VISAS

 Here is the information to obtain a VISA to enter Chile in one of the following categories:

• 1) Tourist

• 2) Temporary Resident

• 3) Work Contract

• 4) Student Resident

Important: Your documentation must be recent, i.e. no more than 30 days old!

ALL VISA APPLICATIONS MUST BE DONE IN PERSON.  NO EXCEPTIONS.

IT TAKES A MINIMUM OF 1 BUSINESS DAY TO ISSUE A VISA, ONCE THE VISA HAS BEEN APPROVED!

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1) Tourist visas

1. Canadian passport holders do not require a Visa to enter Chile as Tourists. The new reciprocity fee, in effect from April 27, 2009 until December 31, 2009 is US$ 125 per person and is payable only at the International Airport "Arturo Merino Benítez..” The fee is good for the duration of the passport.

No fee applies for arrivals to Chile through others ports of entry.

2. If a Canadian passenger wishes to stay longer than the 90 days initially granted, an additional period of up to 90 days may be requested in Chile.  Fee: US$ 100.-

3. Citizens of other countries that have to pay a reciprocity fee are:

Australia: US$ 90,    United States: US$ 131,     Mexico: US$ 23

All other nationalities are exempt from reciprocity fees.

4. If you are a citizen of a country that requires a Visa, you must obtain an APPOINTMENT to apply in person and provide the Consulate General the following original documentation:

• Valid passport

• Proof of residence in Canada

• Airline tickets or a letter from the Travel Agency with the full travel itinerary

• A letter of sponsorship if your trip is for business.

• Proof of family ties, or a visa to enter another country.

• Proof of sufficient funds (original letter from your bank confirming that your account (s) contain sufficient available funds or original signed letter of employer, confirming position and income or, for business trips, confirmation by employer that he will pay for all trip-related costs).

5. The visa fee, duration, and processing time depend on the nationality of the applicant. Please call or e-mail the Consulate General to find out the fee applicable to you.

There are Temporary Visas available to those persons that intend to stay longer than 90 days in Chile. If that is your case, you may want to apply for one of the following:

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2) Temporary Resident Visa (Visa de Residente Temporario)

This visa must be requested in Canada, at the Consulate of Chile with jurisdiction over your Province or Territory.

The application must be in writing (computer printer or typewriter), directed to the Consul General of Chile.

• If you are married to a Chilean citizen you may apply for this visa.

If your marriage was registered at least a year ago you can obtain a Temporary Resident Visa (duration 1 year) in 1 business day.

If you have not registered the marriage, your Chilean husband or wife must do so at the time of the visa application. In this case, the visa approval process takes approximately 3 weeks as an authorization must be obtained from Chile.

You must provide:

1. Valid passport, good for at least one year

2. 4 passport size photos (1 3/4 by 1 3/4)

3. Proof of marriage registration at either this Consulate General or another Consulate of Chile (marriage occurred in another jurisdiction).

4. Police Clearance. This applies to applicants 19 years of age and over in British Columbia, 18 years of age and over in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

5. Health Certificate. Applies to all family members. Please download and print a copy of the form Health Certificate (PDF format document) issued by the Consulate. The form must be completed and signed by the one the Official Physicians designated by the Consulate General of Chile. Please click here for the list of designated official physicians. NO EXCEPTIONS, NO OTHER PHYSICIANS ALLOWED

For all others (retired persons, employees of foreign companies, foreign investors, investigators or church representatives, spouses of Chilean citizens with registered marriage less than 1 year ago):

You can apply for up to a 1 year Temporary Resident Visa if you provide the following documentation:

• Valid passport, good for at least one year

• 4 passport size photos (1 3/4 by 1 3/4)

• Police Clearance. This applies to applicants 19 years of age and over in British Columbia, 18 years of age and over in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

• Health Certificate. Applies to all family members. Please download and print a copy of the form Health Certificate (PDF format document) issued by the Consulate General. The form must be completed and signed by the Official Physician. Please click here for the list of official physicians. NO EXCEPTIONS, NO OTHER PHYSICIANS ALLOWED

• Degrees or Professional qualifications, legalized by Department of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa (if required)

• Birth Certificate (for dependent minors)

• Marriage Certificate (for dependent spouses)

• Registration of Marriage and written application by Chilean spouse (if married to a Chilean citizen).

• Proof of funds invested, real estate purchased, professional experience, etc. Please contact the Consulate by e-mail. You must provide proof of investments done and provide a business plan.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

NOT EVERY APPLICANT QUALIFIES FOR THE TEMPORARY VISA EVEN THOUGH HE OR SHE MIGHT HAVE SUFFICIENT FUNDS AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT HIMSELF FOR A YEAR. A VISA IS ONLY GRANTED IF THE PRESENCE OF THE APPLICANT IN CHILE  IS CONSIDERED BENEFICIAL.

The visa fee varies according to your nationality. Please call the Consulate General for the fee applicable to you. The fee is in US$ dollars. On the day of your appointment at the Consulate General you must pick up a deposit slip for our bank account and make the deposit personally.

Important: Your documentation must be recent, i.e. no more than 30 days old!

If the documentation is complete, the processing time is 15 working days. Occasionally the processing time is longer, if additional documentation is required or in the case of citizens of certain nationalities. Plan accordingly.

Once the visa has been issued you have 90 days to enter Chile or the visa will expire automatically.

For the duration of the visa (maximum is one year) you are allowed to undertake any lawful activity: Work, purchase property, invest, travel abroad, etc.

The visa applicant and dependents must apply in person. An appointment is mandatory.

The passport and forms can be returned to you by courier, if you provide the Consulate General with a PRIORITY COURIER envelope (may be purchased at any CANADA POST location).

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3) Work Contract Visa (Visa de Residente Sujeta a Contrato)

This visa must be requested in Canada, at the Consulate of Chile with jurisdiction over your Province or Territory.

The application must be in writing (computer printer or typewriter), directed to the Consul General of Chile.

Requirements:

• Valid passport, good for at least the duration of the work contract
•  Work contract, signed by the Employer in Chile, notarized, and legalized by The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Santiago. You will have to sign your work contract in the presence of the Consul General of Chile. A consular fee of US$ 5 will be charged.
• Complete professional resume
•  4 passport size photos (1 3/4 by 1 3/4)
•  Police Clearance. This applies to applicants 19 years of age and over in British Columbia, 18 years of age and over in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
• Health Certificate. Applies to all family members. Please download and print a copy of the form Health Certificate(PDF format document) issued by the Consulate General. The form must be completed and signed by the one the Official Physicians designated by the Consulate General of Chile. Please click here for the list of designated official physicians. NO EXCEPTIONS, NO OTHER PHYSICIANS ALLOWED • If the visa approval from Chile requires it, you must provide Degrees or Professional qualifications, legalized by Department of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa

• Birth Certificate (only for dependent minors who move to Chile with the applicant)

• Marriage Certificate (only for dependent spouses who move to Chile with the applicant)

If the documentation is complete, the processing time is 15 working days. Occasionally the processing time is longer, if additional documentation is required. Plan ahead accordingly.

The visa fee varies according to your nationality. Please call the Consulate General for applicable fee. The fee is in US$ dollars. You must pick up a deposit slip for our bank account and make the deposit personally.

Important: Your documentation must be recent, i.e. no more than 30 days old!

Once the visa has been issued, you have 90 days to enter Chile or the visa will expire automatically.

The duration of the visa depends on the duration of your work contract. The maximum is 2 years. After 2 years you may apply for an extension or for permanent residency.

The visa applicant and dependents must apply in person. An appointment is mandatory.

The passport and forms can be sent to you by courier, if you provide the Consulate General with a PRIORITY COURIER envelope (may be purchased at any CANADA POST location).

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4) Student Visa

(Residente Estudiante)

This visa should be requested in person, at the Consulate of Chile with jurisdiction over your Province or Territory.

The application must be in writing (computer printer), directed to the Consul General of Chile.

• Valid passport, good for at least the duration of the intended stay

• 4 passport size photos (1 3/4 by 1 3/4)

• Original Letter of Acceptance from a Government approved Educational Institution in Chile (University, College or Technical School) indicating duration of acceptance and type of course or credits.

• If applicable, letter from Educational Institution in Canada supporting your application (assuming you are currently a student).

• Police Clearance. This applies to applicants 19 years of age and over in British Columbia, 18 years of age and over in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

• Health Certificate. Applies to all family members. Please download and print a copy of the form Health Certificate (PDF format document) issued by the Consulate General. The form must be completed and signed by the one the Official Physicians designated by the Consulate General of Chile. Please click here for the list of designated official physicians. NO EXCEPTIONS, NO OTHER PHYSICIANS ALLOWED

• Proof of Financial Means. Notarized sworn statements by supporting parents, banking statements, certificates of deposit, savings, Government grant or similar. Credit cards are not accepted. Available funds must be sufficient to cover all expenses, tuition, room and board, etc. for the entire stay. NOTARIZED STATEMENTS MUST BE AUTHENTICATED BY THE DEPARTAMENT OF JUSTICE (AB,SK) OR THE LAW SOCIETY OF BC (IN BC). See instructions in the Legalizations section.

• The visa fee varies according to your nationality. Please call the Consulate General for the applicable fee. The fee is in US$ dollars. You must pick up a deposit slip for our bank account and make the deposit personally.

Important: Your documentation must be recent, i.e. no more than 30 days old!

• Once the visa has been issued you have 90 days to enter Chile or the visa will expire automatically.

• Employment is prohibited except in special cases related to your studies, previously authorized by the authorities in Chile.

The visa applicant must apply in person. An appointment is mandatory.

The visa may be issued the same day, provided you have sent in all the required original documents in advance and have obtained written notice that you have been approved.

!!!     IMPORTANT FOR WORK, TEMPORARY AND STUDENT VISAS  !!!

Once you enter Chile you have a maximum of 30 days to register with the Departamento de Extranjería y Policía Internacional and to obtain a Cédula de Identidad para Extranjeros (ID Card for foreigners).

If you neglect to do this your visa is considered NOT VALID and you may have to pay a fine!

During the initial period of 30 days you should also apply for a RUT (Rol Unico Tributario) at your local office of Servicio de Impuestos Internos. Without this card you can't open a bank account, work, purchase or lease a car or house.

The RUT is also required by your employer to deduct income tax from your salary and to properly submit it to the Government (Servicio de Impuestos Internos).