Thinking about moving to Chile? Before you book your flight, sell your home, or ship your belongings, there is one important thing you need to understand: for most temporary residence categories, you must apply while you are outside Chile.
This catches many people by surprise. They arrive in Chile as tourists, decide they want to stay, and only then discover that they generally cannot apply for temporary residence from inside the country simply because they have changed their minds.
Jim and I moved to Chile in 2013, and after more than 13 years here, we know that planning ahead can save you time, money, and frustration.
Which Residency Option Is Right for You?
Chile offers different residence categories depending on your circumstances. Options may include:
- Retirement or qualifying income: For people who can document an eligible pension or other qualifying income.
- Employment or professional activities: For people who meet the requirements to work or provide services in Chile.
- Family reunification: For people who qualify through certain family relationships.
- Investment and other categories: For applicants who meet the specific requirements of an eligible route.
The right option depends on your situation. Do not assume that a category that worked for someone else will work for you.
You should also understand the difference between a tourist stay, temporary residence, and permanent residence. They are not interchangeable, and buying property in Chile does not automatically give you residency.
The Biggest Mistake: Waiting Until You Arrive
Do not assume you can arrive in Chile as a tourist and then apply for residency.
Many temporary residence applications must be submitted from outside Chile through the official immigration system. There are exceptions, so check the rules for your specific category before making travel plans.
Start with Chile’s National Migration Service, SERMIG: official Chilean temporary residence information.
Before applying, you may need to gather passports, criminal-record certificates, proof of income or employment, and civil documents. Some documents require an apostille or legalization, and requirements vary by application category.
Getting these details wrong can delay your plans. It is much better to identify the correct route and prepare your paperwork before you move.
What About Permanent Residence?
Temporary residence does not automatically become permanent residence. You must meet the eligibility requirements for the category you hold and apply within the required period.
The rules can depend on your residence category, time in Chile, absences, and other circumstances. Check the current requirements with SERMIG rather than relying on someone else’s timeline. Official permanent residence information.
Get Help Preparing Your Immigration Documents
You don’t have to organize everything on your own. At Chile Expat Family, we created an Immigration Document Organizer Worksheet to help you keep track of the paperwork involved in preparing for an international move.
You can use it to organize your documents and check off items as you prepare. It is a planning tool, so be sure to confirm the current requirements for your particular immigration application.
Get the Chile Expat Family Immigration Document Organizer (PDF)
We also have an immigration lawyer in our private Chile Expat Family Telegram group. If you have questions about the immigration process, our group is a place to connect with others and access immigration-related help.
To ask about joining the private group, contact Jim on Telegram: @jimdorchak.
Plan Before You Move
Immigration is only one part of relocating to Chile. You will also need to consider your budget, healthcare, taxes, banking, housing, and where in the country you want to live.
We have spent more than 13 years learning the practical realities of building a life here. That experience is why we created The Chile Relocation Guide books.
- Book One — Everything You Need to Know Before Moving to Chile
- Book Two — Living in Chile: Everything We Learned About Building a Life Here after 13+ Years
- Get both books together
Our guides go into more detail to help you prepare for the many decisions involved in relocating. We want you to understand what you are getting into before making major commitments.
Our advice: Start researching early, verify the current immigration requirements, and make sure you understand where and when you must apply before travelling.
Immigration requirements can change. This article is for general information only; confirm the rules for your circumstances with SERMIG or a qualified immigration professional before applying.