Immigrating to Chile: How to Move and Settle Legally

Immigrating to Chile and obtaining permanent residency allows you to live in the country indefinitely, to work or run a company, to make your family legal residents, and eventually to obtain citizenship. Common programs of immigration to the country, which give the right to permanent residence – paid employment or religious activity, family reunification, obtaining residence on the grounds of a pension or other passive income.

In order to move to Chile according to the standard procedure, a foreigner must choose a relocation option, prepare a dossier, submit it online to the competent service, obtain an electronic permit for arrival and stay in the country, after entry to be issued a temporary resident card. After the expiration of the established period of stay in the country (12 or 24 months), the immigrant has the right to apply for permanent residence.

If you’re considering moving to Chile, this guide explains the main immigration options, legal requirements, and how to obtain a permanent residence permit.

Having a child in Chile allows to significantly shorten the time needed to immigrate. Immediately after birth, the child becomes a citizen of the state, its parents receive a residence permit, after one year – a permanent residence permit, and after two years – citizenship in a simplified procedure.

Why Immigrating to Chile Is Worth It: Benefits of Permanent Residency

One of the main reasons why people relocate to Chile is the country’s clear immigration system and access to long-term residency.

Foreigners can enjoy these benefits with a permanent residence permit:

• The opportunity to leave their home country for Chile for an unlimited period of time;
• Entering the country without additional permits;
• Legal residence of close relatives;
• Official employment without authorization;
• Obtaining Chilean citizenship after five years of living in the country.

How to Immigrate to Chile and Get a Residence Permit

If you’re planning to immigrate to Chile, there are several types of residence permits that can lead to permanent residency. Permanent residence in Chile is available to holders of permits for family reunification, study, economic and religious activities, investment, and retirees or rentiers. Residence permits are usually valid for up to two years and can be extended if there are legitimate reasons for continued residence in the country.

Revenue Generating Activities

Foreigners who are legally employed or self-employed in the country, may move to Chile with the prospect of permanent residence. To obtain residency, in addition to the basic documents, the application must be accompanied by a proof of the legal activity of the employer/customer of services (e.g., certificate of incorporation of the company), employment contract or contractual agreement. Unless it is contrary to national interests, morality, security or public health, the law does not restrict the type of employment for foreigners.

Education

Foreigners interested in moving to Chile can apply for a residence permit and then a permanent residence permit on the basis of their education in an educational institution recognized by the Chilean government. A student certificate or university enrollment certificate is required as proof. Another condition for the immigrant is financial support for the period of study. The applicant should submit one of the following documents:

• A letter from a bank;
• A bank statement confirming the regular receipt of funds;
• A notarized commitment (affidavit) from the sponsor to support the student;
• A certificate of scholarship award indicating the duration, amount, and name of the educational institution.

The student’s residence permit provides for the possibility of employment without additional permission. The number of working hours should not exceed 30 per week; if the limit is exceeded, the student may be expelled from the university and lose the resident status.

Religious Activities

Foreign representatives of religious organizations registered in Chile may apply for a permanent residence permit. In order to participate in the program, it is necessary to prepare the following documents, in addition to the basic ones:

• A certificate from the host country describing the foreigner’s religious activities in Chile and a commitment to cover his or her living expenses;
• A certificate of legal activity and a certificate of reference from a church or other religious organization issued by the Civil Registry and Identification Service (Servicio de Registro Civil e Identification, SRCEI);
• A positive report from the National Directorate of Religious Affairs.

Retirees and Rentiers

Foreigners who receive retirement pension in their home country or have stable passive income from financial assets or rental property may apply for a residence permit and then permanent residence. The main requirement – financial income should be regular and cover at least basic needs according to the indicators of the Ministry of Social Development and Family. In Chile, the established minimum income for retirees is USD 235.7, for workers – USD 550.The exact amount of monthly financial income to obtain a residence permit on this basis should be clarified at the stage of application to the National Migration Service (Servicio Nacional de Migraciones, SERMIG).

Depending on the situation, supporting documents may include:

• Pension certificate and details of recent payments at the time of application;
• Certificate of ownership of real estate and/or financial assets, lease agreement, proof of income.

Investment Activities

Wealthy foreigners who invest in the Chilean economy, starting from USD 500,000, can move to the country and obtain a residence permit with the right to further obtain a permanent residence permit. This permit is also suitable for hired managers and technical specialists of companies established in Chile and controlled by foreigners. The foreign investor’s share in such a company must be at least 10% of the voting shares in the case of a joint-stock company (JSC), or an equivalent part of the share capital in the case of other types of companies.

The investor’s residence permit provides for presenting such documents:

• A letter from the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency;
• Detailed information on the investment, indicating its purpose, amount, functions;
• for owners/partners of already established companies – the articles of association, certificate of registration of the company, tax data, proof of payment of the municipal tax.

Family Reunification

To obtain a residence permit in Chile, and then a permanent residence permit, close relatives of Chileans or permanent residents of the country may apply, such as:

• A spouse or a partner;
• Parents;
• Minor children;
• A disabled son or daughter;
• An unmarried child under the age of 24 who is still studying;
• A minor under guardianship.

The proof of the family relationship with the person who is uniting is considered as a supporting document for this program. For example, to obtain a residence permit after the birth of a child in Chile, the child’s father and mother must present the child’s birth certificate obtained from the SRCEI. The spouse of a citizen or resident of the country must attach a marriage certificate to the application.

Moving to Chile: Step-by-Step Guide to Permanent Residency

The process of moving to Chile legally and applying for a residence permit involves several online and offline steps.

1. Choose the grounds and prepare the documents.
   After determining the most acceptable way of immigration, it is necessary for the applicant to meet the requirements for participation in the program, i.e. conditions for admission to the university, investment in the economy of the country. Then an immigrant should prepare basic and supporting documents, translate and certify the dossier.
2. Submit an electronic application for a residence permit.
   It is necessary to register on the digital services portal of SERMIG, make an application according to the instructions and pay the mandatory fee. At this stage, a document confirming the submission of the application will be issued. If the application is not accepted or additional information is required, the service will send an e-mail notification.
3. Application approval.
   SERMIG processes the request and, in the case of a positive decision, sends a notification to the e-mail and mailbox of the Digital Services Portal. The applicant will receive an electronic stamp authorization. Before downloading it, the applicant should check the accuracy of the data entered and, if there are any errors, request their correction. The E-Stamp must be downloaded within 120 working days from its receipt.
4. Arrival in the country and issuance of an ID card.
   After downloading the e-stamp, the immigrant must arrive in Chile within 90 calendar days. The validity of the residence permit begins on the day of arrival. The residence card is issued upon request by the Civil Registry and Identification Department.
5. Renewal or change of residence permit category (if necessary).
   To renew the residence permit, you must apply to SERMIG no earlier than ninety days and no later than ten days before the expiry of the current temporary residence permit. A new category of residence permit may be requested from the designated competent authority at any time during the validity of the previous residence permit, but not later than the deadlines for requesting an extension.
6. Apply for permanent residence.
   A person may apply for permanent residence after living in the country for 12 or 24 months, depending on the type of residence permit. The application must be submitted through the SERMIG digital services portal at least 90 days before the expiration of the current residence permit. Within 30 days of the effective date of the residence permit, the immigrant must apply for a permanent residence card at the Civil Registry and Identification Service.

The full list of rights, including loans at preferential rates and visa-free or simplified travel to 161 countries, is only available with a Chilean passport. To learn how you can benefit from the Chilean citizenship program within 2 years or less, sign up for a free consultation.

Documents and Requirements to Move to Chile

To move to Chile successfully, one must choose a valid immigration path, gather all required documents and apply through SERMIG. Generally, the procedure for obtaining a Chilean residence permit starts abroad, only relatives of Chileans and some other categories of applicants can submit an application on the country’s territory. The immigrant receives an entry permit, upon arrival is issued a residence card, then, after expiry of the established period of legal residence in the country applies for permanent residence.

Required Documents

The dossier for obtaining a residence permit consists of the following documents:

• A valid passport or equivalent identity document;
• A certificate of no criminal record;
• Confirmation of the legal ground of arrival in the country.

In order to obtain a permanent residence permit, the foreigner submits to SERMIG the following documents:

• Certified biographical certificate from the country of origin;
• A scanned copy of the passport or equivalent identity card;
• An electronic stamp, visa or other proof of temporary residence permit, if applicable;
• A scanned copy of the Chilean residence card;
• Proof of residence in the country.

The passport must be valid for at least one year from the date of application. please note that the validity of the residence permit cannot exceed the validity of the identity card. Therefore, we recommend renewing a passport that is about to expire before immigrating.

The dossier must be submitted in Spanish or English or with a certified translation in one of these languages. Documents issued outside Chile must be apostilled or notarized in the prescribed manner. Certificates issued by private organizations must be presented to the appropriate office within 30 days of issuance, while those issued by public institutions must be filed within 60 days.

How Much Does It Cost to Immigrate to Chile?

The cost of immigrating to Chile depends on your visa type, country of origin, and supporting documentation. The minimum amount of support for a student is not specified, for the other two categories – estimated according to the indicators of the Ministry of Social Development and Family. From August 2024, the lower income limit for a worker in the country is USD 550, the minimum pension, which does not require compensation from the state, is USD 235.7. The exact amount should be clarified with the National Migration Service before submitting an application.

The cost of a temporary residence permit varies depending on the applicant’s nationality — for example, it is approximately USD 90-270 for citizens of some Eastern European countries. For the registration of a residence permit there are fees from 0-118 USD, depending on the legal grounds for obtaining it. The immigrant should also take into account the cost of flight and delivery of belongings, purchase or rent of housing, registration of health insurance and other expenses.

Getting Started with Relocating to Chile

In addition to the legal process of moving to Chile for permanent residence, there are several additional issues that need to be resolved – finding a place to live, finding a job if necessary, obtaining health insurance, opening a bank account.

How to find an accommodation in Santiago

If you’re moving to Santiago, Chile, neighborhoods like Lastarria and Bellas Artes are popular with expats. You can find homes for sale or rent on specialized websites such as Mercadolibre. The location (center or suburbs), area, floor space, layout, quality of repair, and other factors affect the cost of real estate.

You can rent a one-bedroom apartment in Santiago at a price of USD 368-487, with three bedrooms – from USD 705 to 862. The approximate cost of 1 m2 of living space in the center of the capital of Chile is USD 2369, in the suburbs you can buy a house at an average price of USD 2543.

Health Insurance Registration

Foreigners have the same rights to health care as Chileans. Working immigrants are required to join the National Health Fund (Fondo Nacional de Salud, FONASA). Otherwise, private health insurance (Instituciones de Salud Previsional, ISAPRE) is recommended.

Immigrants who do not have health insurance have free access to primary and emergency health care services and public hospitals. Services in clinics, medical centers, laboratories and private medical offices are paid for with personal resources.

Openinga Bank Account

BancoEstado, Scotia and most Chilean banks welcome foreigners, but temporary or permanent residency is required to open an account. Account opening usually provides access to debit and credit cards, consumer loans, deposits and insurance programs. Clients of financial organizations are able to receive money from abroad in dollars, euros, and other currencies through a checking account and other available payment methods.

Job Search in Santiago

There are between 18,000 and 24,000 vacancies on job search engines in Chile’s capital and suburbs. Local companies need business analysts, administrative assistants, electrical and electronics technicians, human resources managers, midwives and other specialists. Both remote and in-office positions are available. In order to get a job in Santiago and then immigrate to Chile, it is important to look for a job before moving to the city. Job offers are posted on relevant websites, and a CV is then sent to the selected companies.

Through a representative in Chile, it is possible to sign a work agreement with the employer. The employer can also send a notarized job offer to the foreign employee. On the basis of one of these documents, a residence visa will be issued.

Those relocating to Santiago, Chile for work should begin their job search well in advance to secure a contract for visa application.

You can give birth in Chile if you wish to:

• Give birth in the best hospitals in the world;
• Get visa-free travel to 162 countries around the world (including the USA and Canada);
• Provide a better future for your child;
• Have a “safety net” for you and your child.

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Best Cities for Immigrants Moving to Chile

When settling down in Chile, one should pay attention to the cost of living in the area, wage level, environmental safety, access to educational centers, quality of the local infrastructure (educational institutions, parks, medical and sports facilities, playgrounds, shops, services), and transportation connections. The most popular cities among immigrants are:

• Santiago.
  According to the crowdsourcing platform Livingcost, the capital of Chile is among the top 7% of the best places to live in the world. The city is suitable for relocation of entrepreneurs, students, employees. The advantages of Santiago include good transportation (there is an international airport 13 km away), developed infrastructure, large areas of green space. The average salary in the city is USD 674, USD 589 is enough to cover the basic expenses of an adult (without rent). Santiago has several educational institutions, the most famous and prestigious being the University of Chile. In the Chilean capital, you can find jobs in trade, insurance, IT, hospitality, manufacturing (e.g. metalworking companies) and other fields. Entrepreneurs are actively starting businesses in retail, biotechnology, architecture, gastronomy and tourism.
• Vina del Mar.
  Chile’s fourth-largest metropolitan area is one of the 33% least expensive cities in the world, with a per capita cost of living of USD 468 (excluding rent), with an average salary of USD 556. Rental prices range from USD 288 to 787. Vina del Mar offers a well developed transportation system (metro, city buses and shuttles), a large number of parks and plazas, and 13 beaches. The settlement is known as a university town, due to the several educational institutions. There are kindergartens, schools, sports complexes in the area, including Valparaiso – the largest in the country. In Vina del Mar one can find jobs in the IT, commerce, transport, touristic and hospitality sectors.
• San Bernardo.
  Among the major advantages of the city are the high salaries, the average of which is USD 1311, enough to cover expenses for more than a month and a half, whereas the cost of living without rent is USD 451. Renting an apartment is available for USD 229-717. San Bernardo is considered an ideal option for families with children, as it has many parks with children’s entertainment complexes and green areas. An additional bonus is the excellent transportation network, as the city’s metro is connected to the Santiago metro system. San Bernardo is a good place to work and set up a business in the fields of trade, logistics, transport and IT.

Possible Reasons for Refusal of a Permanent Residence Permit

The most common reason for refusal of a Chilean permanent residence permit is incorrect or incomplete paperwork. The applicant must correct the deficiencies within 60 days of receiving the SERMIG notification, otherwise the application will be rejected. A foreigner who is in the country illegally is subject to deportation. In order to avoid issues related to the delay of the immigration process in Chile, as well as the risk of denial of the resident status, it is wise to consult lawyers during the stage of choosing the legal ground and preparing the documents.

What Expats Say About Moving to Chile: Real Feedback

Many foreigners who have moved to Chile share that digital processes have made immigration smoother.

According to foreigners who have moved to Chile, the process of becoming a resident in the country is made easier due to the electronic submission of documents. However, in some cases, moving is quite complicated due to additional procedures and the need to prepare a large set of documents. For example, investors need to get the approval of local authorities, employees – to find a suitable vacancy, submit a CV, complete the stages of the interview and conclude a contract. However, there are many positive reviews about childbirth in Chile – the newborn automatically becomes a citizen of the country, and its parents immediately receive a residence permit, and after one year – a permanent residence permit with the right to apply for citizenship after 24 months.

A foreigner is not subject to any restrictions in the country – neither in entering the country nor in transferring money. For example, you can carry out an international transaction in any of the branches of BancoEstado.

Get Help with Your Move to Chile: Immigration Assistance

In order to immigrate to Chile in the shortest time possible, it is important to follow all the steps of the procedure carefully and properly. At the stage of dossier preparation you should check the accuracy of your personal and other data and, if necessary, update your passport or have your documents apostilled. When dealing with the competent authorities, one should strictly observe the deadlines for the submission of applications – if you apply earlier, the application will not be accepted, if you apply later, the application may be rejected.

Immigration specialists have a thorough knowledge of international and local legislation and can analyze the reasons for refusals. The lawyers advise you on the best immigration program for your situation, collect the necessary documents, translate them and submit them in accordance with the laws of the host country, as well as provide assistance in submitting applications to the relevant authorities as part of the relocation process.