Ecuador has officially revoked visa-free transit privileges for citizens of 45 countries, including 34 from Africa, in a sweeping overhaul of its immigration and border control policies.
Under the new directive, travellers from the affected nations will now be required to obtain a Transit Visa (Visa de Transeúnte) even if they do not leave the international transit area of Ecuadorian airports.
Previously, nationals from these countries were permitted to transit through Ecuador without a visa, provided they remained within the airport’s secure zone and did not pass through immigration or customs. This exemption has now been formally rescinded.
According to a statement from Ecuador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, the policy change is intended to strengthen transit controls and respond to growing security concerns related to irregular migration.
“This measure is aimed at tightening transit regulations and improving national security,” the ministry said.
The development is expected to impact thousands of travellers, particularly those using Ecuador as a transit point en route to destinations in North, Central, and South America.
Of the 45 nations affected, African countries make up the largest share, with 34 now required to apply for a transit visa before travelling through Ecuador. They include Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Senegal, Togo, Benin, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, Central African Republic, Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, South Sudan.
With Ecuador long serving as a key transit hub for travellers from Africa and the Global South en route to destinations in the European Union and the United States, the newly introduced visa requirement is expected to cause significant disruption.
The policy shift will likely lead to altered travel plans, increased costs, and the need to re-route flights, particularly for passengers who previously relied on Ecuadorian airports for convenient layovers without needing to clear immigration.
