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Immigrating to Chile

 

Immigration Law and Issues for Expats


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Departmento de Extranjería (Foreign Legalization Service)
Teatinos 950
Santiago Centro
(2) 674-4000
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Metro Station Cal y Canto

The Foreign Legalization Service will be your destination for most visa and immigration issues. The Real Estate in Chile website is not a law firm and as the laws change the following information may become inaccurate. However, we will do our best to keep up on changing legal situations and keep you informed. Below are the basic steps that you will need to take in order to start the immigration process in Chile:

Step #1 - Get a Tourist Card (Tarjeta de Turismo)
 If you have not already arranged to obtain one, you will receive a Tourist Card upon entering Chile. This card is issued at the immigration desk at the Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport in Santiago. The card is free for citizens of most countries, but Americans pay $61 USD, Australians pay $30 USD and Canadians pay $55 USD. The Tourist Card is valid for 90 days. It can be extended for a fee, but three months should be enough time or you to complete step 2, and move on to a temporary residency visa.

Step #2 - Get a Temporary Residency Visa (Visa de Residencia Temporaria)
This visa is good for one year and can be renewed only once. The reason we suggest a Temporary Residency Visa as a first step is because you may only apply for legal residency after you have held temporary residency for one year, or a student or subject-to-contract visa for two consecutive years.

Unlike the Subject to Contract Visa (Visa Sujeta a Contrato), the Temporary Residency Visa doesn't require a contract with a single employer, so it will not expire if you lose your job. It is the best option for freelancers, employees of foreign companies working in Chile, and the self-employed. Those who have guaranteed employment with a Chilean business may want to start off with a different type of visa. Your Chilean employer should be able to help you with this process.

It takes about two months to obtain a Temporary Residency Visa from Foreign Legalization Service. The cost varies by nationality: Citizens of the United Kingdom pay $350 USD, Canadians pay $102 USD, and the visa is free for U.S. citizens due to international agreements.

    What You Will Need for the Temporary Residency Visa in Chile
  1. Two notarized photocopies of your passport
  2. Two notarized photocopies of your tourist card
  3. Two 3x2 cm photographs of yourself with name and passport number
  4. A certificate from your employer stating your purpose in Chile, and certificates from Chilean companies that have contracted your company. OR, if you are self-employed you will need to provide a description of the type of work you do, and letters from at least three companies or individuals who plan on contracting your services.

Once you have obtained your Temporary Residency Visa, don't forget to register with the International Police (Policia Internacional) and apply for your Chilean Identification Card (Cédula de Identidad) at the Civil Registry (Registro Civil), which you will be required to carry with you at all times while staying in Chile.

    What is Required for Registration and Your Identification Card
  1. About $5 USD.
  2. Three 3X2 cm photos of you, bearing your name and passport number.
  3. Two 3x2 cm photographs of yourself with name and passport number
  4. This will get you the registration card. You will then need an additional 3x2 cm photo that will be presented at the Civil Registry

Policía Internacional (International Police)
General Borgoño 1052
Independencia
(2) 737-1292
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Metro Station Cal y Canto

Registro Civil Santiago Centro (Civil Registry)
Huerfanos 1570
Santiago Centro
(2) 698-2546
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Metro Station Santa Ana

Step #3 - Apply for Permanent residency (residencia permanente)
This allows you to live in Chile indefinitely and pursue any legal activity. You will are required to apply for permanent residency after you have been a temporary resident for two years, but you may apply after one year. If you leave Chile for more than one year, your permanent residence status will expire.

You can apply for permanent residency at the Foreign Legalization Service. It takes between 6 and 12 months to process your application, but in the meantime you may work under the terms of your Temporary Residence Visa. Permanent residency costs about $15 USD.

Of course, becoming a permanent resident in another country is never as easy as 1-2-3. There will be roadblocks along the way, and everyone's situation will be different. Certain things might help you obtain permanent residency. For instance: family in Chile, a college education, a large savings account, owning real estate in chile, fluency in spanish, skills that are high in demand, and of course the help of a qualified attorney.

For more information about living and working in Chile, you may want to obtain the following publication by a law firm located in Chile:
"Working Visas and Authorizations for Foreigners in Chile."
Montt, Iruarrizaga y Cía, Ltda
Avenida Los Conquistadores 1700, 11th floor
Providencia
233-8266
Metro Station Manuel Montt
jmontt@ctc-mundo.net

Anyone serious about immigrating to Chile should seek the help of a qualified immigration lawyer in Chile. The US Embassy in Chile has compiled a list of practicing attorneys in Santiago, Chile. It might be helpful to contact some of the law firms on the list. Click here to view the PDF file in a new window.