ABSTRACT
Among other things, these Regulations set forth rules on requirements for visas established in the Ecuador Law on Foreigners. They list the amounts of income from abroad or investments in Ecuador required of foreigners entering Ecuador with immigrant visas, documents needed by persons working permanently in enterprises and institutions under immigrant visas, and methods of proof of dependency for persons entering on immigrant visas as dependents. In this context, they provide that persons with foreign income must receive at least $1,000 per month, with an increase of 80% Ecuadorian personnel; that persons entering as workers must inform authorities of changes in work status; and that persons entering as dependents may themselves work only if their sponsor dies or the means of subsistence of the sponsor decrease. The Regulations also set forth requirements for persons entering Ecuador on nonimmigrant visas, such as refugees, students, temporary workers, religious personnel, and those in transit. With respect to refugees, the rules provide that false statements made in an application will trigger an expulsion order; that foreign nationals coming from a country other than that where they suffered persecution will not be admitted unless they were in that country in direct transit; that refugees may not leave the country without express permission; and that, if the conditions justifying asylum change, a refugee will be required to leave the country. With respect to workers, the rules provide that an applicant must show a need for a foreign worker that cannot be fulfilled by an Ecuadorian worker and must show a work contract or appointment. With respect to those in transit, the rules provide that no visa is required and that entry will be denied to those lacking permission to enter the country of destination and transit through countries bordering Ecuador that are on their route. Persons in this category may stay in Ecuador for only a limited time--usually 10 days for persons en route and three months for visitors. The Regulations also contain provisions on the modification of immigration status, including the rule that the status of those in transit may not be modified. In addition, they set forth the functions of the Consultative Council on Migration Policy. Among these is the task of promoting internal migration to sparsely populated areas of the country.