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.

Gringo911 – Emergency Response Service – in English

We have just signed up for a new service in Cuenca.  It's worth the money, and may just save your life.  For more information, contact Bob at:  gringo9oneone@yandex.com

This is from their posting:

Gringo911 is an emergency response service for non-Spanish speakers. It is based on a successful model started by the same personnel in Panamá in 2008, which is now operating nationwide there.

In an emergency (police, fire, medical), time matters. You want the phone to be answered by someone who speaks English, who can then dispatch first responders in Spanish – and quickly. Our dedicated hotline is staffed 24/7 by bilingual operators who can do just that.

But there’s more. Our online secure database contains critical information on member profiles, such as specific directions to your home, medical information, blood type, allergies, and medications you may be taking. We let the responders know your doctor’s name and which hospital you prefer to be taken to.

When responders arrive, our operator is available to translate between them and you, and we will call the hospital to let them know you are on the way, your insurance information, and medical data. This saves time and hassle when you arrive. And our operator is available to translate as necessary with hospital staff.

Get in a fender-bender or worried that you may be taken to jail? Call our hotline, and we will call the police, plus be available to translate. Need help filling out a police report? Our operators can help.

In the event of a death, Gringo911 is available to help your family through not only the language barrier, but through the often complicated paperwork and requirements for repatriating the remains.

You may be a long way from home, but you are not a long way from help. Check out our comprehensive website at www.Gringo911.com. Give yourself and your family the peace of mind you deserve, knowing that emergency help – in English – is just a phone call away, 24/7. 

Be prepared – do it today.