Chile Crew Visa
A Chile Crew Visa covers foreign nationals who are crew members of international passenger or cargo transport — ships, aircraft, or land vehicles — entering Chile as part of their role aboard the conveyance. This falls under a dedicated subcategory of the “Permanencia Transitoria” short-stay permit specifically for international transport crew members, distinct from the general tourist or business categories.
Under this subcategory, crew members can generally remain in Chile for the standard Permanencia Transitoria period, tied to their vessel’s or aircraft’s schedule. A separate, narrower provision covers crew whose transport is not destined for Chile but enters national territory due to special circumstances or a forced arrival: in that case, a Tarjeta de Tripulante (Crew Card) is issued for a period not exceeding 72 hours, during which the controlling authority retains the crew member’s personal documents.
If a crew member’s work in Chile needs to extend beyond the period granted under Permanencia Transitoria, the shipping company, shipowner, or agent — not the crew member individually — must apply on their behalf for a Residencia Temporal permit through the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (SERMIG), to allow lawful remunerated activity under an employment relationship with that company or agent.
Eligibility
- Applicant must be a genuine crew member of an international passenger or cargo conveyance — ship, aircraft, or land vehicle.
- Applicant’s presence in Chile must be tied to their role aboard that conveyance.
- For crew arriving due to special circumstances or forced arrival (destination not Chile), eligibility for the 72-hour Tarjeta de Tripulante depends on the controlling authority’s assessment at the point of entry.
- For crew work extending beyond the standard Permanencia Transitoria period, the employing shipping company, shipowner, or agent must apply for a Residencia Temporal permit on the crew member’s behalf.
- Applicant must hold a valid passport or seafarer’s/crew identity document.
- Whether prior consular authorisation is required for entry depends on the crew member’s nationality, as with other Permanencia Transitoria categories.
Government Visa Fees
| Fee Type | Government Fee (USD) |
| Crew Member Permanencia Transitoria (where prior authorisation applies) | Varies by nationality — set by MINREL’s official fee schedule |
| Tarjeta de Tripulante (forced/special arrival, up to 72 hours) | Confirmed with the controlling border authority |
| Residencia Temporal (extended crew work, applied for by employer via SERMIG) | Varies by nationality |
Chile’s visa fees are set nationality by nationality in an official tariff table published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Information may vary depending on the visa category and individual circumstances. Always confirm the current fee for your nationality on the Chilean consulate’s website, and note that exchange rates fluctuate daily.
Processing Time
For crew members entering under the standard Permanencia Transitoria crew subcategory, processing generally follows the same border-control or consular process as other short-stay permits, without one universal published timeline. The Tarjeta de Tripulante, by contrast, is issued directly by the controlling border authority for special or forced arrivals and is tied to the 72-hour limit rather than a separate application process.
Where extended crew work requires a Residencia Temporal permit, the shipping company, shipowner, or agent submits this application through SERMIG’s Portal de Trámites Digitales, and processing follows the standard Residencia Temporal review process, which is not bound by a fixed published turnaround. Given the operational nature of crew scheduling, employers and agents are advised to initiate any Residencia Temporal application as early as the need for extended work becomes clear. Information may vary depending on the visa category and individual circumstances.
Required Documents Checklist
For standard crew entry (Permanencia Transitoria):
- Valid Passport or Seafarer’s/Crew Identity Document
- Proof of Employment/Role Aboard the Conveyance
- Crew List or equivalent documentation from the vessel, aircraft, or transport company
- Passport-sized Photograph
- Government Fee Receipt (where prior authorisation applies)
For the Tarjeta de Tripulante (forced/special arrival):
- Passport or identity document (retained by the controlling authority for the duration)
- Documentation explaining the special circumstances or forced arrival
For extended crew work (Residencia Temporal, applied for by the employer):
- Employment Contract or Undertaking of Responsibility from the shipping company, shipowner, or agent
- Proof of the Company’s Legal Standing in Chile
- Applicant’s Passport
- Police Clearance Certificate
- Medical Certificate (where required)
Step-by-Step Application Process
Important Notes
Why Choose Shivansh Consultants
Chile’s Crew Visa framework involves several distinct pathways — standard crew entry, the 72-hour Tarjeta de Tripulante, and employer-sponsored Residencia Temporal for extended work — and identifying the right one matters for both individual crew members and their employers. Shivansh Consultants offers Documentation Support and a clear Eligibility Assessment to determine which category applies.
We provide Application Review, Personalized Guidance for both crew members and employing companies, and a Transparent Process throughout. With End-to-End Assistance, we help ensure your crew documentation is complete before arrival or before an extended-work application is submitted. We do not guarantee approval, as this decision rests entirely with the relevant Chilean authorities.