Chile Temporary Resident Visa 2026: Requirements and How to Apply

The Chile temporary resident visa, known as the Residencia Temporal, lets a foreigner live in Chile for up to 2 years, renewable, and is the standard route to permanent residence. It is granted under Law 21.325 and Decree 177 of 2022, managed by SERMIG, and is applied for online from outside Chile.

What Is the Chile Temporary Resident Visa?

The temporary resident visa is Chile's main permit for foreigners who want to live in the country for more than a short visit. In Spanish it is the Residencia Temporal, and it is the middle step in a clear sequence: temporary residence first, then permanent residence, then citizenship.

Its legal foundation is the Migration and Aliens Act, Law 21.325, which took effect in 2022, together with Decree 177 of 2022, which defines the subcategories. The whole system is run by the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (SERMIG). For the full picture of how this fits the wider system, see our Chile residency guide.

What Are the Main Visa Subcategories?

There is no single temporary visa. Decree 177 sets out a list of subcategories, each with its own qualifying conditions. Most applicants use one of a handful of common routes.

Two points are worth noting. Chile has no standalone digital nomad visa in 2026, so remote workers generally use the remunerated-activities route with a foreign service contract. And the investor route is built around a productive investment in Chile, covered in detail in our Chile residency by investment guide.

What Are the Requirements?

Each subcategory adds its own evidence, but a common documentary core runs through all of them. Plan for these first, because gathering and legalizing them takes the most time.

Income thresholds for the rentista, jubilado, and remote-work routes are not published as a single official figure. SERMIG assesses whether income is stable and sufficient, so treat any amount you see quoted as indicative rather than a fixed legal floor.

How Do You Apply for the Visa?

The process is fully digital and, as a rule, completed before you travel. Chile generally does not allow a tourist to switch to residence from inside the country, so the application starts from abroad.

• Create an account on the SERMIG Portal de Tramites Digitales (digital procedures portal).
• Complete the online form for temporary residence from outside Chile and select your subcategory.
• Upload the core documents plus the subcategory-specific evidence, all apostilled and translated where required.
• Pay the visa fee (arancel) for your subcategory and nationality when prompted.
• Wait for SERMIG to assess the application remotely, then, once approved, enter Chile within 90 days.
• After arrival, register with the authorities and obtain your Chilean identity card (cedula de identidad).

Applying from within Chile is possible only in narrow cases under Article 69 of Law 21.325, such as a family bond with a Chilean or permanent resident, dependents of a temporary resident, or humanitarian situations.

How Long Is It Valid and What Comes Next?

A temporary resident visa runs for up to 2 years and can be renewed. It is a step, not a destination: holding it for the qualifying period opens the door to permanent residence, and from there to citizenship.

The later steps have their own guides: citizenship by naturalization and the broader Chilean citizenship overview. Once you naturalize, the Chilean passport follows.

How Much Does the Visa Cost?

There is no single price. The temporary visa fee (arancel) set by SERMIG depends on two things: the subcategory you apply under and your nationality, because Chile applies reciprocity, charging citizens of some countries the same fees their country charges Chileans.

Beyond the visa fee itself, budget for the surrounding costs that apply to most applicants:

• Criminal record certificates and their apostille or legalization.
• Sworn translation of any document not in Spanish or English.
• The Chilean identity card, issued after arrival, which has its own separate fee.
• Renewal fees if you extend the temporary residence before moving to permanent residence.

Because the fee schedule is updated periodically and varies by nationality, confirm the exact amount for your subcategory on the SERMIG portal before applying.

What About Taxes for New Residents?

Chile offers a notable incentive for new arrivals. A foreigner who becomes a Chilean tax resident is taxed only on Chilean-source income for the first 3 years, and that exemption on foreign-source income can be extended by a further 3 years on application to the tax authority, the Servicio de Impuestos Internos.

Tax residence is a separate question from immigration status and generally turns on how much time you spend in Chile and where your economic life sits. This article is not tax advice, and cross-border tax planning should be reviewed with a qualified adviser before you rely on any treatment.

Can You Apply From Inside Chile?

As a general rule, no. Under the 2022 Migration Act, a person who enters Chile on a tourist permit (Permanencia Transitoria) cannot change to a residence permit from within the country. The application is meant to be filed from abroad through the SERMIG portal before you travel.

The exceptions are narrow and set out in Article 69 of Law 21.325. They include people with a family bond to a Chilean citizen or a permanent resident, those applying as dependents of a temporary resident, humanitarian cases, and a small set of situations qualified by the authorities. If you are already in Chile as a tourist and none of these apply, the correct path is to leave and apply from outside.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Most refused or delayed applications come down to a handful of avoidable errors:

• Entering Chile as a tourist and expecting to switch to residence from inside the country.
• Missing a criminal record certificate from a country you lived in for more than 5 years.
• Submitting foreign documents without the required apostille or sworn translation.
• Choosing the wrong subcategory, such as the employee route when a foreign service contract fits better.
• Letting the 90-day entry window lapse after approval, which can invalidate the visa.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does the Chile Temporary Resident Visa Last?

The temporary resident visa (Residencia Temporal) is valid for up to 2 years and is renewable. The exact term depends on the subcategory granted. After holding it for 12 or 24 months, depending on the subcategory, the holder can apply for permanent residence, and citizenship by naturalization becomes available after 5 years of residence.

Can I Apply for the Visa While in Chile as a Tourist?

Generally no. Under Law 21.325, a tourist cannot switch to a residence permit from inside Chile. The application is filed from abroad through the SERMIG portal before travel. Narrow exceptions in Article 69 cover family bonds with Chileans or permanent residents, dependents of a temporary resident, and humanitarian cases.

Does Chile Have a Digital Nomad Visa?

Chile has no standalone digital nomad visa in 2026. Remote workers generally apply under the remunerated-activities subcategory of temporary residence, using a service contract with a foreign client rather than an employment relationship. A salaried employee of a foreign company without a Chilean presence usually does not qualify under that route.

How Do I Apply for the Temporary Resident Visa?

Create an account on the SERMIG digital portal, complete the temporary residence form for applicants outside Chile, and select your subcategory. Upload your passport, criminal record certificate, and subcategory evidence, all apostilled and translated where required, then pay the fee. Once approved, you have 90 days to enter Chile.

What Documents Do I Need?

Every subcategory requires a valid passport, a criminal record certificate from your country of origin and any country lived in for over 5 years, and proof of means or purpose. Foreign documents must be apostilled or legalized, and anything not in Spanish or English must be translated by a sworn translator.

How Much Income Do I Need for the Rentista or Retiree Visa?

Chile does not publish a single official income floor for the rentista or jubilado routes. SERMIG assesses whether your income or pension is stable and sufficient to support you. Any figure quoted online is indicative practice rather than a fixed legal requirement, so confirm current expectations before applying.

How Golden Harbors Helps

Golden Harbors advisors match each client to the right temporary residence subcategory, which is the decision that most often determines whether an application succeeds. The team builds the document set, coordinates apostilles and sworn translations, prepares the SERMIG submission from abroad, and sequences the move from temporary residence to permanent residence and, in time, citizenship, so each stage sets up the next rather than creating a dead end.

Last reviewed: June 2026.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or immigration advice. Program terms, tax rates, and regulatory requirements change frequently. Verify current requirements before acting.