Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interview
    • Expat News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Plan B
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Digital Nomad
    • Healthcare
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • France
      • Germany
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Scandinavia
      • Spain
      • United Kingdom
      • Rest of Europe
    • Central America
      • Belize
      • Costa Rica
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
      • Honduras
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
    • Others
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • North America
      • South America
      • Middle East
      • Rest of the World
  • Travel Tips
    • Know Before You Go
    • Packing List
    • Food + Culture
    • Health + Wellness
  • Subscribe
Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interview
    • Expat News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Plan B
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Digital Nomad
    • Healthcare
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • France
      • Germany
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Scandinavia
      • Spain
      • United Kingdom
      • Rest of Europe
    • Central America
      • Belize
      • Costa Rica
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
      • Honduras
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
    • Others
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • North America
      • South America
      • Middle East
      • Rest of the World
  • Travel Tips
    • Know Before You Go
    • Packing List
    • Food + Culture
    • Health + Wellness
  • Subscribe
👤

THE NUMBER ONE SOURCE FOR BUILDING A LIFE ABROAD

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Second Citizenship

Getting Residency In Chile

  • BY EA Editors
  • October 9, 2018
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

Getting Residency In Chile

South America has many great options for either investment or retirement that any American might enjoy. I have already talked about Brazil and Argentina, and today I am going to talk about how to get residency in Chile.

Chile is the most developed nation in South America and it absolutely beautiful and for the most part not as known as other places in South America. For this reason, you would be wise to look into the country as an option to either spend your remaining years or spread your capital in a safe and prosperous environment.

Relations between the United States and Chile have been solid as both countries have enjoyed fantastic diplomacy for the last decades. In other words, Americans are more than welcome in Chile.

In fact, there is a growing community of American Expats living in Santiago de Chile. Santiago has become a haven for American retirees and the numbers are currently growing. If your goal is to retire in Chile, looking into these communities would be more than wise.

Santiago de Chile is also the capital of Chile and the place where most foreign investment is concentrated. Other cities with a big number of Americans living in it include Valparaiso, Viña del Mar, and La Serena.

Like the other South American countries featured on our page, Chile has a swift and easy to navigate the immigration system. Here is a quick review of how an American can obtain residency and citizenship from Chile.

In order to obtain a temporary residency to legally work in Chile, you will have to present a job offer among all of the other relevant documents that come with the application. Once granted the temporary resident visa has a duration of two years.

Your temporary residency needs to be renewed every two years. The temporary residency visa can turn into a permanent residency after only two years. If at any point during the two years your work contract is terminated you will have to go back home. This problem can be avoided by being a permanent resident.

The documents you will have to present in order to apply for a permanent residency in Chile include:

  • Document showing that there is no criminal history
  • Medical Health Report
  • Written statements detailing the reasons why you want to live in Chile
  • Bank statements or other proof of income showing that you can sustain yourself and your dependents if applicable
  • A police report indicating your entries and your exits from Chile
  • Passport Photos
  • Copy of all the pages inside of your Passport

There are many advantages to being a permanent resident in Chile. Among the advantages include applying for a loan, getting a mortgage, making travel into Chile easier, getting a second passport from Chile, etc.

A permanent residency is a fantastic option if you wish to retire in Chile, but it does have some certain restrictions. You cannot vote under any circumstance, the permanent residency will be lost if you abandon Chile for one full year, and your offshore taxes nay fall under the jurisdiction of Chile meaning that you will have to pay.

A popular visa for American retirees is the Retirement visa, and it is simple to obtain. The only thing that you will have to prove to the federal authorities in Chile is that you have the necessary income to support yourself.

Proof of this is mandatory, but a simple bank statement showing your monthly paycheck is fine. There is no exact sum that is required to qualify for this. Depending on what part of the country you live in, Chile is not an expensive country so proof of a high income is not necessary. Two thousand dollars a month is enough to appease the authorities and to be given a Visa.

After 5 years with a permanent residency given by the Chilean government, you can apply for citizenship. The United States government recognizes dual citizenship so you wouldn’t have to give up your American passport. Even though you have dual citizenship you will be considered a Chilean citizen while you are in Chile.

Many Americans right now are investing in Chile, as they see in the country a massive opportunity to reach the South American market. The good news is that you can obtain an Investment Visa through this process. Some of the requirements to obtain this Visa include:

  • Have a business plan
  • Proof of Capital
  • Bank Documents
  • Payment of Municipal Taxes
  • Lease
  • Invoices
  • Balance Sheets
  • Payment of VAT for the last three months that apply
  • Payroll
  • The document approved by the local authorities that approve the investment being done in the country

I have just scratched the surface of what you have to do in order to obtain a resident visa or citizenship in Chile. Dealing with foreign jurisdictions can be difficult, so feel free to send us a message so we can help you with the process.

I hope you’ve found this article on how to get residency in Chile to be helpful. For more information, or for assistance with residency in Chile or elsewhere, please contact us.

Learning Spanish before you go to Chile is essential. If you listen to people that say you’ll be fine with your English, they are wrong. You must do your best to be able to converse with the local people, it’s the respectable thing to do. Go and visit my buddy Olly Richards at IWillTeachYouALanguage and sign up for his Spanish Uncovered class, you won’t be disappointed.

If you love listening to a podcast, you will love this episode with Mikkel and Olly Richards from IWillTeachYouALanguage

https://expatmoneyshow.com/episodes/olly-richards-secrets-to-learning-a-foreign-language-quickly/

Here is probably the most extensive ebook on Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Eliminating Your Taxes, Protecting Your Assets And Regaining Privacy Over Your Life And Investments. It is called The Ultimate Guide To Going Offshore.  Visit our bookstore to purchase it today!

 

Conclusion

Here are a few articles I hope you will enjoy on Chile!

Invest in Chile

Residency Options in Chile

The Why and How of Retiring in Chile

Rising Tourism in Chile and What it Means for Expats

 

Contact Author

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name*
Please let us know what's on your mind. Have a question for us? Ask away.

Stay Ahead on Every Adventure! 

Stay updated with the World News on Escape Artist. Get all the travel news, international destinations, expat living, moving abroad, Lifestyle Tips, and digital nomad opportunities. Your next journey starts here—don’t miss a moment! Subscribe Now!

Getting Residency In Chile

South America has many great options for either investment or retirement that any American might enjoy. I have already talked about Brazil and Argentina, and today I am going to talk about how to get residency in Chile.

Chile is the most developed nation in South America and it absolutely beautiful and for the most part not as known as other places in South America. For this reason, you would be wise to look into the country as an option to either spend your remaining years or spread your capital in a safe and prosperous environment.

Relations between the United States and Chile have been solid as both countries have enjoyed fantastic diplomacy for the last decades. In other words, Americans are more than welcome in Chile.

In fact, there is a growing community of American Expats living in Santiago de Chile. Santiago has become a haven for American retirees and the numbers are currently growing. If your goal is to retire in Chile, looking into these communities would be more than wise.

Santiago de Chile is also the capital of Chile and the place where most foreign investment is concentrated. Other cities with a big number of Americans living in it include Valparaiso, Viña del Mar, and La Serena.

Like the other South American countries featured on our page, Chile has a swift and easy to navigate the immigration system. Here is a quick review of how an American can obtain residency and citizenship from Chile.

In order to obtain a temporary residency to legally work in Chile, you will have to present a job offer among all of the other relevant documents that come with the application. Once granted the temporary resident visa has a duration of two years.

Your temporary residency needs to be renewed every two years. The temporary residency visa can turn into a permanent residency after only two years. If at any point during the two years your work contract is terminated you will have to go back home. This problem can be avoided by being a permanent resident.

The documents you will have to present in order to apply for a permanent residency in Chile include:

There are many advantages to being a permanent resident in Chile. Among the advantages include applying for a loan, getting a mortgage, making travel into Chile easier, getting a second passport from Chile, etc.

A permanent residency is a fantastic option if you wish to retire in Chile, but it does have some certain restrictions. You cannot vote under any circumstance, the permanent residency will be lost if you abandon Chile for one full year, and your offshore taxes nay fall under the jurisdiction of Chile meaning that you will have to pay.

A popular visa for American retirees is the Retirement visa, and it is simple to obtain. The only thing that you will have to prove to the federal authorities in Chile is that you have the necessary income to support yourself.

Proof of this is mandatory, but a simple bank statement showing your monthly paycheck is fine. There is no exact sum that is required to qualify for this. Depending on what part of the country you live in, Chile is not an expensive country so proof of a high income is not necessary. Two thousand dollars a month is enough to appease the authorities and to be given a Visa.

After 5 years with a permanent residency given by the Chilean government, you can apply for citizenship. The United States government recognizes dual citizenship so you wouldn’t have to give up your American passport. Even though you have dual citizenship you will be considered a Chilean citizen while you are in Chile.

Many Americans right now are investing in Chile, as they see in the country a massive opportunity to reach the South American market. The good news is that you can obtain an Investment Visa through this process. Some of the requirements to obtain this Visa include:

I have just scratched the surface of what you have to do in order to obtain a resident visa or citizenship in Chile. Dealing with foreign jurisdictions can be difficult, so feel free to send us a message so we can help you with the process.

I hope you’ve found this article on how to get residency in Chile to be helpful. For more information, or for assistance with residency in Chile or elsewhere, please contact us.

Learning Spanish before you go to Chile is essential. If you listen to people that say you’ll be fine with your English, they are wrong. You must do your best to be able to converse with the local people, it’s the respectable thing to do. Go and visit my buddy Olly Richards at IWillTeachYouALanguage and sign up for his Spanish Uncovered class, you won’t be disappointed.

If you love listening to a podcast, you will love this episode with Mikkel and Olly Richards from IWillTeachYouALanguage

https://expatmoneyshow.com/episodes/olly-richards-secrets-to-learning-a-foreign-language-quickly/

Here is probably the most extensive ebook on Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Eliminating Your Taxes, Protecting Your Assets And Regaining Privacy Over Your Life And Investments. It is called The Ultimate Guide To Going Offshore.  Visit our bookstore to purchase it today!

 

Conclusion

Here are a few articles I hope you will enjoy on Chile!

If you'd like to read the full story, simply enter your email to subscribe to our newsletter.

For even more expert insights, unmissable resources, and exclusive invites, explore our premium subscription offers here.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.


OR

Subscribe Now

Already a Subscriber? Click here to login

Subscription required

You've reached your limit of free articles. For full access to Escape Artist, and all of our insights on travel, moving abroad, and the digital nomad life, click here to Subscribe.

Already a Subscriber? Log in here

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Related Topics
  • expats
  • learning the language
  • visa
Previous Article
  • Belize

Belize Real Estate Investment Guide

  • BY EA Editors
  • October 9, 2018
View Post
Next Article
  • Second Citizenship

Getting Residency In the Dominican Republic

  • BY EA Editors
  • October 9, 2018
View Post
You May Also Like
How to Secure Hungarian Citizenship Yourself Step-by-Step Guide
View Post
  • Second Citizenship
DIY How to Secure Hungarian Citizenship Yourself
  • BY Ethan Cohen & Learn Hungarian Anywhere
  • April 29, 2026
Magnifying glass focused on Estonia and the Baltic region on a printed map of Northern and Eastern Europe.
View Post
  • Second Citizenship
Estonia’s e-Residency and a New Kind of Nation
  • BY Ethan Rooney
  • April 29, 2026
Two students walking across a university campus at sunset, representing international schooling, higher education, and study abroad opportunities.
View Post
  • Second Residency
Raising Global Kids Without Breaking the Bank
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • April 22, 2026
Aerial view of a coastal Portuguese city with hotels, residential buildings, mountains, and the Atlantic shoreline stretching into the distance
View Post
  • Golden Visa
Exploring Currency Considerations for Portugal’s Golden Visa
  • BY Iva Slavtcheva
  • April 15, 2026
Two passports including a blue Cuban passport and a Canadian passport held together, representing international travel and dual citizenship documentation
View Post
  • Second Residency
The Ancestral Hedge for a Second Passport
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • April 8, 2026
Happy asian family that enjoys beach activities during the summer holidays. parent and children enjoy the sunset sea on beach.Holiday travel concept, Summer vacations.
View Post
  • Relocation
Why Families Are No Longer Raising Children in One Place
  • BY Isha Sesay
  • April 3, 2026
Overlooking modern red three-dimensional buildings and flying planes, taken in the Library Park of Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, China
View Post
  • Second Residency
How to Leave a Country Without Losing Your Wealth
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • March 25, 2026
Aerial view a woman gazing out over the ocean along the shoreline of Shoal Bay Beach with crashing waves and palm trees on the island of Anguilla.
View Post
  • Plan B
The Rise of the Plan B Portfolio
  • BY Luigi Wewege
  • March 25, 2026
Trending Posts
  • Panama City skyline at night with illuminated towers, coastal boulevard, and light trails running along the waterfront 1
    • Plan B
    Ready to Leave the US? These Countries Might Trump the American Dream
    • April 20, 2026
  • Two people sitting on a beach at sunset with waves rolling in and rocky coastline silhouetted against the golden sky 2
    • Costa Rica
    Why Some Expats Leave Costa Rica (and Others Stay Forever)
    • April 17, 2026
  • Chess pieces on a board overlaid with financial charts and data visualizations representing strategic financial planning 3
    • Finance
    Building a Resilient Banking Strategy for Life Abroad
    • April 22, 2026
  • People enjoying the summer at the beach at Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia 4
    • Europe
    Inside North Macedonia: Europe’s Most Unexpected Reinvention
    • April 24, 2026
  • Children touching bananas in the tropical climate of Costa Rica 5
    • Costa Rica
    Is Costa Rica the Fresh Start Your Family Is Looking For?
    • April 27, 2026
Subscribe
Know Before You Go
  • How to Secure Hungarian Citizenship Yourself Step-by-Step Guide 1
    • Second Citizenship
    DIY How to Secure Hungarian Citizenship Yourself
    • April 29, 2026
  • Children touching bananas in the tropical climate of Costa Rica 2
    • Costa Rica
    Is Costa Rica the Fresh Start Your Family Is Looking For?
    • April 27, 2026
  • People enjoying the summer at the beach at Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia 3
    • Europe
    Inside North Macedonia: Europe’s Most Unexpected Reinvention
    • April 24, 2026
  • Panama City skyline at night with illuminated towers, coastal boulevard, and light trails running along the waterfront 4
    • Plan B
    Ready to Leave the US? These Countries Might Trump the American Dream
    • April 20, 2026
  • Two people sitting on a beach at sunset with waves rolling in and rocky coastline silhouetted against the golden sky 5
    • Costa Rica
    Why Some Expats Leave Costa Rica (and Others Stay Forever)
    • April 17, 2026
Learn More
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
Why Subscribe

The newly imagined Escape Artist brings you fresh content with a global focus, and sharp, up-to-the-minute coverage of the joys, challenges, and opportunities of life abroad.

For a limited time, we’re offering a special discount on all subscription deals, so be sure to lock-in these incredible savings and start receiving top-notch travel and expat content today!

Sign up for the EA Newsletter

Get important news delivered directly to your inbox and stay connected!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Escape Artist
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Disclaimer

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Escape Artist

The Newsletter for a
Life Beyond Borders

Practical insights and real stories for those building a life abroad, trusted by 75,000 readers worldwide.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Before you go, want $50 off your Summit registration?

Subscribe, and get $50 discount code for Plan B Summit registration.

Download Your Free Guide

Fill out the form below to get instant access to your guide + receive a $50 discount code for Plan B Summit 2026!

Download Your Free Guide

Fill out the form below to get instant access to your guide + receive a $50 discount code for Plan B Summit 2026!

Download Your Free Guide

Fill out the form below to get instant access to your guide + receive a $50 discount code for Plan B Summit 2026!

Newsletter Subscription