Chilean Citizenship by Naturalization: Requirements and Process

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Naturalization (carta de nacionalización) is the path to Chilean citizenship for foreigners with no Chilean ancestors: build up years of legal residence in Chile, then apply to SERMIG, Chile's national migration service. It is the most common pathway for foreign residents, and this guide covers it end to end: eligibility, how residence time is counted, the application, observed timelines, and what happens after the decree.

If you have a Chilean parent or grandparent born in Chile, stop here: the descent route skips the residence ladder entirely and is usually faster and cheaper. For how Chilean nationality works in general (jus soli, nationality vs citizenship, and why investment and marriage are not shortcuts), see the Chilean citizenship overview.

The Chile citizenship by naturalization at a Glance

You must first obtain temporary, then permanent residency to qualify, which will take at least 4 years:

• around 6 months application time to obtain your first temporary visa
• 24 months of temporary visa
• around 18 months application time to obtain your permanent residency.

See our temporary residency and permanent residency guides for the requirements.

Once you obtain permanent residency, there are two paths available:

1. the standard 5-year pathway:

• Open to all foreign nationals who have been residents for at least 5 years
• No restrictions based on nationality or country of origin

2. the accelerated 2-Year pathway, also qualified citizenship, which is available for specific categories of applicants:

• Spouse of Chilean citizen (married 2+ years continuously)
• Children, parents, or siblings of Chilean citizens
• Special cases approved by government for exceptional contributions

Is it hard to get Chilean citizenship?

The challenge is time and consistency. You need roughly 4 years to reach permanent residency, 5 years of total residence, and then a 2-4 year application process. Applicants who maintain legal status, a clean record, and stable income are approved routinely. Where people fail is in the details: gaps in legal residence, missing apostilles, or absences that break the continuity requirement.

Eligibility Requirements for Naturalization

To apply you must be at least 18 (minors aged 14 to 17 can apply with parental consent and legal-guardian approval), with no upper age limit.

You must hold a valid, current Residencia Definitiva (permanent residency) in good standing, with no pending immigration violations or legal proceedings and a record of compliance with Chilean immigration law throughout your residency. On residence itself, the standard requirement is five years of continuous residence (reduced to two years for qualified applicants), counted from your first temporary residency in Chile; absences during the qualifying period are limited, you must have kept legal status the whole time, and you must be physically present in Chile when you apply.

Your record must be clean:

• Serious criminal convictions in any country are disqualifying, including felonies involving violence, drugs, or fraud, crimes against national security or public order, human trafficking, terrorism, or organized crime, and tax evasion or major financial crimes.
• Minor offenses and traffic violations are generally acceptable.

Finally, you must show basic integration. That means conversational Spanish, enough to communicate about civic topics: there is no formal language test, but it is assessed during the interview, and written proficiency helps without being strictly required. You should also have a working knowledge of Chile, its history, geography, and system of government, the constitutional principles and the rights and duties of citizens, the country's cultural values and social norms, and an awareness of current political and social issues.

Application Process

All naturalization applications must be submitted online. You'll need your ClaveÚnica digital identity to access the system, and no paper applications are accepted.

As the application process and required documents vary significantly based on your personal and family situation, book a consultation or contact us for a quote for our Chilean citizenship support service. You can also take the citizenship quiz.

How much does it cost to become a citizen of Chile?

See our visa costs page for all current fees. The real cost is in the preparation: apostilles, certified translations, and the years of residency fees that precede the application.

Timeline Expectations

Once you apply, the full naturalization process typically takes 2 to 4 years. There is no fixed schedule and waiting times vary a lot from case to case, so the most important thing to bring is patience.

A rough idea of what to expect:

• First document check: usually within 3-6 months of applying.
• Police appointment: typically after 12-18 months.
• Final decision and decree: anywhere from 2 to 4 years in total.

If nothing has moved after 12-18 months and you feel it is taking too long, you can request a court order to push the process forward. In practice we recommend waiting instead. The process does advance, and will eventually get resolved, unless you are in hurry for some reason.

After Receiving Citizenship

Once approved, you'll receive official citizenship documentation:

• Decreto Exento (citizenship decree) - legal proof of Chilean nationality, usually sent to the postal address that you indicated
• Digital copy of the decree sent by email by the immigration service

Using Your Citizenship Decree, you must go to the Civil Registry to:

• request a new Chilean ID card
• request a Chilean passport if you plan to leave Chile

Naturalizing does not cost you your original nationality as far as Chile is concerned: see our Chile dual citizenship guide for the rules and practicalities.

Chilean citizenship represents a significant commitment and provides substantial benefits for those seeking long-term integration in Chile. With proper preparation, documentation, and patience, the naturalization process offers a clear pathway to full Chilean nationality and all the rights and responsibilities that come with it.

Frequently asked questions about naturalization in Chile

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