How to get permanent residency and citizenship in Chile

Permanencia Definitiva in Chile

Foreign citizens in Chile, both holders and their dependents, who have a valid Temporary Resident Visa for at least one year and have not been out of the country for more than 180 days during that time, may request this permit. In the case of the subject-to-contract work visa, the visa holder and their dependents must wait at least two years before applying for permanent residency. A Student Visa holder must wait at least two years and have finished their degree (secondary school or university) before applying.

How to apply for Permanencia Definitiva in Chile 

As of May 2019, the application for Permanent Residency is completed online instead of via mail. You must submit the application within the 90 days before your current visa expires. If you leave the country for more than a year after receiving your permanent residency, then your permanent residency is revoked. You can apply again, but you must apply for temporary residency first, and the process begins again.

Documents and other requirements needed for the Permanent Residency application are as follows:

• An active email address

• A personal letter of intent explaining why you want Permanent Residency

• A police background check from your country of citizenship that has been legalised or apostilled. 

•  A recent, carnet size photo

•  Copies of your passport

  • ID pages

  • Current visa

  • Any prior visas

• Copy of your Chilean ID

• A travel certificate from the PDI documenting any travel within the last year called a certificado de viajes

• A visa registration certificate from the PDI for your current visa 

• A background check from the Servicio de Registro Civil stating you have not been involved in any illegal activities called a Certificado de Antecedentes para fines especiales 

• Notarised documents of bank statements, income, work contracts, etc. that will show you are self-supporting

The following is the link to the rules and regulations concerning permanent residency, which contains a link to the documents that must be submitted: www.extranjeria.gob.cl

If your application is accepted, you will need to pay the visa fee in any national bank in order for the process to continue. This fee is currently CLP 76.666.

If your application is approved and you are granted permanent residency, you will need to:

• Download the digital Permanent Residency Certificate using your clave única (a unique code used to complete online trámites or procedures)
• Register the Certificate at PDI within 30 days 
• Request your new Chilean ID card at the Civil Registry 

Citizenship in Chile

For Chilean citizenship, the regulations state that you must:

• Have resided in the country for five years from the date of your first visa stamp
• Have permanent residency
• Have not been prosecuted or convicted for any crimes
• be able to financially support yourself and your dependents, if you have any
• be at least 18 years old or older.

You can apply in Santiago or your closest provincial office. Once your application has been processed, you will be called in for an interview where you will be tested on your knowledge of Chilean history and culture as well as your ability to speak Spanish.

Documents for citizenship are submitted online and include:

• A copy of the ID page of your passport
• A copy of your Chilean ID card also known as your RUT or Cedula
• A copy of your document of Permanent Residency or Permanencia Definitiva
• A certificate of validity of this document from the PDI
• A police background check from your country of origin apostilled or legalised
• A recent, carnet size photo
• A letter stating why you want to be a citizen and how you are financially supporting yourself.
• If you have Chilean family, you must show birth certificates and/or marriage or civil union certificates
• Chilean driver's license, if you have it
• Deed of property, if you own any
• Bank statements, if you have a bank account in Chile
• Vehicle title, if you own a vehicle in Chile
• Certificate of any professional titles or degrees
• Copy of your work contract including salaries and taxes paid, pension, and health contributions, if applicable
• If you are retired, a certificate with an apostille or stamped by the consulate of your pension plus bank statements showing deposits with the amounts converted into Chilean pesos
• For students, a certificate of higher education and a statement/certificate on financing or scholarships

 Useful links:

Permanent residency
Citizenship