Chile Immigration Services

Newland Chase offers full support with all aspects of corporate immigration to Chile. Please find an overview of the typical corporate immigration processes below. Every situation is unique, so please do get in touch, either through your usual Newland Chase contact or using the details on the right hand side of the page. Our immigration experts will be glad to discuss your needs in greater detail.

Immigration Summary

The Local Hire Work Contract Visa (Visa Sujeta a Contrato) is for applicants who will be locally employed in Chile, generally for a period of at least four months. Initially issued for up to two years, the local contract visa can be indefinitely renewed, and can lead to permanent residence after two years as a temporary resident in Chile.

The application can be submitted at the Chilean consular post in the home country; the applicant is authorised to commence work immediately upon arrival in Chile. A post-arrival route is also available.

The Temporary Residence for Assignees (Residencia Temporaria) is granted to a foreign national who intends to live and work in Chile for an initial period of up to 12 months (this is renewable and may lead to permanent residence). The applicant must remain (at least partially) on home payroll. There is no requirement for the sending and host companies to be linked by common ownership, and no requirement for the employee to have been employed by the sending company for any minimum time.

The application can be submitted at the Chilean consular post in the home country; the applicant is authorised to commence work immediately upon arrival in Chile. A post-arrival route is also available.

Nationals of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay may apply for Temporary Residence (MERCOSUR) post arrival. The applicant may have a contract either directly with the Chilean entity or may remain on contract outside Chile. Since it takes several months for the temporary residence visa to be issued, it is common practice to apply for a provisional work permit to allow work while the temporary residence visa is in process.

The special work permit for tourists (autorización para trabajar con permiso de turismo) is intended for professionals providing short-term services to a Chilean entity. The work permit is generally granted for up to 30 days and is extendable twice for the same period (up to a total of 90 days) until the tourist status has expired. If the tourist status is renewed in Chile for a second 90-day period before expiration, the work permit can be used for up to 180 days (6 months).