Ecuador entry requirements for Saudi Arabia passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 25, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Saudi Arabian passport holders can enter Ecuador without a visa for stays up to 90 days. This visa-free access covers tourism, business, or transit. As of 2026, no pre-arrival registration is required, but you must complete the online Tourist Declaration of Admission (TDAC) within 24 hours before departure.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your passport must be valid for at least the full period you plan to stay in Ecuador. While Ecuador does not strictly require 6 months of validity beyond your departure date, airlines may enforce this — check with your carrier before flying. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of exit from Ecuador | Immigration officers at Quito and Guayaquil routinely ask for a return or onward ticket. Have a printed or digital copy ready showing you leave within 90 days. Airlines also check this at check-in. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Carry a printed or digital hotel reservation, or a letter of invitation from your host in Ecuador. Officers rarely ask, but having it ready avoids delays at the counter. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during your stay | Have a bank statement, credit card, or cash equivalent to roughly $50 USD per day of your stay. Officers rarely request this, but it's a standard requirement under Ecuadorian immigration law. | Recommended |
TDAC is mandatory — do it before you fly
The Tourist Declaration of Admission (TDAC) must be completed online within 24 hours before your departure. It's free and takes 5 minutes. Without it, you may face delays or fines at immigration. Go to tdac.migracion.gob.ec.
Overstay fines are steep
Overstaying your 90-day visa-free period costs an estimated $100 USD per day. There's no extension option, so plan your exit carefully. If you need more time, apply for a long-stay visa before your 90 days are up.
What happens at the border
1
Complete the TDAC online
Go to the official Ecuadorian immigration website (tdac.migracion.gob.ec) and fill in the Tourist Declaration of Admission. You'll need your passport details, flight info, and accommodation address. Do this within 24 hours before your flight — it's free and quick.
2
Arrive at the airport in Ecuador
At Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE), follow signs to 'Migración' or 'Extranjeros'. Have your passport, return ticket, and TDAC confirmation ready. The officer will stamp your passport for up to 90 days. The process usually takes 10–15 minutes.
3
Collect your luggage and proceed to customs
After immigration, pick up your bags and go through customs. There's a green channel (nothing to declare) and a red channel (goods to declare). If you have nothing to declare, walk through the green channel.
4
Exit the airport
Once through customs, you're free to leave. Keep your passport and TDAC confirmation handy — you may need them for hotel check-in or if asked by police.
Download Ecuador Entry Checklist
PDF · Saudi Arabia Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 25, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days, not extendable
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost$50 USD (estimated)
Apply at an Ecuadorian embassy or consulate before travel. Requires passport, photos, and proof of funds.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry, not extendable
Validity1 year from issue date
Cost$100 USD (estimated)
Allows multiple entries within validity. Same application process as single entry.
Long-stay visa (visa de residente)
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
Cost$250 USD (estimated)
For longer stays; requires proof of income, background check, and application at an Ecuadorian consulate.
retirement visa
Visa de Residente Permanente (Jubilado)
1 year, renewable indefinitely
$250 USD (estimated) + annual renewal fee
For retirees with a monthly pension of at least $1,350 USD. Requires proof of pension, background check, and application at an Ecuadorian consulate. Allows permanent residency after 2 years.
digital nomad visa
Visa de Residente Temporal (Rentista)
1 year, renewable
$250 USD (estimated) + annual renewal fee
For remote workers with a monthly income of at least $1,350 USD from foreign sources. Requires proof of income, health insurance, and background check. Allows temporary residency.
investor visa
Visa de Residente Temporal (Inversionista)
1 year, renewable
$250 USD (estimated) + investment amount
For investors who invest at least $100,000 USD in Ecuador (real estate, business, or government bonds). Requires proof of investment and background check. Leads to permanent residency.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stay extension feeVisa-free stay is not extendable. | Not applicable |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstay fines are assessed at immigration upon departure; maximum cap may apply. | $100 USD per day (estimated) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Ecuador
No transit visa needed
Saudi Arabia passport holders transiting through Ecuador do not need a transit visa if they remain airside and have a confirmed onward ticket within 24 hours.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of a valid US, Canada, UK, or Schengen visa may transit without visa for up to 48 hours.
Transit hubsMariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), Quito · José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE), Guayaquil
Health & vaccines for Ecuador
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (e.g., Brazil, Colombia).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedYellow FeverRecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
DengueModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; risk in coastal and Amazon regions, especially during rainy season.
Altitude sicknessModerate risk
Risk in high-altitude cities like Quito (2,850 m) and Cuenca; acclimatize gradually.
ChikungunyaLow risk
Mosquito-borne; sporadic outbreaks reported.
Malaria risk: low
Risk in Amazon basin provinces (e.g., Orellana, Sucumbíos); prophylaxis recommended for rural travel.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Quito
Dirección General de Migración
Av. Amazonas y Unión Nacional de Periodistas, Quito
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:30
Main office for visa and extension inquiries. Arrive early to avoid long waits.
Guayaquil
Oficina de Migración Guayaquil
Av. Francisco de Orellana y Justino Cornejo, Edificio Gobierno del Litoral
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:30
Handles immigration procedures for the coastal region.
Practical information for SA travellers
Country basics
CapitalQuito
LanguageSpanish
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencyUnited States dollar (USD)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 1 USD
Time zone
Local timeUTC-5
vs New Yorksame timezone
vs Los Angeles+3h
Electricity
Voltage120V / 60Hz
Plug types
A,BTypes A and B, same as US
✓ No adapter needed for US plugs
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; stick to bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No, the visa-free stay is not extendable. If you want to stay longer, you need to apply for a long-stay visa (e.g., retirement, digital nomad, or investor visa) at an Ecuadorian consulate before travel or at the immigration office in Quito or Guayaquil. Overstaying costs $100 USD per day (estimated), with a possible cap.
You'll be fined approximately $100 USD per day (estimated) at immigration when you leave. There may be a maximum cap. Overstays can also affect future entries. Avoid it by leaving on time or applying for a proper visa.
Only if you're arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (e.g., Brazil, Colombia). Otherwise, it's recommended but not required. The vaccine is effective for life.
Technically, the visa-free stay is for tourism, business, or transit. Remote work for a foreign employer is generally tolerated, but it's a gray area. For long-term remote work, consider the digital nomad visa (Visa de Residente Temporal - Rentista) which requires a monthly income of at least $1,350 USD.
Your passport (valid for the duration of your stay), a return or onward ticket, and your TDAC confirmation. Proof of accommodation and funds are recommended but not always asked. Have them ready just in case.
Ecuador is generally safe, but take standard precautions: avoid displaying valuables, use registered taxis, and be cautious in crowded areas. Altitude sickness is a risk in Quito (2,850 m) — acclimatize slowly. Mosquito-borne diseases like dengue are present in coastal and Amazon regions; use repellent.
The visa-free stay allows multiple entries within the 90-day period, but each entry resets the 90-day clock. However, frequent back-to-back visits may raise suspicion of overstaying or working illegally. Space out your trips and have a clear itinerary.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 25, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.