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- Family Reunification Visa
11/08/2025
The family reunification visa (Visa de Reunificación Familiar) allows Chilean citizens and permanent residents to bring their family members to Chile to live together permanently. This is one of the most important pathways for family unity under Chilean immigration law.
Family reunification is a fundamental right under Chilean law. The Chilean Constitution and immigration law recognize the right of families to live together, making this visa category particularly strong for eligible applicants.
Foreigners who are in Chile with a temporary visa can also bring their family members, but:
- the list of qualifying members is more limited,
- they need to prove income source and sign an affidavit indicating they take care of their family members while in Chile.
- the application is not done under the "family-reunification" category, but as a family member (dependiente) of a temporary resident.
Who Can Apply for Family Reunification?
Sponsors
You can sponsor family members for reunification if you are:
- Chilean citizen (by birth or naturalization)
- Permanent resident in Chile
- Temporary resident in Chile (with limitations)
Eligible Family Members
The following family members can be sponsored:
- Spouse or civil union partner (married or in a civil union recognized by Chilean law)
- Minor children (under 18 years old)
- Children between 18 and 24 if they are studying in Chile
- Adult children with disabilities requiring care
Only Chilean citizens and permanent resident foreigners can sponsor:
- Parents
- Adult children
Same-sex couples: Chile recognizes same-sex civil unions (Acuerdo de Unión Civil) since 2015 and same-sex marriage since 2022. Same-sex partners can sponsor each other for family reunification.
Economic Requirements for Sponsors
When the sponsor is a permanent resident or a Chilean citizenship, there is no requirement to demonstrate financial capacity to support the family member.
When the sponsor is a temporary resident, they must demonstrate that they can take care of their family member.
Acceptable Proof of Income
- Employment contracts with salary details
- Business income statements
- Bank statements showing regular deposits
- Property rental income
- Investment income
- Pension or retirement benefits
Application Process
The visa application process is the same as all temporary visas in Chile
Step 1: Prepare Documentation
- Gather all required documents for sponsor and family member
- Ensure all foreign documents are apostilled/legalized
- Translate all documents to Spanish by certified translator (for documents not in Spanish or English)
Step 2: Submit Application
- Applications submitted online through the Chilean immigration portal
- Submit from outside Chile (family member applies from their country) or inside Chile (family member applies while in Chile as a tourist)
- Pay application fees online
Step 3: Review Process
- Immigration service reviews application and documents
- May request additional documentation
- Possible requirement to go to the nearest Chilean consulate to show the original of some documents
Step 4: Decision and Travel
- If approved, family member receives visa to travel to Chile
- Must enter Chile within 90 days of visa issuance
- Apply for residence card (Cédula de Identidad) within 30 days of arrival
Processing Times
The family reunification visa takes around 6-8 months to process. If you do not send the correct documents, or they are not translated and/or apostilled/legalized, the duration of the process can extend up to 12 months. Therefore, make sure to properly send all correct documentation the first time to avoid unecessary delays.
Fees and Costs
The family reunification visa is a category of temporary visa. The immigration fee varies based on the citizenship of the applicant. See the article Chile Visas Cost for information about the immigration fees.
Path to Permanent Residency
Family reunification visa holders can apply for permanent residency after:
- 12 months of legal residence during the 24 months of their initial visa (instead of 22 months for most other categories)
- Maintaining family relationship with sponsor
Need Professional Assistance?
Family reunification cases can be complex, especially with document requirements and proving genuine relationships. Consider professional assistance if:
- You have a complex family situation
- Document requirements are unclear
- Previous applications were denied
- You need help with the economic requirements
For personalized guidance on your family reunification case, you can book a consultation here.
Frequently Asked Questions about Family Reunification Visas
Visa Processing and Work Authorization
No, you cannot work in Chile while your application is pending. You must wait for visa approval and arrival in Chile.
Initially 1 year, renewable annually until you qualify for permanent residency.
Relationship and Family Considerations
Divorce does not automatically affect your legal status, but may impact future residency renewals depending on circumstances.
Yes, if you have legal custody or parental responsibility, and the relationship is recognized by law.
Language and Integration Requirements
Yes, language is not a requirement for family reunification, though it helps with integration.
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