Top Reasons Why U.S. Expats Would Want to Become Ecuadorian Citizens

We're talking about citizenship here.  Three years after receiving a residency visa, an Expat resident who has met the time-in-Ecuador rule may apply for dual U.S.-Ecuadorian citizenship. 

Most Expat residents don't do this.

Why would someone do so?

Reason #1:  To be able to cash out or gain release of an asset being used for the residency visa, such as a 25K bank CD or real estate.

#2: To be able to travel outside of Ecuador or stay outside the country without the 18-month limitation imposed on residency-visa holders.  (During the first two years it is a 90-day per year limit, even less for future citizenship applicants.)

#3: Wealthy Expats only:  to maintain Ecuadorian nationality while renouncing U.S. citizenship, and thus still have a passport (Ecuadorian) after discharging tax responsibilities to the U.S. and losing the U.S. passport.

#4: Disowning America in other ways:  Making a personal statement that one disagrees with the politics, lifestyles and/or police attitudes in the U.S.

#5:  For Expats with spouses or families who are Ecuadorian:  to simplify their documents for travel and bureaucratic-related paperwork.

#6:  To obtain leverage in seeking custody of an Ecuadorian minor.

If you have or know of any other reasons to seek Ecuadorian citizenship, please post here.

Few U.S. Expats have become EC citizens as far as I can tell.  If you are such, please share your experience(s) with us.

Expats from other countries, of course, are welcome to post here as well.

cccmedia in Quito