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Most nationalities enter Chile visa-free for 90 days; a few nationalities require a consular tourist visa in advance. Employment is strictly prohibited on a tourist entry.
Launched in 2023; open to any nationality working remotely for a foreign employer or clients. Requires proof of income of at least USD 1,500/month and health insurance. Can be renewed once for an additional year.
Employer-sponsored visa for those with a valid job offer from a Chilean company. Open to all nationalities; the employer must register the employment contract. After 2 years of temporary residence, permanent residency is available.
Available after 2 years of continuous temporary residence. Open to all nationalities; requires proof of economic means, clean criminal record, and continuous physical presence in Chile.
Chile offers a Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers with a valid employment contract or freelance income, granting 1-year residency renewable for a second year. Citizens of many countries can enter visa-free for 90 days as tourists, and Chile has some of the most straightforward immigration processes in Latin America. Temporary and permanent residence permits are issued by the Department of Extranjeria under the updated 2021 Immigration Law.
Chile reformed its immigration system in 2021 with a simplified residence permit framework replacing older visa categories. Employers must be registered with the immigration authority and submit work contracts; the Temporary Residence Visa for employment is typically granted for 1–2 years. After two years of legal residency, expats can apply for permanent residence regardless of employment status.
Spouses and dependent children of residence permit holders can obtain a Temporary Residence Visa for family reunification, allowing them to live and study in Chile. Dependents who wish to work must register separately with immigration, though the process is generally straightforward once the principal applicant holds legal status.
Chile taxes residents on worldwide income with progressive rates reaching up to 40%, though expats in their first 3 years of residency only pay tax on Chilean-source income. Corporate tax stands at 27% for larger companies, with a reduced 25% rate for SMEs. Chile has a VAT of 19% and an active tax treaty network with over 35 countries including the US, UK, and major EU nations.
Chile has a dual healthcare system: FONASA (public) and ISAPRE (private insurance plans); expats with legal residency can access FONASA, but most choose private ISAPRE plans for faster service and broader coverage. Santiago and major cities have modern private hospitals with internationally trained doctors and English-language services.
Opening a bank account in Chile requires a RUT (Chilean tax ID), which expats can obtain once they hold a residence permit. Major banks like BancoEstado, Banco Santander, and BCI serve expatriates with multilingual support. Chile has a modern digital banking ecosystem with no restrictions on maintaining foreign currency accounts.
Chile's Investor Visa requires a minimum investment typically starting at USD 500,000 in productive activities, though thresholds vary by sector and project type. The government operates the StartUp Chile program providing non-equity grants of up to USD 100,000 and residency visas for qualifying foreign entrepreneurs. Chile's extensive free trade agreement network makes it a strategic gateway for regional business operations.
| Program | Min. Investment | Residency | Citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|
| StartUp Chile Grant & Visa | — | No | No |
| Investor Residence Visa | — | No | No |