Work permits and visas in Chile: An employer’s guide

Hiring in Chile? Whether you’re bringing on a new team member or relocating someone from your existing workforce, you’ll need to follow the country’s immigration and work permit rules.

Understanding which type of work permit applies is key, since every worker needs the right documentation before they can legally work in Chile. Add in local laws around immigration, tax, and employment, and things can get complicated quickly.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide. Here, you’ll find a comprehensive breakdown of work visas in Chile, from the different options available to practical tips. So let’s jump straight in.

Why is it important to obtain the right Chile work visa?

If you’re hiring in or relocating global talent to Chile, it’s important to stay compliant with the country’s immigration, work visa, and work permit rules. Failing to do so can expose your business to financial penalties, legal risks, and even reputational damage.

To avoid complications, it's crucial to make sure that every team member has the right legal status to live and work in the country before they start, and that you seek professional advice where necessary.

See also: The complete employer’s guide to hiring in Chile

Who needs a work permit in Chile?

All foreign workers (i.e., anyone who is not a Chilean citizen or permanent resident) must obtain a work permit (and sponsorship of a Chile-based employer) to work in Chile, usually through a temporary resident visa (Residencia Temporal).

With our extensive relocation experience, Remote can help advise on whether your employee is eligible to work in Chile, and provide tailored guidance on work visa and immigration requirements. Learn more.

What types of Chile work visas are available?

For foreign workers, Chile offers several types of work visas, as follows:

Residencia Temporal (employment)

The Residencia Temporal (temporary residence visa) covers numerous immigration categories, one of which is for “foreigners engaged in lawful remunerated activities.”

As a result, it’s the most popular permit for foreign workers who want to live and work in Chile for a limited period. It can be granted in two main scenarios:

1. If you are relocating an employee from one of your foreign offices to a domicile or branch in Chile. In this scenario, the permit is typically issued for up to two years and may be renewed for an additional two.
2. If a new employee has accepted a job offer with your company in Chile. In this case, they’ll initially receive a 90-day Residencia Temporal. Once they arrive in Chile, they must present the signed employment contract within 45 days, at which point their permit will be extended for one year.

Residencia Temporal (seasonal)

This stream of the Residencia Temporal is intended for seasonal workers on a short-term or recurring basis, and ensures that they can legally reside and work in the country while meeting temporary labor needs.

To qualify, your company must be formally registered with the Servicio de Impuestos Internos (SII), and operate in a business directly related to the services being provided.

This permit can be issued for up to five years and extended for an additional two years. However, the worker’s actual stay in Chile is capped at six months per calendar year, reflecting the seasonal nature of the role.

Residencia Temporal (business)

This stream of the Residencia Temporal is for business executives who need to carry out executive or managerial activities tied to your company in the country. It allows senior business leaders to manage your interests locally without committing to long-term residence (and also acts as an investor visa).

Holders of this permit can enter Chile multiple times, but their total stay cannot exceed six months per calendar year. This time limit aligns with Chile’s immigration rules and ensures that the permit is used strictly for periodic business visits, not permanent relocation.

How to obtain a work permit in Chile

To acquire the Residencia Temporal, your employee must submit their visa application from outside Chile. They can do this by creating a ClaveÚnica account and applying online through the immigration portal (Portal de Trámites Digitales) of the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (SERMIG).

If your employee is relocating from one of your existing offices, they will need to meet the visa requirements and provide:

• A valid passport
• A clean criminal record certificate
• Recent passport photos
• The employment contract

If they are a new hire, they will need to provide the above documents as well as:

• A notarized job offer letter
• A letter of acceptance, signed at a Chilean consulate or Chilean embassy

In addition, you, as the employer, will need to provide several documents, including:

• Proof that you have the funds to hire the employee
• The Certificado de inicio de actividades (a tax certificate issued by the SII)

Any documents that are not in English or Spanish must be officially translated, and all documents issued outside Chile must be apostilled. 

Once the visa application process is finished and the permit is granted, the employee must go back to the Chilean consulate or Chilean embassy in their country, and collect the visa subject to contract (visa sujeta a contrato).

They then have 90 days to travel to Chile and begin work. Note that, after two years of residing in Chile, your employee may be eligible to apply for the Residencia Definitiva and gain permanent residency.

Does Chile offer a digital nomad visa?

No. Chile does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa that allows individuals to work remotely for a foreign company, and individuals are not permitted to perform paid work activities on a tourist visa (Permanencia Transitoria).

However, Chile does offer a reciprocal working holiday visa which is available to young people (aged 18 to 35) from certain countries.

See also: Which other countries offer digital nomad visas?

How can Remote help?

To hire or relocate employees to Chile, you’ll need to have your own local entity there. This is a process that can be complex, lengthy, and expensive.

You also need to comply with relevant immigration laws and regulations to avoid potential penalties, as well as handle payroll, benefits, and all other HR requirements.

This is where Remote’s employer of record (EOR) service can be invaluable. We act as the legal employer in Chile on your company’s behalf, and handle all the complexities of international hiring, including onboarding, payroll, and benefits. We help ensure that you are fully compliant with all local employment and payroll tax laws, and can onboard your employee in a matter of days, too, saving you time, money, and resources.

Alternatively, if you already have an entity in Chile, we can assist in international employee relocation with case-by-case immigration assessments, and guidance on the visa application process.

To learn more about the processes involved in relocating international employees, download Remote's Relocation Guide, or contact our Relocation team today.