Over 33,500 foreign-born individuals gain Ecuadorian nationality in 10 years

Ecuador has granted nationality to over 33,500 individuals born outside the country in the last 10 years. These recognitions primarily benefit descendants of Ecuadorians born abroad, allowing them to obtain citizenship by birth.

The process is available for children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of Ecuadorians, as stipulated by the country's constitution. The Civil Registry manages these applications, provided they haven't been registered with an Ecuadorian consulate abroad.

Guayaquil leads the nation with 16,631 nationality recognitions, followed by Quito with 13,236 and Cuenca with 3,695. The largest number of applicants, 12,735, were born in Venezuela. Significant numbers also hail from the United States (7,674), Colombia (3,297), and Spain (2,766).

To complete the process, applicants must submit a formal request, their birth certificate (apostilled or legalized and translated if necessary), and their Ecuadorian relative's birth certificate. A valid passport or ID is also required. After a $50 fee and verification of documents, nationality is officially recognized.

One recipient, David Albuja, born in Colombia, stated that obtaining Ecuadorian nationality and his identity card through his father, an Ecuadorian native, is "fundamental to continue advancing in my studies."