How to Move to Chile: Full Guide (2025)

Jump to: Quick Facts · Living Essentials · Pros · Cons · Visas Guide · Residency & Citizenship · Business · Resources

Interested in moving to Chile? Here’s what you need to know:

Chile at a Glance

• Chile stretches over ~292,000 sq. miles (756,000 sq. km), and has a population of ~20 million people.
• Chile is long and thin (geographically), and is part of the volcanic zone known as the Pacific Ring of Fire. There are over 1,300 volcanoes found along the country’s mountain ranges.
• More than one-third of the world’s copper is produced in Chile. It is also the number one exporter of salmon (salmon and trout are significant export products).
• Chile is the home of the driest desert on earth – the Atacama Desert. It sees less than 0.05 mm of rain each year.

Living Essentials

• Currency: Chilean Peso (CLP).
• Spoken languages: Spanish is the official language. Native languages such as Mapudungun and Quechua are spoken only by a limited few.
• Major religions: Around 66% of Chileans belong to the Catholic church, while 16% identify themselves as Protestant or Evangelical Christians.
• Largest cities: Santiago is the largest city in Chile, with a population of nearly 6 million. Concepción and Valparaíso are the next largest cities, each with just under 1 million residents.

Why Choose Chile

• Chile is the first South American member of the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development). The OECD is an organization comprised mainly of countries with high-income economies that are leaders in economic development and world trade.
• Some organizations have praised Chile as having the most advanced medical care in Latin America. There is a good public healthcare system (available to expats), though you can opt for private insurance if you want. The medical facilities tend to be surprisingly modern, and the medical staff is very well educated. The country also has a good reputation in practicing successful preventative medicine.
• Chile has become one of the easiest places in the world to start a business (due to streamlined regulations and a favorable business climate). This has made it incredibly popular with expanding corporations and entrepreneurs in South America.
• Chile has been hailed as the least corrupt country in South America. This, coupled with its economic stability and low crime rate have classified it as one of the most “advanced” developing countries in the world.
• Chile is heaven for those who enjoy the outdoors, featuring diverse geography like the Andes Mountains and the Pacific coastline.

Chile Challenges

Note: these are common expat complaints, and may not apply to you.

• High-priced food items can make groceries one of the biggest expenses.
• One of the greatest dangers expats face when living in Chile is the high frequency of earthquakes. Though most instances are small, there is a real threat for damage from larger quakes.
• Many of the bigger cities suffer from constant vandalism in the form of graffiti and petty thefts.
• Driving in Chile can be a scary experience for expats from Western countries. It’s not uncommon to see people running stop lights, weaving between lanes, and making illegal turns.

Chile Visa Guide

Here are some of the more common visas issued to foreigners coming to Chile:

• Tourist visa: many individuals traveling to Chile for tourism purposes will be issued a tourist card (Tarjeta de Turismo) upon their arrival. They are permitted to stay in the country for up to 90 days, and must surrender their tourist card upon departure.
  – Citizens of certain countries (e.g. Australia, Canada, Mexico, U.S.A) entering Chile through the Santiago airport will have to pay a fee for their tourist card.
  – Check with the closest Chilean Embassy to find out which countries do not have a reciprocal visa agreement with Chile, in case you are required to apply for a visa before your trip.
  – Note: visitors of some nationalities still require a visa prior to  arrival. The Consular Short-Term Authorization can be issued for multiple entries up to 10 years for tourism and business.
• Temporary Residency visa: You can apply for temporary residency (Residencia temporal) under several categories: the most common are the family, retiree, pensioner, student,  investor ($500,000 USD or equivalent) categories, as well as the category for foreigners working for a Chilean employer.
  – All these permits must be applied for from abroad, except for the permit based on family ties to Chileans or permanent residents.
  – The Temporary Resident Visa allows holders to work, study, or conduct business for up to one year.
• Work Visa: first, your future employer must sign the work contract or a work offer in the presence of a Chilean notary. You must then countersign it at a Chilean embassy in your country. This visa is typically issued for two years (this duration can depend on various circumstances).

Since the introduction of the new Immigration law in February 2022, quite a lot of paperwork, depending on the chosen category, is necessary for an application, so many people choose to employ the services of a reputable immigration lawyer.

Residency and Citizenship

Becoming a permanent resident:

• The permanent residency (Residencia Definitiva) can be applied for before the expiration of your temporary residency (see above) and is intended for those who wish to settle permanently in Chile.
• A minimum presence in the country under a temporary residence permit is required. In case you stay out of the country for longer periods, you must first prolong your temporary residency before being able to apply for permanent residency according to the requirements stated by the current law.
  – Note: The new immigration law restricts absence from Chile to 60 days for maintaining permanent residence eligibility, down from 180 days.
• Permanent residency can be revoked if you leave Chile for more than two years and do not ask for an extension at the corresponding consulate. This extension can only be issued once for an additional two years.
• The documents you must submit when applying for permanent residency depend on the category on which your application is based.

Becoming a citizen:

• Chilean citizenship is granted based on several prerequisites defined in the Chilean constitution.
• Without having any family ties to Chileans, you are eligible to apply for citizenship after five years of residency in the country, counted from the beginning of your temporary residency.
• Once you become a Chilean citizen, you will be issued a Chilean passport.
• Applicants must demonstrate Spanish language proficiency and provide a detailed dossier, including background checks.
• The required documentation depends on which activity you are performing in the country. It may take quite some time (up to 3 years) until your application for citizenship is processed and approved.

Business in Chile

• Over the past few years Chile has tried to attract entrepreneurs and investors from around the globe. A number of changes in policy have made starting a business in Chile attractive to foreigners.
• Investor Visa: The new immigration law provides a special category for investors and related staff. The required investment amount is $500,000 USD or equivalent.
  – Note: depending on your situation, it may make sense to first apply for a visa under a different category and then open up a business without having the pressure to meet the stringent investor visa requirements.

Take the First Step

The best way to get started is to chat with someone who is up to date on the most recent Immigration requirements and changes.

Click here to book a 90 minute call with our partner – ImmigrationChile, a team of consultants with many years of experience.

• They’ll quickly answer any questions you may have about moving to Chile — and the best approach based on your personal situation.
• You can chat to them in English, Spanish, French, or German.
  

Helpful Resources

• Ministry of Migration – official government website with useful information on visas, residency, etc. (Spanish and English languages available).

How to Move: The Book!

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SEE ALSO:

• Brazil Immigration Guide
• Argentina Immigration Guide
• Colombia Immigration Guide
• Ecuador Immigration Guide
• Uruguay Immigration Guide