After becoming and obtaining resident status in Ecuador you have an option to apply for your Ecuadorian citizenship. The only thing needed to qualify is to be a resident for a minimum of 3 years. The second passport can compliment your North American passport very nicely. There are some advantages of having dual citizenship especially if you plan on being in South America long term.

Top 5 Advantages of having an Ecuadorian passport

1. Ability to travel freely throughout South America. You can move freely through all the countries of South America without a visa. Just show your passport and viola. The only exception is French Guiana. Americans need to pay over $100 for a single entry visa to Bolivia and Brazil. Ecuadorians just stroll right on through with either their passport or the national id card.
2. Possible tax advantages. Opening bank accounts in other countries is becoming more difficult. The ability to hold a bank account in another country such as Ecuador enables you to loop the ever increasing restrictions implemented by the IRS on rules for citizens trying to bank abroad.
3. Save money on “several power nations.” China, India and several other countries charge Americans expensive entry visa fees. For example, a few years ago, entry to China for an American was $175 for a single entry visa. Ecuadorians paid only $35!
4. More doors open. Travel to Russia or Belarus without a visa. The United States and many other countries require an expensive visa for entry to those countries.
5. Less travel restrictions to Ecuador. Eliminate the requirement needing to stay in Ecuador a certain amount of days to retain your residency status. That’s right, citizenship status allows you to come and go as you please in and out of the country with no time requirements. Also, an Ecuadorian passport is one of the easiest to obtain in all of South America.