Chile

Chile · Latin America · updated 03.09.2026

Both bringing pets and reuniting with a partner's parents work structurally. Held back by low salaries, the Spanish language and the geographic distance from Europe and Asia.

Some descriptions for this country are still Russian only: 91% translated. Numbers, prices and timelines are complete.

Entry

Entry rules depend on citizenship. Choose a passport to see the requirement for that one.

Work and visas

Salary in IT: $ 20 484 – $ 54 624
Median: $ 34 140
Visa speed: 4-10 months (SERMIG backlog 2026)
Degree required: no
Language at work: SPANISH is needed; English is secondary
Changing employer: Changing employer without losing the visa IS allowed (since 2022)

Visa types: Residencia Temporal (paid activity)

Employers: Cornershop, NotCo, Betterfly

Long-term visas and residence permits

Residencia Temporal — family reunification, spouse

Family

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — family reunification, civil union partner

Family

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — family reunification, minor child

Family

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — family reunification, unmarried child 18–24 in education

Family

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — family reunification, child with disability

Family

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — family reunification, minor under personal care or guardianship

Family

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — family reunification, parent

Family

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — remunerated activities, employment contract

Work

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: Temporary residence has no single rate. On the SERMIG fee page the «Residencia Temporal» row gives no amount for foreigners in general and points instead to the «Aranceles según nacionalidad» table: the fee is set by the applicant's nationality in Resolution Res. Ex. No. 129194 of the Ministry of the Interior and Public Security of 3 July 2020, attached to that same page as a separate file. Its amounts are stated in US dollars and paid in pesos: as of 1 September 2026 the fee page converts the dollar at 925.25 pesos under Official Gazette No. 44,413 of 28 August 2026, and that rate holds until 30 September 2026. The same page equates this permit with the former «contract visa»: a work authorisation for a holder of transitory stay costs 150 % of the price of temporary residence for remunerated activities (the former Ex-sujeta a contrato) and is likewise set by nationality; in the resolution's table this permit corresponds to the VISA S/CONTRATO column.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — self-employed under a services contract

Work

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — formal job offer, 90 days then one year

Work

term 3 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — students of state-recognised institutions

Study

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: Temporary residence has no single rate. On the SERMIG fee page the «Residencia Temporal» row gives no amount for foreigners in general and points instead to the «Aranceles según nacionalidad» table: the fee is set by the applicant's nationality in Resolution Res. Ex. No. 129194 of the Ministry of the Interior and Public Security of 3 July 2020, attached to that same page as a separate file. Its amounts are stated in US dollars and paid in pesos: as of 1 September 2026 the fee page converts the dollar at 925.25 pesos under Official Gazette No. 44,413 of 28 August 2026, and that rate holds until 30 September 2026. Inside the resolution's own table students have a column of their own — VISA ESTUDIANTE, separate from the general VISA TEMPORARIA — and for most nationalities its rates are lower.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — seasonal workers, employment contract

Work

term 60 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowed

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — seasonal workers under a bilateral agreement, job offer

Work

term 60 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — foreigners under Gendarmería custody

Other

term 24 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowed

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — foreigners in Chile by court order

Other

term 24 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — humanitarian, children and adolescents

Other

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyfee 0 CLP

Fee: The permit is free of charge: the SERMIG page states outright that it costs nothing at any stage of processing, and that starting the procedure requires neither payment of penalties nor a declaration of clandestine entry.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — humanitarian, pregnant women

Other

term 24 monot renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — humanitarian, victims of human trafficking

Other

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — humanitarian, victims of migrant smuggling

Other

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — humanitarian, domestic violence victim after conviction

Other

term 12 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — humanitarian, domestic violence victim, case pending

Other

renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — persons covered by international agreements

Other

renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — Working Holiday schemes

Working holiday

renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

For citizens of certain countries only.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — temporary entry chapters of free trade agreements

Work

renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — clergy of officially recognised faiths

Other

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — patients under medical treatment

Other

term 24 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — retirees on a pension

Retirement

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — rentiers living on real estate income

Retirement

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — rentiers living on financial assets

Retirement

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — former holders of Residencia Definitiva

Other

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — investors

Investment

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — managerial and specialist staff of investor-controlled companies

Work

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — multiple-entry business permit

Other

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — Mercosur international reciprocity

Other

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: Temporary residence has no single rate. On the SERMIG fee page the «Residencia Temporal» row gives no amount for foreigners in general and points instead to the «Aranceles según nacionalidad» table: the fee is set by the applicant's nationality in Resolution Res. Ex. No. 129194 of the Ministry of the Interior and Public Security of 3 July 2020, attached to that same page as a separate file. Its amounts are stated in US dollars and paid in pesos: as of 1 September 2026 the fee page converts the dollar at 925.25 pesos under Official Gazette No. 44,413 of 28 August 2026, and that rate holds until 30 September 2026. Bolivian citizens pay no application fee at all: the migration agreement between Bolivia and Chile abolished it, as the subcategory page itself states.

For citizens of certain countries only.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — job-search permit (not yet opened)

Job seeking

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: The permit has no price: the SERMIG tariff lists the permits the service actually issues, and the job-search permit is not among them — just as it is absent from the list of subcategories on the service's own site.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — asylum seekers awaiting refugee status

Other

term 8 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee 0 CLP

Fee: No fee is charged: article 48 of Law No. 20.430 on the protection of refugees declares free both the procedure for determining refugee status and the visas and permits issued under it, work authorisation included.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — political asylees

Other

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: This permit has no line of its own in the SERMIG tariff: for temporary residence the page states a single rule — the fee for foreigners in general is set by nationality and taken from the «Aranceles según nacionalidad» table, that is, from Resolution Res. Ex. No. 129194 of the Ministry of the Interior and Public Security of 3 July 2020.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — dependant, spouse or partner

Family

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — dependant, child under 18

Family

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — dependant, child with disability

Family

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Temporal — dependant, child 18–24 in education

Family

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowed

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Definitiva — general route on own income

Other

family allowedfee 142 726 CLP

Fee: The general rate of permanent residence for foreigners. The SERMIG fee page explains that the amount is derived from the non-remunerational minimum wage, and prints two exemptions beside it: a foreigner married to a Chilean and a foreigner under 18 pay nothing.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Definitiva — spouse or civil partner of a Chilean, exempt from the fee

Family

family allowedfee 0 CLP

Fee: An exemption from payment: in the permanent residence row the SERMIG tariff marks this group «Exento de pago», while the general rate stands on the same page for every other foreigner.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Definitiva — parent or child of a Chilean or of a permanent resident

Family

family allowedfee 142 726 CLP

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Definitiva — clergy

Other

family allowedfee 142 726 CLP

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Definitiva — applicants under 18, exempt from the fee

Other

family allowedfee 0 CLP

Fee: An exemption from payment: in the permanent residence row the SERMIG tariff marks this group «Exento de pago», while the general rate stands on the same page for every other foreigner.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Definitiva — economically inactive persons and dependants

Family

family allowedfee 142 726 CLP

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residencia Definitiva — recognised refugees and their families

Other

family allowedfee 0 CLP

official source · read 2026-09-03

Programme terms change, and the final decision rests with the consulate or the country migration service. The data is collected from official sources on the date shown and is not legal advice.

Residence and citizenship

Permanent residence after: 2 years
Citizenship after: 5 years
Language: Spanish
Dual citizenship: allowed

Absence limits: For permanent residence: no more than 60 days of absence in 24 months

Permanent residence after 24 months of temporary residence (no more than 60 days of absence). Citizenship after 5 years.

Documents

Document certification: apostille

The country is party to the 1961 Hague Convention: a degree or certificate is authenticated with a single apostille in the country that issued it.

Family

Partner

Timeline: immediately as a dependant
Right to work: no

Comes as a dependiente. No work is allowed while the visa is under consideration.

Parents

Route: Dependiente (dependant)
Timeline: at the same time as the main applicant
Income threshold: Proof of income plus an affidavit of support
Difficulty: straightforward

One of the most accessible mechanisms for parents. Family reunification is a constitutional right. Spanish is not required for reunification.

Partner's parents

Difficulty: straightforward

Matters: In a number of countries only a biological child can sponsor a parent, in which case the spouse files the application.

Pets

Limit: no limit
Quarantine: no
Antibody titre test: not needed
Preparation: ~1 months
Cost per animal: $ 1 593 – $ 4 211

Banned breeds: pit bull (restrictions), Staffordshire bull terrier (restrictions)

THE BEST TERMS OF ANY COUNTRY: no quarantine (only 10 days of confinement at home), no limit on numbers, and NO antibody titre test required. Preparation takes ~1 month instead of 4+. An ISO chip is compulsory from 27.07.2026.

Safety

Crime: Safer than most of Latin America but noticeably more dangerous than Europe. Street crime has risen since 2019.

Natural hazards

Earthquakesvery high

Chile is one of the most seismically active countries in the world. The 1960 earthquake (9.5) was the strongest ever recorded. The 2010 earthquake (8.8) came with a tsunami. Building codes are among the best in the world.

Wildfireshigh

Large wildfires in summer. In 2024 the fires in Valparaíso claimed more than 130 lives.

Floodsmedium

Floods in the south and the central valley.

Hurricanesno

No hurricanes.

Droughtshigh

The megadrought has lasted more than a decade. Water restrictions in Santiago.

Extreme heatmedium

Hot dry summers in the centre, up to +35.

Volcanoeshigh

More than 90 active volcanoes. Villarrica and Calbuco erupt periodically.

Tsunamishigh

The entire coast is at risk. After the 2010 earthquake a tsunami destroyed coastal towns.

VERY HIGH natural hazards: severe earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, fires. But the country is very well prepared, with strict building codes and warning systems.

Climate

22J

22F

19M

15A

10M

11S

13O

17N

20D

Type: Mediterranean (the centre)
Sunny days: ~260 a year

The seasons are reversed. Hot dry summers (December-February), cool wet winters. Santiago has smog in winter.

Quality of life

Life expectancy: 81.4 years
Migration: inflow

Healthcare: FONASA (public) or ISAPRE (private). Quality in the private sector is high.

Air: PROBLEM: Santiago suffers from winter smog because it sits in a basin. One of the worst figures in the region.

Flows: Inflows from Venezuela, Haiti and Peru. Few European relocators.

Cities

Santiago

tech hub

6 800 000 residents

$ 512

1 bedroom, per month

The capital, and the country's entire economy and tech sector. The Andes on the horizon.

2 bedrooms $ 797 · estimate3 bedrooms $ 1 081utilities $ 130ticket $ 0,87monthly pass $ 44,9

To buy, per m²: centre $ 2 854 · suburbs $ 2 901

High seismicity. Winter smog because of the basin. Rising street crime since 2019.

+All the work is here

+Cheap by European standards

+The Andes nearby

+A good metro

−Smog in winter

−Earthquakes

−Street crime

−Spanish required

Valparaíso

295 000 residents

$ 398

1 bedroom, per month

A UNESCO-listed port city, a bohemian atmosphere, colourful houses on the hills.

2 bedrooms $ 626 · estimate3 bedrooms $ 853utilities $ 101ticket $ 0,73monthly pass $ 47,1

To buy, per m²: centre $ 1 649 · suburbs $ 1 098

CRITICAL: the catastrophic fires of 2024 (more than 130 dead). Earthquakes and tsunamis.

+Beautiful and atmospheric

+Cheap

+By the ocean

+An hour from Santiago

−Wildfires are a real threat

−Little work

−Crime in certain districts

Viña del Mar

335 000 residents

$ 455

1 bedroom, per month

A resort town next to Valparaíso, cleaner and quieter than its neighbour.

2 bedrooms $ 7063 bedrooms $ 967utilities $ 113ticket $ 0,56monthly pass $ 42,1

To buy, per m²: centre $ 2 563 · suburbs $ 1 654

Tsunami (the coastal strip), seismic activity, fires in the surroundings.

+Beaches

+Cleaner than Valparaíso

+Quiet

−No work

−An influx of tourists in summer

Concepción

225 000 residents

$ 376

1 bedroom, per month

The university centre of the south, an industrial city.

2 bedrooms $ 5693 bedrooms $ 797utilities $ 99,0ticket $ 0,61monthly pass $ 34,2

To buy, per m²: centre $ 2 262 · suburbs $ 1 939

The epicentre of the 2010 earthquake (8.8). High seismicity.

+Very cheap

+Universities

+A green south

−Rainy

−Little tech work

−Seismic activity

La Serena

220 000 residents

$ 398

1 bedroom, per month

A northern coastal city, the best climate in the country, with observatories nearby.

2 bedrooms $ 6033 bedrooms $ 819utilities $ 77,4ticket $ 1,11monthly pass $ 41,5

To buy, per m²: centre $ 2 199 · suburbs $ 1 428

Droughts. Seismic activity. Tsunamis on the coast.

+The best climate in Chile

+Clear skies (astronomy)

+Beaches

+Cheap

−Almost no work

−Far from Santiago

−Droughts

Grocery basket

Bread, 500 g: $ 1,46
Milk, 1 l: $ 1,29
Eggs, 12: $ 4,11
Chicken breast, 1 kg: $ 6,88
Cheese, 1 kg: $ 11,8
Rice, 1 kg: $ 1,47
Potatoes, 1 kg: $ 1,24
Apples, 1 kg: $ 1,97
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 l: $ 2,26
Total: $ 32,4

The same set for every country, so the comparison is fair.

Cost of living across the country

Rent, 1 bedroom: $ 506 a month
Rent, 3 bedrooms: $ 924 a month
Utility bills: $ 115 a month
Home internet: $ 21,8 a month
Monthly transport pass: $ 42,3 a month
Single transport ticket: $ 0,83
Petrol, litre: $ 1,49
Cold medicine: $ 4,40 for a week

Country averages. City prices, where collected, are shown above and are more precise.

Indicators

Life expectancy: 81,4 years2024
Homicides: 6,1 per 100k2024
Road deaths: 10,3 per 100k2021
Unemployment: 9 %2025
Unemployment, ages 15–24: 21,6 %2025
Inequality (Gini): 432024
Health spending per person: $ 1 760 a year
Air pollution, PM2.5: 23,1 µg/m³2023
Access to clean water: 99,1 %2024
Internet, fixed line: 393,4 Mbit/s2026
Internet, mobile: 85,8 Mbit/s2026

Governance

Political stability: above average · 0,1
Control of corruption: high · 1,1
Rule of law: above average · 0,7
Government effectiveness: above average · 1

World Bank estimates on a −2.5 to +2.5 scale, higher is better.

Natural hazards

Earthquakes: 9,6 out of 10
River floods: 5,5 out of 10
Coastal floods: 2,7 out of 10
Tropical cyclones: 0 out of 10
Droughts: 0,3 out of 10
Tsunamis: 8,6 out of 10

Policy towards newcomers

Migrant integration, overall score: 50 out of 100 · 2019
Family reunification: 44 out of 100 · 2019
Permanent residence: 79 out of 100 · 2019
Access to citizenship: 53 out of 100 · 2019
Access to the labour market: 30 out of 100 · 2019

Measures how favourable the law is towards newcomers, not one person's chances of getting a visa.

Each value carries the year it refers to. “Data lags behind” means this country's figure was collected noticeably earlier than the rest. Natural hazards use one 0–10 scale and are meant to be compared against each other.

Pros and cons

+The BEST terms for pets: no quarantine, no test, ~1 month of preparation

+A partner's parents move as dependants: family reunification is enshrined in the constitution

+Citizenship in 5 years, permanent residence in 2

+You can change employer without losing the visa

+A low cost of living

+The least corrupt country in Latin America

−Low salaries ($18-48k against €62-91k in Cyprus)

−Spanish required

−Very far from Europe and Asia, with expensive flights

−The highest natural hazards: earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis

−Smog in Santiago in winter

−Rising street crime

−Visa takes 4–10 months

Compare with other countries in the region

Argentina · Brazil · Uruguay

Other countries in the region: Latin America

Argentina · Brazil · Uruguay

All countries by region

Official sources

SERMIG

The National Migration Service owns every ground of stay: the list of subcategories, the tariff and the application forms all live on one domain

↗

SERMIG — Residencia Temporal

The list of subcategories is set by Decree No. 177 of 2022: the sixteen items of article 10, with the humanitarian one split into five

↗

Registro Civil

Citizenship after 5 years

Listings from private sellers

↗

Portal Inmobiliario

Foreigners may buy without restriction

The Ministry of Transport

Exchanging a licence through the municipality

↗

SAG

THE BEST TERMS: no quarantine, no antibody test. New rules from 27.07.2026

FONASA (public) or ISAPRE (private)

↗