Every way into Chile.

Short-stay permit for foreigners entering Chile with no intention of settling: tourists, persons visiting for sport or similar purposes, international transport crews, treaty-covered visitors, border-area residents and official visitors. Most nationalities (including the EU, UK, USA, Canada, Australia and much of Latin America) enter visa-free for up to 90 days, extendable once for a further 90 days, never beyond passport validity. Citizens of certain countries must obtain prior authorisation (autorizacion previa) or a consular tourist visa before travel; some nationalities also pay a reciprocity fee on arrival, so the fee depends on nationality. Paid work is generally prohibited, with narrow exceptions for sporadic activity (performers, athletes, lecturers, technical experts). The holder must show sufficient financial means for the stay. This permit does not lead to residence on its own, though holders inside Chile can in limited cases apply for a temporary-residence subcategory.

Max stay

90 days

Validity

90 days

For foreign nationals who must regularly enter Chile to carry out executive or directive activities connected to businesses or investments held by Chilean companies. The permit allows multiple entries over its validity (up to 2 years, extendable) but the holder may not exceed six months in any single calendar year. It suits directors and managers of foreign firms with Chilean operations who need recurring access without relocating. Applicants must state the economic and commercial reasons for their visits and provide a letter from the foreign institution they represent describing their function, interests and income. Fees are reciprocity-based and vary by nationality. Applications are filed online from abroad through SERMIG using ClaveUnica; dependents may qualify under national law.

• Work: Limited to executive/directive business management activities; max 6 months per calendar year in Chile.
• Residency after 2 years
• Family: Dependents may qualify under Art. 74 of Law 21.325.

Max stay

180 days

Validity

730 days

For foreigners who must begin or continue medical treatment provided by institutional or private health-care providers registered with Chile's health authority. The permit is granted for up to 2 years and is extendable on proof that treatment continues and the holder remains solvent. Applicants must provide a medical certificate documenting the condition, treatment type, duration and cost, and proof of economic means (such as health insurance with adequate coverage) to meet living and treatment expenses. Fees are reciprocity-based and vary by nationality. Applications are filed online from abroad through SERMIG; dependents may qualify under national law. This route is purpose-specific and is not the standard path to permanent residence, though time on it can count where the holder later qualifies for Residencia Definitiva.

• Family: Dependents may qualify under national law.

Validity

730 days

For foreigners enrolled in (or admitted to) educational establishments recognised by the Chilean State, including universities, professional institutes and schools. The permit is granted for up to 2 years and is extendable for two further 2-year periods, tracking the study programme. Applicants must prove financial means to support their stay (bank deposits, money orders, a notarised family affidavit of support, or a scholarship certificate stating duration and funding). Student-permit holders may carry out paid activities up to 30 hours per week without extra authorisation, at their institution or elsewhere; exceeding that risks loss of student status. Fees are reciprocity-based and vary by nationality. Time on a student permit counts toward Residencia Definitiva (24 months; 12 in certain cases). Applications are filed online from abroad through SERMIG.

• Work: up to 30 h/week
• Study: Full study rights at the enrolled state-recognised institution.
• Residency after 2 years
• Family: Dependents may be included under Art. 74 of Law 21.325.

Validity

730 days

Chile has no dedicated digital-nomad visa; remote workers and freelancers use the 'remunerated activities' subcategory of Residencia Temporal on the basis of a service contract (contrato de prestacion de servicios) rather than a subordinate employment contract. The contract is typically with a foreign company or clients and is signed by an attorney-in-fact (mandatario) resident in Chile, with documentation of the contracting party's economic capacity. The permit is granted for up to 2 years and is extendable for two further 2-year periods. There is no fixed published income threshold, but applicants must show means to support themselves; fees are charged on a reciprocity basis and vary by nationality. After 24 months of temporary residence (12 months in certain cases) the holder may apply for Residencia Definitiva (permanent residence), which is granted for life and allows any lawful activity. Applications are filed online from abroad through the SERMIG digital portal using ClaveUnica.

• Work: Authorised to perform the remunerated activity defined in the service contract.
• Study: May study; formal study programmes are normally pursued under the student subcategory.
• Residency after 2 years
• Family: Dependents may be included under Art. 74 of Law 21.325, tied to the holder's status.

Validity

730 days

The standard work route under Residencia Temporal, for foreigners engaging in lawful paid work under a subordinate relationship with an employer that maintains a Chilean domicile or branch, or who hold a formal job offer from a Chilean person or company. With an employment contract the permit is granted for up to 2 years, extendable for two successive 2-year periods. The job-offer pathway grants an initial 90-day permit; within 45 days of entering Chile the holder must present a signed employment contract to obtain a 1-year extension. There is no fixed minimum salary published in the subcategory rules; fees are reciprocity-based and vary by nationality. After 24 months of temporary residence (12 in certain cases) the holder may apply for Residencia Definitiva, valid for life. Applications are filed online from abroad through SERMIG using ClaveUnica.

• Work: Authorised to work for the sponsoring employer / contracted activity.
• Study: May study alongside work; formal enrolment normally via the student subcategory.
• Residency after 2 years
• Family: Dependents may be included under Art. 74 of Law 21.325.

Validity

730 days

For foreigners performing specific seasonal duties for limited, single or inter-annual periods, typically in agriculture and other seasonal sectors. Unusually, this permit may be granted for up to 5 years (extendable for 2 more), but the holder may remain in Chile no more than 6 months in each calendar year. Applicants need an employment contract with an employer holding an SII certificate of inicio de actividades and a Chilean address, or a job offer for nationals of countries with bilateral agreements. After approval the applicant receives a Certificado de Residencia Temporal en Tramite to enter Chile; within 45 days of arrival they must lodge a notarised employment contract and proof of electronic labour registration (Art. 9 bis Labour Code) or face rejection. Fees are reciprocity-based. Because of the 6-month annual cap and seasonal nature, this route is not the standard path to permanent residence.

• Work: Authorised for the seasonal work specified; max 6 months per calendar year in Chile.

Max stay

180 days

Validity

1,825 days

For foreign investors, their legal representatives, and the executive, senior-management or specialised technical personnel they hire. Investors must commit at least USD 500,000 (or equivalent) to the production of goods or services in Chile, with a sponsorship letter from InvestChile (the national foreign-investment promotion agency) and documentation of the investment's purpose and amount. Hired executives/specialists qualify where a foreign investor holds at least 10% of voting rights or equivalent capital in the Chilean company. The permit is granted for up to 2 years, extendable for two further 2-year periods. After 24 months of temporary residence (12 in certain cases, including active business investment) the holder may apply for Residencia Definitiva, valid for life. Applications are filed online from abroad through SERMIG using ClaveUnica; investment progress evidence is required at extension.

• Work: May manage the investment / perform the contracted executive or technical role.
• Study: May study; formal enrolment normally via the student subcategory.
• Residency after 2 years
• Family: Dependents may be included under Art. 74 of Law 21.325.

Validity

730 days

Min. investment

$500,000,000

For foreigners who receive a retirement pension, or who earn constant income from the exploitation of real estate or financial assets, sufficient to cover at least their basic living needs. The income benchmark follows parameters set by Chile's Ministry of Social Development and Family rather than a single published figure, so the threshold is assessed case by case. The permit is granted for up to 2 years and is extendable for two further 2-year periods on proof of continued status and solvency. Fees are reciprocity-based and vary by nationality. After 24 months of temporary residence (12 in certain cases, including stable income/pensions) the holder may apply for Residencia Definitiva, valid for life. Applications are filed online from abroad through SERMIG; dependents may be included under Art. 74 of Law 21.325.

• Study: May study; formal enrolment normally via the student subcategory.
• Residency after 1 year
• Family: Dependents may be included under Art. 74 of Law 21.325.

Validity

730 days

A youth mobility scheme run under the 'International Agreements' subcategory of Residencia Temporal, selecting 'Working Holiday'. Chile has Working Holiday agreements with around 18 partner countries, including Australia, Austria, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Switzerland and Pacific Alliance partners. The standard age range is 18-30 (18-35 for Canada, Hungary and New Zealand). The visa allows a stay of up to 12 months with the right to work and study on a complementary basis to fund the holiday, and is generally not renewable. Applicants must hold a valid passport, a clean criminal record, international medical insurance, and proof of a return ticket or funds; applicants cannot bring dependent family members. Processing typically takes 15-20 working days and the fee (roughly USD 50-150) depends on nationality. Applications are filed through the SERMIG digital portal.

• Work: Work permitted on a complementary basis to fund the holiday.
• Study: Short study/courses permitted alongside the holiday.

Processing time

20 days

Max stay

365 days

Validity

365 days

For foreigners with a family bond to a Chilean citizen or to a holder of Residencia Definitiva. Eligible members include spouses and civil-union partners, parents (of a Chilean child), children under 18, disabled children of any age, unmarried children aged 18-24 in study, and minors under the applicant's guardianship or care. Applicants must prove a genuine relationship; the permit is granted for up to 2 years and is extendable while the family bond subsists. Holders may carry out lawful remunerated work. Fees are reciprocity-based. Because the qualifying tie is to a Chilean or permanent resident, this subcategory generally enjoys the reduced 12-month wait for Residencia Definitiva. Applications are filed online through SERMIG, with separate pathways for applicants abroad and those already in Chile.

• Work: May perform lawful remunerated work.
• Study: May study; formal enrolment normally via the student subcategory.
• Residency after 1 year
• Family: The route is itself for joining a Chilean/permanent-resident family member.

Validity

730 days

For foreign religious workers belonging to a religious entity legally constituted in Chile under Law 19.638 who need to reside in the country for activities directly related to the exercise of their cult. The permit is granted for up to 2 years and is extendable on proof of continued religious activity. The sponsoring church or congregation must certify the applicant's identity, describe the activity and commit to financial sponsorship, and the application requires an approval report from the National Office of Religious Affairs (ONAR) plus legal-personality and directory certificates from the Civil Registry. Fees are reciprocity-based and vary by nationality. After 24 months of temporary residence (12 in certain cases) the holder may apply for Residencia Definitiva, valid for life. Applications are filed online from abroad through SERMIG; dependents may qualify under Art. 74 of Law 21.325.

• Work: Limited to activities related to the exercise of the cult.
• Study: May study; formal enrolment normally via the student subcategory.
• Residency after 2 years
• Family: Dependents may qualify under Art. 74 of Law 21.325.

Validity

730 days

A protective subcategory of Residencia Temporal for foreigners who are victims of violence or vulnerability, or in other humanitarian circumstances recognised under Law 21.325 (for example victims of human trafficking or migrant smuggling, unaccompanied minors, or pregnant women without other status). The permit is granted for up to 2 years and is extendable while the humanitarian circumstance subsists, and confers the right to work. Because it addresses vulnerability, the financial and documentary requirements are assessed flexibly by SERMIG; pregnant foreign women receive a permit that is not extendable. Fees may be waived in qualifying cases. After 24 months of temporary residence (12 in certain cases) the holder may apply for Residencia Definitiva, valid for life. Assessment is case-by-case and discretionary.

• Work: May perform lawful remunerated work.
• Study: May study.
• Residency after 2 years
• Family: Family members may be considered within the humanitarian assessment.

Validity

730 days

For nationals or residents of states that have an international agreement in force with Chile. The flagship is the Mercosur Residence Agreement, under which nationals of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and several associated states may obtain temporary residence on the basis of nationality and a clean record, without needing a work contract. Other agreements covered include free-trade-agreement temporary-entry chapters (e.g. with the USA, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Colombia and others). The permit is granted for up to 2 years, extendable, and confers broad work rights. Requirements and effects follow the specific treaty; applicants generally show passport, criminal record, photo and proof of economic sufficiency. Fees are reciprocity-based and vary by nationality. After 24 months (12 in certain cases) the holder may apply for Residencia Definitiva, valid for life. Filed online from abroad through SERMIG.

• Work: Mercosur and most agreement holders enjoy broad rights to work.
• Study: May study under the agreement's terms.
• Residency after 2 years
• Family: Family members covered under the agreement / Art. 74 of Law 21.325.

Validity

730 days

Chile's permanent-residence permit, allowing the holder to reside indefinitely and engage in any lawful activity. Applicants must hold a valid Residencia Temporal and, under Law 21.325, generally complete 24 months of temporary residence; the wait drops to 12 months for those with family ties to a Chilean or permanent resident, prior official missions, reliable income or pensions, active business investments, or notable social/cultural/scientific contributions. The application must be filed through the SERMIG portal no more than 90 days before the temporary permit expires. Once granted, Residencia Definitiva is held for life (subject to not being absent from Chile for more than a continuous period set by law). Permanent residents may later apply for Chilean nationality by naturalisation, generally after 5 years of residence. Applicants must show income/livelihood appropriate to their original subcategory.

• Work: May engage in any lawful activity.
• Study: Full study rights.
• Residency: This is permanent residence; naturalisation generally after 5 years of residence.
• Family: Family members hold their own status; family ties shorten the qualifying period.