Planning a trip to Chile is an exciting endeavor, but navigating the country's entry requirements is a crucial step to ensure a seamless travel experience. From understanding tourist visa exemptions for 95 countries to managing the essential Tarjeta de Turismo, being well-prepared is key to enjoying Chile's world-famous wineries, Andean ski resorts, and breathtaking national parks.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of visa types, passport control procedures, and specific regulations for minors and working holiday travelers. Whether you are visiting for a short vacation or looking to extend your stay, follow these expert tips to avoid bureaucratic hurdles and make the most of your Chilean adventure.
Visa types and entry requirements
The short answer is it depends on your nationality and the duration and purpose of your travel. A Chile visa allows the holder to travel and remain in the country for a specific period. For example, Chile tourist visas are valid for a maximum of 90 days, whereas a Chile student visa can be issued for the entire duration of the studies.
Citizens of 95 countries can enter Chile without the need to obtain a consular or electronic visa in advance. These include citizens of the United States, Japan, Canada, the UK, the European Union and Chile’s South American neighbors. These nationalities will receive a stamp allowing them to stay in the country for up to 90 days. Previously, the citizens of many of these countries had to pay hefty “reciprocity fees” to enter Chile. These are no longer in place, with the final fee for Australians removed in 2020. Australians will need an e-visa to enter as of 2022, however.
Citizens of other countries, particularly in Africa and Asia, will need to visit the Chilean embassy to apply for a tourist visa, which could last for a minimum of 30 days or a maximum of 90, depending on the nation. Citizens of all countries must ensure their passport is valid six months from arrival.
Immigration and passport control
Everyone who enters Chile gets a Tarjeta de Turismo or Tourist Card when they arrive. On entering the country, you will receive a paper called the Tarjeta de Turismo (Tourist Card). Hold onto it for your stay, as you’ll be required to present this to border officers when you depart. This tourist card is quite helpful as you can use it to avoid the 19% room tax at hotels, which domestic tourists must pay. Most hotels won’t automatically deduct this, so show your passport and tourist card at check-in.
If you lose the tourist card, you can request a free copy at the website of the Policía de Investigaciones de Chile (PDI), at the nearest PDI office or the Santiago airport. Make sure you allow approximately 1 hour for this process before your check-in time. Residents of visa-free countries can extend their tourist card for an additional 90 days by filling out an online form and then going to a local bank to pay a US$100 extension fee. US citizens can extend at the Chilean Immigration Office at Matucana 1223, Santiago. Bear in mind that a decent Spanish level will help as a lot of patience for this bureaucratic process. It may be easier to cross the Andes to Argentina and return a day later when you’ll receive a new tourist card free of charge.
Overstays
If you have stayed in Chile for more than the allowed period, you will not be allowed to leave the country without paying a fine. This fine cannot be paid at the airport, so you should pay it before attempting to depart Chile. To pay the fine before departure, you should go to the Departamento de Extranjería and make an “autodenuncia” in the Sanciones office. Upon doing this, you will be told how much the fine will be, and once you pay it, you can depart Chile.
Entry / Exit Requirements for Minors
To prevent international child abduction, Chile has strict requirements for the entry/exit of minors under 18. Even when the minor travels with both parents, the parents must show evidence of their relationship with the child when departing the country. Please carry an original, apostilled or authenticated birth certificate.
Work visas for citizens of Canada and Australia
Citizens of 16 countries, including Canada, Sweden, Germany, Australia and New Zealand, can apply for Working Holiday Visas to extend their stay in Chile. These visas are generally available to those between 18 and 35 and allow foreigners to work and live in Chile for up to one year. Suppose you want to open a business in Chile. In that case, you should consider applying to the Start-Up Chile program, which arranges one-year work visas on top of generous monetary incentives in the tens of thousands of dollars. Others who want to stay longer can work with local language schools to arrange Sujeta a Contrato visas for teaching English in Chile.
