What Happens If My Ecuador Visa is Denied?

Short Answer

If your Ecuador visa is denied, you can:

1. Appeal the decision (15-30 days)
2. Fix the issues and reapply
3. Apply for a different visa type
4. Leave Ecuador and try again later

But: Denials are rare with proper preparation. EcuaPass has a 98% approval rate.

Why Visas Get Denied

Common Reasons:

1. Insufficient Income (30% of denials)

• Income below $1,458/month
• Unclear documentation
• Income not from qualifying sources

2. Document Problems (25% of denials)

• Expired background check (6+ months old)
• Missing apostilles
• Poor quality translations
• Incomplete documentation

3. Criminal Background (15% of denials)

• Serious criminal history
• Recent convictions
• Crimes involving moral turpitude

4. Misrepresentation (10% of denials)

• False information on application
• Fake documents
• Lying about income/background

5. Technical Errors (10% of denials)

• Wrong forms
• Missing signatures
• Incorrect fees
• Administrative mistakes

6. Immigration Discretion (10% of denials)

• Officer questions intent
• Unusual circumstances
• Officer concerns about application

The Denial Notice

What You'll Receive:

Official notification including:

• Reason for denial
• Legal basis for decision
• Appeal deadline (usually 15 days)
• Instructions for next steps

Read it carefully - the reason given determines your options.

Your Options After Denial

Option 1: Appeal (Recurso de Apelación)

Timeline: File within 15 days of denial notice

Process:

1. Prepare appeal letter explaining why denial was wrong
2. Provide additional evidence/documentation
3. Submit to immigration office
4. Wait for appeal decision (30-60 days)

Cost:

• Filing fee: ~$50
• Attorney help: $500-1,000

Success rate: 30-40% (low)

Best when:

• Denial was clearly an error
• You have strong new evidence
• Technical mistake by immigration

Option 2: Fix and Reapply

Timeline: Can reapply immediately after fixing issues

Process:

1. Identify what was wrong
2. Fix the problem (new documents, increase income, etc.)
3. Submit new application
4. Pay application fees again ($450+)

Cost:

• New application: $450+ government
• Professional help: $1,800
• Document costs: $200-500

Success rate: 80-90% if issues truly fixed

Best when:

• Problem is fixable (wrong documents, income issue)
• You have time to fix
• Willing to go through process again

Option 3: Apply for Different Visa Type

If you don't qualify for original visa but might qualify for another:

Example:

• Denied Professional visa (income documentation issues)
• But you have $48,600 to invest
• Apply for Investor visa instead

Process:

• New application
• Different requirements
• Fresh start

Option 4: Leave and Try Later

If you can't fix issues immediately:

• Leave Ecuador before your tourist visa expires
• Fix the problems (save more money, get better documentation)
• Return in 6-12 months and reapply

Appeal Process Details

How to File an Appeal:

1. Prepare Appeal Letter

Must include:

• Your information
• Application details
• Reason for denial (as stated)
• Why denial was wrong
• Supporting evidence
• Legal citations (if applicable)

Must be in Spanish.

2. Supporting Documentation

Provide:

• Original application documents
• Denial notice
• New evidence addressing the issue
• Expert opinions (if relevant)

3. Submit to Immigration

File at same office that denied your application.

4. Wait for Response

30-60 days typically for decision.

Appeal Outcomes:

✅ Approved - visa granted ❌ Denied - denial upheld ⚠️ Remand - sent back for reconsideration (rare)

Should You Appeal?

Appeal makes sense if:

• Denial was clearly an error
• You have strong new evidence
• Grounds for appeal are solid

Don't appeal if:

• Denial reason is valid (actually don't qualify)
• Can't provide new evidence
• Better to just reapply

Reality: Most people reapply rather than appeal.

Reapplication Process

When Can You Reapply?

Immediately - no waiting period required.

But: Fix the problem first or you'll just be denied again.

What to Do Before Reapplying:

1. Understand Why You Were Denied

Read denial letter carefully. What specific issue?

2. Fix the Problem

• Income too low? Increase or document better
• Wrong documents? Get correct ones
• Expired FBI check? Get new one
• Translation issues? Use certified translator

3. Get Professional Review

Have EcuaPass or attorney review everything before resubmitting.

4. Submit New Application

Fresh application, new fees, proper documentation.

Reapplication Success Rate:

If you properly fix issues: 85-90%

If you don't address the problem: 10% (will just be denied again)

Specific Denial Scenarios

Scenario 1: Insufficient Income

Denial reason: "Income does not meet $1,458 monthly requirement"

Your options:

• If income is actually sufficient: Appeal with better documentation
• If income is short: Wait until income increases, then reapply
• If close: Provide additional income sources to reach threshold
• If far off: Consider Investor visa instead

Scenario 2: Expired FBI Check

Denial reason: "Background check is more than 6 months old"

Your options:

• Get new FBI check and apostille
• Reapply (can't appeal this - it's a valid denial)
• Timeline: 3-4 months to get new check + apostille

Scenario 3: Criminal Background Issue

Denial reason: "Criminal history is disqualifying"

Your options:

• If conviction was minor: Appeal with explanation + rehabilitation evidence
• If conviction was serious: May not qualify for Ecuador visa
• If conviction was error/expunged: Provide court documentation

Reality: Serious criminal history may permanently disqualify you.

Scenario 4: Documentation Problems

Denial reason: "Missing required apostille" or "Translation not certified"

Your options:

• Fix the specific document issue
• Reapply with correct documents
• Easy fix, high success rate on reapplication

Scenario 5: Misrepresentation

Denial reason: "False information provided"

Your options:

• If it was a mistake (not intentional): Explain + provide correct info
• If intentional fraud: Very difficult to overcome
• May be banned from reapplying

This is serious - can lead to permanent ban.

What Happens to Your Tourist Visa?

If Denied While on Tourist Visa:

You're not automatically deported.

But:

• Your tourist visa hasn't changed
• Still have until day 90 (or extension date)
• Must leave Ecuador by that date

If your tourist visa expires:

• You become illegal
• Must leave or face deportation
• Pay overstay fines

Plan ahead: Apply for residency early in your 90 days to leave time for problems.

Can You Be Banned?

Temporary Ban:

Rare, but possible if:

• Serious misrepresentation
• Fraudulent documents
• Multiple failed applications showing pattern

Duration: 1-5 years typically

Permanent Ban:

Very rare, only for:

• Serious crimes
• Major immigration fraud
• National security concerns

Most denials don't result in any ban - you can reapply.

Preventing Denial

Work With Professionals

EcuaPass 98% approval rate because we:

• Review documents before you travel
• Verify apostilles are correct
• Confirm income documentation sufficient
• Prepare application properly
• Attend appointments with translation
• Catch issues before submission

DIY approval rate: ~65%

Professional help prevents most denials.

Double-Check Everything

Before submitting:

• All documents apostilled correctly?
• FBI check less than 5 months old?
• Income clearly documented?
• Translations certified and notarized?
• All forms completed?
• Correct fees included?

Get Document Review

Even if doing DIY:

• Pay for professional document review ($300-500)
• Worth it to prevent $2,500+ wasted on denied application

Real Denial Stories

Bob - Income Documentation:

Denied: Income not clearly proven ($1,450/month, just short) Fixed: Got supplemental income from side work, reapplied showing $1,600/month Result: Approved on second attempt

Sarah - Expired FBI Check:

Denied: FBI check was 6.5 months old Fixed: Got new FBI check + apostille (3 months) Result: Approved on second attempt

John - Used EcuaPass, No Denial:

Almost had issues: FBI check timing was close, income docs unclear Caught early: EcuaPass reviewed docs before travel, fixed issues Result: Approved first time, no denial

Costs of Denial

Financial:

• Wasted application fees: $450+
• Wasted professional help: $1,800 (if used)
• New document costs: $200-500
• Reapplication costs: Full amount again
• Total wasted on denial: $650-2,750

Time:

• Denial process: 4-6 weeks
• Fix issues: 1-4 months
• Reapplication: 4-6 weeks
• Total delay: 3-6 months

Stress:

• Uncertainty about staying in Ecuador
• Pressure of tourist visa expiry
• Anxiety about reapplication
• Emotional toll significant

Prevention is much better than dealing with denial.

If You're Denied

Don't Panic

Most denials are fixable.

Take a breath, read the denial notice carefully, make a plan.

Get Professional Help

If you were DIY:

• Now is the time to hire professional
• They can assess denial and advise
• Increase success on reapplication

If you used a professional:

• They should help you appeal or fix issues
• Often included in their service

Consider Your Options Carefully

Quick appeal vs. Proper reapplication:

Most of the time, taking time to fix properly and reapply is better than rushing an appeal.

Learn from the Mistake

What went wrong?

• Insufficient preparation?
• Tried to cut corners?
• DIY without enough expertise?

Apply those lessons to reapplication or future immigration matters.

Need Help After Denial?

EcuaPass post-denial services:

Denial assessment: $200

• Review denial notice
• Assess appeal chances
• Recommend next steps

Appeal preparation: $800-1,200

• Prepare appeal letter
• Gather supporting docs
• File appeal
• Follow up

Reapplication support: $1,800

• Fix all issues
• Review new documents
• Complete new application
• Attend new appointment
• 98% success rate

Contact us: WhatsApp: +593-096-284-8410

Most denials are preventable. But if you're denied, we can help you successfully reapply.

Related Guides:

• DIY vs Professional Help
• Document Checklist
• Our Visa Services