Ecuador country guide

Special nationality or historical route · Last checked 2026-08-08

Convenio vacaciones y trabajo Ecuador–Francia

French nationality, age 18–30, first participation, and working-holiday conditions

French nationals aged 18–30 may seek a free, multiple-entry Ecuador working-holiday residence for up to one year, within an annual bilateral quota.

Country
Ecuador
Applicant basis
French nationality, age 18–30, first participation, and working-holiday conditions
Responsible authority
Ecuadorian Consular Section in France
Official route status
Current official route
Information available
Detailed guide
Last checked
2026-08-08

Supported requirements

What the current source supports

  • Be 18–30 on the application date, hold a valid French passport, have never previously used the program, and travel without dependants.
  • Show at least EUR 2,500 for initial support and a return or onward ticket or sufficient additional funds to leave the receiving state.
  • Provide a good-health certificate, apostilled and translated French criminal record within its 180-day validity, and health insurance covering illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, and repatriation.
  • Apply through the Ecuadorian Consular Section in France using the current instructions and complete the digital or consular steps.
  • Use the status primarily for holiday purposes; employment is permitted to supplement available resources.

Applicant scope

Who this route generally serves

Generally designed for
A French national aged 18–30 applying individually for a first working-holiday stay in Ecuador.
Legal basis named by the authority
Ecuador–France Working Holiday Agreement and the current MREMH procedure.

Route lifecycle

What to confirm from application onward

Financial basis
At least EUR 2,500 for initial support, plus departure transport or enough additional funds to leave.
Government service fees
The official procedure lists both application and visa issuance at USD 0.
Initial status
Free multiple-entry temporary residence for up to one year, subject to the annual quota of up to 300 visas.
Renewal
The program is for first participation and does not establish renewal.
Dependents
The applicant may not be accompanied by persons in their charge under this route.
Work rights
Employment is allowed during validity to supplement the holder’s resources, but the program’s principal purpose remains holiday travel.
Presence considerations
No separate day-count maintenance test is published beyond the one-year maximum validity.
Permanent residence
The working-holiday permit does not establish an automatic permanent-residence route.
Citizenship relationship
Naturalization is separate.

Official evidence

Sources for this route

General planning information only—not legal, tax, or investment advice. A listed route does not determine eligibility. Verify current rules with the responsible authority before acting.