Chile work visa (temporary residence for paid activities)

The subcategory covers foreigners who will carry out lawful paid activities in Chile under subordination to an employer with a domicile or branch in Chile, as well as those working on their own account under a services contract. With a contract the permit lasts up to two years.

With a formal job offer from a Chilean natural or legal person that you have formally accepted, SERMIG grants, if its assessment is favourable, a temporary residence of 90 calendar days. Once in Chile you have 45 days to present the final contract, after which the permit is extended by one year.

Whether you will be an employee or a contractor, attach the employer's or client's electronic tax folder (Carpeta Tributaria) if it is a legal or natural person with registered activities; otherwise show that it has enough economic solvency to meet the contract. A non-profit employer adds a certificate of its legal personality and its board from the Civil Registry (SRCeI); a for-profit company adds the document granting legal representation to the person who signs the contract. In all cases the employer must prove liquidity to hire you.

Personal documents are a passport valid for at least one year, a criminal record certificate from your country of origin or of residence in the last five years (over 18, issued within 60 days) and a colour photo with a white background. Documents not in Spanish or English need an official translation, and foreign documents an apostille.

Apply from abroad on SERMIG's Portal de Trámites Digitales with your account or ClaveÚnica. Before sending, pay the fee in the Treasury (TGR) portal; unpaid applications are not forwarded. SERMIG may ask for extra documents or send you to the nearest Chilean consulate for a complementary review. Before refusing, it notifies you of the grounds and gives 10 working days to respond.

After approval, download the electronic stamp within 120 working days and enter Chile within 90 calendar days; the permit runs from your entry. If the permit was based on an offer, upload the contract within 45 days of entry. Book a Civil Registry appointment within 30 days of activating the stamp to get your identity card.

The permit can be renewed for two years at a time. After at least 24 months as a temporary resident, workers can apply for definitive residence, within the 90 days before the deadline to renew their temporary permit. The required time grows if you spent more than two months abroad: 30 months for absences of up to six months, 36 for up to 12 months and 48 beyond that.