If you purchase real estate and / or a business, you are usually guaranteed a Visa. If you have a retirement pension, receive Social Security checks or happen to have a significant nest-egg saved up, you can obtain a Residency Visa and no, you won’t have to tie up your life savings in a Chilean Certificate of Deposit or any other monetary scheme which takes the control of your money out of your own hands for any period of time. The basic requirement for any type of Visa is: Can you support yourself here? All other requirements for a Visa are quite reasonable. Imagine, a requirement that makes sense and you can obtain a Visa for living in Chile. Since we have been through the Visa process ourselves and since we have already assisted several others in obtaining their Visas and just in case you were silently wondering---- “Yes, we DO offer assistance in the Visa process, also!”

One very interesting observation we have made regarding Visas is this: it is a much simpler process to apply and obtain your Visa from within Chile than to apply through the Chilean Consulate in your home country. We hope we won’t get a cranky call from the Chilean government for mentioning this, because the Chilean Consulates in your home country will tell you that you must apply through their offices or you cannot get a Visa. Bull ca-ca! The reality is that you do not have to waste your time and it is much simpler FOR YOU if you don’t take this unnecessary step. It is also usually either FREE (for U.S. citizens) or much less expensive if you apply from WITHIN Chile but this is not the case through the foreign offices.

Another rather off-topic but still interesting factoid is this: When people apply for a family member Visa to enter the USA, it is much simpler to apply from outside of the USA than from within the USA. It seems that no matter which way you are going, it is more difficult and there is much more Red Tape when you submit an application in the USA. This rather destroys the myth of the Third World government where nothing gets done without a bribe and a mountain of Red Tape and where the almighty USA is the model of efficiency. Truth be told, there is much that the US government could learn and one of our favorite words is “simplify.”

What Business Opportunities, You Ask?

The various business opportunities we are aware of range from a salmon farming operation with land and water rights and with a hydro-electric side-line operation; a seven bedroom Patagonia fishing lodge; a lovely European-style hotel near the lake in one of the Lakes District tourist towns; a charming and cozy local restaurant plus six rooms for rent upstairs; a group of eight rental cabanas; a home with a detached restaurant (or?) located in the front which sits beside a main thoroughfare; an established bed and breakfast located in a major tourist town; and last but certainly NOT least, a Seaman’s Port of Call Center with a bar, restaurant, Internet phones and Internet access for the crews of merchant vessels and cruise ships.

So many people have a mental misconception of places outside their home country when in actuality many things are very similar. If you were looking for a business to own and run in the USA you would possibly consult a business broker or maybe look in the newspaper. In Chile we have not found an exact match to the business broker but it is truly amazing how the word-of-mouth network actually functions here. In Chile it is much more a matter of getting around and knowing people. Once people know you have an interest in something, it is incredible how many people find out and come from out of practically nowhere to tell you what they know or what is available.

The purchase process is about the same as one would experience in the USA, Canada, England or any other developed country. We highly advise that you engage the services of a Chilean attorney and preferably one who has been recommended by another Expatriate or two. We happen to know of a great attorney who speaks excellent English and he is savvy to the special needs of Expats. Other than that, there will be an Offer and Acceptance Agreement and possibly a Confidentiality Agreement, Due Diligence and the actual Closing when you must also either be in attendance or ensure that your attorney has a Power of Attorney to finalize any sale / purchase on your behalf. 

Financing is also a possibility, but without a credit history in Chile and a Residency Visa in place, you will likely be limited to credit carried by the Seller as opposed to bank financing. Once you are established in Chile, the bank financing option becomes a possibility but most likely (the same as it is in your home country) if you don’t have an established banking history and if you haven’t demonstrated a willingness to pay your bills, it is next to impossible to get financing from any bank. 

Many people don’t realize that highly developed banking and investment services exist all around the world and in many different countries. This is not limited to just a few “developed, First World” countries. We actually consider Chile to be a First World country. While we don’t know exactly how this is measured or what the technical definition is of First World, we find Chile to be pretty much the same as the USA in most measures we use to define development and / or comfort. People in Chile have credit cards, checking accounts and payments available on most any purchase they may want to make. We swear that the department stores make most their money on their in-house credit they offer as opposed to the mark up on the goods they sell. Some things are the same all around the world. 

In actuality and while we don’t recommend it, you could purchase a business without being a resident of Chile at all. Of course you would have to take a quick trip out of the country every 90 days (maybe to Argentina which is right next door) but it is possible to have your Chilean Tax ID Number (called a RUT) and to actually own and run a business here without ever obtaining a Visa. Once again, we do not recommend this, but it is being done.

Come One, Come All!

Now, if you have an idea for a new business, there may be no better place than Chile to try out this idea! Chile welcomes businesses of all types, labor costs are minimal and in some cases, you just might get assistance FROM the Chilean government if they feel your idea is worthwhile... No Al Capone-types, please! Also, citizens from all around the world are welcome in Chile and International Tourism is on the rise. Actually, the Chileans themselves provide a very active tourist market within Chile. 

All the standard forms of incorporating are available in Chile and the Limited Liability Association (LLC to most people), is very popular in Chile, as it is in the USA. Foreigners can own corporations in Chile and you are constitutionally guaranteed both equal treatment under the law as well as the ability to expatriate your original investment and your profits. After tax profits that is.

So, How About a Job!

As can be found in most countries today, if you are thinking about relocating to Chile and would desire employment, it is possible to retain the services of a head-hunter (no, there are no jungles in Chile!) otherwise known as an Employee search firm. Obviously a command of the Spanish language would be quite helpful but keep in mind, the language of International Business is English! It is also possible that your new employer may cover relocation costs AND arrange for your all-important Work Visa!

We hope this has given you a better idea of the types of opportunities available to anyone thinking about making beautiful, wonderful Chile their new home. While there are literally thousands of opportunities from franchises or retail, manufacturing to tourism and more, all that you really need is that "Leap of Faith," and the first step towards your new future. We think the writing is on the wall in the USA, saying that right now is a good time to make a change while you still can and WHILE there are still many wonderful opportunities to be found in Chile! 

Here in Chile, we see a good, strong economy, an active and upwardly-mobile population with a healthy Middle Class, minimal government restrictions and a strong banking and investment system. Property rights are strongly protected and this too can all be yours if you and your family desire to "Just Do It!"  Also, for a Chilean Lawyer (Abagado) who speaks excellent English, we know a fellow named Nicolas who would be happy to assist you with your Purchase Contract, Business Incorporations or almost any legal matters you may require. 

We met Nicolas at a friend’s Asado (Chilean BBQ) and since then we have referred a steady stream of new clients to him. He comes highly-recommended and his father is a local Architect, in case you should also need some help designing your new Chilean custom-designed and built, home!

For more information about these opportunities as well as any new ones we may come across or if you have a specific type of business you are interested in, feel free to contact us through our website: www.Chile-Yen.com. We will be happy to refer you to the appropriate parties once we screen through the emails and determine the level of your interest. Serious inquiries only, please!

Chao for Now!
Gary and Bonnie Paulsson

Return To Index