What transit stay means
A transit stay is granted to foreigners entering the country for tourism, business trips, or other purposes, for a limited time and without the intention of residing or settling.
It permits a stay of up to 90 days, and that period may be extended by a further 90 days on one occasion only. It is expressly stipulated that the validity period may not exceed the validity of the passport or travel document.
The person is required to prove that they have sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay.
The validity of the permit is recorded in the unified migration card issued by the investigative police upon entry into the country. This is the document against which your days are later counted.
- Up to 90 days, with a one-time extension of up to 90 more days
- The permit duration cannot exceed the passport validity
- Proof of sufficient funds is required
- The period is recorded in the unified migration card issued by the police
Working on it is not permitted
The authority’s wording is categorical: holders of transit status may not engage in paid activities.
As an exception, a work permit may be requested from the authority by those who need to perform specific, one-off tasks for which they receive remuneration or an economic benefit in Chile or abroad. The list of such cases is exhaustive: performers and production staff for public shows, athletes, lecturers, expert consultants and technical specialists, and foreign residents of border zones.
The duration of such a permit is determined by the term specified in the employment contract.
This leads to a simple point: planning a move to Chile on the basis of ’I’ll arrive and find work’ does not work. Employment requires status, and status requires an application — and that is where the main rule comes in.
- Paid activity during transit stay is prohibited
- Exception — specific and occasional work authorised by the relevant authority
- The list of exceptions is exhaustive: performers, athletes, lecturers, experts, and border-area residents
- Permit duration equals the contract duration
The key rule: you cannot apply from inside the country
The authority singles this out as a distinct, flagged point: people holding a transit residence permit who are in the country cannot apply for a residence permit.
Exceptions are also listed, and they change the picture for many people. The following may still apply: those with family ties to Chilean citizens or permanent residents; those applying as dependants of a temporary resident; persons falling under humanitarian grounds; and those whose stay aligns with certain purposes recognised by the authority.
This brings us to a practical conclusion worth reading this section for. If you fall under the exceptions, the process works one way: you arrive and apply in person. If you don’t, it works entirely differently: the dossier is assembled and submitted from your country of residence, and you enter only once a decision has been made.
This is the costliest mistake in the Chilean process: someone arrives as a tourist, stays three months, extends for another three, then discovers there is nowhere to apply from and they must go back. Six months and two return flights — the price of an unread rule.
| Your situation | How to apply |
|---|---|
| You have a Chilean spouse, child, or parent | can be done from inside the country |
| You are applying as a dependent of a temporary residence holder | can be done from inside the country |
| Humanitarian grounds | can be done from inside the country |
| Standard case without these ties | only from the country of residence |
Temporary residence: what it is and how long it lasts
Temporary residence is a permit issued by the immigration authority for foreigners intending to settle in Chile for a limited period. It is valid for up to two years, except for the seasonal workers subcategory.
There are fifteen subcategories, and the full list is worth reviewing, because the right one often turns out to be different from what a person initially assumed: family reunification; persons engaged in lawful paid activity; students at recognised educational institutions; seasonal workers; persons under the supervision of penitentiary services; those present in Chile by court order; humanitarian grounds; persons under international agreements; ministers of recognised religions; those undergoing medical treatment; retirees and those living on passive income; former permanent residents; investors and related personnel; persons conducting business operations with multiple entries; the principle of international reciprocity within Mercosur.
The application is submitted through the service’s digital procedures portal. Document requirements differ depending on whether you are applying from abroad or from within Chile: when applying from abroad, a valid passport is required for all nationalities; when applying within Chile, a valid identity document is accepted.
The standard package includes a proof of identity, a criminal record check from the country of origin or country of residence covering the past five years for adults, and a recent photograph. Subcategory-specific documents are listed on each subcategory page.
Entry and first status in Chile
- Checking whether you fall under the exceptions to the in-country filing restriction
- Finding the right temporary residence subcategory for your situation
- Assembling the file and submitting through the service’s digital portal
- Calculation of transit stay periods and extensions if you are already in the country
- Work permit for incidental activity, if your situation qualifies
- A 24-month plan ahead — up to the permanent residence application
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 long can you stay in Chile on a transit stay?
Up to 90 days, with a one-time extension of up to 90 more days. The stay may not exceed the passport’s validity, and the extension costs the equivalent of one hundred US dollars; children and teenagers are exempt from the fee.
Can you work on transit status?
No, paid activity is prohibited. As an exception, the authority may grant permission for specific and occasional work — for performers, athletes, lecturers, expert consultants and residents of border zones.
Is it true that you cannot apply for a residence permit while in Chile?
As a general rule, yes: persons on transit stay within the country may not apply for residence permits. Exceptions include family ties with Chilean citizens or permanent residents, applying as a dependent of a temporary resident, and humanitarian grounds.
How long is temporary residence granted for?
Up to two years, except for the seasonal workers sub-category. There are fifteen sub-categories, each with its own documents and rules.
Where is the application submitted?
Through the digital procedures portal of the national immigration service. The document package differs depending on whether you are applying from abroad or from within Chile.
Are there grounds for refusal regardless of the documents?
Yes, Article 88 of the law lists six such grounds, and refusal on those grounds is mandatory, not discretionary. One of them was added on 2 June 2026: appearing in the Passenger Offenders Register, where entries are made for unpaid fines for travel on public transport. The full list and the procedure for being removed from the register are covered in our article on permanent residence.
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.