Free guide · checked September 9, 2026
The SENESCYT Registration Process
Degree recognition starts online and includes physical verification of documents in Ecuador. A properly authorized representative can attend if you are abroad. Recognition and a professional visa are separate procedures.
1. Identify the route and prepare your documents
Choose the general, health, PhD, or eligible títulos propios route. Collect the identity document, apostilled or legalized diploma, academic record, field certificate and applicable additional evidence. Use the tailored document checklist. Files are uploaded as separate PDFs, up to 2 MB each.
2. Create your personal SIAU account
Use the official SIAU portal. Its account terms describe credentials as personal and nontransferable. Keep control of your account and confirm any authorized submission arrangement. Our service does not collect government passwords.
3. Submit for preliminary review
Enter the required personal and academic details and attach the documents for the selected procedure. Monitor the portal and registered email for corrections. Preliminary acceptance of the upload does not mean the degree has been recognized.
4. Generate and pay the government order
After preliminary acceptance, follow the portal’s payment instructions. The current fee is $25 for general and eligible títulos propios recognition, or $30 for health and PhD recognition. The manual describes online card payment and payment-order options; use the payment channel and reference on the issued order. Where bank payment is offered, follow the Banco Pacífico instructions.
The manual describes a 14-day window to generate an order and a 30-day payment expiry where applicable. Check the deadline actually displayed on your case and payment order. Do not pay against an expired order or confuse this fee with a private service charge.
5. Arrange the appointment and physical documents
Once payment is confirmed, follow the portal’s appointment instructions. For a representative, prepare a simple signed authorization, the required identification, and the academic originals matching the uploads. If mailing originals, agree the recipient and document list first and allow sufficient courier time before the appointment.
6. Attend original-document verification
The holder or authorized representative attends the selected office. This verification starts the substantive recognition assessment. Record appointment attendance separately from final registration.
7. Respond to the technical review and confirm the result
The published processing period is 30 working days from physical verification; the regulation allows an exceptional additional 15 working days. Requests for information and verification with universities can affect timing. No private provider controls the authority’s decision.
If corrections are requested, follow the deadline and procedure on the active request. Do not assume that starting a new application or resubmitting always avoids a new fee. Confirm final registration using the authority’s notice and official record.