Last updated on 08/09/2026
On this page
If you want to stay in Chile for more than 90 days to work, retire, invest, study, or join family, you need residency in Chile, not a tourist permit. For visits of up to 90 days, see our Chilean visa and entry guide instead.
How residency in Chile works under Ley 21.325
Chile's immigration law (Ley 21.325, in force since 2022) defines two residence statuses:
- Residencia temporal (temporary residency): granted for a specific purpose (work, family, retirement, investment), usually for up to 2 years. You apply online with the immigration service (SERMIG) from your home country, before traveling, except for family reunification and humanitarian cases.
- Residencia definitiva (permanent residency): an indefinite permit you can request after holding temporary residency, typically for 24 months (12 months in some cases) to 48 months. This status is then the gateway to Chilean citizenship.
The biggest change of the 2022 law: arriving as a tourist and "switching" to a visa from inside Chile is no longer possible for most categories. Plan your application 6-8 months before your move.
Which Chile residence permit is right for you?
Start with our overview of all temporary visa categories for Chile if you want the full comparison. Otherwise, jump straight to your situation:
Working and earning in Chile
- Work visa: you have (or will sign) a contract with a Chilean employer.
- Digital nomad and remote work options: Chile has no digital nomad visa, so this guide covers the real alternatives.
- Working holiday visa: for young citizens of partner countries who want to travel and work for a year.
- Investor visa: residency through a business or investment project in Chile... or if you are sent to work for the Chilean branch of an international company, while maintaining your work contract with the foreign company.
Living on your own income
- Retirement visa: for retirees living on a pension.
- Rentista visa: for anyone with recurring passive income (rent, dividends, interest).
Family and other situations
- Family reunification visa: partners, children, and parents of Chileans and permanent residents (one of the few permits you can request from inside Chile).
- Pregnant women visa: a humanitarian permit for expectant mothers.
- Medical treatment visa: for patients receiving healthcare in Chile.
- Religious visa: for missionaries, clergy, and religious workers.
By nationality
- MERCOSUR visa: a residence path for citizens of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and other associated countries.
How long does it take to get temporary residency in Chile?
As of 2026, SERMIG decisions on temporary residency commonly take 6 to 8 months. Add the time to collect, apostille, and translate your documents (often 2-3 months), and you should start roughly a year before your intended move. These are averages. Actual times vary per situation and are not guaranteed.
How do you get permanent residency in Chile?
After about 24 months of temporary residency (12 months with a Chilean spouse, civil partner, or child), you may qualify for residencia definitiva. You must show you spent enough time in Chile and can support yourself. The full requirements, document list, and FAQ are in our permanent residency in Chile guide. Once you are a permanent residency with five years of residency, you may qualify for citizenship.
How easy is it to immigrate to Chile?
The rules are clear, but each permit typically requires 10-15 documents that must meet the apostille and translation rules. Applicants who qualify and submit a complete file are routinely approved. Applications are filed on a platform that gives little feedback, so check the category and document requirements before filing. If you want a specialist to choose the right permit and handle the paperwork end to end, book a consultation. We have managed Chilean residence applications since 2016.
