Ecuadorian government-issued visas within the regularization program for Venezuelan citizens

The National Government put into effect on July 25, 2019 Executive Decree No. 826, which consisted of the requirement of a humanitarian visa to access Ecuadorian territory and at the same time drafted Ministerial Agreement No. 103 that established requirements and procedures for Visas for Temporary Residence of Exception for Humanitarian Reasons (VERHU) .

Ecuadorian government issued visas within the regularization program for Venezuelan citizens

However, due to the large flow of Venezuelan citizens in Ecuador, the immigration amnesty and the regulation process were extended until midnight on August 13 through Executive Decree No. 1020, consequently the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility , in joint work with the Ministry of Government and international cooperation as strategic partners of IOM (UN Migration) and Acnur (UN Agency for Refugees) , carried out the most important migration registration process in Ecuador and the issuance of VERHU visas , within the Venezuelan citizens regulation program.

Carlos Alberto Velástegui, Vice Minister of Human Mobility , pointed out that “in response to the actions that the State has planned due to the flow of Venezuelan citizens, based on the principles determined by the Global Migration Pact and by sustainable development objectives, it has been kept in mind to have a responsible, orderly, safe and regular migration ”.

In addition, he highlighted the technological development of the country to solve the needs of Venezuelan migrants through the virtual platform and the creation of the Specialized Center for the Issuance of Exception Visas (CEVE) .

Among the outstanding results of the regularization process, Velástegui stated that ” 64,521 visas have been granted , 59% corresponding to VERHU visas and the remaining percentage to other visas.”

Nathaly Ruiz , a Venezuelan citizen residing in Ecuador for 3 years, mentions that she carried out all the necessary procedures to obtain her Temporary Residency Visa for Exception for Humanitarian Reasons , however, it was not granted because “they only helped people who had children.” . She feels dissatisfied with the spending of money that could have been used for her food and that of her husband.

Through the Ministry of Foreign Relations and Human Mobility, in a joint effort with the Ministry of Government , the most important regulatory initiative in Ecuador was taken. The country enacts responsible, orderly, safe, regular and consistent migration. (I)