We determine the right residence permit for your situation, prepare your file, and handle every step with the Chilean immigration service, from the first document to your Chilean ID card.
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Rated Excellent (4.8/5)Around a dozen permit categories. 15 to 20 documents per application, each translated, apostilled, and filed in the right order, while background checks expire and apostilles take weeks to come back. A single sequencing mistake typically costs 2 to 4 months, and you usually discover it only when a request for more documents lands months into the wait. We take that entire process off your plate.
You are moving to Chile to work, retire, invest, or join family, alone or with your partner and children
You are an HR team relocating an employee to Chile and want the immigration step handled end to end
You want your file right the first time, instead of discovering requirements through rejection notices
Your schedule requires you to immediately be legally allowed to work in Chile
One point of contact for every step, from the first checklist to your Chilean ID card.
Your visa journey starts with a personal consultation to find your ideal visa path.
Before you spend time and money on legalizations and apostilles, we make sure every document is correct.
While you focus on planning your move, we keep a close eye on your application.
Getting your Chilean ID card is the final step, and we handle it all for you.
Typical durations observed with current processing times. Every case is different.
Quick for solo applicants from countries with efficient administration and no translations required, but slower for families or from countries not part of the apostille convention.
Since the 2022 immigration law and the reorganization of the immigration service, visa issuance is slower than it used to be. Process is slowly improving.
The civil register takes 1-2 months to issue the card. You can start working as soon as your visa is issued. The card is not required to work.
In the (rare) case the immigration service rejects a visa application, we reapply at no additional service fee, or take the case to court at our expense.
The guarantee covers our service fees, while government fees and third-party costs are excluded. It requires that documents and information are provided on time and that immigration service appointments are attended.
Wherever you are applying from, chances are we have already handled a case like yours: we know which documents your country issues, how they get apostilled, and where files usually get stuck.
Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Monaco, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom
China, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates
Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, USA, Venezuela
Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan
Australia
You receive a digital copy of the Chile Handbook for Foreigners and all its bonuses: the most up-to-date book for foreigners moving to Chile, covering housing, healthcare, banking, schools, work, and taxes. It speeds up your learning curve so you never have to guess or rely on unqualified advice.
One chapter per topic for easy access.
Everything you need to know to start moving to Chile.
One step at a time, to avoid stress and wasted time.
There is a reason hundreds of expatriates have trusted us since 2016.
Mar 30, 2024
Working with expat.cl was very easy. Jeremie is very knowledgeable and was able to help me get my residency paperwork submitted quickly. He also walked me through the process for extending my tourist visa.
Date of experience: Mar 30, 2024
Jan 28, 2024
Jérémie is very knowledgeable and goes above and beyond to provide a personalized service. He guided me through the entire residency process and was there to answer questions and give helpful advice every step of the way. I would highly recommend expat.cl to anyone coming to Chile for residence or business. It is really a one stop shop, that makes what can otherwise be bureaucratic and time consuming processes simple and fast.
Date of experience: Jan 28, 2024
Jul 12, 2024
Jeremie at expat.cl was professional, courteous and diligent in assisting me with my Chile visa. Through unexpected policy and requirements changes he remained steadfast and communicative throughout the visa process. I wouldn't hesitate to utilize his services again.
Date of experience: Jul 12, 2024
Feb 14, 2024
Expat.cl did a great job doing the processing work for our visas. Jérémie explained everything from beginning to end and accurately set expectations about what to expect at each stage. He was also very responsive to questions. We were very happy with their service and would recommend him to anyone thinking about re-location.
Date of experience: Feb 14, 2024
Find answers here...
The duration varies significantly based on the visa type. Investor visas get reviewed in 1 to 3 months. Work visas take between 6-8 months, while retirement visas take between 6-12 months. These are average durations, and processing times depend on the immigration service's workload and of your specific profile.
Immediately. When you agree to start the service, we send you a memo with the required documents within 24 hours. If needed, we put you in touch with providers in your origin country to help you gather the documents. We file your visa application as soon as we have all the documents. The document collection phase usually takes 1 to 3 months, mainly depending on the administration in your country of origin.
The visa is issued electronically, so you won't need to go to the consulate to obtain it. However, you may need to go to the consulate to sign your work contract or a letter of support if you relocate with family members and, in some cases, to show some documents.
Yes. Note that while your application is in progress, you are still treated as a tourist for entry purposes, so you can leave and re-enter Chile. The exact rules depend on your nationality.
We usually do an onboarding call at the start. We then mostly communicate by email, which is easier across time zones. Written answers also stay available, so you can rely on our detailed replies even weeks later.
When filed with expat.cl, this is unlikely. The reason is that there are many steps before an application is rejected, hence many opportunities to fix an application. The immigration service first requests additional documents, then sends a pre-rejection notice, and only then rejects the application. If this occurs, we assist with the administrative appeal against the decision, and our guarantee applies: we reapply at no additional service fee.
If you apply for a family reunification visa from inside Chile, you receive a certificate allowing you to work after 1 to 3 months. If you apply for a visa from outside Chile, you can work as soon as you enter Chile with your visa, even before receiving your Chilean ID card.
Yes. Adult family members who apply together with you are allowed to work in Chile once they obtain their certificate/visa. Same criteria as the previous question.
Fill out our short form, and we will get back to you within 24 hours with the right permit path and a clear plan.
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We handle your visa
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