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Last updated on 20/06/2026
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Chile's tourist visa is the most accessible way to experience this incredible South American country. Whether you're planning a short vacation, extended stay, or exploring Chile as a potential home base, understanding the tourist visa system is essential for your Chilean adventure.
Good News: Citizens of over 100 countries can enter Chile visa-free as tourists, receiving a 90-day permit on arrival. This includes most European, North American, Australian, and many Latin American citizens.
Important Change (2022 immigration law): You can no longer apply for temporary residence visas after entering Chile as a tourist (except for the family reunification visa and humanitarian visas such as the pregnancy visa). If you plan to stay long-term, start your visa application process before arriving. Do not come to Chile as tourist expecting to get the situation sorted after arriving. It won't be possible.
What is a Tourist Visa in Chile?
Chile's "tourist visa" is actually a tourist permit issued on arrival for eligible countries. It's:
- Free for most nationalities
- Valid for 90 days initially
- Renewable once for an additional 90 days
- Perfect for exploring Chile before deciding on longer-term plans
Upon arrival, you'll receive a small white paper called Tarjeta de Turismo (Tourism Card):
- Don't lose this! It's your legal proof of tourist status
- Required for extensions, work permits, and exiting the country
- Replacement: Available through the PDI website (takes 2-3 weeks)
Do You Need a Visa to Travel to Chile?
For most readers of this guide: no. If you hold a passport from the US, Canada, the EU, the UK, Australia, or most of Latin America, you do not need a visa to travel to Chile for tourism: you receive a 90-day permit at the border. Chile's visit visa requirements only demand an advance application from a limited list of nationalities (see below). For residence (staying long-term, working, retiring), everyone needs a visa regardless of nationality: see our visa overview.
Entry Requirements by Country
Visa-Free Countries (90-day tourist permit on arrival)
Europe: All EU countries, UK, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland
Americas: USA, Canada, Mexico, most South American countries
Asia-Pacific: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore
Others: Israel, South Africa, and many more
Countries Requiring Tourist Visa in Advance
A small number of countries must apply for tourist visas before travel:
- Most African countries
- Some Asian countries
- Certain Middle Eastern countries
Check Current Requirements: Visa requirements can change. Always verify with your nearest Chilean consulate before traveling.
Reciprocity Fees
Chile used to charge reciprocity fees to citizens of countries that charged Chileans for visas. Most of these fees have been eliminated, including for US, Canadian, and Australian citizens arriving at Santiago airport. However, requirements change regularly. Verify with your nearest Chilean consulate before traveling.
What You Can Do as a Tourist in Chile
The Chile tourist visa allows many activities:
- Tourism and sightseeing throughout Chile
- Business meetings and conferences (no employment)
- Short-term studies (under 90 days)
- Medical treatment (short-term)
- Family visits
- Cultural and sports activities
- Volunteer work (unpaid, limited)
The following activities requires a special permit
- Paid employment: You need a work permit as tourist (see below)
- Long-term studies: The student visa is recommended for courses over 90 days. Additionally, if you want to be able to move to a work visa after finishing your studies.
Investment is be possible as a tourist, but you need a non-resident RUT to be able to register the assets on your name with the tax authorities. In some situations, it may be more interesting to be resident for tax purposes.
Living in Chile on Tourist Status
Many people use tourist status for extended visits:
- Initial 90 days on arrival
- Extension available: Additional 90 days (total 180 days/year)
- Popular with: Digital nomads, retirees, students
Housing Options for Tourists
- Short-term rentals: Airbnb, furnished apartments
- Extended stay hotels: Monthly rates available
- Shared accommodation: Hostels, shared apartments
- House-sitting: Popular expat community option
Long-term Strategy: While some people live in Chile by leaving/re-entering every 3 to 6 months, this is not recommended. Immigration officers may deny entry if they suspect you're living illegally in Chile.
How Long Can You Stay in Chile Without a Visa?
The standard answer: 90 days on arrival, extendable to 180 days per calendar year. Technically, you are given a tourist visa in Chile (upon entry) for 90 days. You can pay 100 USD to renew it. Beyond that, you need a temporary residence visa. Here are the options in detail:
Option 1: Prorroga - If your initial visa was for less than 90 Days (unlikely)
If the consulate (e-visa) or the PDI (visa on arrival) gave you a visa with a duratin fewer than 90 days, you can request an extension up to 90 days total. This is free.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs used to issue visas with duration shorter than 90 days. However, it does not seem to be the case anymore.
Option 2: Prorroga de Turismo - If You Want an extra 90 Days
This is the standard case. You can renew your tourist visa for an additional 90 days beyond your initial 90, giving you up to 180 days total per calendar year. Apply at least 30 days before expiration. Cost: USD 100 for adults, free for children under 18. Done online through the immigration website.
Option 3: Border Run (Salida y Reingreso)
If you leave Chile and re-enter, you usually obtain a new tourist visa for a 90-day period. The most popular destinations from Santiago are Mendoza, Buenos Aires and Lima. Foreigners in the south of Chile may cross the border with Argentina to go to Bariloche. Those in the north may go to Tacna and come back.
This option is only available for citizens of countries with visa-on-arrival agreement with Chile. Citizens of countries requiring to obtain a consular visa won't be issued a new visa if they leave Chile and attempt to re-enter. Even if you are eligible, don't overuse this option and apply for a temporary visa if you plan to stay long-term in Chile.
Working in Chile as a Tourist
You can legally work in Chile as a tourist** by obtaining a special work permit called "work permit as a tourist" (Permiso de Trabajo con Turista).
However, this permit is very limited and costly:
- 90 days maximum, or until the expiration of your tourist visa
- Tied to a single employer. You cannot change employers
- No access to Chilean social services
- It is expensive. It costs 150% of a 2-year work visa. This is on purpose
You will need:
- Valid passport
- Tourist card (Tarjeta Unica Migratoria)
- Employment contract or formal invitation letter
This permit is not a long-term strategy. Obtaining it does not change your tourist status, and won't allow you to switch to a long-term work visa afterwards. We only recommend it for two situations: 1) short-term work contracts (especially for the employee to be covered by corporate insurance in case of accident). 2) as a temporary solution for an employee to start legally working in Chile, while waiting for its 2-year visa to be issued.
Digital Nomads and Remote Work
Chile is popular with remote workers thanks to fast internet, good time zone overlap with the US, and affordable cost of living. For visa options, coworking spaces, tax implications, and practical tips, see our dedicated digital nomad guide.
Banking for Tourists
You cannot open a standard bank account as a tourist, because that requires a Chilean ID card (which you obtain once you are a resident in Chile). For day-to-day spending: ATMs are widely available, international credit cards work in most places, and carry cash for small vendors. If you need a temporary RUT for a property or vehicle purchase, see our RUT guide.
When to Consider a Different Visa?
Consider transitioning from tourist to resident status if you:
- are staying over 6 months annually
- have (or want) regular/stable employment opportunities,
- hold property investment interests (tax regime may be more interesting),
- have family/friends in Chile.
The most popular next steps:
- Work visa if you have job offers
- Investor visa or Rentista visa for business/investment, or if you have passive income
- Retirement visa for retirees with pensions
- Family reunification if you have a Chilean or Permanent Resident family member
Temporay visa applications take time. Start visa processes 6-8 months before you need them. Tourist status gives you time to explore options and gather requirements. Browse the full Chile visa overview to compare categories, fees, and timelines, or book a consultation to map your pathway.
Frequently Asked Questions regarding Chile tourist visa
Tourists are all foreigners who enter the country for recreation, sports, health, studies, family, religious or similar purposes. The following categories are not considered tourists: people willing to immigrate/stay in Chile or realizing remunerated activities.
All tourists may be requested to prove they have sufficient financial means to survive during their stay. Otherwise, the border control officers can deny entry to Chile.
To enter Chile, you need a valid passport, which must be presented to the International Police when arriving there. Many countries have agreements with Chile so that you automatically obtain your visa for free while arriving at the border.
In some cases, you need 1) to formally apply for a tourist visa or 2) to pay a reciprocity fee on arrival. Yet, this is very specific to a small number of countries.
If the child is traveling accompanied by both parents, the following documents are required:
- Passport or current National Identity Document depending on the country of origin.
- Original birth certificate or family book, plus three photocopies.
If the child is traveling accompanied only by one of their parents, the following documents are required:
- Valid passport or national identity document, depending on the country of origin (see question above).
- Original birth certificate or family book, plus three photocopies.
- Original authorization of the parent who does not travel, signed in front of a notary, giving his consent for the departure of the minor or the authorization of the corresponding family court, plus three photocopies.
- Original death certificate, in case one of the parents is deceased, plus three photocopies.
If the child does not travel accompanied by his parents, the following documents are required:
- Valid passport or national identity document, depending on the country of origin (see question above).
- Original birth certificate or family book, plus three photocopies.
- Original authorization of both parents, signed in front of a notary, giving their consent for the departure of the child, plus three photocopies.
- Original death certificate, in case one or both parents are deceased, plus three photocopies.
- Original authorization of the corresponding family court, giving consent for the trip of the child, plus three photocopies.
For children residing in Chile with their parents, the authorization simply needs to be signed in front of a notary. It is not necessary to legalize the travel authorization at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for minors who leave the country without their parents.
For many countries, citizens do not need a visa or prior authorization to enter Chile as a tourist. However, citizens of some countries need approval, known as a tourist visa, which they have to request 2-3 months in advance at a Chilean consulate.
If you wish to travel to Chile as a tourist, contact the Chilean consulate of your country of residence to learn about the requirements to enter the country.
The standard allowed period is 90 days from the country's entry date. However, the immigration service or police department may exceptionally limit the tourist's stay for a shorter period and will indicate the visa's expiration date on the tourist card.
You can:
- Request an extension of your tourist visa: if the immigration or police department limited your initial visa to less than 90 days, you can ask for an extension up to 90 days (including your initial allowed stay). This procedure is exempt from payment.
- Request a renewal of your tourist visa: this is the standard case for most tourists when you want to stay more than 90 days. You can ask to renew your tourist visa for an additional period of 90 days. This procedure must be done at least 30 days before the expiration of the tourist visa. You have to pay the equivalent in Chilean pesos of USD 100.
Yes. But you must request a special work permit for tourists, valid only for 90 days, whose cost depends on your nationality. It costs 150% of the fee of a 2-year work visa, which is voluntarily high to avoid abuses.
No. US citizens enter Chile visa-free as tourists and receive a 90-day permit on arrival, at no cost. The reciprocity fee Americans once paid at Santiago airport was eliminated years ago. A visa is only required if you want to stay longer than the tourist limits or take up residence. See our visa overview.
On tourist status, up to 90 days, extendable to 180 days per calendar year. Living in Chile beyond that requires a temporary residence visa, which since the 2022 immigration law (Ley 21.325) must be applied for from outside Chile before you travel. After 2 years of temporary residency, you can apply for permanent residency.
