Post Study Work Options: How to Get a Work Visa in Chile After Studies

Chile is in the southern part of South America, between Argentina and Peru. Chile is known around the world for its wonderful landscapes, from the glaciers in Patagonia to the Atacama Desert, the driest desert in the world.

Chile boasts dramatic mountain peaks, sparkling lakes, and abundant wildlife. It has great skiing in the winter and lush alpine valleys in the summer. Chains of islands and charming fishing villages lend character to the south, while wide expanses of desert dominate the north.

Chile is in the southern hemisphere, thus the seasons are reversed. Given the country’s geography, the climate varies a lot between regions. Moreover, Chile is full of opportunities for tourism, especially for nature-lovers who love hiking, stargazing and other outdoor activities.

Although Chile is a Spanish-speaking country, the language is very different from the Spanish used in Europe.

International students who wish to continue living in Chile need a work permit to legally work in the country. Student visas end after you have completed your study program.

If you want to stay and live in Chile after completing your study program, you should know your options so you can plan ahead. Check out your options in Chile or, if this country is not for you or you want to explore your other options, read our other blog posts on post-study options to know how to get a work visa for the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America!

Residence Visas and Work Permit for Chile

Foreign nationals who wish to stay in Chile to work or stay longer than 90 days must normally get a temporary residence permit. There are several categories for residence visas so continue reading so you can see which visa suits your situation.

Temporary Residence Visa in Chile (Visa de Residencia Temporaria)

This visa is intended for those who prove that they have family ties or interests in the country and whose residence is deemed useful and convenient. In general terms, it allows any activity to be carried out in Chile, with no limitations other than those established by law.

To apply, you need to prepare the following documents:

Duly completed application form
Two passport photos
Copy of your passport
A medical certificate
A health and repatriation insurance with international coverage.
A photocopy of the family record book or a copy of your parents’ birth certificate

*Additional documents may be required

Temporary Opportunity Visa

This visa allows professionals to come to settle in Chile for 1 year to look for work. This type of visa is granted via a points system, according to defined criteria (vocational training, age, language, profession).

To apply, you must meet the following conditions and provide the required documents:

Duly completed form
Two passport photos
A photocopy of your passport
Your criminal record
A medical certificate A health and repatriation insurance with international coverage.
A photocopy of the family record book or a copy of your parents’ birth certificate.
Your certificate of degree with apostille.
The SIELE or DELE Spanish diploma, apostilled, with at least a B1 level.

*Additional documents may be required

Temporary Opportunity Visa for Entrepreneur

This visa allows entrepreneurs wishing to start a business and invest in Chile. This type of visa is granted via a points system, according to defined criteria(studies, age, language, investment). The visa is valid for a year and may be renewed on the spot, provided you have invested the full amount of money initially planned.

If you consider this visa, know that you will have to commit to investing at least US$102,650 during your first year in Chile.

To apply, you must meet the following conditions and provide the required documents:

Duly completed form
Two passport photos
A photocopy of your passport
Your criminal record
A medical certificate A health and repatriation insurance with international coverage.
A photocopy of the family record book or a copy of your parents’ birth certificate.
Your certificate of degree with apostille.
The SIELE or DELE Spanish diploma, apostilled, with at least a B1 level
Make an Initial investment at least US$102,650

*Additional documents may be required

The Temporary International Orientation Visa

This visa allows professionals who graduated from one of the 150 best academic institutions worldwide to live in Chile for 1 year and seek work. However, there is a cap of 300 visas granted annually.

To apply, you must meet the following conditions and provide the required documents:

Duly completed form
Two passport photos
A photocopy of your passport
Your criminal record
A medical certificate A health and repatriation insurance with international coverage.
A photocopy of the family record book or a copy of your parents’ birth certificate.
Your certificate of degree with apostille

*Additional documents may be required

Visa Subject to Contract in Chile (Visa Sujeta a Contrato de Trabajo)

This is a resident visa and a type of work permit granted to foreign nationals to carry out paid activities. This permit hinges entirely on a contract with a Chilean employer. This permit is normally valid up to 2 years and can be renewed. It is usually valid for the length of the contract.

If the work contract ends or you have changed your employer, you must obtain a new visa to remain in Chile . There is a 30-day period in which you can get a new visa.

The dependent visa linked to this is for the immediate family of the contract worker and holders of this type of dependent visa are not allowed to work while they live in Chile.

To apply, you need to prepare the following documents:

Duly Completed form
Two passport photos
A photocopy of your passport
Your criminal record
A medical certificate
A photocopy of the family record book or a copy of your parents’ birth certificate.
A work contract of the Chilean company
A document giving the surname, first name, address and telephone number of the manager or legal representative of the company in Chile.

*Additional documents may be required

Permanent Residence Visa in Chile (Permanencia Definitiva)

This visa allows foreign nationals to permanently settle in Chile and live and work with the full rights of a Chilean citizen. To apply for permanent residency in Chile you are required to spend at least 180 days per year in the country if you have a temporary residency visa. If you have a work visa, you need to spend 2 years in the country uninterrupted. Students on a study visa can apply after two years in the country, on the condition they have finished their studies.

Chile stands out from other Latin American countries as it does not require a minimum financial investment to obtain permanent residence.

The permanent visa is valid for 5 years and renewable indefinitely. After five years you can apply for Chilean citizenship. If you leave Chile for a period of longer than one year, your permanent residency visa will be revoked.

To apply for permanent residency, you will need to present the following documents to the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Santiago.

Certification from the International Police in Chile showing no criminal history
A medical report
A statement about why you want to live in Chile
Proof you can financially support yourself (bank statements, or proof of income)
Certificate of your entries and exits from Chile (from the International Police)
2 colour passport photo with your passport number on them
Copies of all your passport pages and both sides of your Chilean ID card (if you have one).

*Additional documents may be required

Naturalised Citizenship in Chile

To qualify for Chilean citizenship, you must meet the following criteria:

be a permanent resident and have continuous residence in Chile for 5 years or more
have no criminal record
provide proof of financial means

Foreign nationals who acquire Chilean citizenship are not required to renounce their original nationality.

What are your thoughts on the Post Study Options in Chile? Is there anything we missed or anything you need clarification on? Comment below.

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