Overview
Employment-based residence permits and work authorization pathways 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 Work Pathways
Chile Work Authorization — Residencia Temporal (Subcategoría: Actividades Remuneradas Lícitas)
Chile 2022 immigration framework replaced all previous work visa categories with single Residencia Temporal for lawful remunerated activities. Old Visa Sujeta a Contrato (subject-to-contract visa) that tied worker rigidly to specific employer has been DISCONTINUED. New system more flexible: workers no longer required to include return-travel clause in contracts, and contract termination no longer means automatic visa loss. Foreign worker may now change employers freely without notifying SERMIG, while maintaining valid temporary residence. Minimum salary must exceed Chile legal minimum wage (approximately USD $530/month in 2025-2026); in practice, SERMIG verifies offer is market-competitive. No formal academic qualification requirements, though regulated professions (medicine, law) require separate professional authorization. Processing currently running 6-8 months due to backlogs from 2022 law transition. Key 2022 improvement: dependents of temporary residents may now work, reversing old prohibition.
Eligibility
Valid employment offer or contract from Chilean-registered employer. Salary must exceed Chilean minimum wage (~USD $530/month); in practice, market-rate salary expected. No formal academic credential requirement, but regulated professions (medicine, law, engineering) require professional authorization from Chilean authorities. Clean criminal record from country of origin and any country of residence in past 5 years. Valid passport (12+ months validity recommended). Apply from outside Chile (from consulate in country of residence). Exception: family reunification and humanitarian subcategories may apply from within Chile.
Requirements
Signed employment contract (signed before Chilean or foreign notary/attorney); valid passport; criminal background certificate (apostilled/legalized, translated to Spanish); passport photo (color, white background); application submitted through SERMIG Portal de Trámites Digitales; visa fee (varies by nationality: USD $0-$2,700). On arrival in Chile: Register with PDI (border police). Obtain RUT (tax ID) from SII. Register at Civil Registry within 30 days for Cédula de Identidad Extranjera (foreigner ID card). GLOBAL TALENT STREAM EQUIVALENT: Start-Up Chile (CORFO) fast-track - SERMIG, InvestChile, CORFO Start-Up Chile accelerator have agreement to expedite immigration processing for entrepreneurs and highly specialized technical staff accepted into Start-Up Chile programs. Provides materially faster track outside regular backlogged queue. WORK PERMIT AS TOURIST (PET): Chile offers Permiso de Trabajo como Turista (PET) - work authorization for tourists needing to perform specific, sporadic paid activities (advisors, technical experts, public show performers). NOT residence permit. Processing 7-10 business days. Useful for short business trips requiring remunerated activities.
Processing Time
Current reality 2025-2026: Standard processing 6-8 months. Can extend to 10-12+ months in complex cases. Emergency/expedited via CORFO/InvestChile path: 3-4 months. PET tourist work permit short-term: 7-10 business days. Older sources citing 20-30 days or 1-3 months are outdated pre-2022 figures. Workers cannot legally work in Chile until permit approved. Some employers arrange remote work from home country during processing. Apply well in advance.
Validity Period
Residencia Temporal: Up to 2 years, renewable for up to 2 additional consecutive years. Change employer: Freely, without notifying SERMIG - major improvement under Law 21.325. Residencia Definitiva (PR): After 2 years of Residencia Temporal with 185+ days/year physical presence in Chile. Citizenship: After 5 years total legal residency; Spanish language proficiency; civics knowledge; clean record. Process typically takes 1-2 additional years. Dual citizenship recognized. Dependents: Spouse and family members may now work under Law 21.325 (reverses old prohibition). Tax note: Non-Chilean nationals taxed only on Chilean-source income during first 3 years of residency. 3-year extension of foreign-income exemption may be requested. After that, worldwide income may be taxable in Chile.
Last updated: 3/1/2026
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