Chile

Visa Programs Overview

Investor Visa Requires a substantial investment directed toward productive economic activity — such as a new business, an existing company, or a joint venture — with formal sponsorship from Chile's national investment agency, InvestChile. Real estate purchases alone do not qualify.

Rentista Visa For applicants who can demonstrate stable, regular passive income from abroad — such as pensions, dividends, or rental income — sufficient to support themselves and any dependents without needing local employment.

Chile Passport & Citizenship Pathway

Chile does not offer a "golden visa" or citizenship-by-investment shortcut — despite what some offshore-advisory sites imply. Instead, it operates a residency-first system, built on Law 21.325 (the Migration and Aliens Act) and its accompanying regulations, offering one of Latin America's more stable and straightforward long-term pathways for qualifying applicants.

Temporary Residency

Applicants can qualify for Temporary Residency through several tracks:

Investor Track Requires a substantial investment in productive goods or services, along with a formal sponsorship letter from InvestChile before immigration processing can begin. This category is specifically designed for active business investment, not personal real estate purchases.

Rentista Track Requires demonstrating stable, permanent passive income — such as a pension, dividends, or rental income — from outside Chile, sufficient to support the applicant and any dependents.

Stay Requirement Applicants must maintain their qualifying investment or income throughout the Temporary Residency period.

Permanent Residency

After a qualifying period on Temporary Residency, applicants become eligible to apply for Permanent Residency (Residencia Definitiva), which removes ongoing income or investment verification requirements.

Important: Permanent residency status can be lost after an extended continuous absence from Chile, so maintaining genuine ties to the country matters even after this stage.

Naturalization & The Passport

After a further qualifying period of legal residence, applicants can formally apply for Chilean citizenship.

Requirements typically include:

Continuous legal residence in Chile throughout the qualifying period

A clean criminal record

Demonstrated ties to Chile

Family-Based Fast-Track Considerations Certain family-based cases may qualify for a shorter path to citizenship under Chilean law.

What We Do — Full Assistance

Chile's 2022 migration law reform introduced a fully online application system through SERMIG's digital portal, along with strict document formatting requirements. We support you through the full process, so nothing is left to guesswork.

Our Process:

Initial Consultation

Investment Structuring & InvestChile Sponsorship .

Document Preparation & Legalization

Visa Filing

Residency Maintenance Support

Permanent Residency Application

Naturalization Guidance

Key Benefits of the Chilean Passport

Why the Chilean Passport Is Worth the Journey

• Visa-Free Access: Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a large number of destinations, including participation in the US Visa Waiver Program

• Dual Citizenship Allowed: Chile fully recognizes dual nationality — you are not required to renounce your original passport to become Chilean

• Economic Stability: Chile is an OECD member and widely regarded as one of the most stable economies in Latin America

Start Your Chile Residency Journey

Whether your goal is the Investor Visa, the Rentista route, or eventual Chilean citizenship, we'll help you understand exactly what's required at each stage of the process.

Book a Free Consultation