Chile Visa
Traveling to Chile
Chile is a country on the west coast of South America that attracts over 2 million visitors each year for its culture, unique landscapes, and vibrant capital, Santiago.
Foreign citizens from almost 100 countries can travel to Chile visa-free for tourism purposes and stay for up to 90 days. Depending on the purpose of travel to Chile, all other foreign travelers should apply for the appropriate Chile visa, prior to their trip to Chile.
The Chile visa validity varies depending on the Chile visa type and the purpose of travel to Chile. Accordingly, transitory stay visas are valid for a maximum of 90 days. Travelers wishing to stay beyond 90 days in Chile are required to apply for temporary or permanent residence in Chile.
Chile Visa Types
Foreign citizens, who are required to apply for a Chile visa should apply for the appropriate Chile visa, based on the purpose of travel to Chile. The Chile visa types are:
- Transitory Stay Visa:
- The Chile transitory stay visa is for foreign nationals wishing to travel to Chile for short-term activities, such as tourism or family visits. The Chile transitory stay visa allows a maximum stay of 90 days in Chile. The Chile transitory stay visa applies to the following:
- Foreign nationals traveling to Chile for tourism, business, family visits, sports, or other short-term purposes, without the intention of residing or working in Chile.
- International crew members of land, sea, air transport of passengers or cargo.
- Foreign nationals from a country with an international agreement of reciprocity with Chile.
- Foreign nationals or permanent residents from a bordering country that shares a bilateral agreement with Chile.
- Foreign nationals completing an official mission in Chile.
- The Chile transitory stay visa is for foreign nationals wishing to travel to Chile for short-term activities, such as tourism or family visits. The Chile transitory stay visa allows a maximum stay of 90 days in Chile. The Chile transitory stay visa applies to the following:
- Temporary or permanent residence:
- The Chile temporary residence visa is for foreign nationals wishing to stay in Chile for a limited amount of time more than 90 days. The Chile temporary residence visa allows for a maximum stay of 2 years in Chile, unless otherwise specified by a specific subcategory. The Chile temporary residence subcategories are:
- Family reunification with a Chilean or a foreign national who holds a Definitive Residence permit in Chile.
- Employment activities with a Chilean employer.
- Student activities in a Chilean recognized educational institution.
- Seasonal work for a limited period of time in Chile.
- Custodial foreigners under the authority of the Chilean Gendarmerie.
- Foreigners under the authority of the Chilean justice system.
- Victims of criminal activities.
- Foreigners from countries covered under international agreements.
- Religious activities recognized by Chile.
- Medical treatment at a recognized Chilean institution.
- Foreigners who qualify financially to reside or retire in Chile.
- Foreigners who have previously held Definitive Residence in Chile.
- Foreigners who qualify to invest in Chile, such as legal representatives or senior managers.
- Foreigners who conduct business or investment activities on a regular basis in Chile.
- Foreigners who quality for Temporary Residence under the rules of reciprocity.
- The Chile permanent residence permit is for foreign nationals currently holding temporary residency in Chile who wish to live and work indefinitely in Chile. Applicants for permanent residency should apply within 90 days of the expiry date of their temporary residence expiration.
- The Chile temporary residence visa is for foreign nationals wishing to stay in Chile for a limited amount of time more than 90 days. The Chile temporary residence visa allows for a maximum stay of 2 years in Chile, unless otherwise specified by a specific subcategory. The Chile temporary residence subcategories are:
Chile Visa Requirements
The following are required when applying for a Chile visa:
Application form
Applicant can complete a Chile visa application form online.
Passport
Applicant should have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Chile and provide a copy of its information page.
Personal photos
The applicant is required to submit 1 recent, color photo on a white background, size 5cm x 5cm, with full frontal and non-obstructed facial features. Photo should be in JPG format, size no larger than 100 kilobytes.
Accommodation or invitation
Applicant should provide valid hotel reservations or an invitation from a Chilean host that is notarized by an official Chilean notary, complete with host’s contact information
Financial proof
Applicant should provide proof bank statements for the past 3 months.
Criminal record
Applicant should provide a valid certificate proving a clean criminal record.
Please note that most required documents should be uploaded in PDF format (except photo in JPG). Also, make sure you fill out the Chile visa application form, keeping in mind restricted letters and symbols.
Depending on your nationality and the type of Chile visa you are applying for, additional information may be required, such as academic letters, employment invitations, police clearance reports, or other. Minors are required to present a birth certificate, travel authorization, parental/guardian consent letter, or other documents, depending on the case.
Chile Visa Application Steps
Foreign nationals applying for Chile visas should follow these steps:
- Complete visa application form online
o Create a profile or log in online at the Chile Consular Attention System (SAC).
o Fill out a Chile application form online, with your personal details and other requested information. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully, as certain letters and characters are not allowed and required documents should be sent in a specific file format, among other conditions. - Await visa request decision
If the Chile visa request is approved, the Chilean consulate will send an email with payment instructions that must be completed within 30 days.
- Pay the visa fee online
o Pay the Chile visa application fee securely online with a valid credit or debit card within the 30-day time limit.
o Receive proof of payment by email. - Attend your interview
o Applicant might be contacted to visit their nearest Chilean representation office in person.
o At the interview, applicant must present all original documentation, including passport, originals of all required documents, and payment receipt. - Await visa approval
o Receive approved Chile visa to the email you provided OR collect approved Chile visa from the Chile embassy, consulate, or representation office where your visa application was processed.
o Check all information is correct and matches your passport.
Where to Apply for Chile Visa
Foreign nationals applying for a Chile visa should do so online at the Chile Consular Attention System (SAC) and their nearest Chile embassy, consulate, or foreign mission abroad.
Chile Visa Processing Time
Chile visa processing times vary depending on the type of Chile visa being applied for, the applicant’s nationality, and the Chilean embassy or representation office processing the application.
Chile Visa FAQ
Foreign nationals from the following countries should apply for a Chile visa before traveling to Chile: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Micronesia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestinian Territories, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The cost of a Chile visa depends on your nationality and Chile visa type you are applying for. If the visa request is approved, applicant shall receive an email with payment instructions, which must be made within 30 days.
Holders of valid Chile visas can extend once for an additional 90 days, by applying online with the Chile National Migration Service.
