| Residency Visa vs Permanent Residency These two terms seem to be used interchangeably and I'm not sure what people are actually getting in Ecuador.Usually, a "visa" is permission for one to stay in a country for a given length of time for a given purpose. The most common, of course a Tourist visa. Some others being Business Visas, or Marriage Visas. These visas are usually granted at the border and/or from a consular office abroad. In some places, like Colombia you can't entered into a contract on a tourist visa, hence you cannot conduct any kind of business, work, or even get married. Some places offer a "rentista" type of "residency, " ie: Costa Rica, where you get a piece of paper (you better laminate it), that has a number which correlates to nothing. Besides the right to stay in the country longer than a tourist (and actually an obligation to), you can't do anything, ie: work, get a cell phone line (unless they have finally opened up that market place). You are able to physically be in the country, but have none of the rights of actual residents. You also have an ongoing needs to meet requirements with immigration. In some places, for example, Uruguay, you convert your tourist status into legal resident status. Upon approval, you are a resident, forever (with just routine id card renewal), Your ID, cedula, is the same as every Uruguayans, stating you are a legal resident. You can work, come and go as you wish (but can't leave for more than 3 years). You have no ongoing obligations with immigration. It is like a Green Card in the USA. You can also travel to many South American countries with just your Cedula (no passport needed). Does the residency process everyone is taking about in Ecuador finish with an Ecuadorian Cedula (ie: the same document all Ecuadorians have and the right to work, travel, etc). Or, it is some limited temporary admission by immigration? |
