No One Would Go to Lawless Land... "Ex-convicts May Be Denied Entry to Ecuador"

Ecuador Requires Foreigners to Submit Criminal Record Certificate
Entry Denied if Not Submitted

Ecuadorian soldiers are patrolling downtown Quito.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The Ecuadorian government, which has become a lawless zone, has strengthened immigration inspections since the 13th as a follow-up measure related to the national state of emergency.

According to the Korean Embassy in Ecuador on the 17th, the Ecuadorian government announced guidelines requiring foreigners entering Ecuador by land from Colombia or Peru (excluding those holding Ecuadorian residence visas) to submit a criminal record certificate with an apostille. Those who fail to submit the certificate will be denied entry to Ecuador. Exceptions include holders of Ecuadorian residence visas, minors under 18 entering accompanied by family, and simple transit passengers through Ecuador. The enforcement period is from January 13 until the end of the state of emergency on March 8.

According to detailed guidelines, all foreigners entering through land and river borders with Colombia and Peru must mandatorily present a criminal record certificate. The certificate, issued within the last five years by the country of origin or residence, must have an official apostille attached in Spanish. If the certificate is issued in another language, it must be officially translated into Spanish and notarized before submission. For reference, an apostille is a certification for the use of documents abroad to be recognized by another country. For example, in Korea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Overseas Koreans Agency, and the Ministry of Justice verify the authenticity of documents by comparing seals or signatures according to the convention and issue the apostille. Official documents with an apostille are recognized as official documents in member countries of the convention without consular verification by Korean diplomatic missions.

On the 9th (local time), armed assailants stormed the TC Television studio in Guayaquil, Ecuador, threatening people who then evacuated outside the broadcasting station building. [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

Additionally, the Ecuadorian government requires foreigners to attach a criminal record certificate and, if there is a criminal record, to verify whether it falls under grounds for entry refusal as stipulated by the Immigration Law. If the criminal record certificate is not presented at the official border immigration checkpoint, entry refusal procedures may be carried out according to immigration-related laws.

The embassy stated, "For our nationals currently residing in Colombia or Peru and planning to enter Ecuador by land without a visa for tourism or other purposes, inquiries about the issuance of criminal record certificates should be made to the Korean embassies in those countries." They added, "If there are any changes, additional notices will be posted on the website and Facebook, so please check embassy channels regularly."