Chile Visa Requirements

If you are planning to travel to Chile for tourism, business, or study purposes, you may need to obtain a visa depending on your country of origin. Chile offers different types of visas, including tourist visas, student visas, work visas, and retirement visas. The requirements for each visa type may vary, but there are some general requirements that all applicants must fulfill.

Firstly, you must have a valid passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in Chile. Your passport should also have at least one blank page for the visa stamp. If your passport does not meet these requirements, you will need to renew it before applying for the visa.

Secondly, you will need to fill out an application form for the visa. The form may be available online or at the nearest Chilean embassy or consulate. You will need to provide personal information, contact details, and information about your travel plans, among other things.

Thirdly, you will need to submit a passport-sized photo that meets the requirements set by the Chilean government. The photo must be recent and have a white or off-white background, and you must have a neutral expression with your mouth closed and eyes open. Glasses may be worn if they do not obscure your facial features.

Fourthly, you may be required to provide evidence of your travel itinerary, such as flight tickets, hotel reservations, or an invitation letter from a host in Chile. You may also be required to provide evidence of financial support, such as bank statements, to show that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your stay.

Fifthly, depending on the type of visa you are applying for, you may be required to provide additional documentation, such as a letter of acceptance from a Chilean educational institution for a student visa, a job offer letter for a work visa, or proof of retirement income for a retirement visa.

Lastly, you will need to pay the visa fee, which may vary depending on the type of visa and your country of origin. The fee is non-refundable even if your application is rejected.

It is important to note that visa requirements may vary depending on your country of origin. 

Required documents for a Chile visa

Sure, here is a list of some common documents that are typically required for a Chile visa application:

  • Valid passport: You will need a valid passport with at least six months validity from the date of entry into Chile.
  • Completed visa application form: You will need to complete the visa application form and provide all the required information.
  • Passport-sized photos: You will need to provide two recent passport-sized photos with a white background.
  • Travel itinerary: You may be required to provide details of your travel plans, including your flight itinerary, hotel reservations, and any other relevant details.
  • Financial documents: You will need to provide proof of sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your stay in Chile. This could include bank statements, credit card statements, or a letter from your employer stating your salary.
  • Health insurance: You may be required to provide proof of health insurance that covers you for the duration of your stay in Chile.
  • Criminal record certificate: Some types of visa, such as work or study visas, may require you to provide a criminal record certificate from your home country.
  • Other supporting documents: Depending on the type of visa you are applying for, you may be required to provide additional supporting documents. For example, if you are applying for a student visa, you may need to provide proof of enrollment in a Chilean educational institution.

Chile Tourist Visa

The list of required documents for a Chile tourist visa:

  • Completed visa application form
  • Valid passport issued by the corresponding authority of the country of origin or similar document
  • Color photograph (5x5 cm) with a white background, full face and front face are 3/4 of the photograph
  • Proof of financial means to cover travel and stay expenses
  • Invitation letter authorized before a notary or hotel reservation
  • Return ticket to your country of origin or another for which you have entry authorization
  • Proof of civil status, such as marriage/divorce/death certificate or birth certificates of children
  • Criminal record certificate (may be required depending on the circumstances)

Chile Temporary Resident Visa

The additional requirements for specific types of Chile visa applications:

Family Relations with Chilean Spouse, Ascendants, or Chilean-naturalized Issue/Spouse, Parents or Issue of Aliens Residing in Chile Under a Permanent Residence Visa or a Temporary Residence Visa:

  • Certificate of marriage or birth, apostilled or legalized
  • Proof of sufficient economic means to allow settling in the country without becoming a social burden

Businesspersons (Entrepreneurs, Investors, Traders, or Rentiers):

  • Proof of applicant's status as an entrepreneur and its activities in Chile
  • Proof of investments to be performed in Chile as well as capital imported
  • Proof of status as a trader and activities performed in Chile or as rentier, by stating his/her property or Chilean capitals from which he/she regularly earns his/her income

Qualified Personnel (Scientists, Researchers, Academicians, Lecturers, Professors, Professionals, or Technicians):

  • Relevant degree, duly legalized or apostilled for professionals or technicians
  • Employment contract, duly legalized or apostilled, made with a Chilean legal entity or an international agency recognized by the Chilean Government; or legalized or apostilled copy of a contract made between domestic and foreign entities, assistance, technical cooperation, technology transfer, and skilled human resources agreements
  • Credentials or certificates from academic or university institutions, duly legalized or apostilled, to establish status as scientists, researchers, academicians, lecturers, or professors
  • Invitation or contract, duly certified by a Notary Public, from the institution or body in which they shall discharge duties in Chile

Communications Professionals:

  • Documents or certificates of the relevant company indicating the specific communication activities to be performed in Chile and the time it will take
  • Members of Religious Orders:
  • Documents or certificates duly certified or apostilled by the relevant church or religious community, which must be legally recognized in Chile, to establish such status
  • Letter, certified by a Notary Public, issued by the institution's superior in Chile, describing the member of such religious order, his/her activities in the country, and the place where he/she will discharge duties

Medical Treatment:

  • Letter issued by the medical establishment or institution, duly certified by a Notary Public, specifying the treatment to be undergone by patients and the reasons to carry them out in Chile

Chile Resident Visa Subject to Contract Visa

Additional Notes for Chilean Resident Visa Application Subject to Contract:

  • The employment contract must comply with Chilean labor laws and regulations.
  • The contract must specify the applicant's position, duties, and salary, as well as the start and end dates of the contract.
  • The employer must agree to be responsible for paying the applicable income tax on the employee's compensation.
  • The employer must also agree to pay the employee's social security and health insurance contributions in Chile or abroad.
  • The contract should include provisions for the return of the employee and their family members to their country of origin upon termination of the contract.
  • The employer must provide proof of their legal existence and registered address in Chile.
  • The employer must demonstrate that the employee is essential to the company's operations and the development of the country.
  • The employer must provide evidence of their VAT payments for the last three months and proof of payment of the employee's social security contributions during the same period.

Additional documents may be required by the Chilean embassy depending on the specific circumstances of the application.

Chile Student Resident Visa

These visa requirements:

  • Proof of Enrollment or Admission
  • Financial Support Documentation
  • Requirements for Student Exchange Programs

List the specific documents or information that is required by the Chilean government, such as:

  • For Proof of Enrollment or Admission: an enrollment certificate or admission letter issued by a state-accredited university or educational establishment.
  • For Financial Support Documentation: documents that attest to the applicant having sufficient means to cover their expenses while studying in Chile, such as bank statements, scholarship award letters, or letters from a sponsor.
  • For Requirements for Student Exchange Programs: a letter or certificate from the applicant's home university or educational establishment, attesting to their full-time student status and their intent to study in Chile during a specific term.

Chile Temporary Resident Visa for International Orientation

  • A professional or vocational degree is required for some visa applications to Chile, and it must be legalized or apostilled. This means that the document needs to be certified by the issuing institution and then authenticated by the relevant government agency in the country where it was issued. This process ensures that the degree is valid and recognized by the Chilean government. It is important to note that the requirements for degree legalization or apostille may vary depending on the country where the degree was issued.

Chile Temporary Resident Visa for Entrepreneurship Opportunities

To obtain a Chilean visa, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Proficiency in Spanish: Applicants must demonstrate at least an intermediate-level proficiency in Spanish by presenting a SIELE or DELE international examination certificate. However, individuals coming from a Spanish-speaking country and holding a high school certificate from such countries are exempt from this requirement.

Investment certificate: Applicants must present a certificate proving an investment of at least 2,400 Unidad De Fomento (UF), equivalent to about US$100,000.

Business plan: Applicants must provide a business plan indicating the Chilean district in which investments will be made.

Effective import into the country: Before the visa is stamped, the investment committed must be effectively imported into the country under Chapter XIV of the Chilean Central Bank's Compendium of Foreign Exchange Regulations.

Passport Requirement 

In order to apply for a Chilean visa, you will need a valid passport from your home country. The passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your planned departure from Chile. It is also important to make sure that your passport has at least one blank page for the visa stamp.

Additionally, some embassies or consulates may require other documentation related to your passport, such as proof of your travel itinerary or evidence of your financial means to support yourself during your stay in Chile.

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on your nationality. Citizens from certain countries are exempt from obtaining a visa to enter Chile as tourists for a certain period of time, while others are required to apply for a visa beforehand. It is recommended to check with the Chilean embassy or consulate in your home country for the most up-to-date information on visa requirements.

This varies depending on your nationality. For example, citizens of the United States, Canada, and most European Union countries are allowed to stay in Chile for up to 90 days without a visa as tourists.

The required documents vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for, but generally include a valid passport, a completed application form, a recent passport-sized photo, proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay, and a return ticket or proof of onward travel.

Processing times vary depending on the type of visa and the workload of the embassy or consulate. It is recommended to apply for a visa well in advance of your planned travel dates.

In some cases, it may be possible to extend your stay in Chile by applying for a visa extension. However, this is not always guaranteed, and it is recommended to check with the Chilean immigration authorities for more information.

Yes, there are specific requirements for these types of visas. Business visa applicants may be required to provide documentation related to their business activities, while work visa applicants may need to provide proof of a job offer from a Chilean employer.