It is relatively easy to obtain a visa for Chile that suits various purposes of an immigrant’s stay. For example, to obtain a residence visa and a work permit, all you need is an employment contract from almost any local company, and you are entitled to what is called a “contract-based” visa. After the second year of continuous employment, you are entitled to permanent residency and three years later, you can apply for naturalization and a Chilean passport (provided you meet the minimum time in country requirements). The bureaucracy involved in the immigration process is minimal and it is not entirely necessary to hire a lawyer, however some local advice and assistance makes the process a bit easier as the system is often slow to register visas.

types of visas

Tourist Visa: The most common and recommended way is for foreigners to enter the country on a tourist visa and then apply for a change of status to other forms of visa for Chile. It is not recommended that foreigners apply at their consulate in their country of origin before coming for other types of residence visas for Chile.

Temporary Residence Visa – This is the first type of visa issued when applying for any type of permanent visa for Chile. A temporary residence visa is usually granted after applying for and obtaining a visa under the Retirement and Periodic Income visa, work visa, professional visa, family member or through an Investor Visa application in Chile. All persons, regardless of the reasons for the application, must first complete temporary residence before qualifying for permanent residence in Chile. Depending on the type of visa, you will be a temporary resident in Chile for one or two years, and you must be physically in the country for at least 180 days within a one-year period to qualify to apply for permanent residence.

Most common types of temporary resident visas:

Retirement and Periodic Income Visa: This is a commonly used visa for people who wish to live in Chile, work, retire, invest, or many other things.
Professional visa: The applicant must show that they have a professional title and sufficient income to support their stay.
Contract Work Visa: You must have a contract with a Chilean employer. This visa takes two years of temporary residence to qualify for permanent residence.
Self-Employed Worker Visa – This is the newest visa in Chile and allows the applicant to work for numerous employers and provides a quicker path to full permanent residence than a contract work visa.
Chile Student Visa: A temporary residence visa issued to students who have been accepted to a Chilean university or other educational institute in Chile.
Investor Visa: This visa is complicated to obtain and should be avoided, unless circumstances are such that you do not qualify for any other type of visa.
Permanent Residence Visa: This should be the ultimate goal for the residency application, and regardless of the type of application, it requires at least 180 days of temporary residence in Chile within a one-year period. A permanent resident visa generally lasts five years and is renewable indefinitely. After five years, permanent residents have the option to apply for Chilean Citizenship or Dual Citizenship without the need to renounce their current citizenship.

move to chile

Most people find moving to Chile an easy transition. It is a modern, stable and relatively wealthy country that offers expats a great quality of life. With one of the largest economies on the continent, large amounts of foreign trade as a result of numerous free trade agreements, and a market-oriented economy, Chile is a good option for expats considering moving to the region.

Chile has public and private health insurance and its health standards are relatively high throughout the country, although private medical facilities in the larger cities are slightly more advanced. There are also a multitude of international schools that offer quality education, located mainly in the larger cities of Chile and particularly in Santiago.

Banking in Chile can sometimes progress on ‘Chilean time’, especially if one does not speak basic Spanish. There are some banks that have better reputations than others and banking with the bank that one’s business uses can offer many advantages. International transfers are possible, but these can take time.

Expat life in Chile is vibrant and fun-filled. With excellent standards of living, beautiful surroundings, and a welcoming population, many expats choose to extend their time there, a sure sign that this South American country is a great place to relocate.