Thursday, March 24, 2016

Reasons for Wanting a Second Passport

As you may know, we have been trying to get a second passport.  We already have one from our country of origin (USA).  But now we are wanting to get one from the country where we are currently living (Ecuador).

Why?

Here are our reasons:
  • If Mike dies without us having citizenship in Ecuador, then I would have to leave the country or apply all over again for a residency visa. The reason is that when we came here over five years ago, I didn't have a pension so I had to be a dependent of Mike's. This way, if Mike dies before me and I have an Ecuadorian passport, then I would be a citizen and not have to worry about that.
  • I am thinking that times are just going to get much worse in the U.S. (prophetically-speaking), and who knows, they might not renew passports anymore and may restrict your travel.
  • It might be better to travel (outside of the U.S.) on a non-USA passport. We plan on doing that soon, as we travel around South America, which leads to:
  • If you want to travel in South America, you can travel Visa-free with an Ecuadorian passport; otherwise there is a cost for some of the countries that you want to visit if you're traveling with a U. S. passport ( see comment below).
  •   The U. S. government is pressuring banks around the world concerning doing business with Americans, causing many banks not to want to do business if your only passport is from the U.S. With an Ecuadorian passport, it's not a problem to open up a foreign bank account.
  • The IRS can now cancel anyone's passport if they are delinquent in their federal taxes of at least $50,000 including penalties and fines.  You might say, "Well, I don't owe the IRS any money" -- but what if they make a mistake.  Do you think they'll correct their mistake and allow your passport to be re-issued?  How much time, effort and expense on your part will be involved to correct the IRS' mistake? 
  • Another reason is if you have an Ecuadorian passport, then you don't have to transfer your visa from your old U. S. passport to your new passport when you renew because you won't need a visa any longer if you're an Ecuadorian citizen. 
  •  As an Ecuadorian resident, you have restrictions on the amount of time that you can be outside of Ecuador.  As an Ecuadorian citizen, you have no such restrictions.

5 comments:

  1. All very good reasons. Nice post. I'll be doing it also as soon as I'm eligible.

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  2. Patty

    I, too, look forward to using my Ecuadoran passport to visit within South America.

    A small correction. You said ¨otherwise there is a cost for each country you want to visit if you're traveling with a U. S. passport.¨

    However, currently only countries on the Eastern Side of South America require a visa for residents of the USA - Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Venezuela and Bolivia. The remaining Western Side South American countries are like Ecuador; they grant 90 day tourist visas at the airport. This means that US residents may freely visit Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile.

    (Chile required an entry fee in the past. Chile ended the $160 Reciprocity Fee for US Citizens in March of 2014.)

    BTW Brazil is temporarily waiving visa requirements for travelers in the country from June 1 through September 18 of 2016.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for your information. I have made the appropriate change.

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  3. Very interesting. Please keep us informed as you proceed: caveats, wish-i-woulda's, etc. Good luck!

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