Ways to live in Chile
These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.
Programme details are shown in English.
Work permit Work permits →
Temporary residence for paid work
For employees of a company based in Chile, people with an accepted job offer, and self-employed people with a Chilean client contract of more than 90 days.
- What you need
- An employment contract signed before a Chilean notary by the employer and at the consulate by you, the employer's tax file and proof it can pay you, a criminal record certificate and a passport valid for at least a year. With only a job offer you get a 90-day permit and must file the signed contract within 45 days of arrival.
- How long
- Up to 2 years, extendable for 2 more
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- Fee depends on nationality
- How to apply
- Online from outside Chile through the National Migration Service portal.
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- Losing or changing your job does not cancel the permit by itself. Holders can later apply for permanent residence (residencia definitiva).
Student visa Student visas →
Temporary residence for students
For people accepted at a state-recognised school or university in Chile. Students may also take paid work for up to 30 hours a week.
- What you need
- Proof of enrolment, proof of means of support (bank deposits, regular transfers, a scholarship or a notarised support statement from family in Chile), a criminal record certificate under 60 days old, and a passport valid for at least a year.
- How long
- Up to 2 years
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- Fee depends on nationality
- How to apply
- Online from outside Chile through the National Migration Service portal.
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- Extended while you stay enrolled in the same programme; the permit can be withdrawn if you stop studying.
Retirement visa Retirement visas →
Temporary residence for retirees and rentiers (Jubilados y rentistas)
For people living on a pension or on regular income from real estate or financial assets. Salary from remote work is not listed as a qualifying income.
- What you need
- No fixed amount: the pension or income must cover at least basic living costs, shown with a pension certificate or proof of property or investments and their income. You also need a passport valid 1+ year, a criminal record certificate under 60 days old, a photo and apostilled foreign documents.
- How long
- Up to 2 years
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- Depends on nationality; permanent residence later costs 142,726 Chilean pesos (about $150)
- How to apply
- Only from abroad, online on Chile's immigration portal; enter Chile within 90 days of receiving the electronic visa stamp
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- After 24 months of temporary residence you can apply for permanent residence (in some cases after 12 months).
Investment and golden visa Investment and golden visas →
Temporary residence for investors and their key staff
For representatives and senior managers of a foreign company investing at least US$500,000 in producing goods or services in Chile, and for managers and specialists of Chilean companies with at least 10% foreign ownership.
- What you need
- A sponsorship letter from InvestChile (the government investment promotion agency), a document describing the investment and your role, company tax and registration papers if the company already operates, a criminal record certificate and a passport valid for at least a year.
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- Fee depends on nationality
- How to apply
- Online from outside Chile through the National Migration Service portal.
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- Extensions require proof that the investment is progressing.
Cost of living
Monthly amounts in US dollars.
| Room in a shared flat | $300 |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom flat | $360 |
| Two-bedroom flat | $630 |
| Bills | $80 |
| Typical local salary | $1,100 |
| Budget for one person | $1,060 |
Cities to consider
- SantiagoAndes backdrop, modern capital≈ $687 a month for one person, before rent
- ValparaisoStreet art on steep hills
- ConcepcionUniversity city on the Biobío
Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.
What life is like
Programme details are shown in English.
Why people move
Chile stretches from the Atacama desert through wine valleys to Patagonian fjords. Santiago sits beneath the Andes with skiing close by, Valparaíso is colourful and bohemian, and the south is a paradise for hikers.
Day to day
Comfortable long-distance buses and domestic flights cover the length of the country. Private clinics are high quality, public care is slower. Cards are widely accepted, internet is good, and Chilean Spanish is fast and full of slang.
Trade-offs
Earthquakes are a fact of life, and Santiago suffers from winter smog. Living costs are high for the region, and periods of protest and petty crime in cities are worth keeping in mind.
Before you move: visa-free entry
Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:
United States90 days
United Kingdom90 days
Australia90 days
Canada90 days
New Zealand90 days
Switzerland90 days
Norway90 days
Singapore30 days
Japan90 days
South Korea90 days
Israel90 days
United Arab Emirates90 days
Hong Kong90 days
South Africa90 days
Mexico90 days
BrazilVisa-free
Questions
Does Chile have a digital nomad visa?
Not among the routes we have checked. Remote workers usually come as visitors within the visa-free limit or use one of the other routes on this page.
How much money do I need to live in Chile?
A single person can live on from about $1,060 a month. A one-bedroom flat costs about $360 a month.
How can I move to Chile?
The routes we have checked are: Work permit, Student visa, Retirement visa, Investment and golden visa.
Can I retire in Chile?
Yes, through: Temporary residence for retirees and rentiers (Jubilados y rentistas).
When was this information checked?
The residence routes for Chile were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
Sources and last check
Residence routes for Chile were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
- SERMIG – Residencia Temporal permit
- SERMIG – Extranjeros jubilados y rentistas
- SERMIG – Residencia Definitiva
- SERMIG – Aranceles migratorios
- SERMIG Help – Temporary residence permits requested from abroad
- https://serviciomigraciones.cl/residencia-temporal/
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.
