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

Visa & Immigration

Entry and residence options for Chile.

Visa-Free Access

Chile allows visa-free entry for 90 days (extendable once to 180 days as tourist) for citizens of: all EU member states, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, UK, most Latin American countries, and approximately 90 countries total. Citizens of some countries (including Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Cuba, and others) require a visa in advance — always check the current list at the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones website (sermig.gob.cl) before travelling, as requirements change. Note: visa-free entry does not grant the right to work.

All immigration applications are now processed through the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones online portal (sermig.gob.cl). Upon visa approval, a Cédula de Identidad para Extranjeros (foreign ID card) is issued by the Registro Civil — collect it in person. Your RUT (tax ID) is embedded in this cédula. Register any change of address with Migraciones within 30 days of moving. Notaría visits are required for certain document authentication steps — maintain a list of trusted notarías near your home. The processing times above are targets; actual times vary and can be significantly longer during peak periods. Engage an immigration lawyer (abogado de extranjería) for complex situations — fees range from CLP $150,000 for consultations to CLP $800,000+ for full representation.

Tourist / Visitor Visa (Turista)

Permiso de Turismo

Free for most nationalities. Some countries: USD $30–160 reciprocity fee.

Duration: 90 days on entry, extendable once at Servicio Nacional de Migraciones for an additional 90 days (total 180 days maximum). Cannot work legally.

Eligibility

Citizens of countries with visa-free arrangements; citizens of non-exempt countries must apply at a Chilean consulate before arrival

Processing time

Immediate at border/port of entry for visa-free nationalities

Requirements

✓Valid passport (6+ months validity)
✓Return or onward ticket
✓Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host letter)
✓Proof of sufficient funds
✓Travel health insurance (recommended but not always checked at border)

💡 Tourist status does not allow work. Working on a tourist visa is illegal and results in deportation and a re-entry ban. The border extension (prórroga) must be requested at Servicio Nacional de Migraciones before the initial 90 days expire. After 180 days, you must leave Chile and re-enter (visa run) — though frequent tourist visa runs may result in scrutiny.

Work Visa Subject to Contract

Visa Sujeto a Contrato

USD $30–150 consular fee depending on nationality; employer typically bears costs

Duration: 1 year (renewable), tied to the specific employer. Can be changed to Visa Temporaria after 1 year.

Eligibility

Foreign nationals with a signed employment contract with a Chilean employer who will pay their salary directly

Processing time

15–45 business days at Servicio Nacional de Migraciones

Requirements

✓Signed employment contract (contrato de trabajo) notarised at a Chilean Notaría
✓Valid passport
✓Criminal background check from country of origin (apostilled and translated)
✓Medical certificate (certificado médico)
✓Employer's RUT and commercial registration
✓Employer's letter of sponsorship

💡 Tied to one employer — changing jobs requires a new visa application or conversion to Visa Temporaria. The employer must notify Migraciones if the employment relationship ends. Not suitable for self-employed or freelance workers. Employer must have no outstanding migration compliance issues. This visa is the most common route for corporate expat transfers to Chile.

Temporary Residence Visa

Visa Temporaria

USD $30–150 consular/application fee depending on category

Duration: 1 year, renewable annually. After 2 years of continuous temporary residence: eligible for Residencia Definitiva.

Eligibility

Foreign nationals who demonstrate ties to Chile (family, investment, cultural, humanitarian) or who have completed 1 year on a Visa Sujeto a Contrato

Processing time

30–90 business days

Requirements

✓Valid passport
✓Criminal background check from each country of residence in the past 5 years (apostilled + translated)
✓Medical certificate
✓Proof of reason for residence (employment, family tie, investment, etc.)
✓Proof of means of subsistence (bank statements, income evidence)
✓Recent photos
✓Completed online application via sermig.gob.cl

💡 The Visa Temporaria is more flexible than the Visa Sujeto a Contrato — holders can work for any employer and also work independently (boleta de honorarios). Must notify Servicio Nacional de Migraciones within 30 days of any change of address. Cannot be absent from Chile for more than 180 days in a year without jeopardising the residency period count for Residencia Definitiva. Applications are now filed online at sermig.gob.cl.

Temporary Residence Visa — Remote Worker / Independent Contractor

Visa Temporaria (actividad remunerada por cuenta propia)

USD $30–150 application fee (consular or in-country)

Duration: 1 year, renewable. Counts toward the 2 years of continuous temporary residence required for Residencia Definitiva.

Eligibility

Remote workers employed by companies or clients outside Chile, with income from abroad. Must not work for Chilean employers or derive income from Chilean sources. Chile does not have a separate, distinctly named "digital nomad visa" — remote workers apply under this Visa Temporaria subcategory created by Decreto 177 (2022) under Ley de Migraciones 21.325.

Processing time

30–60 business days

Requirements

✓Proof of remote employment or freelance work for non-Chilean company (employment contract or client contracts)
✓Proof of income of at least USD $1,500/month (bank statements, contracts)
✓Health insurance covering Chile
✓Criminal background check
✓Valid passport

💡 Sermig.gob.cl confirms Chile has no dedicated, separately branded digital nomad visa as of 2026 — remote workers use this Visa Temporaria subcategory. Cannot be used to work for Chilean clients or companies. Renewable annually and can lead to Residencia Definitiva after 2 years, unlike a non-renewable standalone nomad visa. Ideal for remote workers wanting to base themselves in Santiago or Chilean Patagonia while working for foreign employers.

Student Visa

Visa de Estudiante

USD $30–150

Duration: Duration of academic programme, renewable annually

Eligibility

Foreign nationals enrolled full-time in a Chilean accredited educational institution (university, language school, technical institute)

Processing time

30–60 business days

Requirements

✓Acceptance letter from accredited Chilean institution
✓Proof of tuition payment or scholarship
✓Proof of financial means (CLP $200,000+/month)
✓Criminal background check
✓Medical certificate
✓Health insurance

💡 Part-time work is permitted (up to 20 hours/week) on a student visa if authorized. Many language schools issue acceptance letters for student visas to enable longer stays. Graduates may convert to Visa Temporaria or Sujeto a Contrato after completing their programme.

Permanent Residence (Residencia Definitiva)

Residencia Definitiva

USD $30–100

Duration: Permanent (valid indefinitely; cédula renewed every 5 years)

Eligibility

Foreign nationals who have held Visa Temporaria for at least 2 continuous years in Chile

Processing time

60–120 business days

Requirements

✓Minimum 2 years of continuous Visa Temporaria (max 180-day absence per year)
✓No serious criminal record in Chile
✓Evidence of integration and means of subsistence
✓Application via sermig.gob.cl with updated documents

💡 Residencia Definitiva holders have the right to work freely, start businesses, and access most public services on par with Chilean citizens. The cédula de identidad is renewed every 5 years at Registro Civil. Cannot be used to apply for Chilean citizenship immediately — citizenship requires 5 years of legal residence. Absence from Chile for more than 1 consecutive year without a travel permit may cause automatic cancellation.

No dedicated digital nomad visa — Temporary Residence Visa (remote-worker subcategory) used instead

Digital Nomad

Visa Temporaria (actividad remunerada por cuenta propia)

USD $30–150

Duration: 1 year, renewable; counts toward the 2 years needed for Residencia Definitiva

Eligibility

Chile does not offer a separately branded digital nomad visa as of 2026 (confirmed at sermig.gob.cl). Remote workers with income from non-Chilean employers or clients, demonstrating at least USD $1,500/month income, apply under the general Visa Temporaria.

Processing time

30–60 business days

Requirements

✓Proof of remote employment or contracts with non-Chilean companies
✓Bank statements showing monthly income of USD $1,500+
✓International health insurance valid in Chile
✓Criminal background check (apostilled + Spanish translation)
✓Valid passport (6+ months)

💡 Foreign-source income is not subject to Chilean tax during this visa. Cannot perform paid work for Chilean entities. Ideal for Santiago-based remote workers. Unlike non-renewable nomad visas elsewhere, this Visa Temporaria is renewable and leads toward permanent residency. Apply online at sermig.gob.cl.

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