US visa wait times in Ecuador
Ecuador is one of only two countries on this site with a choice of posts: the embassy in Quito and the consulate general in Guayaquil both issue nonimmigrant visas. The two calendars move independently — and the difference between them at any given moment is often measured in months, which makes comparing the rows below before you book worth real time off your wait.
The table refreshes automatically from the State Department’s official report.
Current wait times — Quito and Guayaquil side by side
| U.S. post | Visitor B1/B2 — interview wait | B1/B2 — next appointment | Students (F, M, J) | Work petition (H, L, O, P, Q) | Crew / transit (C, D) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quito | Not available | 1.5 Months | < 0.5 Month | < 0.5 Month | < 0.5 Month |
| Guayaquil | Not available | 4 Months | < 0.5 Month | 1 Month | 1.5 Months |
Right now, Quito has the soonest B1/B2 appointment (1.5 Months) and Guayaquil the furthest out (4 Months).
Source: U.S. State Department Global Visa Wait Times (source last updated 2026-06-18; retrieved 2026-07-13). Waits are estimates and change without notice — verify at travel.state.gov.
The interview-wait column reflects recent applicants’ actual experience; the next-appointment column is today’s first open slot. “Not available” means that post isn’t offering the category right now — check the other post before concluding anything.
How to use the two-post advantage
- Book the shorter calendar. Nonimmigrant applicants can generally choose either post in the scheduling system. A sierra-costa bus ride or domestic flight is usually cheaper than months of waiting.
- Immigrant-visa cases don’t get the choice — green-card interviews for Ecuador happen in Quito on the National Visa Center’s schedule.
- Students: the F/M/J columns at both posts typically run shorter than visitor queues; compare them against your program start date, and use an expedited request with your I-20 if neither works.
- Renewals may skip the interview entirely via the interview-waiver track — the questionnaire decides.
Related information
- Ecuadorian consulates in the US — procedures in the other direction
- Form I-129F K-1 fiancé visa
- Paths to legal status
- Wait times in other countries
Last verified: 2026-06-11.
General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Laws and fees change — verify with the issuing agency before taking action. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or other appropriate professional.