Sorry for the delay in Reporting the outcome of my meeting with Immigration on the 26th.
Apparently my re entry from Colombia on Feb 2nd 2018 did not renew my 90 days....if you will recall my first visit to Ecuador was Feb 02 2017. Ecuadorian Migration issued Tourist Visas of 90 days in a 12 month period as they still do. However, in my case I was caught in a policy amendment to the Migration Act that occurred on Feb 06 2017........4 days after I first entered which reset the timetable. So my next entry was Dec 20th 2017 resulting in a restart of 90 days, The border agents error ed in the stamp resetting the timetable........my reentry on November 28th 2018 in which I had a problem as my exit March 18th was not recorded on their computer was a blessing as I was compelled to go to Migration and get it fixed. I actually only had 1 day left of the original 90 from Dec 20th 2017 and therefor had overstayed on my current return 26 days. The fine was waived, thanks to the earlier intervention of my lawyer, and the fact that I had gone to Mitigation to correct the exit problem earlier. I asked Migration if they could make my extension visa ( normally 90 days @ a cost of $128.67) expire on March 26th 2019 as that is the date of my return ticket. Politely was told no it would be 90 days from Dec 01 which would fall 25 days short of my return flight. Do I have choices in overstaying till the 26th....Yes, you can arrive at the airport and pay a fine of $700.00 or you can request a voluntary exit to leave (which you are doing anyway) however, if you want to return in the future you will be fined upon entry the $700.00.
At that point, I accepted that I could not argue further......I was sent away to get a photo copy of my passport and upon my return the young senorita asked...when was your return flight...responding the 26th of March...she replies this is your lucky day and gives me the extension beginning Dec 26th and ending March 26th 2019. I am so grateful to have that resolved. Thank you Ecuador. Now I can relax.
Apparently my re entry from Colombia on Feb 2nd 2018 did not renew my 90 days....if you will recall my first visit to Ecuador was Feb 02 2017. Ecuadorian Migration issued Tourist Visas of 90 days in a 12 month period as they still do. However, in my case I was caught in a policy amendment to the Migration Act that occurred on Feb 06 2017........4 days after I first entered which reset the timetable. So my next entry was Dec 20th 2017 resulting in a restart of 90 days, The border agents error ed in the stamp resetting the timetable........my reentry on November 28th 2018 in which I had a problem as my exit March 18th was not recorded on their computer was a blessing as I was compelled to go to Migration and get it fixed. I actually only had 1 day left of the original 90 from Dec 20th 2017 and therefor had overstayed on my current return 26 days. The fine was waived, thanks to the earlier intervention of my lawyer, and the fact that I had gone to Mitigation to correct the exit problem earlier. I asked Migration if they could make my extension visa ( normally 90 days @ a cost of $128.67) expire on March 26th 2019 as that is the date of my return ticket. Politely was told no it would be 90 days from Dec 01 which would fall 25 days short of my return flight. Do I have choices in overstaying till the 26th....Yes, you can arrive at the airport and pay a fine of $700.00 or you can request a voluntary exit to leave (which you are doing anyway) however, if you want to return in the future you will be fined upon entry the $700.00.
At that point, I accepted that I could not argue further......I was sent away to get a photo copy of my passport and upon my return the young senorita asked...when was your return flight...responding the 26th of March...she replies this is your lucky day and gives me the extension beginning Dec 26th and ending March 26th 2019. I am so grateful to have that resolved. Thank you Ecuador. Now I can relax.
Happy New Year Bob, where are you ...it is Jan 5/19...how are your adventures ?..
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year....I am stationary in that I am booked here until the end of March though I will be home March 27th///may travel when Julia gets here and later when Doug and Vicki arrive.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you