By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Ecuador has announced the immediate cancellation of visa-free airport transit privileges for citizens of 45 countries. Under the new directive, travellers from these countries must now obtain a Visa de Transeúnte (Transit Visa) before passing through Ecuadorian airports—even if they remain in the airport’s international zone and do not enter the country.
The policy affects passengers making stopovers in Ecuador en route to destinations in the Americas and beyond.
Here is the full list of countries now required to apply for a transit visa:
1. Nigeria
2. Ghana
3. India
4. Pakistan
5. Bangladesh
6. Afghanistan
7. Egypt
8. Sudan
9. Syria
10. Yemen
11. Ethiopia
12. Eritrea
13. Somalia
14. Democratic Republic of Congo
15. Republic of Congo
16. Cameroon
17. Liberia
18. Sierra Leone
19. Guinea
20. Guinea-Bissau
21. The Gambia
22. Senegal
23. Togo
24. Benin
25. Mali
26. Niger
27. Burkina Faso
28. Chad
29. Central African Republic
30. Angola
31. Mozambique
32. Zimbabwe
33. Zambia
34. Rwanda
35. Burundi
36. Uganda
37. Algeria
38. Morocco
39. Tunisia
40. Venezuela
41. Haiti
42. Cuba
43. Nepal
44. Myanmar
45. Philippines
Ecuadorian immigration authorities say the change is aimed at tightening transit regulations and addressing rising security concerns linked to irregular migration. Travellers from these countries are advised to contact the nearest Ecuadorian embassy or consulate before booking any flight transiting through Ecuador.