Chile Tourist Visa
A Chile Tourist Visa falls under what Chilean immigration law calls “Permanencia Transitoria” — a short-stay permit for foreigners entering the country without any intention of settling, for purposes such as recreation, sport, health, business, family visits, or tourism. For nationals of most countries, this permit is granted directly at the border. However, nationals of certain countries — assessed by the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREL) on grounds of national interest or international reciprocity — must first obtain prior authorisation, commonly referred to as a Tourist Visa (Visa de Turismo), from a Chilean consulate abroad before travelling.
The Permanencia Transitoria permit authorises a stay of up to 90 days, which can be extended once for a further 90 days. Holders may not undertake paid work and generally cannot change their immigration status while in the country, except in specific cases set out by current regulations. Whether issued as a single-entry (Turismo Simple) or multiple-entry visa, the underlying permit and its conditions are the same.
Applications for prior authorisation are submitted through the Sistema de Atención Consular (SAC) at the Chilean consulate with jurisdiction over the applicant’s residence. Approval is determined solely by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Santiago, which reviews the consulate’s file before a final decision is issued.
Eligibility
- Applicant must intend to enter Chile strictly for tourism, recreation, or similar short-term purposes, without intention to settle, reside, or work.
- Applicant must hold a valid passport or travel document valid through the end of the intended stay.
- Applicant must demonstrate economic solvency sufficient to cover the trip (commonly referenced around USD 46 per day of intended stay, though this should be confirmed with the relevant consulate).
- Applicant must provide a letter of invitation from an individual or company in Chile, where applicable.
- Applicant must provide hotel reservations if no contact person in Chile is available.
- Applicant must not fall under any category posing a security or public order risk.
- Whether prior authorisation is required at all depends on the applicant’s nationality — this should be confirmed on the Chilean consulate’s visa and tariff table before applying.
Government Visa Fees
| Fee Type | Government Fee (USD) |
| Tourist Visa — Single Entry (Turismo Simple) | Varies by nationality — set by MINREL’s official fee schedule |
| Tourist Visa — Multiple Entry (Turismo Múltiple) | Varies by nationality — set by MINREL’s official fee schedule |
Chile’s visa fees are not a flat, universal figure — they are set nationality by nationality in an official tariff table (“Cuadro de Aranceles de Visas de Permanencia”) published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and updated periodically in the Diario Oficial. Information may vary depending on the visa category and individual circumstances. Always confirm the current fee for your specific nationality on the Chilean consulate’s website before payment, and note that exchange rates fluctuate daily.
Processing Time
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not publish one universal processing-time figure for Tourist Visa/prior authorisation applications, since the process involves the consulate first assembling the file and then Santiago issuing the final decision. Processing can be affected by the specific consulate handling the application, the completeness of the submitted documents, and the volume of applications at that mission.
Given this, applicants are strongly advised to apply as early as possible before their intended travel date, rather than relying on a fixed turnaround estimate. Compliance with all stated document requirements does not, by itself, guarantee that the visa will be granted. Information may vary depending on the visa category and individual circumstances.
Required Documents Checklist
Step-by-Step Application Process
Important Notes
Why Choose Shivansh Consultants
Chile’s tourist visa requirement depends entirely on your nationality, and the fee and documentation checklist can differ from one country to the next. Shivansh Consultants offers Documentation Support and a clear Eligibility Assessment to confirm exactly what applies to you before you begin.
We provide thorough Application Review, Personalized Guidance, and a Transparent Process throughout, with End-to-End Assistance from document preparation to submission via the SAC platform. We do not guarantee visa approval, as this decision rests entirely with the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs.