Chile – Visas

Do I need a visa to move to Chile?

Whether or not you need a visa before travelling to Chile depends entirely on your nationality. Chile broadly applies a policy of reciprocity with other nations, so entry requirements differ from one passport to the next. If your country does not appear on the visa-exempt list, you must obtain authorisation from a Chilean diplomatic mission before departure.

Citizens of a wide range of countries — including South American nations, European Union member states, the United States, Canada, and Australia — may enter Chile without a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Upon arrival, these travellers receive a Tourist Card issued by the immigration authorities. In some cases, an identity card rather than a full passport is sufficient for entry.

All other nationals who are not covered by Chile’s visa exemptions must apply for a visa before they are permitted to travel to Chile. Foreign nationals who require prior authorisation or a visa must apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the consular representations of Chile abroad (Art. 169 of Law No. 21.325/2021). For more information, visit the Chilean Consulate’s website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Those admitted under a short-stay Permanencia Transitoria permit may not engage in any paid work. This permission is unsuitable for anyone intending to live, work, or study in Chile on anything other than a brief visit. A Residencia Temporal permit is the correct route for those purposes. Always verify your individual situation with SERMIG or the nearest Chilean consulate before committing to any travel arrangements.

What types of visa are available for people moving to Chile?

The Residencia Temporal is the permit issued by the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (SERMIG) to foreign nationals who intend to reside in Chile for a defined period. It is valid for up to two years, with a separate provision for seasonal workers. This is the primary pathway for the majority of expats, and it is divided into several subcategories to accommodate different personal and professional situations.

The Residencia Temporal covers foreigners in the following immigration subcategories: family reunification, persons engaged in lawful remunerated activities, students from state-recognised establishments, and seasonal workers, among several others. The subcategories most relevant to expats are set out below.

• Work / Remunerated Activity: The most widely used route for employed individuals is the Temporary Resident Visa, which includes specific subcategories for those arriving under an employment contract. For most foreign employees entering under such a contract, the visa itself confers work authorisation — a separate work permit is not usually required once the visa has been approved and activated.
• Retirees and Rentistas (Passive Income): Officially designated the Temporary Residence Subcategory for Retirees and Rentistas, this visa is designed for foreign nationals who can show regular, stable income from passive sources sufficient to support themselves in Chile without taking up employment. In purpose and concept, it is broadly comparable to Portugal’s passive income visa or Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa.
• Family Reunification: Foreign nationals with a family or cohabitation connection to someone who already holds or is in the process of obtaining a Residencia Temporal permit may apply for their own permit as a dependent.
• Investors: The investor and associated personnel subcategory enables foreign nationals who are making investments in Chile, or who are employed by an investor, to apply for Temporary Residence — mirroring investor residence pathways available in many other countries.
• Students: A student visa is available to foreign nationals intending to pursue formal studies in Chile. Applicants must have been enrolled or accepted at a recognised Chilean educational institution before travelling.
• Working Holiday: A Working Holiday Visa is available to young nationals of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand who wish to participate in the Working Holiday Programme.

Chile does not currently operate a dedicated digital nomad visa, but several other visa options can accommodate remote workers who wish to live in Chile. The Rentista subcategory is frequently chosen by those who can demonstrate adequate passive or freelance income.

Permanent residency requires at least 180 days of temporary residency in Chile within a one-year period. A permanent residency visa generally lasts for five years and is renewable indefinitely.

How do I apply for a visa for Chile?

Chile’s revised immigration law entered into force on 12 February 2022, and on 14 May 2022 SERMIG updated the categories of temporary visas. Several minor adjustments to visa application rules followed later that year, but the procedures are now consolidated. Information you may have read on other websites could therefore be outdated.

One of the most significant changes introduced by the 2022 law is that it is no longer possible to arrive in Chile as a tourist and then submit a visa application from within the country — except in the case of family reunification applications or applications by pregnant women. Other sources may still incorrectly state that in-country applications are permitted.

Applications for a Residencia Temporal permit must be submitted through SERMIG’s Portal de Trámites Digitales. The entire process is conducted online, allowing applicants worldwide to submit without visiting a consulate in person — though you will still need to gather and upload certified physical documents. The official portal is at serviciomigraciones.cl.

The step-by-step process for applying for a Residencia Temporal permit in Chile is as follows:

1. Determine your visa subcategory. Review the categories on the SERMIG website and identify which subcategory applies to your situation — for example, work, retirement/rentista, family reunification, or investor.
2. Gather and authenticate your documents. All documents issued outside Chile must be apostilled (if your country is a signatory to the Hague Convention) or legalised by the relevant Chilean consulate. Documents such as birth and marriage certificates must be translated into Spanish; using a professional translation service is strongly recommended to ensure accuracy.
3. Create an account on the SERMIG portal. Register at the Portal de Trámites Digitales if you do not already have one.
4. Complete the online application form. Fill in every required field accurately, select the correct subcategory, and upload all supporting documents in PDF format. The system has specific requirements for file size and format, so ensure every scanned document is high quality, clearly legible, and correctly labelled before you begin uploading. Errors in the digital submission can result in rejection or significant delays.
5. Pay the application fee. Once your application has been reviewed, you will receive an email notification to pay the applicable fee. The amount varies by subcategory — see the costs section below.
6. Await a decision. SERMIG will assess your application and may request additional documents by email. If incorrect or irrelevant information has been submitted, you will be notified and given 60 calendar days from the date of that notification to supply the requested documents through the SERMIG portal.
7. Download your Estampado Electrónico. Upon approval, you will receive an email with instructions to download your electronic residence certificate. The validity period of the Residencia Temporal permit begins from the date on which you download the Estampado Electrónico.

If you need consular assistance — for instance, to have documents certified prior to submission — contact the Embassy of Chile in the United States (Washington D.C.) or the Embassy of Chile in the United Kingdom (London). Applicants in other countries should reach out to the nearest Chilean consulate or embassy. Always check the current application procedure on SERMIG’s official website before you start, as procedures can change.

What documents do I need to apply for a visa for Chile?

The precise documents required depend on your chosen visa subcategory, but the items listed below are typically needed for most Residencia Temporal applications. This is not an exhaustive list — you will receive a specific checklist when you begin your online application.

• Valid passport: Your passport must have at least six months of validity remaining.
• Passport-sized photograph: Taken against a white background and conforming to SERMIG specifications.
• Criminal record certificate: Issued by your country of origin or any country in which you have resided over the last five years, duly apostilled or legalised. Begin this process early, as apostille procedures can take two to four weeks in some countries.
• Proof of income or employment: For a work visa, this typically means an employment contract or job offer from a Chilean employer. For the Rentista or Retirement subcategory, this means bank statements, pension letters, or equivalent documentation of regular income.
• Health insurance: You must provide evidence of health insurance — either public (FONASA) or private (ISAPRE) — with coverage in Chile of at least UF 600. A quote or an existing policy are both acceptable.
• Proof of accommodation: A rental agreement, property title, or letter of invitation may be used to show where you intend to live.
• Motivation letter: A clear and concise statement explaining your reasons for wishing to reside in Chile and how you will sustain yourself financially.
• Marriage and birth certificates (if applicable): Required when relocating with family members and applying for dependent visas.
• Legal status in country of residence (if applicable): If you hold permanent residence in a country other than your country of origin, include a copy of your permanent residence card or equivalent document.

Regarding translations: any document in a language other than Spanish or English must be rendered into Spanish. Documents originally in Spanish or English can generally be submitted without translation, but all other languages require a certified Spanish translation. If your country is not a party to the Apostille Convention, your local Chilean consulate or embassy may need to authenticate your paperwork. Always consult SERMIG’s official website for a definitive and up-to-date document checklist specific to your subcategory.

How long does a visa application for Chile take to process?

Given the volume of people seeking to relocate to Chile, processing times at the Chilean immigration service have lengthened considerably. You should begin planning at least six to eight months before you intend to move — leaving your application to the last minute is one of the most common and costly mistakes applicants make.

For Temporary Residence applications, processing times in 2025 have varied considerably from case to case. Some applicants have received a decision within a few months, while others have experienced substantially longer waits. Immigration advisers have generally recommended allowing at least four to six months for a Temporary Residence decision, though individual outcomes differ.

For permanent residency, the waiting period is approximately 18 months, and for citizenship applications approximately 2.5 years. These extended timelines reflect the backlog created by the COVID-19 pandemic, high recent immigration volumes, and the restructuring of the immigration service following the 2022 legislative reform.

Processing times are subject to change. Consult the SERMIG website for the most current estimates, and build in additional time for apostille procedures and translations, which can themselves take two to four weeks in some countries.

How much does it cost to apply for a visa for Chile?

Immigration fees in Chile are set by the government and expressed in UTM (Unidad Tributaria Mensual), a unit that is revised periodically. This means that any fee amounts quoted in fixed currency terms can quickly become outdated. The applicable UTM value is the one published in official government sources at the time of your application. Always check the current fee schedule on the official SERMIG immigration fees page before submitting your application.

As a general guide, as of 2025:

• Fees for Temporary Residence permits differ by subcategory. Certain humanitarian subcategories and applications involving children are exempt from fees.
• Permanent Residence applications carry a separate fee, also calculated in UTM.
• Short-stay tourist extensions (of up to a further 90 days) can be arranged through the SERMIG portal.

Beyond the government application fees, prospective residents should budget for a range of additional expenses. These may include: certified Spanish translation of documents; apostille or legalisation fees levied in your home country; health insurance meeting the required coverage level; and, if you engage an immigration lawyer or consultant, their professional fees. When using a professional service to assist with legalisation and document translation, the overall process can involve costs of around USD 1,500, as of 2024. This is a guide figure only — actual costs vary considerably depending on individual circumstances and the level of professional support sought.

All government fees are determined by the Chilean authorities and are subject to revision. Refer to the official SERMIG fee schedule for authoritative, up-to-date figures.

Can my family members join me in Chile on a visa?

Foreign nationals who have a family or cohabitation connection to someone who already holds or is in the process of obtaining a Residencia Temporal permit may apply for their own Residencia Temporal permit as a dependent. This typically covers spouses, civil partners, children, and parents.

The validity of a dependent’s residence permit is tied to the permit held by the primary applicant. If the main permit holder’s authorisation expires or is revoked, the dependent’s permit will be affected accordingly.

Foreign workers holding a Temporary Resident Visa in Chile can generally apply for Temporary Resident Visas for their eligible family members. The spouse or civil partner, parents, and children of the principal permit holder may apply for a Dependent Temporary Resident Visa, which does not authorise the holder to work. A dependent who wishes to take up paid employment in Chile would need to apply separately for their own Residencia Temporal permit under an appropriate subcategory — such as the remunerated activity subcategory.

The family connection to the main applicant must be evidenced with original marriage or birth certificates. Documents issued outside Chile must be apostilled or legalised by the issuing country and may also require an official Spanish translation. Consult the SERMIG website for the current list of documents required for dependent applications, as requirements are subject to change.

Can I extend my visa or apply for permanent residence in Chile?

The Residencia Temporal permit is granted for a maximum of two years. All subcategories may be renewed for two consecutive years. Renewal applications must be submitted before the existing permit expires, and the holder must continue to satisfy the conditions of their subcategory throughout the period of residence.

Once you have held Temporary Residence for the required period, you may apply for permanent residence. Residencia Definitiva is the permit issued by SERMIG to foreign nationals with a valid Residencia Temporal, granting them the right to reside in Chile indefinitely and to pursue any lawful activity. This is conceptually comparable to Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK or a Permanent Residence Card in Germany, conferring open-ended rights to live and work.

The standard eligibility requirement for Permanent Residency is at least two years of Temporary Residence. Applicants must demonstrate continuous residence in Chile over that period, with only limited absences permitted, and must show ongoing means of financial support through employment or other stable income sources.

Current regulations allow permanent residents to spend no more than 180 days outside Chile per year (as of 2024). Permanent residency may be revoked if the holder is absent for more than two consecutive years, unless a special extension has been requested from a Chilean consulate before that threshold is reached.

On the pathway to citizenship: a permanent residency visa generally lasts five years and is renewable indefinitely. After five years as a permanent resident, the holder may apply for Chilean citizenship or dual citizenship without being required to renounce their existing nationality. All Residencia Definitiva applications are made through the SERMIG Portal de Trámites Digitales.

What are the most common reasons visa applications for Chile are refused?

Knowing why applications are commonly rejected is an essential part of putting together a strong submission. SERMIG may refuse a Residencia Temporal application on several grounds. SERMIG may reject applications for Residencia Temporal permits by means of a well-founded resolution in accordance with Article 88 of Law No. 21.325 of Migración y Extranjería, including failure to comply with the requirements of each immigration category and subcategory established in Decree No. 177.

The most frequently cited reasons for refusal include:

• Incomplete or incorrect documentation: Missing, expired, or improperly authenticated documents are among the most common causes of delays and outright refusals. SERMIG requires submitted documents to be valid; review and update them before applying to avoid unnecessary hold-ups.
• False or fraudulent declarations: Providing false or falsified statements, or presenting forged or altered documents when applying for an immigration benefit before Chilean authorities, constitutes grounds for rejection.
• Insufficient means of financial support: Applications from individuals who have no profession or trade and lack the financial resources needed to sustain themselves in Chile may be refused.
• Criminal record issues: A criminal history falling within the prohibitions set out in Chilean immigration law can result in refusal. A criminal and/or judicial record certificate from the country of origin is required for all nationalities; this document must have been issued no more than 90 days before the date of application.
• Failure to respond to requests for further information: If you submit incorrect or irrelevant documents, SERMIG will contact you by email requesting the correct information and granting you 60 calendar days from the date of notification to provide it through the portal. If you do not respond within that timeframe, your application may be rejected.

To build the strongest possible application: gather all required documents well in advance, use professional translation services, confirm that apostilles are properly in order, be entirely truthful in every declaration, and respond to any SERMIG correspondence without delay. Make sure your income documentation is clear, consistent, and straightforward for the SERMIG analyst to follow. Seeking guidance from an experienced immigration professional can help you avoid the most common errors and present your case effectively.

If your application is refused, SERMIG must provide a reasoned decision. You may have the right to appeal or to submit a fresh application. Consult a qualified Chilean immigration lawyer for advice tailored to your specific circumstances, and check the SERMIG website for the latest information on the appeals process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I enter Chile as a tourist and then apply for residency once I’m there?

Under the 2022 immigration law, arriving as a tourist and then applying for a visa from within Chile is no longer permitted — with the exception of family reunification applications and applications by pregnant women. For all other categories, you must apply from outside Chile before travelling. Check with SERMIG for the most current rules, as your individual circumstances may affect your eligibility.

How long can I stay in Chile without a visa?

The Permanencia Transitoria permit authorises a stay in Chile of up to 90 days, which may be extended once for a further 90 days. Whether you qualify for this permission automatically on arrival depends on your nationality — consult the SERMIG website or the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a current list of eligible nationalities.

Can I work in Chile on a tourist entry?

Holders of a Permanencia Transitoria (short-stay) permit are not permitted to carry out any paid activities. To work legally in Chile you must hold a valid Residencia Temporal permit under the remunerated activity subcategory or another applicable category. Engaging in paid work without the correct authorisation constitutes a breach of Chilean immigration law.

Do I need to speak Spanish to apply for a Chilean visa?

The SERMIG application portal functions primarily in Spanish, and any supporting documents in languages other than Spanish or English must be translated into Spanish before submission. Although there is no formal language proficiency test for most visa subcategories, a working knowledge of Spanish will greatly ease day-to-day life in Chile. If the application process presents a language barrier, consider enlisting the help of a qualified immigration consultant.

Is there a minimum income requirement for a retirement or rentista visa?

The retirement and rentista subcategory is designed for foreign nationals who can demonstrate regular, stable income from passive sources sufficient to support themselves in Chile without working. No single officially published minimum figure exists, but immigration practitioners have generally indicated that approximately USD 1,000–1,500 per month for a single applicant (as of 2024–2025) is typically regarded as adequate. Consult SERMIG or an immigration lawyer for guidance tailored to your particular situation.

Can I bring my children to Chile as dependants?

A residence permit on humanitarian grounds is available for children and adolescents regardless of their parents’ immigration status. Foreign nationals with a family connection to a Residencia Temporal permit holder may apply as a dependent. A dependent visa does not entitle the holder to work, but children have the right to access education. Contact SERMIG for information specific to your family’s circumstances.

How do I check the status of my visa application?

After submitting your application, you can monitor its progress at any time through the SERMIG Portal de Trámites Digitales. SERMIG will also notify you by email if additional information is needed or once a decision has been reached. It is important to keep your contact details current on the portal throughout the entire process.

What happens to my residency if I travel outside Chile for an extended period?

Current regulations allow permanent residents no more than 180 days outside Chile per year (as of 2024). If a permanent resident is absent for more than two consecutive years without having requested a special extension from a Chilean consulate beforehand, their permanent residency may be revoked. Rules governing absences for Temporary Residents may differ — consult an immigration lawyer or SERMIG for the rules applicable to your specific permit category.