five to 10 years.
After meeting with the Ecuadorian Foreign Minister, Manuel Antonio Mejía Dalmau, the United States Ambassador to Ecuador, Michael J. Fitzpatrick, made the announcement that it will benefit thousands of Ecuadorian travelers each year.
The US ambassador recalled that more than two years ago, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility made it clear that ensuring greater validity of the US visa for Ecuadorians was a priority for this Government and that as a result of good relations it contributes with the country.
He said that this step is thanks to the systematic commitment and collaboration of the Government of Ecuador in issuing biometrically enhanced electronic passports and by strengthening immigration, data exchange and border security policies.
He commented that both countries have a long and proud history of interconnectivity and exchange, both personal and commercial, and that doubling the validity period of US visas for Ecuadorian citizens is one of the most tangible ways to deepen and strengthen those relationships.
The new 10-year validity will apply to all new visas in these categories issued after April 8 and is not retroactive to previously issued visas.
The application fee for the longest valid visas is still USD 160, effectively cutting application costs in half for those applicants who would have paid that fee twice to cover the same ten-year period. But in the face of the pandemic, the Embassy in Quito and the Consulate General in Guayaquil, while not open, will accept visa renewal applications by mail from people who qualify for the interview waiver program.
In a statement, the United States Diplomatic Mission indicated that, although there is no definite date for the return of normal public operations, they are expected to resume as soon as conditions allow.
Given this, it was recommended to visit the website ec.usembassy.gov/es/ or check the official social networks. It was even announced that next Monday, March 29, a report will be made on Facebook to answer, at 3:30 p.m., questions on the subject of visas.
Be the first to comment