Do France passport holders need a visa to visit EC?
French ordinary passport holders do NOT need a visa to visit Ecuador for tourism. You may enter visa-free and stay up to 90 days within any rolling 12-month period under a T-3 tourist entry stamp. France is on Ecuador's general visa-exemption list for short tourist visits. A French ordinary passport holder can travel to Ecuador without obtaining a visa in advance and receive a T-3 tourist stamp on arrival, valid for a cumulative stay of up to 90 days per rolling 12-month period. This is confirmed by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (France Diplomatie), which states a visa is not required for a tourist stay of 90 days or less, calculated over twelve rolling months. The passport must be valid for more than 6 months beyond the planned exit date. There is no entry fee for the visa-free tourist stamp. Travelers may be asked at the border for proof of onward/return travel, accommodation, and sufficient funds. If you wish to stay longer, you can apply for a 90-day extension inside Ecuador for a fee of approximately USD 400. Overstaying the authorized period exposes the traveler to heavy fines and possible administrative detention. Ecuador is not in the Schengen area, so Schengen/ETIAS rules do not apply to this route. Note that overland night-bus crossings from Colombia or Peru sometimes skip passport control; travelers must ensure they obtain the proper entry stamp from migration authorities to avoid being treated as an illegal entrant.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
France (PR)Living in France as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→