If you are in Chile under a tourist visa and don’t know if it is still possible to switch from tourist to resident: Well, you still can. In this post, we explain you how the process looks like, step by step.

1. Gather the documents

Once you figured out which visa suits you the best, start gathering the documentation required by the Immigration Department in Chile (Departamento de Extranjería y Migración – Migraciones).

You can find the documentation required for each visa in their official website.

Work visa (Visa sujeta a contrato)

If you are going to apply for a work visa (visa sujeta a contrato) for the first time, then click here, and then click on the tab named “¿Qué es la Visa Sujeta a Contrato por primera vez?” (What is the work visa for the first time).

  • Click on “Requisitos para la Región Metropolitana” (Requirements for the Metropolitan Region) if you reside within the Metropolitan Region to open a PDF file with the documentation required.
  • Click on “Requisitos para Gobernaciones Provinciales” (Requirements for Gobernaciones Provinciales) if you reside outside the Metropolitan Region to open a PDF file with the documentation required.

Temporary visa (Visa temporaria)

If you are going to apply for a temporary visa (visa temporaria) for the first time, then click here, and then click on the tab corresponding to the type of temporary visa you are going to apply for.

  • Click on “Requisitos para la Región Metropolitana” (Requirements for the Metropolitan Region) if you reside within the Metropolitan Region to open a PDF file with the documentation required.
  • Click on “Requisitos para Gobernaciones Provinciales” (Requirements for Gobernaciones Provinciales) if you reside outside the Metropolitan Region to open a PDF file with the documentation required.

Student visa (Visa de estudiante)

If you are going to apply for a student visa (visa de estudiante) for the first time, then click here, and then click on the tab named “¿En qué consiste la visa de estudiante por primera vez?”.

  • Click on “Requisitos para la Región Metropolitana” (Requirements for the Metropolitan Region) if you reside within the Metropolitan Region to open a PDF file with the documentation required.
  • Click on “Requisitos para Gobernaciones Provinciales” (Requirements for Gobernaciones Provinciales) if you reside outside the Metropolitan Region to open a PDF file with the documentation required.

2. Documents issued abroad

If you need to present documents that have been issued abroad (outside Chile), they MUST be previously apostilled OR legalized.

Apostille: Once the document has been apostilled by the competent authority in the country of origin, it is recognized as “authentic” by Chile.

Legalization process: If the document is issued by a country that is not part of the Aspotille Convention (Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents), then you need to go through the legalization process in order for that document to be recognized as “authentic” by Chile. It is a two step process: a) You MUST legalize the document on the Chilean Consulate located on the country of origin; AND, b) Once the document is physically in Chile, head over to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs located in Agustinas 1320, first floor, if you are in Santiago, or to a Civil Registry (Servicio de Registro Civil e Identificación) office, if you are not in Santiago.

Once steps a) and b) are completed, the document will be recognized as “authentic” in Chile.

3. Is your tourist visa still valid?

Since you are going to apply for a visa in Chile under a tourist visa, you must make sure that you submit your application before your tourist visa expires. If you submit your application after your tourist visa expired, it will be rejected.

If you overstay your tourist visa, you MUST calculate and pay the penalty to receive the resolution (resolución de sanción pagada) from Extranjería. After you get that resolution, apply for the visa with all the documentation required, within 10 days.

4. Present or submit your application

If you reside within the Metropolitan Region

You MUST complete and sign the application form, put it inside an envelope along with the required documentation and send it to Extranjería by certified mail.

If you are applying for a work visa (visa sujeta a contrato):

  • Find the application form here.
  • Submit your application by certified mail to: CLASIFICADOR N° 8, CORREO CENTRAL, SANTIAGO, specifying the visa you are applying for “SOLICITUD VISA SUJETA A CONTRATO”.

If you are applying for a temporary visa (visa temporaria):

  • Find the application form here.
  • Submit your application by certified mail to: CLASIFICADOR N° 8, CORREO CENTRAL, SANTIAGO, specifying the visa you are applying for “SOLICITUD VISA TEMPORARIA”.

If you are applying for a student visa (visa de estudiante):

  • Find the application form here.
  • Submit your application by certified mail to: CLASIFICADOR N° 8, CORREO CENTRAL, SANTIAGO, specifying the visa you are applying for “SOLICITUD VISA ESTUDIANTE”.

If you reside within the Antofagasta Region

You MUST complete and sign the application form, put it inside an envelope along with the required documentation and send it to Extranjería by certified mail.

If you are applying for a work visa (visa sujeta a contrato):

  • Find the application form here.
  • Submit your application by certified mail to: CLASIFICADOR N° 31, CORREO ANTOFAGASTA, ANTOFAGASTA, specifying the visa you are applying for “SEÑORES: SOLICITUD DE RESIDENCIA”.

If you are applying for a temporary visa (visa temporaria):

  • Find the application form here.
  • Submit your application by certified mail to: CLASIFICADOR N° 31, CORREO ANTOFAGASTA, ANTOFAGASTA, specifying the visa you are applying for “SEÑORES: SOLICITUD DE RESIDENCIA”.

If you are applying for a student visa (visa de estudiante):

  • Find the application form here.
  • Submit your application by certified mail to: CLASIFICADOR N° 31, CORREO ANTOFAGASTA, ANTOFAGASTA, specifying the visa you are applying for “SEÑORES: SOLICITUD VISA ESTUDIANTE”.

If you reside outside the Metropolitan Region and outside the Antofagasta Region: Gobernaciones Provinciales

In this case, the application is made in person and you MUST book an appointment online for the process called “Ingreso de Solicitud de Residencia (puede obtener permiso de trabajo)”.

Once the appointment is confirmed, head over to the Gobernación Provincial with all the documentation and your passport. You can get a work permit the same day of the application called “permiso de trabajo con visa en trámite”, which will allow to work while your visa is being processed. The cost is the equivalent to 50% of what a work visa cost based on your nationality.

After you submit your application by certified mail, wait 90-120 days until it is registered on Extranjería’s website. Once you see it online, it will mean that the review process has began (you are now “en trámite”).

5. Wait 90-120 days

  • Click here to read our post on how to check the status of your application in Extranjería.

6. Download the documents and pay the work permit (if applicable)

You will be able to download the resolution issued by Extranjería stating that you are legally residing in Chile while your visa is being processed, a copy of the application form, and the payment order if you applied for a work permit while your is being processed.

If you applied for a work permit (permiso de trabajo con visa en trámite) print the payment order, head over to any commercial bank or ServiEstado and pay the fees.

  • Click here to read our post on how to apply and download the work permit.

If you presented your application outside the Metropolitan Region and the Antofagasta Region, you should already have a work permit (you get it the same day of the application).

7. Now wait some more

Extranjería will take another extra 3-4 months more to review your application and take a decision (approval or rejection).

8. Decision

Your visa was approved? Congrats! Download all the documents from Extranjería’s website.

Your visa was denied? Sorry to hear that. You can appeal the decision, submitting new documents supporting your case (for more information click here).

You can find an estimated of the processing times for 2019 in the following tweet:

9. Pay your visa

Download the payment order, print it, head over to any commercial bank or ServiEstado in Chile and pay (in cash – chilean pesos).

Save the receipt, you will need later.

10. Book an appointment for Extranjería

Go to Extranjería’s website and book an appointment for the process called “Estampados de visa en pasaportes“:

  • Click here to read our post on how to book an appointment for Extranjería – step by step.

11. Stamp your visa

The day of the appointment present your passport, receipt of payment, and, if you were required additional documents, take them as well.

12. Register your visa

Once you stamp your visa on your passport you have 30 days to register it in PDI (Policía de Investigaciones).

If you reside within the Metropolitan Region, you MUST book an appointment online for the process named “Registro de Visa“.

  • Click here to read our post on how to book an appointment for PDI – step by step.

If you reside outside the Metropolitan Region, head over to the closest PDI office and register it without previous appointment. However, some offices will ask you to book an appointment in advance, in person or by phone, so we suggest you to contact them beforehand.

The day of the appointment present your passport and a copy of the page in which you stamped your visa. Take cash with you to pay the Certificate (CLP$800).

13. Apply for your ID Card

Lastly, apply for your Chilean ID Card (RUN – cédula de identidad) at the Civil Registry (Servicio de Registro Civil e Identificación). You MUST do it within the next 30 days from the day in which you stamped your visa in Extranjería.

The day of the application you must present your passport, a copy of the page with your passport details, a copy of the page in which you stamped the visa, and pay CLP$4.270.

After you applied for your ID card, you will be able to check the status online here.

Once it is ready, just collect it from the Civil Registry office.

What’s next?

Once you get your ID Card, the process is done.

Now:

  • If you want to extend your visa for another year, you MUST gather all the documentation and apply for the extension (prórroga de visa) within the last 90 days of your visa.
  • If you want to apply for Permanent Residency in Chile, you MUST do so within the last 90 days of your visa. Bear in mind, that one of the requirements is not having stayed more than 180 days outside Chile within the last year visa.