Common Permanent Residency Mistakes
What Happens:
Immediate denial. You must wait until you have completed a full 21 consecutive months before submitting.
Real Story:
"I applied at 20 months and 3 weeks thinking it was close enough. Denied immediately. Had to wait another month and resubmit with all new documents (background checks expired)." - Mike, US
How to Avoid:
Count carefully from your visa approval date (not application date). Apply on day 1 of month 22 to be safe.
What Happens:
Automatic rejection. You MUST get a NEW background check from your home country, even if your previous one is less than 2 years old.
Real Story:
"I thought since my FBI check was only 18 months old I could reuse it. Wrong. They require a fresh one less than 6 months old. Had to wait 3 months for a new FBI check." - Sarah, Canada
How to Avoid:
Start the new background check process at month 18-19. FBI checks take 12-14 weeks. Must be less than 6 months old when you submit.
What Happens:
If your temporary visa expires even for 1 day before getting permanent residency, the 21-month clock RESTARTS from zero.
Real Story:
"My 2-year visa was about to expire. I applied for permanent residency but it took 4 months. My visa expired before approval came. I had to renew my temporary visa AND restart the 21-month clock." - Tom, UK
How to Avoid:
Apply for permanent residency at month 21-22. If you're at month 23+, renew your temporary visa first, THEN apply for permanent.
What Happens:
Application rejected for incomplete documents. Need BOTH home country background check AND Ecuador police clearance.
How to Avoid:
Get Ecuador police clearance from the Police Department (Certificado de Antecedentes Penales). Takes 1-2 weeks. Both certificates must be less than 6 months old.
What Happens:
If your passport expires within 6 months, they'll reject your application until you renew it.
How to Avoid:
Check passport expiration. If less than 12 months validity remaining, renew it BEFORE applying for permanent residency.
What Happens:
While there's no strict rule against travel, extended absences (3+ months) during processing can raise red flags about your intent to reside in Ecuador.
How to Avoid:
Plan to be in Ecuador during most of the 2-4 month processing period. Short trips (2-4 weeks) are fine, but avoid being gone for months.
- ✓Wait until completing FULL 21 months (not 20.5 months)
- ✓Order NEW background check at month 18-19
- ✓Get Ecuador police clearance (1-2 weeks)
- ✓Ensure passport valid 12+ months
- ✓Renew temporary visa if at month 23+ before applying
- ✓Stay mostly in Ecuador during processing
Don't Risk Your Permanent Residency
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