Chile Visa
If you’re planning to travel to Chile, it’s important to understand the visa requirements, the types of visas available, and the process for applying. Below are the main points to keep in mind.
Who Needs a Chile Visa?
If you’re not from a visa-exempt country, you’ll need to apply for a Chile visa. Visa-exempt nationals, however, can enter Chile with just their passport (or sometimes even an ID card) for stays up to 90 days. If you’re a national of a country that doesn’t require a visa, you’ll still receive a Tourist Card from Chilean immigration authorities upon arrival.
Types of Chile Visas
Chile offers various types of visas depending on your purpose for travel:
- Chile Tourist Visa: For tourism, issued for stays of 30 to 90 days.
- Chile Student Visa: For students attending a Chilean educational institution.
- Chile Work Visa: For those with a work contract in Chile.
- Chile Temporary Residence Visa: For those with family in Chile, making investments, or considered beneficial to the Chilean economy.
- Chile Working Holiday Visa: For young nationals from Australia, Canada, and New Zealand in the Working Holiday Programme.
- Chile Retirement and Periodic Income Visa: For retirees or those with regular income like pensions.
Chile Visa Requirements
To apply for a Chilean visa, you must provide various supporting documents, such as:
- Copies of passport pages, including personal information, issue/expiry date, and previous visas.
- Passport validity of at least six more months.
- Legal status proof (e.g., Permanent Resident card).
- Digital passport-size photo.
- Flight itinerary, hotel reservations, bank statements, letter of explanation for travel, and others.
- Letter of invitation if applicable.
Ensure you upload these documents in PDF format with appropriate names. When visiting the Chile Consulate, bring the originals of all uploaded documents.
Chile Visa Requirements for Minors Under 18 Years of Age Minors must also have the following documents:
- Birth certificate.
- Notarized authorization from parent(s) or guardian(s) if traveling alone or with someone other than the parent.
- Notarized permission from the other parent/guardian if traveling with only one parent/guardian.
Applying for a Chile Visa
The process to apply for a Chile visa is as follows:
- Start the Online Chile Visa Application: You can apply online via the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. You can choose your preferred language to complete the application.
- Answer Questions and Provide Information: Enter personal, family, and travel information. You will receive a verification code for returning to your application later.
- Attach Documents: Upload electronic copies of all required documents.
- Wait for the Visa to Be Processed: This typically takes 15 to 20 working days.
- Visit the Consulate/Embassy: After approval, go to the consulate handling your application to submit your passport and pay the fee.
- Pay the Chile Visa Fee: Visa fees vary, usually between $50 and $150 depending on nationality and type of visa.
Additional Information
Chile Visa Validity: Tourist visas are issued for up to 90 days, but this varies.
Visa Extensions: If you want to extend your stay, apply at the Department of Immigration in Santiago. Extensions are granted on a case-by-case basis.
Entering Chile Without a Visa: Nationals from visa-exempt countries will receive a Tourist Card upon entry. Keep this card until you leave Chile.
Overstaying in Chile: If you overstay your visa, you’ll have to pay a fine before you can leave the country. This fine can be paid at the Department of Foreigners in Chile.