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Working in Chile

 

Chilean Work Visa Information


There are three ways to legally work in Chile without applying for citizenship or permanent residency. Each is described below:

Special Work Card
This permits you to work while you are in Chile on a Tourist Card (the 90-day visa you obtain upon entry). It also serves as a temporary work visa while applying for the Subject to Contract Visa.

Subject to Contract Visa
This is the most common type of work visa in Chile, and is used by many Chilean businesses to hire foreigners under contract. To obtain a Subject to Contract Visa you must present a notarized copy of your employment contract to the Foreign Legalization Service along with two photocopies of your Tourist Card, two photocopies of your passport, and two 3x2 cm photos with your name and passport number. The Subject to Contract Visa will cost between $50 USD and $110 USD, depending on your nationality.

There are a few other stipulations for the Subject to Contract Visa, but your employer should be well versed in this if they have hired foreigners before.

A Subject to Contract Visa takes about two months to obtain (meaning you can obtain this while in the country on a 90-day tourist visa, perhaps even working with a "Special Work Card" as stated above).

After you obtain your visa, remember to apply for your Chilean Identification Card (See Immigrating to Chile).

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


Temporary Residence Visa for Freelance Workers
If you plan on traveling to Chile and working in a freelance capacity, or as a self-employed entrepreneur, this is probably the visa you will need. It is the most flexible for your requirements, but it is also the most difficult work visa to obtain.

The Temporary Residence Visa visa does not require a contract with a single employer, so it will not expire if you lose your job. But you will need to provide letters from three clients stating that they intend to hire your services.

The Temporary Residence Visa is valid for one year, takes about two months to obtain, and can be renewed once. After the renewal runs out you are required to apply for permanent residence if you plan to stay in Chile. The cost of the temporary residence visa varies by nationality: $350 USD for UK citizens, $105 USD for Canadians, and free for citizens of the United States.

You will need to provide two photocopies of your passport, two photocopies of your Tourist Card and two 3x2 cm photographs with your name and passport number to the Foreign Legalization Service.

After you obtain your visa, don't forget to apply for your Chilean Identification Card
(See Immigrating to Chile).