Here is Tymur finally with his visa. We had lots of hoops they made us jump through but he and his Mom Nellia always had a big smile and awesome attitude. Congratulations to a wonderful young man.
Lots of things happening
Hello everyone. I am sorry we have been so slow in getting things out here on our blog but I will try to get it out there since it is new and totally critical for your visa.
1st as most off you know, appointments are mandatory for all Visa transactions which include new visa, transfer of visa from old passport to new passport and renewing your cd. The problem now in Azogues is the large amount of people coming from Venezuela, Colombia and Peru in addition to the continuing large amounts of North Americans and people coming from other countries to apply for their visa. There is a shortage of appointments so to go to Azogues appointments are out into November and this is the beginning of September so this requires planning ahead.
Visa Angels can assist with these processes in Machala and Guayaquil as well. We can provide transportation and our assistance. The good and bad is going away from Cuenca means you must go back to the location you first filed at. This is extremely important because with the CD visa it can only be renewed in the city you first applied. You cannot transfer it back here to Cuenca. The good is if you have a short time to get these processes done we can get appointments.. keep in mind it will become more difficult to get appointments in Machala and Guayaquil if everyone from Azogues goes to these other cities.
VERY IMPORTANTE as the rumors continue the facts are in. If you have applied for visa processes with Visa Angels you have been required to submit proof of insurance at the time. Now it is the law of Ecuador all foreigners MUST have health insurance and will be required to provide that proof to the Ministerio. There will be no more self insuring. If you do not provide the proof of insurance your visa will be cancelled. If you got your visa 20 years ago or yesterday you must provide proof of insurance. If you were enrolled in IESS you will be paying a new premium based on income. For retirees the amount of income provided when you filed for your visa will be used. The calculation is 17.6% of that income, for all things IESS you must speak with them in El Centro. Diana Calle is the contact person and she speaks English and Spanish. DO NOT LISTEN TO WELL MEANING PEOPLE, your coverage is at stake. An interesting point the 17.6% OF INCOME HAS BEEN ON THE LAW BOOKS SINCE 2001. THERE was no law to enforce it now there is.
The insurance validation will not begin in Azogues until November, the process is not set up yet so do not go out there until they are ready to validate into the computer system. This is an Ecuadorian law and not an Azogues law, each office works under their directors instructions and Azogues is usually first to put these procedures into place but all of Ecuador will do the same thing sooner or later.
Regardless of your visa type going forward everyone will be required to provide income. If you are getting a new visa, renewing a passport and transferring the visa from the old passport to the new, renewing a cd you must provide proof of income/savings that you are able to live here and support yourself in Ecuador. It will be in the form of printed bank statements. Again NO exceptions, no proof of income or insurance the Ministerio will not accept your request.
Now you can see why it has taken so long. Lots of new information to understand and apply to the visa process. There is still more to come but for now, this is the must know part of your visa process.
We have gotten a fee visas issued among all these changes and are waiting for lots more.
Forgot to send the photos
Bernard Monterroso snuck out without a photo so I will find him somewhere, he has his visa also.
Update
So here we are tomorrow is 1 June, where has 2017 gone almost half over.
Visa Angels continues to get lots and lots of inquiries about what they need, when they need it etc. We are always ready and able to respond to your many questions and we do offer hand holding if needed. Remember to reach us use our email address visaangels@gmail.com
Our newest success story is Maxine she is counting down the 730 days her temporary visa gives her then, 90 days before it expires she plans to file for her permanent residential visa. You can enjoy our success story anytime. We are here to get you that visa.
For those confused, YES there is still a professional visa. We really have no idea why anyone would think it was gone.
See you soon, the Volunteers from Visa Angels
Updates
Hola everyone well things are still grey regarding many parts of the new law, but the new positive move is now we make appointments before going out to Azogues so No More 4am morning trips to Azogues. It is working quite well but they are not taking appointments for 8nformation, so beware don't go out with a batch of questions because they will not see you. All required documents for the process are listed on the Cita site.
Finally after so many bumps in the road Eric Pedersen has his visa and his cedula. Boy is he happy.
We also got some news regarding our hero Don Gardner, looks like the rampid infection that sent Don back to the US has "left the building" fingers crossed Don and Cindy will be back in Ecuador soon.
Oh yes, important news about transferring visas from old passpoets to new passports, if you visa was issued in Quito as of now, you must go to Quito to make the transfer. Visa Angels had made the decision to not try to assist with these because we would be charging you for Nothing. Many people are waiting since February with no transfer. Visas issued in Guayaquil or Cuenca/Azogues are successful so we can help eith that but not eith Quito issued visas.
Thanks for all the support and we will update more soon. We are getting our first visas issued under the new system this week.
Abby, Jodie, Gio, Sharon, Scott, Ransom and Laurie the current volunteers of Visa Angels.
Re: [Visa Angels | Ecuador] Wow, Where has the time gone?
Sorry for the typo in the post Don is not a death friend he is a dear friend but my tablet likes to correct what I type. See you soon!
On May 8, 2017 20:09, "Visa Angels" <no-reply@blogger.com> wrote:
People are wondering where we are and what we have been doing. We are busy, busy and we are busy trying to learn the new ins and outs of the new Ley and the rules that go with it. A bit of emotion earlier when a very death client became hospitalized with a serious injury so that he could not make his appointment that he had been waiting so hard for. Finally, we were able to get him his visa in a wheelchair as he was too Ill to do it any other way. The next scary part was he needed to leave to go back to the US because the antibiotics here were not strong enough to help him. He left the next day so very proud to have his visa. We are waiting for him to return once he finishes his treatments in the US. DON, we at Visa Angels love and miss you and you make us so proud to be part of your life.Here we have a few more who are residents here with their cedulas. We are always ready to help just contact us at visaangels@gmail.comWe have a new angel and her name is Abby. We are hoping to add another angel soon named Rosie. We will keep you Posted! I will try to do better updating everyone. Check back soon.Jodie
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Posted By Visa Angels to Visa Angels | Ecuador at 5/08/2017 06:09:00 PM
Wow, Where has the time gone?
People are wondering where we are and what we have been doing. We are busy, busy and we are busy trying to learn the new ins and outs of the new Ley and the rules that go with it. A bit of emotion earlier when a very death client became hospitalized with a serious injury so that he could not make his appointment that he had been waiting so hard for. Finally, we were able to get him his visa in a wheelchair as he was too Ill to do it any other way. The next scary part was he needed to leave to go back to the US because the antibiotics here were not strong enough to help him. He left the next day so very proud to have his visa. We are waiting for him to return once he finishes his treatments in the US. DON, we at Visa Angels love and miss you and you make us so proud to be part of your life.
Here we have a few more who are residents here with their cedulas. We are always ready to help just contact us at visaangels@gmail.com
We have a new angel and her name is Abby. We are hoping to add another angel soon named Rosie. We will keep you Posted! I will try to do better updating everyone. Check back soon.
Jodie
3 more Happy Visa Angels with their new Cedulas
So, as many know the new law went into place, but no one thought to have the required processes, forms and fees in place so as of last Thursday no new visa applications are being accepted. Visas submitted and approved and being issued is still happening, but no news as to when we can again begin to submit new applications.
As you can see, David, Catherine and John have completed all the pieces and are our newest legal residents. Congratulations to all of you and thank you for trusting Visa Angels with this important step in your new life here in Ecuador.
For anyone who does not know Visa Angels was voted best in Visa assistance and best visa facilitator for 2017. We are so very proud and thank everyone who has worked with us and made this recognition happen. We are always looking for others who want to help so contact us at visaangels@gmail.com.
Happy Election weekend!
Re: 2 new visas
On Feb 11, 2017 07:23, "jodie mansfield" <visaangels@gmail.com> wrote:
So things are changing before our eyes, but we are getting visas. Latest is my over eager George excited about his visa and Jim just so very happy.
2 new visas
So things are changing before our eyes, but we are getting visas. Latest is my over eager George excited about his visa and Jim just so very happy.
Visa Angels newest legal ladies
So, here I am again, and Lomeda, Karen and Helena are the newest legal residents including their cedulas. Great ladies and super to work with. Congratulations ladies!
Changes at Azogues
Hello everyone so sorry not to have made updates but things are crazy as always. Latest good news from the Ministry is once again the sponsor and family can file their visa applications at the same time.
The new Immigration laws have been signed by the President so shortly they will be in effect, as we get the details we will pass them along.
The Ministry has hired lots of new help so things are moving along once again. We still need to get there early, 0700 not 0430 anymore.
Lots of visas and cedulas have been issued and I promise I will post more soon.
We have 2 new volunteers in Loja and 2 in Cuenca so things are moving along. We are always looking for more so just let us know if you would like to volunteer.
Re: Success
Here they are happy and finally able to leave their old passports at home
On Jun 9, 2016 4:20 PM, "jodie mansfield" <visaangels@gmail.com> wrote:
So things have been wild out in Azogues but determination paid off. After lots of false information and several trips to be told we needed to do yet something else; Ezra and Abby Meyer transferred their residency visa to their new passports today. Even with all the trips out there, Visa Angels saved them over $300.00 which was the fee a well known facilitator quoted them.
Success
So things have been wild out in Azogues but determination paid off. After lots of false information and several trips to be told we needed to do yet something else; Ezra and Abby Meyer transferred their residency visa to their new passports today. Even with all the trips out there, Visa Angels saved them over $300.00 which was the fee a well known facilitator quoted them.
Seems to be a change of interpretation
Hello eveyone. It seems like if you are retiring using social security for the basis of your visa, you must now have $800.00 or more deposited into your bank account. Deductions for health insurance can deny your visa. No longer is the amount gross from social security but net after all deductions have been made.
This was not the interpretation during 2015.
Visa Angels
We are back
Hello everyone, Visa Angels has been very busy since January, but Azogues has been backed up with loads of visa applications. Finally we got our first visas issued and we have lots more waiting to be issued.
Donald ánd Rosemary are our newest residents ánd will be getting their cedulas on Friday. Welcome to your new home in Cuenca.
Contact visaangels@gmail.com for all your visa needs.
Big change for Immigrant Visas
I was in Azogues today and was told the cost of all visas has gone up. The filing fee is $50.00 per application and the cost of Residential visas is $500.00. These rates go into effect 4 Jan 2016. At this point there is no grandfathering in unless your visa is issued this week.
Also, for now our last 2015 visa goes to Bev. We do have 2 more we are hoping get issued tomorrow. Fingers crossed.
Happy New Year from the volunteers at Visa Angels of Cuenca.
Also, the cost of the extended tourist visa 12-IX has gone up as well. Filing fee is $50.00 and the visa will now cost $400.00. Sorry for the bad news.
Wrapping up 2015
Hello everyone. Visa Angels of Cuenca is back from our vacation time and ready to get back into gear.Our final Visa of 2015 appears to be going to Ed. We got his visa on the 23rd of December in Azogues. We have several waiting to get notified their visas are ready.
Watch for updates soon.
Visa Angels of Cuenca, going on vacation
Hello Everyone, We, the volunteers at Visa Angels, are heading out for a much needed rest and relaxation. Please continue to send your inquiries but know that from 1 Dec. thru 21 Dec., no one will be answering them until our return on 21 Dec.
We thank you for all your support and great reviews and hope to be able to submit another 100 visa applications when we return! None of our visas were disapproved.
Don't panic and choose a costly option to Visa Angels, most things can wait the 3 weeks until our return.
The volunteers of Visa Angels of Cuenca
2 more happy Ecuadorian Residents
Just moving right along. Visa Angels has been super getting all the visas for those we had filed through the Cuenca office. Working on several more (as always).
Here we have Lynn visa in one hand and cedula in the other. Piece of cake.
Next is Liz has her visa and we are off this morning to help her file for her cedula. Hope to have that in hand next week.
Here we have Lynn visa in one hand and cedula in the other. Piece of cake.
Next is Liz has her visa and we are off this morning to help her file for her cedula. Hope to have that in hand next week.
Hope everyone has a super Thanksgiving.
It has sure been busy in Azogues.
Here we are Getting visas. 2 were so busy we did not get photos Anne and Denise have their visas, but no photos. Cindy has her retiree visa and Cindi and Dan have their retiree visa. This week Maurice got his visa. Tomorrow we will get Liz's visa and on Thursday we will file for a retiree visa.
Here she is the bubbly Lynn
Yesterday, Monday 9 November was our first trip to the new visa office in Azogues. Lynn had the honor of getting the first visa angels retiree visa from that office. It is a beautiful building and same awesome people from Cuenca there to help us.
As should be expected glitches happen so we had to wait almost 2 hours more so they could print her Visa. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch and returned to all parts working and Lynn almost in tears when they passed her that much coveted Visa.
If you are looking to get a residential visa without the hassels, high pressure and miss-truths others have experienced contact visaangels@gmail.com or ask Lynn how she feels about Visa Angels and our help.
Old news and new news
So, Lynne got her visa and her cedula, she is a happy lady.
Next photo is Pam and Ed. They are Visa Angels last Immigrant visas filed in Cuenca. They both have filed for their 9-I retiree visas.
Going forward all Resident visas will be filed for in Azogues.
We are picking up lots of visas in Azogues starting the 9th of November.
Taste of Thai with visas and cedulas
Look at those happy faces. Congrats to Pon and Bob. Our newest residents.
Finally David has it all.
We are prepafing to receive about 10 visas in the first 2 weeks of Novembear. We are filing an investment cd tomorrow and more retirees during the nextcouple of weeks.
Today we got David's cedula. We delayed getting the cedula due to Jodie's injury and David's container inspection in Guayaquil and the actual arrival here in Cuenca of his container.
Now David can enjoy all the benefits of being a resident.
For those who are not aware Immigration is closed the first Monday and Tuesday in November for the holiday.
Remember join the success stories and not the disaster stories that are happening here in Cuenca.
No longer affiliated with Kathy Fajardo Jaramillo
In the past Visa Angels used the Services of Kathy as a translator and under her own business Helping Hands she helped special cases to apply for their visas in Guayaquil. Kathy was never a Visa Angel Volunteer as she charged for her services. We did consult with her in difficult situations.
We no longer have a working relationship with Kathy Fajardo Jaramillo and do not utilize any of her services or consult with her. We have no contact with her at all.
Again to make it clear Visa Angels offers their help free of charge but does use translators and notaries as required by Ecuadorian Law. The standard submission fees for the appropriate visas, the fee of $5.00 for the Migratory document and of course the actual cost of the appropriate visa at time of issue are required and must be paid by the applicant. . Again, we try to save you money by using a reputable and reasonably priced translator and we do not translate documents that might not be needed for the process. We keep up with the minor changes of the entire process and help to make this happen as quickly as possible.
We have an excellent working relationship with those at the counter and with both of the Immigration attorneys who work on the 2nd floor. They help us so we can help you.
Thank you for all your support and know that Visa Angels of Cuenca is here to help you make that application to become a resident of Ecuador a reality.
Jodie a volunteer with Visa Angels. Contact us at visaangels@gmail.com
Important information
Visa Angels is still hopping and we are getting visas approved just about 7 weeks after applications are accepted.
A major change in the visa and cedula process is Immigration and Registro Civil is requiring a certified and Apostilled divorce document translated and notarized and presented at time of cedula application which is generally the same day the visa is placed into the passport.
This applies to those who are divorced and not remarried. If you do not have this document you must have it or you will not be able to get the cedula. Send back to the USA or where ever you are from and get it certified and apostilled. Remember NO Document from a Hague nation country is legal without an Apostille.
Peri
So yet another happy couple with cedulas in hand. It is a smooth procedure when you understand the process. Then on Friday we filed Denise's visa.
This week tidying up our 2 applications who each had 5 FBI rejections. We are going to Criminilistica to get a set of prints good or bad to file in their records and their visas are ready. Then on the 23rd David will get his visa. Planning to file Liz's retiree visa Wednesday. Working with several others who just arrived or are on their way. Busy, busy time for Visa Angels but we love it that way.
Quick note we arranged for a trip to Azoges to see about submitting a degree for acceptance here in Ecuador. He got the info he needed and the driver helped him to file the request. 3 weeks later his degree accepted and he is planning to file for his visa on Tuesday.
We love working with Immigration in Cuenca and they sure seem to love working with us.
Lots to do catch up soon. Visaangels@gmail.com
Guess who?
So a regular mad house at Immigration this week. They changed their hours to allow for the kids return to school. It was packed but we stood strong and Peri and Steve walked away with their visas. Sad part had to go back the next morning to submit info for cedula. Nothing worked at Immigration so we waited and waited but 3 hours later we had submitted the info needed for their cedulas. Wednesday next week we shall go get those wonderful cedulas and Peri and Steve will be totally established as residents here in Cuenca.
Check out those smiling faces. Also got an extended tourist visa. We don't usually do non immigrant visas but it was an emergency, so now I know that process and wouldn't you know it, we have another emergency need of a 12-9, so tomorrow along with 7 retiree visas; Visa Angels will be helping her get that extended tourist visa. She will be having surgery and did not want to have to worry about becoming irregular here. No one is illegal anymore they are irregular.
Having fun in Cuenca helping all the future residents coming here for less. Till next time visaangels@gmail.com.
Catching up
Hello everyone. I was so busy last week, I did not post our latest achievements.
Bev and Abby both have their cedulas and so does Jerry. Have a photo of Bev but Abby ran off before I could grab her photo.
Then we submitted Lynn's application and Judith's so things are hopping here in Cuenca.
Getting Doug's cedula Tuesday and Peri and Steve's visas Wednesday. Then on Friday, looks like we will be submitting 4 new retiree visas.
Join the success stories of the newest residents of Cuenca, contact visaangels@gmail.com
Guess who?
Here we are once again at Immigration, but this time I have Bev Stavley. Her other half got his visa a week or so ago. Piece of cake for Bev and when I asked her now what she said she thinks she will tag along with her husband on the cruise. We shall get her cedula next week along with Abby's. Keeping busy at Visa Angels, but never to busy to help new people. Contact us at visaangels@gmail.com.
Next in line
Tuesday morning at Immigration and what a mad house the day after the holiday. No problems though, here is Abby our latest visa recipient and next week we will get her cedula.
Tomorrow we will be getting another retiree visa. Another great week for Visa Angels of Cuenca and our new residents.
Here is what is happening in Cuenca
Hello everyone. Our latest success is Bill, he got his visa in 6 weeks here in Cuenca and 5 business days later he got his cedula. He is one happy camper. We went from the civil registry to LAN so he could take advantage of his 50% discount.
Don't let anyone tell you it is impossible to get your visas in Cuenca, that it is better to file in Quito because in addition to that being wrong, you must take 1 or 2 trips to Quito at your expense. WHY???
While Monday is a holiday and Immigration is closed Visa Angels has 3 resident visas being issued this week. We also have people here in Cuenca getting ready to submit their documents and we have several more people arriving during August who will be submitting their applications. We keep busy and are so happy to be part of people' successes here in Cuenca.
A bit of news. For those applying for retiree 9-I visas; you no longer have to send your income letter to an Ecuadorian Consulate or Embassyto be certified. Immigration is accepting the document notarized and apostilled.
Watch for more successes and be sure to contact us for help getting your visas here in CUENCA.
Newest Visa for Visa Angels
So here we are 6 weeks after applying for his visa here in Cuenca Bill Stavley is proudly showing everyone he is now a legal resident of Ecuador.
I asked Bill what was he going to do now, and he said I think I'll take a cruise.
Many more on the way.
Moving right along
I went to Immigration this past Friday to assist with two more applications. These were both applying for professional visas so it was new for me . I seem to be the Retiree expert.
We arrived early and were first and 2nd in line, my favorite spots to be in. When their turn came we were ready except for a slight glitch with a document so I ran over to the Notary to get the original document which had been left out of the declaration. Both applications were accepted so we are delighted.
Our prior 11 applicants are chomping at the bit to get their emails that their visas are ready. It should be this coming week for the first ones.
Keep watching because one by one as they get their visas you will see their happy faces here.
Approved!
Another wonderful day at Cuenca Immigration. 2 more applications accepted for Visa Angels. 11 total applications submitted in past month.
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