Visa Requirements
Do South African citizens need a visa for Ecuador?
Official Requirement
Visa-free
for South Africa citizens travelling to Ecuador
Nationals from countries with visa exemption agreements with Ecuador may enter without a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days.
Last checked 5 months ago (19 April 2026)
We are not a government authority. Requirements change without notice. Always verify with the official consulate link before travel.
No visa needed for this trip
South Africa passport holders can enter Ecuador for short visits without a visa. Check that your passport stays valid for the whole stay, carry proof of onward travel, and confirm the current entry conditions on the official source before you fly.
Official Ecuador entry requirements →
Quito
At a glance
Key facts for South African citizens visiting Ecuador
- Requirement
- Visa-free
- Maximum stay
- Up to 90 days
- Official source
- Official source for this route →
Step by step
How South African citizens enter Ecuador
Check your passport is valid for the whole trip. Many countries also want it valid for a period beyond your departure date, so confirm the exact rule on the official page below.
Plan a trip of 90 days or fewer. Beyond that, Ecuador needs a different permission and this page does not cover it.
Carry proof of onward or return travel and of where you are staying. Border officers ask for both, and an airline can refuse boarding without them.
Check the requirement again close to your departure date. This route was last checked on 19 April 2026, and rules change without notice.
Wise
Your bank marks up every ZAR you spend in Ecuador. Wise doesn't.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free ATM withdrawals up to your limit
- Pay in local currency at the real rate
4.8 ★ App Store·4.8 ★ Google Play
Saily eSIM
Your phone plan was built for home. This one was built for Ecuador.
Instant eSIM — from $3.99
Or unlimited data across 121 countries — from $59.99/mo
- eSIM delivered in minutes
- No SIM swapping or roaming fees
- Trusted by Nord Security
4.6 ★ App Store·4.5 ★ Google Play
Exercise Caution
UK FCDO: Regional state of emergency declared (internal disturbance and armed violence) A 30-day state of emergency (SOE) was renewed on 28 February 2026 due to internal disturbance and armed violence. You should follow the instructions of police and local authorities. The SOE currently applies to the following provinces: Guayas El Oro Manabí Los Ríos Santa Elena Pichincha Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas Esmeraldas Sucumbíos Bolívar (cantones Echeandía and Las Naves) Cotopaxi (cantón La Maná) Due to the c
Updated 2026-03-11
Practical Info
Travel Essentials
Questions
What South African citizens ask about entering Ecuador
No. South African citizens can enter Ecuador without a visa for a short tourist or business visit. This was last checked on 19 April 2026.
Up to 90 days on this entry route. A longer trip needs a different permission, which this page does not cover. A border officer decides the length granted on the day.
A passport valid for the trip, proof of onward or return travel, and proof of where you are staying. Officers can ask for evidence that you can support yourself for the visit. Entry is always the officer's decision, whatever the paperwork says.
Ecuador uses USD. Check the rate before you exchange anything at the airport, where the spread is usually widest.
Changes to this route
No changes recorded since the first check on 19 April 2026.
Full change history for this route →