Visas for Chile

The tourist visa in Chile

Citizens from the following countries can arrive in Chile without a prior visa for 90 days:

Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China*, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Granada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Kitts And Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent And Grenadines, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad And Tobago, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States Of America, Uruguay, Vatican City, and Vietnam

Citizens from certain countries must pay a reciprocity fee upon entry:

• Australia USD 117
• Mexico USD 25

As of 2019, citizens of the following countries require a Tourist Visa prior to arrival:

• Venezuela
• Haiti

Citizens arriving from these countries can receive only a 60-day visa upon entry - Greece and Indonesia. And citizens arriving from these countries can receive only a 30-day visa upon entry: Belize, Georgia, Jamaica, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, and Ukraine.

For a citizen of any country not listed above, you must request a visa prior to arrival in Chile from the closest Chilean consulate. 

Applying for a visa in Chile

You must first apply for a visa online before arriving. It cannot be done by mail. 

First, you fill out the online form. Then you must upload a PDF document of the following: first and last page of your passport, signed employment letter, latest bank statement, roundtrip airfare, and hotel confirmation. You must also have a digital photograph in JPG format. There will probably be fees attached, but they vary by country and are payable when you pick up your approved visa. You must pick up your visa in person at the Chilean consulate nearest to your place of residence.

The work visa in Chile (subject-to-contract)

This visa allows you to work in the country for up to two years with a specific employer with whom you have a contract. It can be renewed after two years, including for all of your dependents. You must reapply if you change jobs or you must apply for a different visa if you lose the job but choose to remain in the country. Otherwise, if your employment ends, you have 30 days to leave the country. Fees vary depending on your country of origin.

The student visa in Chile

This type of visa allows a foreigner to study at any state-approved educational institution in Chile for up to one year and can be renewed until your studies are completed. However, it is important to note that you are not legally allowed to work on this type of visa. The rules and a link to the application form are provided here.

The temporary resident visa

There are many different situations that allow you to apply for a Temporary Resident visa, but no matter the reason, all approved applicants receive a one year visa that is renewable for a second year. After you renew the temporary visa once, you must decide to either leave the country or apply for permanent residency. This must be done within 90 days before your visa expires. You are permitted to work with this visa. You may also include dependents on this visa, but they are not permitted to work in the country. 

Some reasons for applying for this type of visa:

• The applicant has a Chilean child, father, mother, or spouse
• You are a child of a non-resident foreigner- meaning you were born in Chile of foreign parents
• You have previously held a permanent residency but have left the country for between 1-5 years
• You are the child, father, mother, or spouse of a person who has permanent residency
• You are a missionary
• You are retired and have interests in the country
• You are an entrepreneur, businessman, or investor with interests in the country
• Your residence in the country will be beneficial to Chile

In addition to specific requirements from the consulate you apply through, this visa requires you to show that you can support yourself with any of the following documents:

• A copy of the last annual tax returns
• A copy of your latest bank statements
• Proof that you own shares that provide income or a rental income
• Proof of a pension, retirement account, or annuity

The following visas are also available from consulates:

• Opportunities Visa (visa de oportunidades) - based on a point system, professionals from certain regions may be granted this visa
• International Orientation Visa (visa de orientación internacional) - applicants must have earned a postgraduate degree from one of the world's top 150 universities
• Humanitarian Familiar Reunification Visa (visa humanitario de reunificación familiar): minors and students up to the age of 24 years and are children or have other legal ties with Haitian Citizens residing in Chile
• Democratic Responsibility Visa (visa de responsabilidad democrática): Granted to Venezuelan citizens due to the current democratic crisis in Venezuela 

If you are considering applying for a work, student, or temporary visa in-country, be aware that the options to do so have become more limited since 2018, and the recommended option is to apply for a visa at the consulate prior to arrival. 

If you do apply within the country, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, if you live in Santiago, you must apply in Santiago. If you haven't claimed residence yet, you can apply at another office located in most larger, provincial capital cities. This is often easier because the lines are shorter and you can get to know the people who will be helping you through the process. All renewals of temporary visas include a background check with the PDI, which is the investigation police of Chile.

 Useful links:

The work visa
The student visa
The temporary resident visa