•The purpose of the trip is for legitimate business.

•The trip to the U.S. will last a limited, determined lenght of time.

•He or she has a residence outside of the United States that he or she does not intend 

In order to schedule an interview at the Consulate General in Guayaquil, the applicant must pay a US$ 131 non-refundable fee for each person, regardless of age at the Banco de Guayaquil, and call the Visa Information Service at 1-800-010-145 in Ecuador or at 1-800-919-5290 in the United States.  For more information on the Visa Information Service click here. 

On the day of their interview, applicants should come to the U.S. Consulate 30 minutes before the scheduled interview time.

                             REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Applicants must bring the following original documents to their interview:

1) Visa Fee receipt obtained at the Banco de Guayaquil.

2) Visa Application - Form DS-156 (EVAF Mandatory starting November 1, 2006) and a DS-157, completed and signed.  You must also print out a  copy of the forms under the Nonimmigrant Visas Forms page on this website.

3) Valid Passport.  You must have a passport valid for six months beyond the date you will depart from the United States.

4) Prior Passports, if applicable.

5) One 5 cm X 5 cm photograph for each applicant taken within the last six months (the applicant's face on the photograph should measure 3.5 cm from the top of the head to the chin and 2.5 cm from side to side). The photograph must show the applicant's entire face on a white background. Applicants should not wear dark glasses or hats for the photographs.

6) Children under 18 must come with both parents or legal guardian, and must bring their birth certificates (we only accept the version that is a photocopy of the registry book, the ‘Libro de Actas’).  Parents must bring their passports only if they have valid visas.  Parents or legal guardians do not need to schedule an appointment, unless they are applying for a visa. 


                       RECOMMENDED DOCUMENTS

We encourage visa applicants to bring documents to the interview that may help demonstrate their qualifications for a visa. Applicants should be aware, however, that supporting documents do not by themselves provide a basis for visa issuance. A consular officer may determine an applicant's visa eligibility based on information provided during the interview and on the application forms, without referring to the supporting documents.

Any other evidence that may prove the purpose of travel and intention to leave the U.S. after a temporary stay.

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                          Visas for Domestic Employees

Domestic Employees must be over 18 years old. In order to apply for a visa they must bring the following original documents to their interview:

• Visa Fee receipt obtained at the Banco de Guayaquil.
  
  
• Valid Passport.  You must have a passport valid for six months beyond the date you will depart from the United States.
  
  
• Visa Application - Form DS-156 (Electronic application DS-156 mandatory) and a DS-157, completed and signed.  You may also print out a copy of the forms under the Non Immigrant Visa Forms page on this website.

• Prior Passports, if applicable.
  
  
• One 5 cm X 5 cm photograph for each applicant taken within the last six months (the applicant's face on the photograph should measure 3.5 cm from the top of the head to the chin and 2.5 cm from side to side). The photograph must show the applicant's entire face on a white background. Applicants should not wear dark glasses or hats for the photographs.
  
  
• Employers' Passports and visas.
  
  
• Evidence of income of the employers.
  
  
• Proof that the domestic employee has been employed by the employers for over 12 months.
  
  
• Employment Contract signed by the employers and the domestic employee. 
  
  
• Proof of IESS payments.
  
                              The Employers Must:
  
  
• Guarantee that the employee will be compensated at the state or federal minimum or prevailing wage, whichever is greater. 
  
  
• Review and understand the labor laws of the U.S. state where they will travel to with their domestic employee.
  
  
• Develop and sign an Employment Contract which indicates that they will be the only employers for the domestic employee, that the domestic employee will not work for any other individual, and that they will pay the domestic employee a salary that is in keeping with U.S. labor laws, including minimum wage requirements.  Extra hours will be considered as overtime.
  
  You could find information about the level one hourly prevailing wage for domestic employees in the U.S. Department of Labor Employment & Training Administration website: http://www.flcdatacenter.com/OesWizardStart.aspx (under the code 37-2012 “Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners” ), searching by the state and city you will be visiting.
  
  The contract must also mention the number of hours to be worked and days off per week, sick leave, and authorized holiday.
         
• Indicate that they are responsible for traveling and returning with the domestic employee as well as responsible for the return of the domestic employee by a date specified in the contract, and pay for the employee's roundtrip transportation from Ecuador.
  
  
• Provide free meals and lodging for the domestic employee during the term of the Employment Contract and must assume any expense generated by the domestic employee.
  
  
• Ensure that all expenses generated during the trip are paid for by funds generated from legitimate income from within Ecuador.
  
  
• Ensure that the domestic employee completely understands the Employment Contract before he or she signs it.
  
  
• Guarantee that they will not withhold the passport of the employee.
  
  
• Guarantee that they will either provide health insurance or will pay the employee’s medical expenses.
  
  
• Present a commitment that the they will be the only providers of employment to the domestic employee.
  
  
• Present a commitment that they will ensure payment of the employer’s share of all applicable federal, state and local taxes, including social security and worker’s compensation; withholding of employers' share of all applicable taxes; and provide assistance to the employee in filing all required tax returns. Please refer to the Internal Revenue Service Household Employer’s Tax Guide.
  
  

Regardless of the visa category requested, every applicant should contact the Visa Information Service at

            1-800-010-145 in Ecuador or at
               1-800-919-5290 in the U.S.

for information about immigrant or non-immigrant visa processes, or schedule appointments.