🇨🇱 Chile visa and immigration options

Chile is one of 197 destinations covered by Visa Ray. We map 7 pathways across work visas, study visas, business and investor visas, family visas, permanent residence, citizenship and visitor visas. Amounts are quoted in the local currency (CLP), USD or EUR where stated. Figures are reviewed periodically (our most volatile figures were last audited on 16 October 2026), but immigration rules change often, so always confirm with the official source before you apply.

Reasons to consider Chile

Based on the pathways we map, here is what Chile offers different kinds of applicants:

Work visa: Temporary residence based on a work contract with a Chilean employer, filed online; permanent residence generally follows 24 months of continuous temporary residence.
Study visa: Permit for students admitted to a recognised institution.
Business and investor visa: Residence via significant investment or business activity.
Family visa: Permit for spouses and minor children of lawful residents or citizens.
Permanent residence: Permanent residence after 24 months of continuous temporary residence, or 12 months on expedited routes.
Citizenship: Naturalization is available after 5 years of residence per one source.

Visa and immigration options for Chile

Work visas

Temporary Residence (Work Contract)

Temporary residence based on a work contract with a Chilean employer, filed online; permanent residence generally follows 24 months of continuous temporary residence.

Processing time: Varies; confirm with the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones.
Typical costs: Government fees plus translation, apostille and legalisation costs.
Government fees: Fees apply; confirm the current schedule with the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones.
Work and study rights: Work for the approved employer.
Family: Family members may apply for linked status subject to conditions.

Important: Public English-language detail is thin and rules change; this is a genuine content gap -- confirm current requirements with the competent authority before relying on it.

Sources reviewed: expat.cl Permanent residency in Chile 2026 guide, britcham.cl foreign workers special employment contracts

Study visas

Student Residence Permit

Permit for students admitted to a recognised institution.

Processing time: Varies; confirm with the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones.
Typical costs: Government fees plus translation, apostille and legalisation costs.
Government fees: Fees apply; confirm the current schedule with the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones.
Work and study rights: See restrictions.
Family: Family members may apply for linked status subject to conditions.

Sources reviewed: expat.cl Permanent residency in Chile 2026 guide, britcham.cl foreign workers special employment contracts

Business and investor visas

Investor / Business Residence

Residence via significant investment or business activity.

Processing time: Varies; confirm with the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones.
Typical costs: Government fees plus translation, apostille and legalisation costs.
Government fees: Fees apply; confirm the current schedule with the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones.
Work and study rights: See restrictions.
Family: Family members may apply for linked status subject to conditions.

Important: Public English-language detail is thin and rules change; this is a genuine content gap -- confirm current requirements with the competent authority before relying on it.

Sources reviewed: expat.cl Permanent residency in Chile 2026 guide, britcham.cl foreign workers special employment contracts

Family visas

Family Reunification Permit

Permit for spouses and minor children of lawful residents or citizens.

Processing time: Varies; confirm with the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones.
Typical costs: Government fees plus translation, apostille and legalisation costs.
Government fees: Fees apply; confirm the current schedule with the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones.
Work and study rights: See restrictions.
Family: Family members may apply for linked status subject to conditions.

Sources reviewed: expat.cl Permanent residency in Chile 2026 guide, britcham.cl foreign workers special employment contracts

Permanent residence

Permanent Residence (Residencia Definitiva)

Permanent residence after 24 months of continuous temporary residence, or 12 months on expedited routes.

Processing time: Varies; confirm with the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones.
Typical costs: Government fees plus translation, apostille and legalisation costs.
Government fees: Fees apply; confirm the current schedule with the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones.
Work and study rights: See restrictions.
Family: Family members may apply for linked status subject to conditions.

Important: Total processing is commonly cited at 90-120 days; fees are paid after first document review. Absences of up to 2 years are tolerated (up to 4 with one extension requested at a consulate); returning even for one day restarts the clock.

Sources reviewed: expat.cl Permanent residency in Chile 2026 guide, britcham.cl foreign workers special employment contracts

Citizenship

Citizenship by Naturalization

Naturalization is available after 5 years of residence per one source.

Processing time: Varies; confirm with the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones.
Typical costs: Government fees plus translation, apostille and legalisation costs.
Government fees: Fees apply; confirm the current schedule with the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones.
Work and study rights: Full citizen rights.
Family: Family members may apply for linked status subject to conditions.

Important: Chile generally permits dual nationality, but conditions and processing times were not verified in the sources reviewed -- genuine content gap. IMPORTANT: Public English-language detail is thin and rules change; this is a genuine content gap -- confirm current requirements with the competent authority before relying on it.

Sources reviewed: expat.cl Permanent residency in Chile 2026 guide, britcham.cl foreign workers special employment contracts

Visitor visas

Short-Stay Visit (Visa-Free / Visa)

Short-term entry for tourism or visits.

Processing time: Immediate at the border if visa-free; weeks if a visa is needed.
Typical costs: Government fees plus translation, apostille and legalisation costs.
Government fees: Visa-free for many nationalities; visa fees apply otherwise.
Work and study rights: No work or study rights.
Family: Not applicable.

Sources reviewed: expat.cl Permanent residency in Chile 2026 guide, britcham.cl foreign workers special employment contracts

Official sources to check

Where possible, confirm every requirement with these or the competent government authority:

expat.cl Permanent residency in Chile 2026 guide
britcham.cl foreign workers special employment contracts

Frequently asked questions

What visa options does Chile offer?

Visa Ray maps 7 pathways for Chile: Temporary Residence (Work Contract), Permanent Residence (Residencia Definitiva), Student Residence Permit, Family Reunification Permit, Short-Stay Visit (Visa-Free / Visa), Investor / Business Residence, Citizenship by Naturalization.

How long does the Temporary Residence (Work Contract) take for Chile?

Varies; confirm with the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones.

How much does the Temporary Residence (Work Contract) cost?

Government fees plus translation, apostille and legalisation costs.

Can I become a citizen of Chile?

Naturalization is available after 5 years of residence per one source.

How current is this information about Chile?

Visa Ray reviews fees, thresholds and other volatile figures against current sources (last audit 16 October 2026) and flags anything it cannot confirm. Rules can change without notice, so verify with the official government source before applying.

Related guides

Check your eligibility for Chile

Answer a few questions about your age, qualifications, experience and goals. Visa Ray ranks the pathways above against your profile and lists the gaps to close.

Start my Chile assessment →

Visa Ray is informational software, not legal advice or a guarantee of any visa outcome.

Explore other destinations

🇨🇦 Canada 🇨🇫 Central African Republic 🇹🇩 Chad 🇨🇳 China 🇨🇴 Colombia 🇰🇲 Comoros

See all destinations →