Santiago – Immigration

The government of Chile offers several types of visas for foreign travelers. These include tourist visas which allow stays of between 30 and 90 days depending on the country you are a citizen of. Obtaining a visa for Chile is a relatively easy process, however specific documents are required including:

  • Copies of passport pages, including all personal information from a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry
  • Proof of legal status of residence in your home country, if required in addition to the passport
  • Passport-sized photo that is 4.5 cm x 4.5 cm
  • Full flight and hotel itineraries and proof of reservation / return flight
  • Bank statements from the previous three months
  • Cover letter that explains the reason for the trip
  • Letter of invitation, if required (i.e. for a visitor visa when traveling on business)

In addition to tourist visas, the following types of visas are made available:

  • Student visa
  • Work visa (requires existing work contract in Chile)
  • Temporary Residence visa (for those with family ties to Chile or those looking to make an investment into Chile; valid for a maximum period of one year)
  • Working Holiday visa (available primarily to citizens of Australia, Canada and New Zealand)

For those seeking to invest in Chile, investment visas are available. These require a minimum investment into the country of USD $60,000 and require that, upon approval, the investor’s company begin within three months of temporary residency approval. Stringent checks by the government will be done to ensure investors comply with the rules. After five years of residency in Chile, it is possible to apply for naturalization and obtain a passport. Chile’s passport is considered one of the most valuable in the world, with access to 157 countries visa-free including the USA, Canada and the European Union.

 

 

Santiago Immigration Office

Address: Agustinas 1320, Santiago
Phone: 800 364 600
Operating Hours:
– Monday 9:00am – 2:00pm
– Tuesday 9:00am – 2:00pm
– Wednesday 9:00am – 2:00pm
– Thursday 9:00am – 2:00pm
– Friday 9:00am – 2:00pm
– Saturday closed
– Sunday closed
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