Last updated on 08/09/2026
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The investor visa rules changed in 2022. The minimum investment is USD 500,000, and every application requires approval from the Chilean Investment Agency (InvestChile) before immigration processing.
This guide explains the investment requirements, the InvestChile review, the documents used for an investor visa application, and the requirements for permanent residency.
Is there a Chile golden visa?
No. Chile has no golden visa program, no residency-by-real-estate scheme, and no citizenship by investment. Buying property or depositing money in a bank account does not qualify for a Chilean residence permit.
Chile instead offers investor residency: a temporary residence visa for people, or employees of companies, making an active, productive investment of at least USD 500,000 that InvestChile validates. The two models differ:
- Golden visa (other countries): residence through a passive purchase (real estate, bonds, funds)
- Chile investment visa: residence only through an active project with economic merit and job-creation potential
Buying a house does not qualify: buying property in Chile is open to anyone, but it gives no immigration benefit. And citizenship still requires years of actual residence: there is no shortcut. See our citizenship section.
Tax, residence, and financial rules
The following rules apply as of 2026:
- No wealth tax and no net-worth tax on individuals
- Foreign income is exempt for your first 3 tax years as a new resident, and foreign pensions stay exempt permanently
- Free capital repatriation and one of the region's most stable currencies
- Citizenship timeline: permanent residency after 2 years, citizenship eligibility after 5, dual citizenship accepted
- Investment-grade sovereign ratings (S&P A, Fitch A-, Moody's A2), the highest in Latin America
These tax and regulatory rules are separate from the investor visa requirements.
Applying for an investor visa?
The service includes:
- Company and investment evidence reviewed
- Residence category confirmed
- Application prepared and filed
Chile's investment framework
Chile is the most stable economy in Latin America and has been an OECD member since 2010. Its investment framework includes:
- Legal protections: strong property rights, transparent legal system, international arbitration agreements, and foreign investment protection treaties
- Financial infrastructure: well-developed banking system, currency exchange flexibility, and profits can be repatriated freely
- Free trade access: 60+ trade agreements, Pacific Alliance membership, and access to Asia-Pacific commerce
- Investment-grade credit ratings: S&P: A / Fitch: A- / Moody's: A2
The government actively encourages foreign investment in renewable energy, technology, mining, agriculture, and infrastructure, but you will deal with the Chilean Investment Agency (InvestChile) regardless of sector.
How the investor visa works in Chile
Chile's investor visa is a temporary residence permit for qualifying foreign investors and certain employees of investing companies. It can lead to permanent residency and, later, citizenship.
The investor visa is initially granted for two years and can be renewed for a further two. From there it opens a clear path to permanent residency: depending on how much time you spend in the country and the investment you have realized, you become eligible for permanent residency after either two or four years of temporary residence. Once you hold permanent residency, you can apply for Chilean citizenship after five years of total residence, and a Chilean passport in turn grants visa-free access to more than 174 countries.
Who can apply for an investor visa in Chile?
The 2022 immigration law significantly restructured the investor visa program, creating two distinct pathways with clear eligibility criteria:
- Foreign company investing in Chile
- Foreign private individual investing in Chile
- Chilean company receiving funds from a foreign company
- Foreign company owning at least 10% of a Chilean subsidiary, needing to send employees to work in Chile
Some common scenarios are:
- Multinational corporations establishing Chilean operations
- Foreign companies acquiring stakes in Chilean businesses
- Technology companies expanding to Latin American markets
- Joint-venture between a Chilean and a foreign company
If you don't qualify for the investor visa, you may consider these alternative options:
- Rentista Visa: For those with recurring passive income
- Work Visa: For employment-based immigration
All temporary residence visas are open based on your specific circumstances.
Entrepreneurs below the USD 500,000 threshold: you do not need the investor visa to do business in Chile. Chile company registration is open to foreigners, and you can operate a company while holding another residence category. See our guide on starting a business in Chile.
What documents are required to get an investor visa in Chile?
Minimum Investment: USD 500,000
This is the legal minimum required for all investor visa applications, regardless of sector or investment type. The Chilean Investment Agency evaluates each project based on its economic merit and potential impact rather than the investment amount above this threshold.
The Chilean investment agency defines the investor visa requirements. This agency issued a resolution in August 2022, which specifies the different types of documents to submit based on the project size and category. We won't elaborate here, as a case-by-case analysis of your project is required to assess its class and determine the necessary documents. So we recommend you book a consultation to review your situation.
How to get a Chilean investor visa?
- You shall gather the documents required by the Chilean Investment Agency and the Chile Immigration Service.
- You must present the documents to the Chilean Investment Agency, which will review them and issue you a support letter if they validate your project.
- You must then send an investment visa application on the immigration service website before coming to Chile. Chile no longer authorizes applications from tourists in Chile for investor visas.
- Once you receive your temporary investor visa, you can relocate to Chile.
- After arriving, you need to book an appointment with the civil register within 30 days to apply for a Chilean ID Card.
Based on your situation, some other types of visas might be more suitable for your project. Book a consultation so that we can analyze your situation in more detail.
The InvestChile review process
Before you can apply for the visa, the Chilean Investment Agency (InvestChile) must validate your project. Here's what to expect:
- Submit your project: you present your investment plan, business documents, and proof of funds to InvestChile.
- Review: InvestChile evaluates the economic merit, job creation potential, and alignment with Chile's investment priorities. This takes 2-4 weeks on average.
- Support letter: if approved, InvestChile issues a support letter (carta de patrocinio) confirming your project qualifies. Without this letter, the immigration service will not process your visa.
The specific documents InvestChile requires depend on your project type and size, so there is no one-size-fits-all checklist. So we recommend booking a consultation to review your situation before starting.
Fees
The investor visa fee depends on your nationality. See the visa costs page for the current fee table. The investor visa is processed faster than other categories (1-3 months), but the InvestChile review adds time to the front end.
InvestChile reviews each project individually. Prepare the project documents before submitting them. Get our Chile immigration updates and investor guides:
Frequently asked questions about the Chilean investor visa
Eligibility and Basic Requirements
Is there a golden visa in Chile?
No. Chile has no golden visa, no residency-by-real-estate scheme, and no citizenship by investment. What Chile offers is investor residency: a temporary residence visa for an active, productive investment of at least USD 500,000. Passive purchases like property or bank deposits do not qualify.
What is the minimum investment amount required for Chile's investor visa?
USD 500,000 is the minimum investment required. The investment must create economic activity in a sector of the Chile investment policy, and demonstrate potential for job creation or economic impact.
Are there any nationalities that are restricted from applying for an investor visa?
No. There are no nationality restrictions. Applicants from any country may apply. A criminal background check is required, and the immigration service may deny an application if the applicant has committed serious crimes in any country.
Do I need to speak Spanish to get an investor visa in Chile?
No. Spanish is not legally required for visa approval, but practical business operations in Chile require Spanish skills. Your business plan submitted to the Investment Agency can be in English, but day-to-day business operations will require Spanish.
Can I get Chilean citizenship with my investor visa without losing my original citizenship?
It depends. Chile recognizes dual citizenship. You can maintain your original nationality while acquiring Chilean citizenship, but only if your home country allows dual citizenship. The pathway is: 2+ years temporary residence → permanent residence → 5+ years total residence → citizenship application (2-3 year process).
Investment Types and Business Operations
What types of investments qualify for the investor visa?
Multiple investment types may qualify: New business creation, acquiring existing Chilean companies, joint ventures with Chilean partners. The key is economic activity and job creation potential. Contact us to analyze your project.
Can I invest in real estate to qualify for the investor visa?
No. Buying a house for personal use or just rental doesn't qualify as there is no job creation and it does not align with the Chile investment policy. Buying real estate as part of a larger investment project could be possible though.
Can I start multiple businesses or make multiple investments?
The investment agency will review a single project and base its decision on that project. If you later decide to split your investments, that is up to you. After 2 years, you need a company paying you a salary to renew your visa.
What happens to my investment if I want to leave Chile?
It depends on your investment. The investment agency is not receiving your investment (like in citizenship/residency by investment programs). They focus on validating that you qualify. The way you invest later is up to you. So whether you can liquidate your investment and leave entirely depends on the assets in which the funds have been invested and their liquidity.
Application Process and Timeline
Do I need to visit Chile to apply for an investor visa?
No. Initial visit is not required for the application. The entire application process is conducted online before arriving in Chile. You only need to enter Chile to activate your visa once approved. However, you may need to visit a Chilean consulate during the process.
Do I need to make the investment before applying for an investor visa in Chile?
Not necessarily. You can apply before or after investing.
Will I need to attend an interview for my investor visa?
Unlikely. Most applications are approved based on documentation alone. Clear financial documentation and detailed investment proposals typically eliminate the need for interviews.
How long does the investor visa application process take?
Current processing time is 1-3 months. Investor visas are the fastest visa category you can apply to.
Can I expedite my investor visa application?
No official expedited process exists. However, the investor visas are already given priority at the immigration service level, due to an agreement between the immigration service and the investment agency. Complete, well-documented applications with clear business plans and strong financial backing will reduce further document requests. If needed, you can get a work permit as a tourist to work legally in Chile with a tourist visa while waiting for your investor visa.
Family and Residency Considerations
Can my family accompany me on an investor visa?
Yes, spouse and unmarried children under 24 can apply for dependent visas. They receive the same residency rights as you.
Do I need to live in Chile full-time with an investor visa?
There is no minimum stay requirement to keep the visa valid. However, if you want to qualify for permanent residency directly after 2 years, you must have spent at least 22 months in Chile, or 12 months and invested for 18 consecutive months. If you don't meet either of those thresholds, you will need to renew the visa for another 2 years before applying for PR.
When can I apply for permanent residency with an investor visa?
It depends. After 2 years of temporary residency, provided you have been in Chile for at least 12 months total and have invested in the country for 18 consecutive months. If not, after your second temporary visa renewal. Permanent residency processing takes approximately 18 months due to current backlogs.
What if my investment fails or performs poorly?
Investment performance doesn't affect visa validity. However, you may have issue renewing your visa, or applying for permanent residency, if your investment is not generating cash flows in Chile. Contact us.
