The presence of Venezuelans in Ecuador amounts to 250,000

Ecuadornews:

Eight days after the end of the state of emergency established by the Government, the flow of Venezuelans entering Ecuador through the northern border decreased from 6,000 to 2,000 citizens a day.

These data were delivered during a discussion between authorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives of the media. At the meeting, the benefits of the electronic visa were also detailed, a service that has been in force in the country since October 1st.

Carlos Velasteguí, Undersecretary of Migration Services, indicated that the virtual document was implemented after the increasing migratory flow in the last year, especially of Venezuelans.

The authority revealed that currently 250,000 of those citizens entered; of them, 75% cross the country to the southern border to move to Peru and Chile, mainly.

Although they, according to Ecuadorian laws, have up to six months as the maximum time to stay in the territory.

Velasteguí reported that 30% of Venezuelans who are in transit in Ecuador and have the possibility of obtaining a visa, do not do so because there are problems in their country, since the government of Nicolás Maduro lacks the capacity to issue new passports and of apostille, for example.

Within the electronic visa procedure until last Monday, 5,023 virtual documents have already been granted. Of those, 59.8% for Venezuelans. In the historical evolution reveals the Chancellery, 92,000 citizens have benefited from a visa to stay in the country. It is expected that until December of this year, the Foreign Ministry will attend the request for 53,000 visas already scheduled so far.

Gloria Nieves, 32, said that in the next few days she will present the visa application along with her three brothers and her mother. He thanked the attention of the country and the solidarity of the Ecuadorians.

She hopes that the breakdown of diplomatic relations between Ecuador and Venezuela will not affect her mobility in the country. National authorities said that they will continue to serve foreigners.

$ 500,000 in savings

In the first stage of the electronic visa, the Foreign Ministry has already saved $ 480,000. Velasteguí acknowledged that with this service, foreigners no longer have the need to go to the offices to receive the visa. As of this moment they will be notified by email.

Likewise, the Apostille service abroad has already entered into force. He recalled that it is underway since this month at the consulates of Santiago, Bogotá and La Haya. The Foreign Ministry anticipates that by November, apostille will be available at US consulates and for December it will be implemented in the rest of the world. (I)

Source: https://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/noticias/politica/3/ascenso-cifra-venezolanos-ecuador