A Chile Temporary Resident Visa is issued to foreign nationals who want to live in Chile for a long-term but limited period of time. The Chile Temporary Resident Visa allows the holder to do any activity in Chile, provided that it is covered by the law. As such, you can work or study without limitations, as long as the visa is valid.
Who Needs a Chile Temporary Resident Visa?
Every foreign national who wishes to remain in Chile for a period longer than 90 days needs to apply for a visa. As such, if you are a foreign citizen and want to live, work, or study in Chile long-term (but no longer than two years) you will need to apply for a Chile Temporary Resident Visa. If your stay in Chile does not exceed 90 days, check whether you need a Chile visa at all. Certain foreign nationals are allowed to travel to Chile visa-free for short-term stays (tourism, visit, medical treatment etc.)Am I Eligible for a Chile Temporary Resident Visa?
You may be eligible to receive a Chile Temporary Resident Visa if you:- Are a family member of a Chilean citizen or a Definitive Permanence Permit holder (only available for spouse, child, or parent).
- Were born in Chile (but your parents are not Chilean citizens).
- Are a former Chilean resident but:
- Left the country for a period not longer than five years and lost your status.
- Lost your Definitive Permanence status because you were out of the country for longer than a year.
- Are a retired person or you have independent income from investments or property.
- Are a business person, investor, or merchant whose activities are of benefit to Chile.
- Are a professional, journalist, media professional or senior technician who will be working in Chile but will be paid from a foreign company.
- Will be doing an internship/academic work in Chile.
- Are a religious worker.
What are the Requirements for a Chile Temporary Resident Visa?
When you apply for a Chile Temporary Resident Visa, you will need to attach several documents, such as:- Photocopies of your passport’s relevant pages (personal information, expiry/issue date, previous visas).
- Your passport must be valid for at least another six months.
- A picture of yourself which follows these specifications:
- Dimensions: 4.5 x 4.5 cm (2 inches x 2 inches)
- Colored
- Professionally taken in a studio
- Taken in front of a plain white or off-white background
- You must face the camera with a neutral facial expression
- You must be wearing everyday clothes
- Glasses or any hats/headgear which cover your hair/hairline or face are not allowed.
- Certificate of police clearance issued from your country and any country you have lived in for longer than 5 years.
- Health certificate, issued by a certified medical practitioner, which states you do not carry a contagious disease and are in good health, issued in the past six months.
- Copy of flight ticket/itinerary.
- Proof of income, in the form of bank statements.
- A cover letter from you to the consulate, explaining your reasons for travelling and introducing yourself. Also give the information of your contact in Chile.
- An invitation letter from your contact in Chile, explaining the reasons of your travel and your residential address.
- If you will join a family member: Marriage certificate or birth certificate proving your family relationship, as applicable. They must be apostilled and translated.
- In case of internship/work/religious/academic reasons: Invitation letter from the company hosting you, signed in front of a Public Notary in Chile.
- In case of minors: Letter guaranteeing your parents/legal guardians will financially support you. Must be signed and sealed and authenticated by a Public Notary.
- If you have a contract: Include the contract, which is signed in front of a Public Notary.
- For academic purposes: Copies of your educational degrees/certificates. They must be apostilled and translated.
- Application form and personal information form, typed and in English. You can download the forms on the Chile Abroad – Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
- Any other documents related to your purpose of travel.
You must name the documents accordingly (eg. YourLastName_BirthCertificate or YourLastName_CoverLetter).
Keep in mind:
This is not an exhaustive list of required documents. The Chilean authorities can ask you to submit any additional documents as they see fit during any stage of your application processing. Additionally, because this type of visa can be issued for various reasons, contact a Chilean consulate to inquire about the exact required documents for your case before you submit them.
How to Apply for a Chile Temporary Resident Visa?
You have to apply for a Chile Temporary Resident Visa online. After the online application is processed and approved, you must submit your passport and documents to a Chilean consulate to receive the visa on your passport.Chile Temporary Resident Visa online application
You must submit your online application for the Chile Temporary Resident Visa through this website. The online Chile Temporary Resident Visa application process is as follows:- After you access the website, select the language on the top-right corner.
- Click on “Visa Application”. You will be redirected to the application/registration page where you have to give your age, passport number, country of residence and nationality.
- After you give your country of residence, you will be notified which Chilean consulate will handle your application. That’s where you must submit your passport and documents.
- Once you complete the first section, you will receive a Verification/Validation code. Save it because you’ll need it to resume your application where you left off in case you need to obtain additional documents.
- After you complete each section of questions, press “Save and Continue” to move on to the next.
- In the final section, you must attach electronic copies of all the required documents (see “Requirements” below).
Getting the Chile Temporary Resident Visa on your passport
Even though you apply for a Chile visa online, you still have to receive a visa stamp on your passport. The Chile visa is not electronic. To receive the stamp, you must go in person at a Chilean consulate along with your passport and the originals of all the required documents.Seeing as there are no Chilean consulates in every country, you may have to travel to another country to receive your Chile Temporary Resident Visa stamp.
However, certain consulates allow applicants to submit their passport and documents via post. Check with the consulate handling your application to make sure.
When your visa application is approved, you will receive the payment details of the Chilean Temporary Resident Visa fee.