Ecuador suspended visa free entry to Chinese, from the 1st of July Chinese citizens will need a visa to enter the South American country. Before this Chinese citizens were exempt from visa for 90 days.
China and Ecuador reached a visa free agreement in 2016, since that both countries nationals were able to travel visa free and boos cross border tourism.
Increase in Irregular Immigration
According to Ecuadorian authorities Chinese citizens misuse the visa free agreement, as they don’t leave Ecuador legally and many of them want use Ecuador as a transit country to reach US.
In 2023 – 2024 66,000 Chinese were arrived to Ecuador, only 34,000 of these Chinese nationals were registered to leave the country.
The irregular immigration to US through south America reached to highest numbers in the history. The government of US suspended accepting asylum seeker applications at US Mexico border.
Chinese citizens now can travel visa free to 49 countries it was 50 countries but with Ecuador decision now Chinese nationals can Travel only to 49 countries.
Misuse ot Visa free travel
It’s not only Chinese citizens that misuse visa free travel to South America, Turks are among those irregular immigrants who misuse visa free travel and go to US.
Most South American countries don’t request a visa from Turkish nationals, first they enter countries like Brazil and than start journeys to Mexico and through Mexico they enter to US illegally.
South American countries are imposing some additional requirements to this citizens to avoid the irregular immigration, like Turkish citizens need a paid return ticket when they enter Brazil.
The pathway of Chinese irregular immigration to US
Chinese irregular immigration to the United States involves individuals bypassing legal entry procedures, often due to stringent visa requirements or limited immigration quotas.
Many of these immigrants seek better economic opportunities or aim to reunite with family members already in the U.S. Common methods include overstaying tourist or student visas and using fraudulent documents. In recent years, there has been an increase in migrants from China’s rural areas, driven by economic disparities and limited opportunities in their home regions.
The journey of irregular Chinese immigrants can be perilous and expensive, often involving human smuggling networks. These migrants may travel through multiple countries before reaching the U.S., sometimes entering through Latin America or using maritime routes. Smugglers, known as “snakeheads,” charge high fees for their services, often indebting migrants for years. Upon arrival, these individuals face risks such as exploitation, poor working conditions, and fear of deportation, making them vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
Once in the U.S., irregular Chinese immigrants often find work in low-wage, labor-intensive jobs, such as in restaurants, construction, and garment factories.
Despite their contributions to the economy, they live in constant fear of detection and deportation, which can limit their access to healthcare, education, and legal protection. MCommunities and advocacy groups have formed to support these immigrants, providing essential services and campaigning for more humane immigration policies. However, the overall situation remains precarious, highlighting the complexities and human costs of irregular immigration.
