Residency to carry out business in Ecuador
We handled the temporary Mercosur visa for a Peruvian businessman, allowing him to carry out business activities in the country.
Immigration Law · Ecuador
ExpertImmigrationadvice for companies.
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We assist companies, investors and foreign executives with visas and residency, naturalization and immigration compliance when hiring staff from other countries. We handle the paperwork so you can focus on your business.
01 / Why Fexlaw
A poorly planned immigration application can stall a hire or an investment. That's why we review every case from the outset and choose the right path before filing the first document.
ISO 37001Firm certified in an anti-bribery management system.
Great Place to WorkCertified as one of the best places to work.
0professionals, including lawyers, analysts and forensic experts.
0of our clients are corporations.
02 / The immigration path
From the initial assessment to residency.
Every application has its own requirements, documents and timelines. This is the path we follow with you or with your foreign employees.
- 01
Profile assessment
We review the person's nationality, activity and plans to identify the right immigration category.
- 02
Choosing the visa
We explain the available options, such as work, investor, professional or Mercosur visas, and how they differ.
- 03
Documentation
We prepare the list of requirements and review apostilles, translations and certificates before filing.
- 04
Application
We file the application with the competent authority and follow up until it is decided.
- 05
Registration and ID card
We guide you through the follow-up steps so the person is properly registered in Ecuador.
- 06
Renewal and change of status
We track expiration dates and plan the renewal, change of category or permanent residency.
03 / Services
Human mobility with solid legal support.
We work with companies that hire or relocate foreign staff, and with investors and executives arriving in Ecuador. These are the services most requested from us.
- Visas and residency
- 01
Work and professional visas
- 02
Investor and Mercosur visas
- Companies
- 03
Corporate immigration advice
- 04
Naturalization
- Regularization and defense
- 05
Immigration status regularization
- 06
Deportation, inadmissibility and refugee status
01Visas and residency
Work and professional visas
We handle temporary visas and residency for foreign employees and professionals working in Ecuador.
- Work visa
- Professional visa
- Renewals
02Visas and residency
Investor and Mercosur visas
We advise investors and citizens of Mercosur countries on the immigration category that best fits their economic activity.
- Investor visa
- Mercosur visa
- Permanent residency
03Companies
Corporate immigration advice
We make sure the hiring of foreign staff complies with immigration and labor rules, in coordination with our Labor Law practice.
- Hiring foreign nationals
- Expiration tracking
- Executive relocation
04Companies
Naturalization
We assist those seeking Ecuadorian citizenship through naturalization, from the review of requirements to the final decision.
- Requirements review
- Case file
- Follow-up
05Regularization and defense
Immigration status regularization
We help people with irregular immigration status or expired visas find the legal path to regularize their situation.
- Immigration assessment
- Path to regularization
- Application management
06Regularization and defense
Deportation, inadmissibility and refugee status
We represent foreign nationals in deportation or inadmissibility proceedings and in applications for international protection and refugee status.
- Defense in proceedings
- Appeals
- International protection
04 / Regional presence
Your foreign team, supported across the region.
With offices in Quito, Guayaquil, Bogotá and Lima, and a network of partners abroad, we coordinate the steps a person must start in their home country and those completed in Ecuador.
Success story
Mercosur visa for a Peruvian businessman.
We obtained a temporary Mercosur visa for a Peruvian businessman, allowing him to carry out his business activities in Ecuador.
Temporary visas
Work, professional and investor.
Mercosur
Residency for citizens of member countries.
Permanent residency
Planning the change of category.
Foreign staff
Hiring in line with the law.
Investors
Immigration category for those who invest.
Expiration dates
Deadline tracking and renewals.
Defense
Deportation and inadmissibility.
Refugee status
International protection.
05 / Experience
Cases that define us.
Matters we have worked on, described without revealing our clients' identities.
Regularization and workforce integration
We obtained a temporary Mercosur visa for a Brazilian citizen, which facilitated the regularization of her status and her integration into the Ecuadorian workplace.
Every case is different. Results in previous matters do not guarantee a similar outcome in other cases.
06 / How we work
One team, one point of contact.
01
Initial meeting
We listen to your situation in full confidence and review the information available.
02
Assessment
We identify risks, outstanding obligations and priorities for your company.
03
Plan and budget
We propose the roadmap, timeline and team, including any other practice areas of the firm that need to be involved.
04
Execution and follow-up
A lead lawyer coordinates everything and keeps you clearly informed at every step.
07 / Recognition
Six consecutive years in Band 1.
Leaders League has ranked Fexlaw in the top band for Criminal Law and Compliance in Ecuador for six years running. Chambers and Partners and the intellectual property rankings also recognize us for our anti-piracy work.
01
Band 1Leaders LeagueCriminal Law and Compliance · 6 consecutive yearsView ranking ↗02
Ranked inChambers and PartnersLatin America 2027View ranking ↗03
Ranked firmIP STARS · Managing IPIntellectual property and anti-piracy · 2026View ranking ↗04
Bronze BandWTR 1000Trademarks and anti-piracy · 2026View ranking ↗
08 / Team
The people behind your immigration case.
Lawyers who combine immigration, labor and corporate law, so that the arrival of your staff or your investment is in order from day one.
Practice lead01Estefanía
09 / Frequently asked questions
What clients often ask us.
General answers to common questions. Every company is different: write to us so we can review your situation.
01What does my company need to hire a foreign national?
The employee must hold an immigration category that allows them to work in Ecuador, and the company must meet its labor and social security obligations as with any other worker. We review both fronts before hiring.
02What is the Mercosur visa?
It is a temporary residency for citizens of countries that are party to the Mercosur residence agreements. It allows them to live and carry out activities in Ecuador, and it is often a fast route for those who meet the requirements.
03Can I obtain residency by investing in Ecuador?
Yes. The Organic Law on Human Mobility provides a category for investors. Requirements and amounts depend on the regulations in force; we review them with you and, if your investment involves incorporating a company, we coordinate with our Corporate Law practice.
04When can I apply for permanent residency?
As a general rule, after a period as a temporary resident, or through family ties with Ecuadorian citizens or other grounds set by law. We plan the change in advance so your temporary visa does not expire.
05What should I do if my visa has expired or I received a deportation notice?
Seek advice immediately and don't let deadlines pass. We review your situation, identify any possible path to regularization and, when appropriate, represent you in the proceeding.
CONTACT
Let's talk about
your application.
Choose the option that best describes your situation and we will message you directly on WhatsApp to book a confidential initial meeting.
COMPANIESI want to hire or relocate
foreign staffBook via WhatsAppVISASI need a visa, residency
or to regularize my statusBook via WhatsApp
Prefer to write to us? Use our contact formTell us what you need and we will contact you to schedule the meeting.Fill out the form foreign staffBook via WhatsAppVISASI need a visa, residency
or to regularize my statusBook via WhatsApp
Offices in Quito · Guayaquil · Bogotá · Lima
