Choosing the Right Visa for Your Chile Visit
Securing a visa in Chile is a simple process, but minor errors can lead to frustrating waits in long lines and annoying fines to pay. It’s best to know your deadlines and which visa suits your visit, whether it be as a tourist, business man, English teacher or student.
If you’re coming to Chile as a tourist, there is little to worry about when entering the country. The tourist visa is good for ninety days, and only requires that you to fill out a quick form during your flight. Make sure to keep your copy at all times, it is your proof of legal entry into the country. If you lose the copy it can be replaced at the international police with little hassle.
Depending on your nationality, different fees will be applied upon your first entry into the country. For American citizens, this fee amounts to $100. You will receive a stamp in your passport that shows it was paid which is good as long as the passport is valid.
The tourist visa prohibits you from earning money. In some cases you can apply for permission to work with a tourist visa, but it is limited to a 30 day period. If you are planning on working for longer it is better to get a contract however, since then you have legal outlets to protect your salary and legal action is possible if you have problems with your employer.
When the expiration date looms near, you can just make a quick trip to Argentine and reenter with a new visa. Thanks to Chile’s slender geography, Argentina is never too far away.
For the student, the process is also relatively simple, and usually handled through the school you’re attending. It is also possible to apply for permission to work with a student visa if you have a contract with an employer. It requires filling out another form available at the department of immigration.
If you are coming to work in Chile for a longer period of time, usually a visa “subject to contract” is your best option.
Getting a subject to contract visa is the easiest of the work visas available, but also the most limiting. First, you must get hired by an employer who provides you with a contract. Check that the contract includes clauses defining termination policies, overtime, pay description, etc. Don’t allow things to be only verbal, get it in writing as many employers might hedge on initial offers.
This visa means that you are legally able to work for this one company. In the event that you decide to change employers, you will have to terminate your contract (which usually involves a 30 day notice) receive a final document called a finiquito, and then start the whole process over again with your new employer. You will have 30 days from the end of your previous job to sign a new contract and send it to the department of immigration.
The work visa process can be confusing. It usually takes about two months. Once you have sent in your application, you will receive a letter saying that the application is being processed. Around a month after that another letter will arrive instructing you to get your passport a immigration.
From the date of the stamp you have thirty more days to complete the rest of the process which involves a trip to the international police. Then a visit to the Registro Civil is required to take a photo for your Chilean ID card, called a carnet.
Once you have your ID card, you can apply for health insurance, and use it for ID purposes that before would’ve required your passport such as cashing your paycheck. Using a Chilean ID can also get the Chilean rate when entering national parks.
There is a variety of other visas available to certain individuals. They are more specific and difficult to obtain than the subject to contract visa. If your investing in a business venture and need to come to Chile, for example, a special visa is available. Special visas are also available to doctors, journalists, and people with a family member in Chile.
