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

• Area: Approximately 292,000 sq. miles (756,000 sq. km)
• Population: Around 19.8 million people
• Geography: Long and narrow country; part of the Pacific Ring of Fire with over 1,300 volcanoes
• Economy:
  • Copper: Produces more than one-third of the world’s copper
  • Salmon: Leading exporter of salmon and trout
• Natural Wonders: Home to the Atacama Desert, the driest desert on Earth, receiving less than 0.05 mm of rain annually

🏠 Living Essentials

• Currency: Chilean Peso (CLP)
• Languages:
  • Official: Spanish
  • Indigenous: Mapudungun and Quechua, spoken by limited communities
• Religions:
  • Catholic: ~66% of the population
  • Protestant/Evangelical: ~16%
• Major Cities:
  • Santiago: Capital and largest city with nearly 6 million residents
  • Concepción: just under 1 million residents
  • Valparaíso: just under 1 million residents

🤔 Why Choose Chile

• Economic Development: First South American member of the OECD, indicating a high-income economy
• Healthcare: Renowned for advanced medical care; offers both public and private healthcare options
• Business Environment: Streamlined regulations make it one of the easiest places in the world to start a business
• Corruption and Safety: Recognized as the least corrupt country in South America with low crime rates
• Outdoor Activities: Diverse geography, including the Andes Mountains and Pacific coastline, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts

⚠️ Chile Challenges

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

• Cost of Living: High-priced food items can make groceries one of the biggest expenses
• Natural Disasters: Frequent earthquakes pose a risk, though most are minor
• Urban Issues: Some cities experience vandalism and petty theft
• Driving Conditions: Driving can be challenging due to aggressive driving behaviors

🛂 Chile Visa Guide

Common visas issued to foreigners coming to Chile:

Tourist Visa (Tarjeta de Turismo):

• Stay Duration: Up to 90 days upon arrival.
• Extension: Extendable for an additional 90 days by paying a $100 USD fee at the Chilean Immigration Office.
• Reciprocity Fees: Citizens from Australia and Mexico must pay a fee upon entry.
• Visa Requirements: U.S. citizens do not require a visa for stays up to 90 days. (travel.state.gov)

Temporary Residency Visa (Residencia Temporal):

• Categories: Available for family ties, retirees, students, investors (minimum $500,000 USD investment), and foreign workers employed by Chilean companies.
• Application Location: Generally applied for from abroad, except for family-based permits.
• Validity: Allows work, study, or business activities for up to one year.

Work Visa:

• Employer Requirement: Employer must sign a work contract in the presence of a Chilean notary.
• Applicant Action: Countersign the contract at a Chilean embassy in your country.
• Validity: Typically issued for two years, subject to various conditions.
• Note: The February 2022 immigration law introduced extensive paperwork; consider consulting a reputable immigration lawyer.

🛬 Residency and Citizenship

Permanent residency (Residencia Definitiva):

• Apply before your temporary residency expires—don’t wait until the last minute!
• Minimum presence in Chile is required on your temporary residence permit.
• Frequent absences? You must extend your temporary residency if you’re out of the country for longer periods, as per Chile’s current laws.
• Absence limit: New law allows only 60 days outside Chile (down from 180 days) to keep your permanent residency eligibility.
• Leaving for over two years? Permanent residency can be revoked unless you get a one-time extension (up to two more years) from a consulate.
• Required documents change depending on the category your application is based on—double check what’s needed!

Becoming a citizen:

• Chilean citizenship has set prerequisites in the national constitution.
• No Chilean family? You qualify after five years residency, counting from the start of your temporary residency.
• New citizen perks: You’ll receive a Chilean passport.
• You must show: Spanish proficiency and provide a detailed dossier (think: background checks and paperwork).
• Required documents vary by your activity in Chile—make sure you know which ones apply.
• Processing time: Citizenship can take a while—up to 3 years for approval.

💼 Business in Chile

• Open for Business: Chile is rolling out the red carpet for entrepreneurs and investors from around the globe.
• Investor Visa: Special category for investors and their staff—with a $500,000 USD minimum investment.
• Pro Tip: Don’t meet the investment criteria yet? Start with another visa type, then open your business—less pressure and more flexibility!

 🚀 Take the First Step

• Consultation: Engage with ImmigrationChile, a team of experienced consultants, to navigate the latest immigration requirements and changes.
• Consultations available in English, Spanish, French, and German.
  

📚 Helpful Resources

• Ministry of Migration – Official government website with useful information on visas, residency, etc. Available in Spanish and English.
• Trabajando.cl – Chile’s top job portal, used by employers across sectors for both local and international applicants.

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