Planning your move to Ecuador involves a lot of paperwork — and nearly all of it needs to be in Spanish. Whether you're applying for a visa, opening a bank account, or enrolling your kids in school, you'll need certified translations of your key documents.
Here's a comprehensive checklist organized by what you'll need them for.
Documents for Your Visa Application
Every Ecuador visa requires certain core documents, all translated into Spanish:
Required for ALL Visa Types
- Birth certificate (apostilled + translated)
- Police/FBI background check (apostilled + translated)
- Passport bio page (translated)
- Health insurance policy showing Ecuador coverage (translated)
Additional Documents by Visa Type
Retiree (Jubilado) Visa:
- Pension statement or Social Security benefit letter
- Bank statements (typically 3-6 months)
- Income verification letters
Professional Visa:
- University diploma (apostilled + translated)
- Academic transcripts (apostilled + translated)
- Professional license or certification
- Employment contract or job offer letter (if applicable)
Investor Visa:
- Bank statements showing investment funds
- Financial statements
- Business plan (if starting a business)
- Articles of incorporation (if transferring a business)
Dependent Visa:
- Marriage certificate (apostilled + translated) — for spouse
- Birth certificate proving relationship — for children
- Sponsor's visa documentation
Documents for SENESCYT Degree Recognition
If you plan to work in your professional field in Ecuador, you'll likely need your degree recognized by SENESCYT:
- University diploma (apostilled + translated)
- Official academic transcripts (apostilled + translated)
- Course descriptions or syllabus (sometimes required, translated)
- Accreditation letter from your university (if requested)
For SENESCYT-specific guidance, visit our sister site EcuadorSENESCYT.com.
Documents for Banking
Opening an Ecuador bank account as a foreigner typically requires:
- Passport (copy, sometimes translated bio page)
- Visa or cédula (your Ecuador ID — obtained after visa approval)
- Proof of address — A utility bill or bank statement (translated)
- Reference letter from your US bank (translated)
- Income verification — Pay stubs, pension letter, or tax returns (translated)
Requirements vary by bank. Banco Pichincha, Banco del Pacífico, and Produbanco each have slightly different requirements.
Documents for Real Estate
Buying property in Ecuador may require:
- Power of attorney (if buying remotely — apostilled + translated)
- Passport and visa copies (translated)
- Marriage certificate (apostilled + translated — if buying as a couple)
- Financial statements (translated — if using financing)
Documents for Healthcare
For continuity of care with Ecuador doctors and hospitals:
- Medical records summary (translated)
- Current prescriptions (translated)
- Vaccination records (translated)
- Health insurance policy details (translated)
- Specialist referral letters (translated)
Documents for Education
If you have children enrolling in Ecuador schools:
- Birth certificate (apostilled + translated)
- School transcripts and report cards (translated)
- Vaccination records (translated)
- Special education or IEP documents (translated, if applicable)
Documents for Driving
To convert your US license or drive legally:
- US driver's license (translated)
- Driving record (sometimes required, translated)
The Translation Priority List
Not everything needs to happen at once. Here's a practical order of priority:
Before You Leave the US
- Apostille your key documents — Birth certificate, marriage certificate, background check, diploma. These are easier to apostille while you're still in the US.
- Get translations for your visa application — This is your first step in Ecuador.
After Arrival
- Banking documents — Translate what you need to open accounts
- Medical records — For your first doctor's visit
- Education documents — Before the school enrollment period
As Needed
- Legal documents — Powers of attorney, property documents
- Business documents — When setting up a business
How We Can Help
At Ecuador Translations, we've helped hundreds of expats translate their documents for every stage of the Ecuador move. We know exactly what each agency, bank, and institution requires.
Here's what makes working with us easy:
- One point of contact — Send us everything and we coordinate the rest
- Agency-specific formatting — We know what Cancillería, SENESCYT, and Ecuador banks expect
- Bundle pricing — Multiple documents? We offer volume discounts
- Visa bundles — Working with EcuaPass? Bundle visa + translations for the best value
Get Started
Send us your documents for a free, no-obligation quote. We'll tell you exactly what needs to be translated, what needs apostilles, and how long it will take. Response within 24 hours.
Planning your Ecuador move? Get a free translation quote — we'll help you check every document off the list.