Eligibility quiz
Do you have a spouse or partner?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Chile
You can live in Chile for up to two years while your permission is valid.
You can get a Chilean identity card for foreign residents and use your permission to show you live in Chile legally.
Study in Chile
You can access education in Chile.
Foreign children have equal access to preschool, primary and secondary school, and higher education is available on equal terms.
Free higher education depends on meeting separate conditions.
Work in Chile
You can do paid work in Chile, whether you hold your permission in your own right or as a dependent.
Workers have the same labour rights as Chilean citizens, and special protections apply to children.
Travel and return
You can leave and return to Chile while your residence permission is valid.
You need the required valid passport or identity document and immigration documents.
Vote in Chile
You can vote in Chile after five years of residence, counted from when you obtained temporary residence.
You must be at least 18 and meet the other voting conditions, including having no disqualifying criminal sentence.
Use public healthcare
Residents and dependants can access healthcare on the same terms as Chilean citizens, following the health authority’s requirements.
Not every treatment is necessarily free.
Access social support
You have equal treatment in social security and government benefits.
A particular benefit may depend on lawful residence, contributions, income or other conditions.
How to apply
Applying from outside ChileApplying from outside Chile
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your application.
See required documentsFill in the application online
Sign in to the SERMIG portal with ClaveÚnica or create a SERMIG account. Choose “Residencia Temporal en el extranjero” and “Reunificación familiar”, then fill in your details and upload your documents.
Fill in the applicationSubmit your application
Send your completed application through the SERMIG portal.
Submit your applicationPay the fee online
When the portal tells you the fee, follow its instructions to pay it online.
Pay the feeFind your consulate
Find the Chilean consulate nearest to where you live for the consular part of your application.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Chilean consulate near your city handles the Reunificación familiar application?”
Book an appointment
Use the consular appointment system to choose the consulate for where you live and book an appointment.
Book an appointmentGo to your appointment
Go to the consulate to provide any additional documents needed for your application.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “What should I bring to my Chilean consulate appointment for Reunificación familiar in your city?”
Wait for the decision
Follow your application’s status in the SERMIG portal and respond if you are asked for more documents or information.
Follow your applicationDownload your electronic permit
After approval, download your Estampado Electrónico from the SERMIG portal within 120 working days of being notified.
Download your permitEnter Chile
Enter Chile within 90 calendar days after downloading your electronic permit. Your permit lets you live in Chile for a limited time.
Find entry informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter Chile after receiving a Reunificación familiar permit?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Marriage or partnership certificate
Get your marriage certificate or an official record showing that your partnership has the same legal effect as marriage. Public records should generally be no more than 60 days old unless the record gives another period of validity.
Copy of partner's ID
Provide a copy of both sides of your spouse or partner's Chilean identity card. They must hold permanent residence for this family reunification permit; if they have temporary residence instead, see the information about residence as a dependent.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Address and identity records
Keep your identity and contact details current and report a change of address, or you may receive a warning or a fine of up to 2 monthly tax units, called UTM.
Failing to get your identity card on time can also lead to a fine.
Residence can be lost
Your permission can end or be taken away if it expires without a timely extension or change, if you do not download it within 120 days of grant, or if you do not enter Chile within 90 days of downloading it.
The family link must still exist to extend this permission.
Serious immigration or public safety grounds can also lead to cancellation or expulsion.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Santiago Chile English Speaking Expats
English Facebook group for people living in Chile interested in Chilean local life
Join on FacebookExpats in Chile - Chile Information Project (CHIP)
English Facebook group for people living in Chile interested in Chilean local life
Join on Facebookr/chile
Reddit group for people interested in Chilean local life (Spanish & English)
Join on RedditConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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