Chile (CL)

Required for entry to Chile and for all official procedures. Must have at least 6 months validity beyond your intended stay. Keep 2–3 certified photocopies stored separately from the original. Required for opening bank accounts, enrolling in FONASA/ISAPRE, and applying for visas.

Needed for family visa applications, marriage in Chile, enrolling children in school, and applying for Chilean citizenship. Must be an official government-issued original. For use in Chile, it must be apostilled (The Hague Convention) if issued in a member country, then officially translated into Spanish by a sworn translator (traductor oficial jurado).

Required for applying for spouse/dependent visas, joint property ownership, and beneficiary designations for AFP pensions and insurance. Must be apostilled and officially translated into Spanish for use in Chilean government procedures.

Required for professional licence recognition (habilitación profesional) at the relevant Chilean regulatory body or university. Must be apostilled and translated by a sworn translator. Engineers, doctors, lawyers, pharmacists, and teachers require recognition from the specific college or university. The recognition process (revalidación or reconocimiento) is managed by Chilean universities or professional bodies.

Required for visa applications (Visa Temporaria, Residencia Definitiva) and many employment contracts in Chile. Must be issued by the competent authority in your country of origin and each country where you have resided in the past 5 years. Apostille required; official Spanish translation required. Chilean equivalent: Certificado de Antecedentes (available from Registro Civil).

Required for the Visa Sujeto a Contrato (employer-sponsored work visa). Must be signed by both parties and notarized at a Chilean Notaría before submission to Servicio Nacional de Migraciones. For independent workers (boleta de honorarios), a formal service contract is needed instead.

Chile's combined tax identification and social identity number — the most important document for daily life. Required for: opening bank accounts, accessing FONASA/ISAPRE, signing rental contracts, purchasing property, filing taxes, and nearly every formal transaction. Obtained from the SII (Servicio de Impuestos Internos) as an expat; temporary RUT issued by Servicio Nacional de Migraciones upon visa approval. Carry the RUT confirmation letter or cédula (ID card) with you at all times.

The official document proving your right to reside and/or work in Chile. Types: Visa Temporaria (1 year, renewable), Residencia Definitiva (permanent), Visa Sujeto a Contrato (employer-tied work permit). Carry a copy with your passport. Register changes of address with Servicio Nacional de Migraciones within 30 days. Your visa document is needed for opening bank accounts, renting property formally, and registering with FONASA.

Issued by the Registro Civil upon approval of Visa Temporaria or Residencia Definitiva. This blue card serves as your primary identity document in Chile — accepted everywhere a passport is required. Carry it at all times. Validity matches your visa period. Renew at Registro Civil 90 days before expiry.

A valid foreign driving licence is required for exchanging or obtaining a Chilean licencia de conducir. Non-MERCOSUR/bilateral-agreement licence holders must pass a full theory and practical test at an authorised driving school before applying to the local Municipalidad. Citizens of MERCOSUR countries (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay) and others with reciprocity agreements can exchange their licence directly at the Municipalidad without a full test. International Driving Permit (IDP) is accepted for tourists for 90 days from entry.

Evidence of FONASA enrollment or ISAPRE (private health insurance) contract required for visa renewals, hospital registration, and benefit applications. If enrolling in FONASA, bring your RUT confirmation and employment contract (if employed). For ISAPRE, the policy document is issued by your chosen ISAPRE and serves as your health ID.

Children's passports, birth certificates (apostilled + translated), and vaccination records (carnet de vacunación) are needed for school enrollment, FONASA registration as dependants, and applying for residence permits for children. Chilean schools require an official school transfer certificate (certificado de estudios) from the previous school.

Required to bring pets into Chile: rabies vaccination certificate (minimum 30 days before travel), official veterinary health certificate endorsed by your country's authority, microchip record (ISO 15424/11785 standard), and SAG (Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero) import permit. All documents must be in Spanish or officially translated. Present at SAG desk at Santiago international airport on arrival.