Chile (CL)
South America's most stable and developed economy, Chile stretches 4,300 km from the Atacama Desert to Patagonia.
Capital: Santiago
Region: Americas
Language: Spanish
Currency: CLP ($)
Cost of living: Affordable (index 45)
Emergency: 133
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Citizenship & Permanent Residency
Long-term settlement options in Chile.
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Permanent Residency
Name
Residencia Definitiva (Permanent Residence)
Eligibility
Foreign nationals who have held a Visa Temporaria (temporary residence) for at least 2 continuous years. Also available via marriage to a Chilean citizen (after 1 year of marriage and legal residence). Refugees and humanitarian cases may have expedited eligibility.
Duration
Permanent — indefinite residence right. Cédula de Identidad para Extranjeros renewed every 5 years at Registro Civil.
Requirements
- ✓Minimum 2 years of continuous Visa Temporaria (no single absence exceeding 180 days in any 12-month period)
- ✓No criminal record in Chile and clean record from countries of previous residence
- ✓Evidence of economic means of subsistence (employment, savings, investment)
- ✓Updated documents: passport, criminal background check, medical certificate
- ✓Application submitted via sermig.gob.cl (Servicio Nacional de Migraciones online portal)
- ✓Application fee: approximately USD $50–100
Residencia Definitiva grants full right to work, start businesses, access public services, and sponsor family members. Under Ley 21.325 (Art. 83), Residencia Definitiva is automatically cancelled if the holder is absent from Chile for more than 2 continuous years — a one-time extension can be requested at the nearest Chilean consulate within 60 days before the 2-year deadline. After obtaining Residencia Definitiva, the 5-year citizenship clock requires 5 years of total legal residence (the 2 years as temporary resident count toward the 5 years). Cédula renewal at Registro Civil is straightforward.
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Citizenship
Name
Ciudadanía Chilena (Chilean Citizenship by Naturalisation)
Eligibility
Foreign nationals who have resided legally in Chile for at least 5 years continuously. Special reduction to 2 years for spouses of Chilean citizens (after 2 years of marriage and legal residence). Also eligible: parents of children born in Chile. Stateless persons: 5 years. Refugees: 5 years with potential concessions.
Duration
Permanent — Chilean citizenship does not expire.
Requirements
- ✓Minimum 5 years of legal and continuous residence in Chile (absences must be minimal and justified — generally no more than 180 days total per year)
- ✓Hold Residencia Definitiva for at least 1 year before applying
- ✓No criminal record in Chile or any other country
- ✓Demonstrate active participation in Chilean society (work, social contribution, community involvement)
- ✓Sufficient knowledge of Chilean history, geography, and institutions (assessed in the application)
- ✓Application to the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (MINREL) via sermig.gob.cl or directly at a regional office
- ✓Proof of means of subsistence
- ✓Birth certificate (apostilled + translated)
- ✓Police clearance certificates from all countries of residence in the past 10 years
Chilean citizenship is granted by Supreme Decree (Decreto Supremo), reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Interior and Public Security. The process currently takes 12–24+ months from application to approval due to administrative backlog. Citizenship grants the right to vote in Chilean elections, hold a Chilean passport (strong — visa-free access to 140+ countries), and fully access all public services. Children born in Chile to foreign parents are Chilean citizens by birthright (ius soli) unless both parents are transient or diplomats.
Other Routes to Residency & Citizenship
Citizenship via Marriage to a Chilean Citizen
Eligibility
Spouses of Chilean citizens who have been legally married for at least 2 years and have resided in Chile for at least 2 years. This route reduces the standard 5-year residence requirement to 2 years.
Duration / Outcome
Permanent citizenship
Requirements
- ✓Marriage certificate registered in Chile
- ✓2 years of continuous legal residence in Chile after marriage
- ✓The Chilean spouse must maintain Chilean citizenship throughout the process
- ✓No criminal record
- ✓Application to MINREL (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores) with marriage documentation
The spousal route is significantly faster than the standard 5-year path. The 2-year count begins from the date of marriage. Civil marriage in Chile requires both parties to appear in person at the Registro Civil. Under Ley 21.325 (2021), Residencia Definitiva is automatically cancelled if the holder is absent from Chile for more than 2 continuous years without a prior travel-absence permit.
Citizenship for children born in Chile
Eligibility
Children born on Chilean territory to parents with legal residency (at least one parent must hold Visa Temporaria or Residencia Definitiva)
Duration / Outcome
Automatic at birth
Requirements
- ✓Birth registered at Registro Civil within 60 days of birth
- ✓At least one parent with legal residency status
- ✓Both parents with transient or diplomatic status: child is NOT automatically Chilean
Chile applies ius soli (birthright citizenship) with the significant caveat that children born to parents who are both "transeúntes" (transient/tourist visa holders) are not automatically Chilean citizens. Children of one Chilean parent have citizenship by descent (ius sanguinis) regardless of birthplace.
🌍 Dual Citizenship
✓
Dual citizenship is allowed — Chile fully allows dual and multiple citizenship — naturalised Chileans are not required to renounce their original nationality. However, your original country's laws apply: some countries (e.g., certain EU member states, Japan) may require renunciation or have other rules. Check your home country's regulations before naturalising. Chilean-born citizens who acquire foreign citizenship also retain their Chilean nationality automatically. This makes Chilean citizenship particularly attractive for those seeking a second passport.
Citizenship & Permanent Residency
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