Overview
Investment-based residence and citizenship by investment programs in Chile. Requirements, eligibility criteria, and application processes vary depending on your specific situation, nationality, and the type of residence permit you're seeking.
Available Investor Pathways
Chile Investor Visa — Residencia Temporal (Subcategoría: Inversionistas y Personal Relacionado)
Under Decree 177 of 2022, Chile investor visa has two distinct tracks with clear criteria. TRACK 1 (Individual Investor): minimum investment of USD $500,000 in active business project, company acquisition, or real estate development with economic activity. Requires endorsement from InvestChile (Chile official FDI promotion agency) before applying to SERMIG. TRACK 2 (Senior Executive/Manager): senior managers, directors, specialized technical staff of foreign companies holding at least 10% voting rights in Chilean subsidiary also qualify under this subcategory, without personal investment threshold. Chile does NOT have traditional golden visa through passive real estate purchase - investment must involve active economic activity. Permit initially lasts 1-2 years with renewals conditioned on demonstrated investment progress; SERMIG actively audits compliance. USD $500,000 MINIMUM INVESTMENT: Threshold under Decree 177 and confirmed by InvestChile website. Applies to business investments, company acquisitions, or real estate development projects with active economic activity - passive real estate purchase (buying apartment) does NOT qualify on its own. Smaller startup investments (USD $60k-$75k) may be considered case-by-case for innovative high-growth startups, but do NOT guarantee approval and provide less clear path to PR.
Eligibility
TRACK 1 (Individual Investor): Minimum investment USD $500,000 in active business project, company acquisition, or real estate development with economic activity in Chile. Obtain Carta de Patrocinio from InvestChile (mandatory pre-approval step). Submit detailed investment project to InvestChile: objectives, business plan, economic benefit for Chile. Valid passport (12+ months validity). Criminal background certificate (apostilled + Spanish translation). Proof of investment capability (bank statements, investment agreements). Apply via SERMIG portal from outside Chile. TRACK 2 (Senior Executive/Manager): Foreign company must control at least 10% voting rights (or equivalent ownership) of Chilean company. Applicant must hold executive, director, or senior management role at Chilean subsidiary. Alternatively: specialized technical personnel contracted to provide services to Chilean entity. No personal USD $500,000 investment required for this track. Same document requirements as Track 1. Employment documentation and proof of ownership link required.
Requirements
TRACK 1: Detailed investment project proposal (objectives, business plan, economic benefit for Chile); Carta de Patrocinio from InvestChile (mandatory); proof of investment capability (bank statements, investment agreements, due diligence documentation); valid passport; criminal background certificate (apostilled + Spanish translation); passport photo; business registration documents; financial projections; application via SERMIG portal from outside Chile. TRACK 2: Employment contract or appointment letter from foreign parent company; documentation proving foreign company controls at least 10% voting rights in Chilean subsidiary; organizational chart; valid passport; criminal background certificate; passport photo. INVESTCHILE ENDORSEMENT MANDATORY: All investor visa applications for Track 1 must first obtain Sponsorship Letter (Carta de Patrocinio) from InvestChile - Chile foreign investment promotion agency. InvestChile evaluates whether investment project aligns with Chile economic interests. Only after receiving InvestChile letter does applicant submit to SERMIG for immigration permit itself. Two-step process adds considerable time. START-UP CHILE (CORFO) ALTERNATIVE: Entrepreneurs accepted into Start-Up Chile - CORFO seed accelerator program for tech startups - qualify for expedited investor/entrepreneur visa track. No USD $500,000 investment required for this path; acceptance into Start-Up Chile program is qualifier. Start-Up Chile has agreement with SERMIG and InvestChile to fast-track immigration processing. Most accessible investor immigration route for early-stage technology entrepreneurs.
Processing Time
InvestChile evaluation: 1-3 months for Carta de Patrocinio approval. SERMIG visa processing after InvestChile endorsement letter: 3-6 months. Total estimated timeline: 4-9 months from project submission to permit. Becker Abogados 2024 confirms SERMIG approval takes 3-6 months after InvestChile endorsement. Initial permit valid for 1 year, then renewable for additional year, then Residencia Definitiva at 2 years. Start-Up Chile fast-track for CORFO program participants: approximately 2-4 months expedited processing.
Validity Period
Initial permit: 1-2 years. Renewal: Subject to demonstrating investment progress; SERMIG audits compliance at each renewal - investors must demonstrate progress on investment project (financial reports, business activity documentation, tax filings via SII). Failure to demonstrate adequate progress can result in permit denial or revocation at renewal. Explicitly confirmed by TheLatinvestor (September 2025) and Expat.cl 2025. Investors who cannot show ongoing business activity will lose residency status. Residencia Definitiva: After 2 years with 185+ days/year presence + demonstrated investment activity. Citizenship: After 5 years total legal residency; Spanish + civics test; dual citizenship recognized. Family: Spouse and dependent children can apply for dependent status and may work under Law 21.325. NOTE: No passive real estate investor (golden visa) route exists. All investment must demonstrate active economic contribution. Chile does NOT have traditional golden visa through passive real estate purchase - investment must involve active economic activity.
Last updated: 3/1/2026
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