Eligibility quiz
Do you have a child who is a citizen of Chile?
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
From outside ChileFrom outside Chile
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your online application.
See required documentsFill in the application online
Sign in to the immigration portal with ClaveÚnica or create an account, then choose “Residencia Temporal en el extranjero”. Enter your details and your Chilean child’s details, select “madre o padre” as your relationship, and upload the required files.
Fill in the applicationPay the fee online
Follow the link from your application to pay the fee through the Treasury payment portal. Your application will not be sent until you have paid.
Pay the feeSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the Chile Residencia Temporal por Reunificación Familiar application fee online?”
Submit your application
Finish and submit your application in the immigration portal. You will receive a confirmation email.
Submit the applicationWait for the decision
Check your application status and email, and respond to any requests for more information or a consular interview.
Check your application statusDownload your electronic permit
If your application is approved, validate and download your electronic permit, called the Estampado Electrónico, within 120 working days of the notice.
Download your electronic permitSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I validate and download my Chile Residencia Temporal por Reunificación Familiar Estampado Electrónico?”
Enter Chile
Enter Chile within 90 calendar days after downloading your electronic permit.
See how to enterSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter Chile with a Residencia Temporal por Reunificación Familiar Estampado Electrónico?”
Once in ChileOnce in Chile
Book your ID appointment
Once your electronic permit is activated, request an appointment with the Civil Registry for your identity card within 30 calendar days.
Book an ID appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a Chile Civil Registry identity card appointment after Residencia Temporal por Reunificación Familiar is approved?”
Get your identity card
Attend your Civil Registry appointment to obtain your Chilean identity card. You can then use it as your identification in Chile.
Get your identity cardSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get a Chile identity card after Residencia Temporal por Reunificación Familiar is approved?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Child's birth certificate
Get your Chilean child's birth certificate from Chile's Civil Registry. It must show that you are their parent and be no more than 60 days old unless it states a different period of validity.
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
Adavia doesn't provide advice, but we're building a directory of professionals who do. If you'd like, we can notify you when help is available.
Updated