Ecuador will require transit visas for Cubans: What is the effective date and cost of the procedure?

Starting this Monday, September 1, Ecuador will impose a transit visa requirement for Cuban citizens, a measure that will also extend to nationals from 44 other countries.

The announcement was made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility through an official statement issued on August 30. The provision is part of a legislative reform driven by the Organic Law of National Solidarity, which amended Article 66 of the Organic Law of Human Mobility.

A new obstacle for Cuban migrants

The new Temporary Visitor Visa for Transit will be mandatory even for those who use Ecuador solely as a layover, without any intention of staying in its territory.

According to the Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry, “the implementation of this measure aims to strengthen the security of the State and migration control”, and it responds to efforts to combat transnational organized crime, particularly human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

This measure represents an additional blow to Cuban migrants, who have been using Ecuador as a key transit point in their routes to other destinations, mainly the United States, for years.

A completely online process with a high cost

The process to obtain this visa must be carried out exclusively from outside Ecuadorian territory, through the official eVISAS Ecuador portal.

The total cost of the process is 80 dollars, broken down into 50 dollars for the application form and 30 dollars for the issuance of the visa.

Applicants must meet a series of requirements, which include:

- Criminal record certificate legalized by the Ministry of Justice and the Consulate of Ecuador in Cuba.

-Confirmed round-trip ticket (reservations are not accepted).

-Accreditation of sufficient economic means for their subsistence during transit.

-Complete form on the eVISAS platform.

This set of requirements turns what was once a simple air connection into a costly and restrictive bureaucratic process, having a significant impact on a migrant population that is already very economically vulnerable.

Who does the new measure affect?

In addition to Cubans, transit visas will be required from citizens of 44 other countries. They are:

Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Philippines, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, India, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Nepal, Democratic Republic of the Congo, North Korea, Senegal, Syria, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Haiti, Mali, Ivory Coast, Myanmar, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Albania, Chad, Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Sudan, South Sudan, and China.

According to Ecuadorian authorities, the selection of these countries is based on criteria related to their immigration status and the history of irregular entries or unauthorized stays in Ecuadorian territory.

Context: Ecuador as a destination and transit point for Cubans

The policy change represents a break from the historical visa-free policy that Ecuador maintained with Cuba for years, which facilitated migratory flow and made the country one of the most used entry points by Cubans in their journeys north.

The South American nation suspended the visa exemption for Cubans starting December 1, 2015.

Until 2020, according to official figures, more than 3,100 Cubans had legal residence in Ecuador, making the Andean country one of the primary destinations for the Cuban diaspora, second only to the United States and Spain.

Additionally, in 2021, 67% of the naturalization processes in Ecuador were related to Cuban citizens.

Panama also maintains a transit visa

In parallel, another key country in Cuban migration routes, Panama has recently extended the transit visa requirement for Cuban citizens until July 31, 2026, under Executive Decree No. 22.

This regulation, effective since 2022, requires an advance procedure of at least 30 days and a fee of 50 dollars, although exceptions are made for those holding visas from countries such as the United States, Canada, or permanent residencies in other nations.

With these new barriers imposed by Ecuador and maintained by Panama, the international mobility of Cubans is further reduced, making migration routes more expensive and increasing the risks associated with irregular human trafficking.

In both cases, the governments cite reasons of national security and the fight against organized crime, but the concrete effects translate into more limitations and costs for thousands of people who often flee the economic, political, and social crisis in Cuba.

Although the official statement from the Foreign Ministry emphasizes that the Ecuadorian government "reiterates its commitment to respecting the rights of individuals in human mobility and to upholding the current legal framework," human rights organizations have warned about the risk that these policies could further worsen the situation of those who are already vulnerable.

Frequently Asked Questions about the New Transit Visa Requirement for Cubans in Ecuador