Chile · long-stay visa routes and official sources
4 routes tracked · last reviewed · every route links to its official government source
Long-term visa difficulty for Chile: Medium (50/100, lower is easier). Most practical route: Temporary residence / remote income.
Common questions
What is the most practical long-term visa route to Chile?
Based on our July 2026 review, the most practical route is usually: Temporary residence / remote income. Overall difficulty is rated "Medium" (50/100, lower is easier).
Can I move to Chile without a local job offer?
Yes — 1 of the 4 tracked routes do not require a local employer: Student residence. Each has its own income, funds, or admission requirements.
Temporary Residence Permit - Investors and related personnel
A longer-stay route based on its specific eligibility requirements.
Typical timeline / duration: Temporary residence; application from abroad.
Choose the applicable temporary-residence subcategory, such as lawful remunerated activities, study, family, investor, or rentier status.
Apply through Chile's digital immigration portal from outside Chile when the selected subcategory is restricted to applications abroad.
Provide a passport valid for at least one year for an application made abroad, a recent criminal-record certificate, and the identity and photo documents requested by SERMIG.
Apostille or legalise foreign documents and provide an authorised translation when documents are not in Spanish or English; upload documents in the format required by the portal.
A longer-stay route based on its specific eligibility requirements.
Typical timeline / duration: Temporary residence; extension possible if requirements continue.
SERMIG has a temporary residence subcategory for retired foreigners and rentistas.
Applicants must document pension/rentier status and sufficient resources to cover residence expenses; extensions require proof that status and solvency continue.
Have a Chilean employment contract, service contract, or qualifying formal job offer from a Chilean person or entity.
Apply for the temporary residence permit from outside Chile through the SERMIG digital portal; a formal job offer can lead to an initial 90-day permit while the final contract is completed.
Provide passport, criminal-record certificate, recent photo, the contract or offer, and the employer or contractor's tax and liquidity evidence required for the selected contract type.
For self-employed services, have the qualifying contract with a Chilean person or permanent resident executed through the competent consulate when required; apostille or legalise foreign documents.
For Spanish or university study as the first landing route.
Typical timeline / duration: 2-5 months
Be accepted by a Chilean state-recognised educational institution for the relevant study programme.
Apply for the student temporary-residence subcategory from outside Chile through the SERMIG digital portal.
Provide the admission or enrolment certificate, valid passport, criminal-record certificate, recent photo, and the study and financial evidence requested by SERMIG.
Apostille or legalise foreign documents and provide an authorised translation when documents are not in Spanish or English, following the portal's upload rules.
Visa rules change frequently. Figures and requirements above were reviewed on the dates shown; always confirm against the linked official source before applying.