Non-Immigrant Visas

Visas for Business

Applicants seeking a visa for business must apply at the U.S. Consulate in Guayaquil or the Embassy in Quito, depending on which entity has jurisdiction over the applicant's place permanent residence. The applicant's country of citizenship does not matter as long as he or she resides within the jurisdiction of the Consulate or the Embassy, respectively. To see the jurisdiction of the U.S. Consulate in Guayaquil click here.  As part of the application process, applicants must be interviewed. During the interview, applicants must show that they qualify in accordance with U.S. law and prove that they do not intend to remain in the U.S. For this, applicants should be able to prove that: 

• 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 dpes 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:

• Visa Fee receipt obtained at the Banco de Guayaquil.
  
  
• 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 Non-Immigrant Visa Forms page on this website.  
  
  
• Valid Passport. Passport must be valid for at least six months after the interview date.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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.

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.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Passport must be valid for at least six months after the interview date.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Employer's Passport and visa.
  
  
• Evidence of income of the employer.
  
  
• Proof that the domestic employee has been employed by the employer for over 12 months.
  
  
• Employment Contract signed by the employer and the domestic employee
  
  
                                       The Employer Must:
  
  
• Guarantee that the employee will be compensated at the state or federal minimum or prevailing wage, whichever is greater. Any deductions for food and lodging must be no more than reasonable and voluntarily agreed to on the part of the employee.
  
  
• Review and understand the labor laws of the U.S. state where he or she will travel to with their domestic employee.
  
  
• Develop and sign an Employment Contract which indicates that he or she will be the only employer for the domestic employee, that the domestic employee will not work for any other individual, and that he or she 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 he or she is 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 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 he or she will not withhold the passport of the employee.
  
  
• Guarantee that he or she will either provide health insurance or will pay the employee’s medical expenses.
  
  
• Present a commitment that the he or she will be the only provider of employment to the domestic employee.
  
  
• Present a commitment that he or she 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 employer’s 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.
  
  

Note: U.S. Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents who reside in the United States cannot obtain non-immigrant visas for domestic employees.

The employer does not need to come to the U.S. Consulate on the date of the domestic employee's interview. In some cases, however, the consular officer, may require to speak with the employer. 

 For more information regarding Visa Processes please read below:

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.