Fifteen sub-categories
Subcategories are subtypes of the temporary residence permit, each with its own requirements. The applicant determines which one best fits their situation and applies either as the principal applicant or as a dependant.
For someone arriving from Russia, five categories are of primary practical interest: family reunification, paid employment, study at state-recognised institutions, retirees and those living on passive income, and investors with associated staff. The rest are either niche or tied to international agreements.
| Subcategory | Who it is for |
|---|---|
| Family reunification * | with a connection to a Chilean citizen or a permanent resident |
| Paid activity | employed by an employer in Chile |
| Students at accredited institutions | enrolling in state-recognised educational institutions |
| Seasonal workers | for seasonal, one-time, or cross-year work |
| Humanitarian grounds * | victims of violence and those in vulnerable situations |
| International agreements | nationals of states party to Chile’s current agreements |
| Religious ministers | belonging to a religious organisation registered in Chile |
| Medical treatment | undergoing treatment that began or continues in Chile |
| Retirees and passive-income holders | recipients of a pension or permanent income from property or assets |
| Former permanent residents | those whose permit was revoked |
| Investors and associated personnel | investors, representatives and senior executives of a foreign company |
| Business trips with multiple entry | those who regularly enter for business and investment |
| Mercosur: reciprocity | those obtaining residence under the Mercosur, Bolivia and Chile state agreement |
| Under Gendarmerie supervision * | under its management, control, and supervision |
| By court order * | in the country or sent there by order of Chilean courts |
The filing rule and the main pitfall
Subcategories must be applied for from abroad, except in the specific cases listed. This is not a procedural formality — it is how the system is designed: the approach of ’I’ll arrive and sort it out on the ground’ does not work in Chile.
One line on the authority’s page worth reading before you buy a ticket: those in the country on a transit permit may not apply for residency.
How transit stay works and how it differs from residency is covered separately in the guide on entry and status in Chile. The key point here is the consequence: entering on a tourist basis closes off an application rather than enabling it.
Dependents: a status tied to someone else’s permit
Foreign nationals who are related to, or cohabiting with, a person who has already been granted or is currently applying for a permit as the principal applicant under any sub-category may obtain residency as a dependent.
The key feature is stated plainly: permits granted as a dependent are tied to the validity and duration of the principal applicant’s permit. This is not an independent status.
A dependent’s application is submitted in the same way — online from abroad — except in three cases: family reunification or humanitarian grounds under Article 4 of Decree 177/2022; a renewal application; or a change of category or subcategory.
The eligible persons are defined in Article 74 of Law No. 21,325, paragraphs 1 and 2. For a spouse or civil partner, the requirements include, among other things, a criminal record certificate with apostille or legalisation, a marriage certificate or civil partnership document, a notarised declaration by the spouse undertaking to cover the applicant’s costs of living in the country, and proof that the spouse has sufficient means of support — assessed against the benchmarks of the Ministry of Social Development and Family.
- A dependent is anyone connected to the primary applicant under any subcategory
- The duration and validity of a dependent’s permit follow those of the primary permit holder
- Filing from abroad, except for family reunification, humanitarian grounds, renewals, and changes
- For a spouse — a notarised undertaking by the title holder to cover expenses, along with proof of their financial means
Change of subcategory or category
A temporary residence holder may apply to change their sub-category, as well as their role — from principal applicant to dependent, or vice versa.
Unlike the initial application, this one is filed from inside Chile — through the service’s digital procedures portal, using a ClaveÚnica login or an account created by the applicant.
The deadline is strict: the application must be submitted before the deadlines set for requesting a permit extension, meaning no more than ninety days before the expiry date.
The primary applicant changing subcategory must meet the conditions and requirements set out in Decree 177/2022 for the subcategory they are applying for. A dependent changing their status must meet the requirements of the specific subcategory.
Official residents are treated separately: those who have completed their official missions and served in that capacity for at least one year may apply for any other residence permit on the same terms as other foreigners. The same applies to their dependants.
| Action | Where to apply | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Initial residence application | from abroad | except for the four exemptions under Decree 177/2022 |
| Change of subcategory or category | from within Chile, via the portal | no earlier than 90 days before expiry |
| Permit renewal | from within Chile | within the established renewal deadlines |
Documents when changing a sub-category
The authority lists a common set of documents, to which the documents specific to the applicant’s subcategory are added.
The authority itself has issued a specific warning: when assessing an application, it may require that the documents submitted are still valid at that time. It is worth checking expiry dates on certificates well in advance.
- Identity page from a passport or other identity document
- Electronic residence permit stamp, or a consular visa together with the passport page bearing the entry stamp
- Chilean identity card (cédula) issued by the civil registry service
- Criminal record certificate from the country of origin or countries of residence for the past five years — for adults
- A recent colour photograph on a white background, without glasses or headwear, in JPG or PNG format
- Documents matching the chosen sub-category
Temporary residence in Chile: choosing a subcategory and applying
- Finding the right subcategory for your situation from fifteen options
- Checking whether your case is filed from inside the country or only from abroad
- Filing applications for family members as dependants
- Obtaining criminal record certificates with apostille and translation
- Change of subcategory or category within the ninety-day window
- Analysis of the situation if entry has already taken place under transit leave
A legal consultation — 100 $.Credited toward the full service fee if you continue with us.
During the consultation the lawyer reviews your situation based on your documents and provides filing route: which basis, what will be needed and in what order.
Government fees, notarisation, certified translations and apostille, where required, billed separately at actual cost — we will itemise them for your situation. Processing time depends on the authority and its workload, which is why we do not publish an average figure.
Frequently asked questions
How many subcategories does temporary residence in Chile have?
Fifteen. Each has its own requirements set out in Decree 177 of 2022, and the applicant chooses whichever best matches their situation.
Can you apply for residency while already in Chile?
As a general rule, no: applications are submitted from abroad. Exceptions include family reunification, humanitarian grounds, Gendarmerie supervision, and court orders. Additionally, those present in the country on a transit stay permit may not apply.
How to include your family?
Through the dependent category — via the connection to the principal applicant of any sub-category. Keep in mind: the term and validity of a dependent’s permit follow those of the principal applicant’s permit.
Can you change your basis while already living in Chile?
Yes, a change of subcategory or quality can be submitted from within the country through the digital procedures portal — no more than ninety days before the current permit expires.
What period does the criminal record check need to cover?
From your country of origin or from countries where you have resided in the past five years.
What to check before switching sub-category, beyond the documents?
Being listed in the Passenger Offenders Register. Changing a sub-category is also a residence application, and from 2 June 2026 being on this register is one of the grounds under Article 88 for which refusal is mandatory. Entries are made for an unpaid transit fine and are removed once the fine is paid in full, or after five years.
Verified September 13, 2026. The thresholds and amounts are tied to indicators that are reviewed annually — check the official source for your country before filing.
Services and prices — openly, before any conversation
People usually add: rut for a non-resident through a representative — 249 $ · ⚠️ registration with pdi after entry — included in ’First 30 Days’. Two or more services — 5% off each.
Prices are in US dollars and are all-inclusive — nothing is added on top. Chilean government fees are paid separately and directly to the authority: $85 for a visa for Russian citizens, 138,974 pesos (approx. $152) for permanent residence, 38,697 pesos (approx. $42) for naturalisation. Fees are set in UTM and converted to pesos at the exchange rate on the day of payment. Chile’s 19% IVA is included in the service provider’s price and is not shown as a separate line item.