Chile Visa Guide 2026: Tourist, Student, and Residence Options

(CHILE) Chile’s visa rules for 2026 are faster online for many travelers, but stricter at the border for some nationalities after September 17, 2025, when prior authorization became mandatory for certain short stays. If you’re planning tourism, study, work, or a longer move under Chilean visas, your first task is to match your trip length and purpose to the right status.

For many visitors, the day-to-day reality remains simple: arrive with the right passport validity, show you can support yourself, and receive a short-stay permit at entry. For others, one missing pre-trip approval can stop boarding or lead to refusal at the border. That’s why timing and documents matter as much as the visa category.

The 2026 Chilean visa map: pick the status that matches your stay

Chile separates travelers by purpose (tourism, study, work, residence) and duration (under 90 days, 90–180 days, beyond 180 days). Start with these core lanes:

• Short visits (often up to 90 days): Many nationalities enter without a consular visa and receive a Temporary Stay Permit (Permiso de Permanencia Transitoria) on arrival.
• Study beyond 180 days: A formal student visa, classified under Residencia Temporal, is required before travel.
• Employment: Working requires work authorization arranged in advance.
• Long stays and relocation: The Temporary Residence Visa (Residencia Temporal) can support a one-year stay and can lead toward permanent residency.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the practical shift since late 2025 is that travelers who once relied on “visa-free” travel now have to treat Chile like a pre-clearance destination when prior authorization applies.

Step 1: Confirm if you need a visa, visa-free entry, or prior authorization

Before you book flights, verify whether your nationality remains fully visa-exempt or now falls under the post-September 2025 prior authorization rule. Chile’s policy changed on September 17, 2025, and it affects planning even for short trips.

Many travelers still enter visa-free for tourism, including citizens of the United States (🇺🇸), Canada (🇨🇦), Australia, Japan, and most European Union countries, receiving the Temporary Stay Permit at arrival. The United Kingdom is also covered by visa-free access. Greek nationals are a special case and are limited to 60 days without a visa, under reciprocity rules.

The safest workflow is simple: confirm your entry requirement using the official Chile government portal for immigration procedures on the exact link below:
– Servicio Nacional de Migraciones site and its online services

That portal is where Chile routes many visa and stay requests through its electronic system.

Step 2: Meet border basics for tourism and short stays

Even when no consular visa is required, Chile expects visitors to meet clear entry conditions. Plan to carry proof that matches these rules:

• Passport validity: Passport must be valid for at least six months after your travel dates.
• Money for your stay: Tourists must show at least $46 USD per day. Bank statements are commonly used.
• Departure plan: A return or onward ticket is typically required.

These checks are routine, but they become high-stakes if your nationality also needs prior authorization. In that case, arriving with documents is not enough if pre-approval is missing.

Step 3: Use the 90-day permit wisely, and extend it if you need more time

If you enter Chile on the Temporary Stay Permit, the standard stay is up to 90 days for many visa-exempt travelers. Chile allows an in-country extension that can keep you in legal status without a border run.

Key extension facts:
– The permit is extendable for another 90 days while you remain in Chile.
– The extension is completed online, and the fee is $100 USD.
– Typical tourist path: up to 180 days total (90 + 90).

Treat the extension like a deadline, not a suggestion. Start the online request early enough to avoid last-week stress, especially if you’re traveling between remote regions or rely on limited internet access.

Study in Chile: the timeline that prevents last-minute emergencies

Chile’s student rules are built around program length. The same person can be visa-free one semester and visa-required the next.

Programs under 90 days: no student visa required

Short courses fit within the Temporary Stay Permit rules, so many students enter like tourists and study without a separate visa.

Programs from 90 to 180 days: enter first, then extend

For mid-length programs, students typically enter on the Temporary Stay Permit and then apply for a 90-day extension before the original permission expires. The extension fee is $100 USD, and host institutions often help students complete the online process.

Programs exceeding 180 days: apply for a student visa before you travel

If your program runs beyond 180 days, Chile requires a formal student visa under Residencia Temporal before arrival. This is not optional. Processing time can stretch to six weeks, so early filing is essential.

The student visa checklist: what Chile expects in 2026

Chile moved visa filing online, but document standards remain exact. For a student visa application, prepare the following:

• Passport validity: For applications submitted abroad, passport must be valid for at least one year from the application date.
• Background record: A criminal and judicial record certificate issued within 60 days of submission.
• School proof: An acceptance letter from the Chilean institution confirming enrollment and dates.
• U.S. citizens: An FBI record is required as part of the background process.
• Online filing: Student applications are submitted through Chile’s electronic system (not paper-first processing).
• Fees: The Visa Residente Estudiante Titular costs $160 USD for most applicants.

Important: Chile’s rule is to submit the completed student visa application no less than 60 working days before departure. Count working days, not calendar days, and factor consulate holidays or backlogs.

Student visa timing: count working days, not hope

Processing time is commonly described as about 6 weeks from the date of application. Some references cite up to 20 business days, but planning for six weeks keeps you safe if your school start date is fixed.

Even with online filing, expect an in-person step after arrival. Student visa holders must complete the Chilean ID process in person once in Chile, which can affect travel plans during the first weeks.

Consulates and jurisdiction: where you apply can control your schedule

Chile assigns applicants to a consulate based on residence. Students must apply through the Chilean consulate that covers their permanent address or current state of residency.

• Example: U.S.-based students may be assigned to the Consulate in Chicago, which has required in-person appearances to complete parts of the process.
• Align document collection with the consulate that has jurisdiction over you; filing in the wrong place can delay or invalidate your application.

Work and internships: tourist status does not cover employment

Chile draws a bright line between visiting and working. If you plan to work, you need appropriate authorization arranged in advance. This includes formal employment and often structured internships.

• Internships can require a visa even for visa-exempt nationals; a U.S. citizen interning with the Chilean government needs a visa.
• Work visa packages commonly require:
• A Chilean job contract
• Background records
• Health insurance
• Proof of qualifications

Employers frequently drive the timing, so start with your contract terms and allow time for processing.

The e‑Vistur era: online approvals, faster decisions, new habits

Chile has modernized parts of its visa system through the e‑Vistur platform (introduced in 2020). For eligible applicants, it can shorten waits and reduce consulate visits.

Core e‑visa features:
– Approval can arrive within three days in many cases.
– The e‑visa is valid for 180 days from issuance.
– It can be extended for an additional 90 days.
– Application is completed online with document uploads and card payment.

Even with speed, treat e‑visa filing like legal paperwork. Use consistent spellings across your passport, school letters, and application fields, and keep digital copies of every upload.

Temporary Residence Visa: the long-stay option that can lead to permanence

For people who want more than a long vacation or a single academic term, Chile’s Temporary Residence Visa (Residencia Temporal) is the central path. It is designed for longer stays and can lead toward permanent residency for those who maintain status and meet later requirements.

Key points:
– Usually requires ties to Chile (family links, long-term employment, etc.) and proof of funds.
– The visa is described as valid for one year.
– After maintaining temporary residence and meeting additional conditions, residents can apply for permanent residency.

Note for U.S. and Canadian applicants:
– U.S. (🇺🇸) and Canadian (🇨🇦) citizens have been described as benefiting from especially favorable conditions, with applications accepted by mail and no background check required for citizens of those countries. Keep documents organized, since later steps toward permanence rely on a clean documentation history.

Special provisions that change planning for Indian and Chinese travelers

Chile’s rules include targeted flexibility for certain passport holders:

• Indian citizens with valid visas (for at least six months) for certain countries may enter Chile without a Chilean visa under specific provisions.
• Indian and Chinese passport holders who hold valid U.S. or Canadian visas or resident permits can visit Chile for 90 days without a separate Chilean visa — provided they carry proof.
• Chinese nationals: Effective June 1, 2025, China received a policy change allowing visa-free entry to Chile until December 31, 2026. This update also includes a 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit option to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and entry through one of 64 approved ports.

These benefits rely on documentary proof. Carry the qualifying visa or permit and keep copies in case airlines request them at check-in.

Quick reference: visa-duration table

A practical five-step journey for most applicants in 2026

1. Check your entry status early: confirm visa-free, visa-required, or prior authorization needs before booking.
2. Match the visa to your real plan: tourism, study length, work, or the Temporary Residence Visa path.
3. Collect documents to the exact dates: especially passport validity and the 60-day limit for record certificates.
4. File online and track email closely: Chile’s system relies on electronic notices and follow-up requests.
5. Plan in-country formalities: extensions, Chilean ID steps for students, and proof of funds for longer stays.

Warning: If your nationality falls under the prior authorization requirement implemented on September 17, 2025, do not rely on border entry alone. Missing pre-trip approval can lead to denied boarding or refusal at the border.

Keep records and timing precise: passport validity, criminal record windows, and consular jurisdiction all matter. Follow the official portal at Servicio Nacional de Migraciones site and its online services for definitive, case-specific procedures and updates.