Visa Types — Chile

Major Visa Categories for Immigrating to Chile

*Note: Chile's immigration framework was significantly restructured under Law No. 21,325 (Migration and Foreign Affairs Law), which entered into force in February 2022. Fees and processing times are subject to change — always verify current figures with the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (SERMIG) or the nearest Chilean consulate before applying.*

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1. Temporary Residence Visa (Visa de Residencia Temporal)

Who it's for: Foreigners who wish to live in Chile for a limited period with intent to establish ties (work, family, investment) that may lead to permanent residency.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
• Proof of legal grounds for residency (job offer, family relationship, retirement income, etc.)
• Clean criminal background certificate (apostilled, from country of residence for last 5 years)
• Proof of financial solvency
• Application typically filed from abroad via Chilean consulate or through SERMIG online portal

Processing time: 30–90 business days (varies significantly by consulate/subcategory and current backlog)

Cost:

• Visa fee: varies by nationality, typically CLP $30,000–$100,000
• Reciprocity fee (for some nationalities, e.g., US citizens): USD $117 (one-time, non-refundable)
• Approx. USD equivalent of visa fee: $35–$110 USD

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2. Subject to Contract Visa (Visa Sujeta a Contrato)

Who it's for: Foreign workers with a signed employment contract with a Chilean employer.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Signed labor contract with a Chilean employer containing mandatory clauses (repatriation clause, etc.)
• Employer must be registered and in good standing
• Clean criminal record certificate
• Medical certificate (in some cases)
• Passport valid for duration of visa

Processing time: 20–60 business days

Cost:

• Visa fee: CLP $30,000–$74,000 approx.
• USD equivalent: ~$35–$85 USD
• Reciprocity fee if applicable (nationality-dependent): up to $160 USD

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3. Family Reunification / Family Ties Visa (Visa por Vínculo con Nacional Chileno o Residente)

Who it's for: Spouses, civil union partners, children, or parents of Chilean citizens or permanent residents.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Proof of family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, civil union documentation — apostilled and translated)
• Criminal background check
• Proof of the Chilean/resident sponsor's legal status
• Sponsor's proof of income (in some cases)

Processing time: 30–90 business days

Cost:

• Visa fee: CLP $30,000–$60,000
• USD equivalent: ~$35–$70 USD

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4. Retirement/Rentier Visa (Visa de Rentista)

Who it's for: Individuals with a stable, verifiable passive income (pensions, investments, rental income) who wish to reside in Chile without working.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Proof of recurring passive monthly income (commonly cited threshold: ~$1,000–$1,500 USD/month, though not always officially fixed — verify current SERMIG guidance)
• Apostilled documentation proving income source (pension letters, bank statements, investment certificates)
• Clean criminal record
• Health certificate/insurance in some cases

Processing time: 45–90 business days

Cost:

• Visa fee: CLP $30,000–$90,000
• USD equivalent: ~$35–$105 USD

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5. Investor Visa (Visa de Inversionista/Comerciante)

Who it's for: Foreigners intending to invest in a business, start a company, or engage in commercial activities in Chile.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Proof of investment or business formation in Chile (company registration, notarized investment documents)
• Business plan (sometimes requested)
• Proof of legal source of investment funds
• Criminal background certificate

Processing time: 45–90 business days

Cost:

• Visa fee: CLP $30,000–$100,000
• USD equivalent: ~$35–$115 USD
• Note: No official minimum investment threshold is codified in general law (unlike some countries), but practical amounts often exceed $50,000–$100,000 USD to be taken seriously by authorities

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6. Student Visa (Visa de Estudiante)

Who it's for: Foreigners enrolled in accredited Chilean educational institutions (universities, technical institutes, exchange programs).

Key eligibility requirements:

• Letter of acceptance/enrollment from a recognized Chilean institution
• Proof of financial means to support stay
• Clean criminal record (for students over 18, depending on age and duration)
• Valid passport

Processing time: 30–60 business days

Cost:

• Visa fee: CLP $20,000–$50,000
• USD equivalent: ~$25–$60 USD

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7. Work Visa for Specific Sectors (Visa de Trabajo Temporal / Sectorial)

Who it's for: Seasonal or sector-specific workers (agriculture, tourism, technology) under bilateral agreements or special quota programs.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Employer sponsorship in qualifying sector
• Contract meeting minimum wage and labor standards
• Health and background checks
• Sometimes tied to specific government quota programs (e.g., Haiti, Venezuela-specific historical programs — verify current bilateral agreements)

Processing time: 30–60 business days

Cost:

• Visa fee: CLP $30,000–$74,000
• USD equivalent: ~$35–$85 USD

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8. Permanent Residency (Permanencia Definitiva)

Who it's for: Temporary residents who have held valid temporary residency status continuously for a qualifying period (generally 12 months for most temporary visas, though family-based cases sometimes have different timelines).

Key eligibility requirements:

• Minimum 12 months of continuous legal temporary residency (varies by visa type held)
• No extended absences from Chile (generally no more than 180 days total absence per year, rules vary)
• Clean criminal record in Chile
• Proof of means of support
• Application filed with SERMIG in Chile

Processing time: 90–180 business days (can extend longer due to backlogs)

Cost:

• Application fee: CLP $58,000–$120,000 approx. (varies by nationality/reciprocity agreements)
• USD equivalent: ~$65–$135 USD

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9. Chilean Citizenship (Naturalization)

Who it's for: Permanent residents seeking full citizenship.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Minimum 5 years of legal residency in Chile (reduced to 2 years for nationals of Spain and Latin American countries under reciprocity agreements)
• Proof of "family and permanent ties" to Chile
• Basic knowledge of Spanish language and Chilean history/civics (assessed in interview)
• Clean criminal record
• Renunciation of prior citizenship is not required (Chile allows dual citizenship in most cases)

Processing time: 12–24 months (highly variable; decided by Presidential/Ministry of Interior decree)

Cost:

• Application fee: minimal administrative costs, generally under CLP $10,000
• USD equivalent: ~$10 USD or less (mostly free, but document legalization/translation costs can add up to $100–$300 USD)

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Key Considerations & Disclaimers

• Reciprocity fees: Certain nationalities (notably USA, Australia, Mexico for some categories) pay an additional one-time reciprocity fee upon first entry, separate from visa processing fees.
• Currency fluctuation: CLP/USD exchange rates fluctuate; USD estimates above are approximate based on rates around CLP $900–950 per USD (verify current rate).
• New Migration Law changes: Since Law 21,325 (2022), many procedures have shifted to require initial application from outside Chile (at Chilean consulates) rather than allowing tourist-to-resident status changes, with limited exceptions.
• Always verify: Current fees, processing times, and eligibility rules directly via:
• Servicio Nacional de Migraciones: www.serviciomigraciones.cl
• Nearest Chilean consulate or embassy
• Ministry of Interior and Public Security (Chile)

Would you like a comparison table summarizing these visas side-by-side, or a deeper dive into any specific category (e.g., step-by-step application process for the Rentier or Investor visa)?

More about immigrating to Chile