How Much Does a Visa Lawyer Cost in Ecuador?

Quick Answer

Professional visa services in Ecuador: $1,500-3,000

Average: $1,800-2,000 for complete visa process support.

Pricing Breakdown by Service Type

Full-Service Visa Assistance: $1,500-3,000

Includes:

• Document review before travel
• Translation coordination
• Application preparation
• Immigration appointment scheduling
• Attendance at immigration office with you
• Translation during appointment
• Processing follow-up
• Status updates
• Cédula assistance
• IESS enrollment help

Who offers: EcuaPass, expat-focused attorneys, visa specialists

Best for: Most people (non-Spanish speakers, want peace of mind)

Attorney-Only (No Guidance): $800-1,500

Includes:

• Attendance at immigration appointment
• Translation during appointment
• Basic application review

Does NOT include:

• Pre-travel document review
• Translation coordination
• Ongoing support
• Follow-up

Who offers: Local Ecuadorian attorneys

Best for: Spanish speakers who need minimal help

Consultation Only: $100-300

Includes:

• 1-2 hour consultation
• Document checklist
• Process explanation
• Q&A

Does NOT include:

• Ongoing support
• Attendance at appointments
• Document preparation

Best for: DIY applicants wanting expert guidance

EcuaPass Pricing (2026)

Standard Visa Services:

• Pensioner Visa: $1,800
• Professional Visa: $1,800
• Rentista Visa: $1,800
• Investor Visa: $2,200 (property docs more complex)

Spouse/Dependent Addition:

• Add spouse: +$500
• Add child: +$300 per child

Example: Couple with 1 child getting Pensioner visas: $1,800 + $500 + $300 = $2,600

What's Included in $1,800

Before You Travel:

✅ Initial consultation (1-2 hours) ✅ Complete document checklist for your situation ✅ Review of all documents ✅ Verification apostilles are correct ✅ Translation coordination ✅ Timeline planning ✅ Packing list

When You Arrive Ecuador:

✅ Meet you in person ✅ Help obtain health certificate ✅ Review final documents ✅ Complete application forms ✅ Schedule immigration appointment

At Immigration Office:

✅ Attend appointment with you ✅ Translate all conversations ✅ Answer officer questions ✅ Handle unexpected issues on the spot ✅ Ensure proper document submission

During Processing:

✅ Follow up with immigration ✅ Check status regularly ✅ Respond to any requests for additional info ✅ Keep you updated ✅ Handle communications in Spanish

After Approval:

✅ Help schedule cédula appointment ✅ Attend cédula appointment with you ✅ Assist with census registration ✅ Guide IESS enrollment ✅ Final questions and support

Communication:

✅ WhatsApp support throughout ✅ Email support ✅ Phone calls as needed ✅ English-speaking team

What's NOT Included

❌ Government fees ($450-500) - you pay separately ❌ Document costs (FBI check, apostilles, translations) - you arrange/pay ❌ Your travel to Ecuador ❌ Your housing ❌ Translation of documents (we coordinate, you pay translator)

Cost Comparison: DIY vs Professional

Total Cost to Get Ecuador Visa:

DIY Route:

• Government fees: $450-500
• FBI check + apostille: $26
• Birth cert apostille: $50
• Translations: $150-300
• Mistakes/resubmission (50% chance): $0-1,000
• Your time: 80-100 hours
• Total cash: $676-1,876
• Total with time value ($50/hr): $4,676-6,876

Professional Help (EcuaPass):

• Professional fee: $1,800
• Government fees: $450-500
• Document costs: $226-350
• Your time: 15-25 hours
• Total cash: $2,476-2,650
• Total with time value ($50/hr): $3,226-3,900

Savings with professional help: $1,450-2,976 (when factoring time value)

Plus:

• Higher success rate (98% vs ~65%)
• Faster processing (avoid mistakes/delays)
• Less stress
• English support

Hidden Costs of NOT Using Professional

Mistake #1: Wrong Apostille

Wasted: $26 + 4 weeks

Mistake #2: Expired FBI Check

Wasted: $26 + 8-12 weeks

Mistake #3: Insufficient Income Documentation

Wasted: Rejection, reapplication, 3-4 months

Mistake #4: Poor Translation

Wasted: $150-300 + 2-3 weeks

Mistake #5: Missing Appointment Due to Language Barrier

Wasted: Rescheduling, delay, potential rejection

Average cost of DIY mistakes: $400-1,500 + 2-4 months delay

This often makes DIY MORE expensive than professional help.

How to Choose a Visa Service

Red Flags:

❌ Guarantees 100% approval - No one can guarantee (depends on your situation) ❌ Prices way below market ($500-800) - Likely incomplete service ❌ No clear pricing - Hidden fees likely ❌ Don't attend immigration with you - You need translator there ❌ No references - Ask for past client contacts ❌ No English support - Defeats purpose for non-Spanish speakers

Good Signs:

✅ Clear pricing upfront - No surprises ✅ References available - Talk to past clients ✅ Attend immigration appointments - Critical service ✅ English-speaking team - Essential for communication ✅ Established reputation - Years in business, known in expat community ✅ Realistic expectations - Honest about timeline, challenges ✅ Document review before travel - Prevents wasted trips

Comparing Your Options

Service	Cost	Success Rate	Your Effort	Best For
DIY	$676-1,876 cash	~65%	Very High	Spanish speakers, tight budget
Consultation Only	$976-2,176	~75%	High	Some Spanish, bureaucracy comfortable
Basic Attorney	$1,476-3,026	~85%	Moderate	Basic Spanish, some guidance
Full Service (EcuaPass)	$2,476-2,650	98%	Low	Non-Spanish speakers, value peace of mind

Payment Terms

EcuaPass Payment Structure:

Option 1: Full Payment

• Pay $1,800 upfront
• 5% discount = $1,710
• Most choose this

Option 2: Split Payment

• $900 when you book
• $900 when you arrive Ecuador

Option 3: Three Payments

• $600 deposit
• $600 30 days later
• $600 when you arrive

Accepted methods:

• Bank transfer
• Credit card (PayPal)
• Zelle, Venmo (US clients)
• Cash in Ecuador

What If Visa is Rejected?

EcuaPass policy:

• If rejection due to our error: Full refund
• If rejection due to client misrepresentation: No refund
• If rejection due to insufficient income/background: No refund (you didn't qualify)

Reality: 98% approval rate means rejections are rare.

Additional Services & Costs

Beyond Initial Visa:

Visa Renewal (after 2 years): $500-800

• Much simpler than initial application
• We handle renewal process

Permanent Residency Application (after 21 months): $800-1,200

• Different process than initial visa
• One-time, then you're permanent

Cédula Renewal (every 6 years): $200-300

• Simple process

Work Permit (if needed): $500-800

• Separate from visa
• Only if planning to work for Ecuador company

Is Professional Help Worth It?

You're a Good DIY Candidate If:

✅ Fluent Spanish ✅ Experience with bureaucracy ✅ High attention to detail ✅ 100+ hours available ✅ Comfortable with 65% success rate ✅ Can afford delays/mistakes

Est. 10-15% of expats meet all these criteria.

You Should Use Professional Help If:

✅ Don't speak Spanish (most important factor) ✅ Your time worth $40+/hour ✅ Want 98% success rate ✅ Value peace of mind ✅ Timeline is important ✅ Can afford $1,800 fee

Est. 85-90% of expats fit this profile.

The Math:

If your time is worth $50/hour:

• DIY: 90 hours × $50 = $4,500 time value + $900 cash = $5,400 total
• Professional: 20 hours × $50 = $1,000 time value + $2,500 cash = $3,500 total

Professional help saves $1,900 in this example.

If your time is worth $25/hour:

• DIY: 90 hours × $25 = $2,250 + $900 = $3,150 total
• Professional: 20 hours × $25 = $500 + $2,500 = $3,000 total

Still saves $150 (and much less stress).

Money-Back Guarantee?

Most visa services (including EcuaPass) offer:

✅ Refund if rejected due to our error in document preparation ✅ Redo process if we made mistake

❌ No refund if rejected because you don't qualify (income too low, serious criminal history) ❌ No refund if you misrepresented your situation

But: 98% approval rate means refunds rarely needed.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring

1. "What exactly is included in your fee?"

Should get detailed list like above.

2. "Will you attend immigration appointments with me?"

Answer should be YES.

3. "Do you review documents before I travel?"

Answer should be YES.

4. "What's your approval rate?"

Should be 90%+ (EcuaPass: 98%)

5. "Can I speak with past clients?"

Should provide 2-3 references.

6. "What happens if I'm rejected?"

Should have clear policy.

7. "Do you speak English?"

Critical for non-Spanish speakers.

8. "How do I communicate during process?"

Should be easy (WhatsApp, email, phone).

Real Client Testimonials (Pricing Context)

John, 64:

"I paid EcuaPass $1,800. Best money I spent on the whole move. I don't speak Spanish, and they handled everything. Got my visa in 4 months. Worth every penny."

Sarah, 58:

"I tried DIY first to save money. Made mistakes, wasted 3 months. Then hired EcuaPass. Wish I'd just paid the $1,800 from the start and saved myself the stress and time."

Bob, 70:

"I speak basic Spanish, so I debated DIY. But at 70, I didn't want the hassle. $1,800 for peace of mind was worth it. They held my hand through everything."

How to Book EcuaPass

Step 1: Free Consultation

• WhatsApp: +593-096-284-8410
• Discuss your situation
• Get questions answered
• No obligation

Step 2: Document Review

• We provide complete checklist
• You start gathering documents
• We review as you go

Step 3: Payment

• Choose payment option
• Secure the service

Step 4: Process Begins

• We guide you through everything
• Document review
• Travel coordination
• Immigration support

Step 5: Receive Visa

• 98% success rate
• Average 4-5 months
• Full support throughout

Our Transparent Pricing Promise

No hidden fees.

• Document costs = separate (you pay directly)
• Government fees = separate ($450-500)
• Our fee = $1,800 flat (pensioner, professional, rentista)
• Investor visa = $2,200 (more complex property docs)

What you see is what you pay.

Need Help?

Contact EcuaPass for free consultation: WhatsApp: +593-096-284-8410

We'll discuss:

• Your specific situation
• Exact costs for your case
• Timeline
• What's included
• Answer all questions

No pressure. No obligation.

Most expats find the $1,800 is money extremely well spent. Let's make your Ecuador visa process smooth and successful.

Related Guides:

• DIY vs Hiring Help (Full Comparison)
• Processing Timeline
• Document Requirements