Chile
Last Updated: 2026-03-29
Official Portal: Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (SERMIG)
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Quick Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Residency for citizenship | 5 years (general); 1 year (Ibero-Americans, Spaniards) |
| Language requirement | No formal exam; Spanish proficiency assessed informally |
| Cultural knowledge | No formal test |
| Processing time | 6–24 months |
| Application fee | ~$50–$150 USD equivalent |
| Dual citizenship | Yes — fully permitted with no restrictions |
Dual Citizenship
Chile fully permits dual and multiple nationality. There is no provision in Chilean law requiring a national to renounce prior citizenship upon acquiring Chilean nationality, and there is no requirement to renounce Chilean citizenship when acquiring a foreign one. This policy was firmly established in the 1980 Constitution (as amended) and reinforced by the Ley de Migración e Extranjería 21.325 enacted in 2021.
Chilean nationals living abroad may acquire foreign citizenship without any risk to their Chilean status. Naturalized Chileans retain their prior nationality unless they voluntarily renounce it. Chile’s liberal dual citizenship stance has made it a preferred destination for long-term residency and naturalization in South America.
Acquisition of Nationality
By Birth (Jus Soli)
Chile applies jus soli with a limited exception. All persons born on Chilean territory are Chilean nationals at birth, except children born to:
- Foreign parents who are both in Chile as tourists or transient visitors at the time of birth
- Foreign diplomatic personnel accredited to Chile
This exception is narrower than it may seem in practice. Parents who hold any form of temporary or permanent residency — even early in their residency process — generally transmit birthright citizenship to their children. The exception primarily targets newborns of parents who have never sought residency.
The 2021 immigration reform (Ley 21.325) clarified and codified these rules.
By Descent (Jus Sanguinis)
| Scenario | Rule |
|---|---|
| Child born abroad, one or both parents Chilean | Chilean nationality from birth |
| Generational limit | First generation only for automatic transmission abroad |
| Registration required | Yes — at a Chilean consulate within 1 year of birth (recommended) |
| Adult claiming by descent | May apply through consulate; requires registration of birth |
Children born abroad to at least one Chilean parent are Chilean nationals at birth by descent. However, the chain of automatic transmission is one generation — a child born abroad to a Chilean parent who was also born abroad does not automatically acquire citizenship and may need to establish a prior connection to Chile.
Registration Process: The birth must be registered at the Civil Registry (Registro Civil) in Chile or at a Chilean consulate. Late registration is possible but may require additional documentation.
Documents for descent claim:
- Birth certificate of the claimant (apostilled)
- Proof of Chilean parent’s nationality (Chilean identity card or passport)
- Birth certificate of Chilean parent
- Marriage certificate if applicable
- All foreign documents apostilled and translated into Spanish
By Adoption
Minors adopted by Chilean nationals acquire Chilean nationality upon completion of the legal adoption process. The adoption decree from Chilean courts (or a recognized foreign adoption) grants full nationality rights equivalent to those of a biological child. Adopted children should be registered at the Civil Registry.
By Marriage
Marriage to a Chilean national does not automatically grant citizenship. However, spouses of Chilean nationals benefit from a reduced naturalization period and certain residency preferences.
| Category | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Foreign spouse of Chilean national | Eligible for residency preference; reduced naturalization track |
| Residency required before naturalization | 2 years (reduced from standard 5 years for spouses) |
| Continuous cohabitation | Must be demonstrated |
By Naturalization (Residency)
Standard Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum residency | 5 continuous years as a resident |
| Age | 18 years or older (minors may be included in parent’s application) |
| Criminal record | Clean record in Chile; no serious crimes abroad |
| Language | Spanish; no formal exam but assessed in interview |
| Renunciation | Not required |
| Residence type | Permanent or temporary residency with legal status |
The naturalization process is administrative, handled by the Ministerio del Interior (through SERMIG and the Departamento de Extranjería y Migración).
Reduced Residency Categories
| Category | Reduced Period |
|---|---|
| Ibero-American nationals | 1 year |
| Spaniards | 1 year |
| Spouse of Chilean national | 2 years |
| Children (adults) of Chilean nationals | 2 years |
| Refugees recognized in Chile | 2 years |
| Persons born in Chile | Procedural advantages |
The Ibero-American preference is one of the most generous in the region. It applies to nationals of: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Preferred Pathways
Fastest route for Ibero-Americans: Obtain residency → reside 1 year → apply for naturalization. Total timeline approximately 18–24 months from arrival.
Standard route: Obtain temporary residency (up to 2 years) → convert to permanent residency → accumulate 5 years → apply for naturalization.
Ley 21.325 (2021 Immigration Reform): Chile’s modernized immigration law created new residency categories including:
- Visa de Residencia Temporaria: Up to 2 years, renewable
- Residencia Definitiva: Permanent residency
- The new law simplified procedures, introduced digital processing, and improved protection for vulnerable migrants
Chilean passport strength: The Chilean passport grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 174 countries, the strongest in South America and among the top 20 globally. It provides access to the Schengen Area, United Kingdom, Japan, United States (ESTA), Canada (eTA), and most of the world’s major economies.
Special Clauses & Programs
Constitutional Review (2022–2025): Chile undertook two constitutional reform processes. The nationality provisions remained stable through both processes, preserving jus soli (with exceptions) and jus sanguinis.
Born in Chile Exception Resolution: Under the 2021 reform, children of undocumented parents born in Chile face more complex proceedings; those born before 2021 under older rules may have acquired nationality automatically.
Voluntary Return Programs: Chile has offered programs for Chileans abroad (including exiles from the Pinochet era 1973–1990) to facilitate return and reintegration, with support for nationality documentation.
No Language Exam: Although Spanish competency is assessed informally in interviews, there is no standardized language test for naturalization — making the process accessible to those with conversational ability.
Investment Pathways
Citizenship by Investment (CBI)
Chile does not offer a citizenship-by-investment program. There is no direct route to citizenship through capital transfer.
Residency by Investment (RBI)
Chile does not have a formal golden visa or investor visa with a fixed investment threshold. However, investment and entrepreneurship pathways exist:
| Category | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Investor Visa | Proof of capital investment or business activity in Chile | No fixed minimum; assessed case by case |
| Entrepreneur / Independent Professional | Business plan, proof of viability | Popular for tech entrepreneurs |
| Rentista | Proof of regular income sufficient for living expenses | Pension income, dividends, etc. |
Once any of these residency categories is obtained and maintained, the standard clock toward permanent residency and eventual naturalization begins.
Business & Entrepreneurship
Chile is Latin America’s most economically free and transparent country (Heritage Foundation Economic Freedom Score: 77.3, Global ranking ~23). Santiago is the region’s premier financial center and startup hub. The country benefits from strong institutions, rule of law, low corruption (CPI: 67 — highest in Latin America), political stability, and a business-friendly legal framework.
Chile is a member of the Pacific Alliance, OECD, and maintains an extensive network of free trade agreements covering 65+ countries including the US, EU, Japan, China, South Korea, and Australia.
Company Formation
| Entity Type | Formation Time | Typical Cost | Minimum Capital | Online Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SpA (Sociedad por Acciones) | 1–3 business days | ~$100–$500 USD | None fixed | Yes — fully online via empresa.cl |
| SRL (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada) | 3–7 days | ~$200–$600 USD | None fixed | Partial |
| SA (Sociedad Anónima) | 7–15 days | ~$500–$1,500 USD | None fixed | Partial |
The SpA is the preferred vehicle for foreign entrepreneurs and startups — it can be registered online at empresa.cl within 24–72 hours at minimal cost, with no minimum capital requirement.
Start-Up Chile (CORFO): One of the world’s most recognized government accelerator programs, providing equity-free funding (up to $80,000–$100,000 USD) and temporary visas for selected startup founders. Over 4,000 companies from 90+ countries have participated.
Entrepreneur & Startup Visas
| Program | Details |
|---|---|
| Start-Up Chile Visa | 1-year visa for selected participants in the CORFO accelerator |
| Tech Visa (Visa Tecnológica) | For tech workers hired by Chilean companies; expedited process |
| Independent Worker Visa | For freelancers and entrepreneurs with demonstrated income or contracts |
Tax Overview
| Category | Rate / Detail |
|---|---|
| Corporate income tax | 27% (integrated system) |
| VAT (IVA) | 19% |
| Capital gains tax | 10%–27% (depends on asset type and holding period) |
| Personal income top rate | 40% |
| Withholding on dividends | Variable under integrated tax system (credits available) |
| Tax treaties | ~35+ treaties (US, UK, Germany, Japan, Australia, Brazil, etc.) |
| Tax system | Worldwide income for residents; territorial for non-residents |
Chile operates an integrated tax system where corporate taxes paid can be credited against personal income taxes owed on dividends, reducing effective double taxation. The country has one of the most comprehensive tax treaty networks in South America.
Banking & Financial Infrastructure
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Currency | Chilean Peso (CLP) |
| Major banks | Banco de Chile, BancoEstado, Santander Chile, BCI, Scotiabank Chile |
| Digital banking | Tenpo, MACH (BCI), Mercado Pago Chile, Fintual |
| Foreign exchange | Freely floating; no capital controls for most transactions |
| Stripe availability | Yes — full support for Chilean businesses |
| Account opening | Requires RUT (tax ID); residency helpful but non-residents can open accounts |
Chile has the most developed financial system in Latin America. The Comisión para el Mercado Financiero (CMF) provides strong regulatory oversight. The country’s fintech ecosystem is growing rapidly under the Ley Fintech (2023).
Key Programs & Incentives
- InvestChile (CORFO): One-stop shop for foreign investors; facilitates market entry, partner matching, and incentives
- Free Trade Zones: Iquique (ZOFRI) and Punta Arenas — duty-free trading zones for manufacturing and logistics
- Franquicia SENCE: Training tax credit up to 1% of payroll for workforce development
- R&D Tax Incentives: Up to 35% tax credit for certified R&D activities
- Green Hydrogen Strategy: Major investment incentives for renewable energy and green hydrogen projects
- Mining Investment: World’s largest copper producer; special fiscal regimes for large mining investments
- Pacific Alliance: Preferential access to Colombia, Mexico, and Peru markets
Loss of Nationality
Voluntary Renunciation
Chilean nationals may renounce their citizenship voluntarily by submitting a formal declaration before the Civil Registry (Registro Civil) or a Chilean consulate abroad. Renunciation is recorded and the individual ceases to be Chilean. It is possible to re-acquire nationality through naturalization after establishing residency again.
Involuntary Loss
| Cause | Rule |
|---|---|
| Acquisition of foreign nationality | Does NOT cause loss — dual nationality fully permitted |
| Serving in a foreign military during war against Chile | Historical provision; rarely applied |
| Being a naturalized Chilean found to have misrepresented facts | Naturalization may be revoked within 5 years |
| Conviction for terrorism or drug trafficking in certain contexts | Constitutional provision (Article 17, No. 3 — serious crimes) |
Article 17 of the Chilean Constitution lists grounds for loss of citizenship (ciudadanía, the political right to vote and hold office) which are distinct from nationality (nacionalidad). Loss of ciudadanía due to criminal conviction does not automatically mean loss of nationality.
Recovery / Resumption
Persons who lost Chilean nationality or citizenship may petition for its recovery through:
- The Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional) for cases involving constitutional articles
- The Ministerio del Interior for administrative cases
- Special legislation has been used historically to restore nationality to political exiles
Practical Guide
Documents Needed
- Valid passport (all pages, certified copy)
- RUT (Rol Único Tributario) — Chilean tax ID
- Cédula de Identidad Extranjería (foreigner ID card) or permanent residency certificate
- Proof of continuous residency (rental contracts, utility bills, tax declarations, pension fund contributions)
- Certificate of residency status from SERMIG
- Criminal background check from country of origin (apostilled, translated)
- Chilean background check (Certificado de Antecedentes — Registro Civil)
- Birth certificate (apostilled, translated into Spanish)
- Marriage certificate if applicable (apostilled, translated)
- Two recent passport-size photos
- Completed naturalization application form
- Application fee payment receipt
Where to Submit
| Location | Office |
|---|---|
| Inside Chile | Departamento de Extranjería y Migración, Santiago or regional offices |
| Online | Partial digital submission available via extranjeria.gob.cl |
| From abroad (descent cases) | Chilean consulate in country of residence |
| Special categories (Ibero-Americans) | Same offices; indicate reduced-period category |
Processing Time
| Stage | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Residency application → Temporary residency | 1–3 months |
| Residency clock (Ibero-American track) | 1 year |
| Residency clock (standard) | 5 years |
| Naturalization application review | 6–18 months |
| Cédula de identidad issuance | 2–4 weeks after approval |
| Total (Ibero-American track) | ~18–30 months |
| Total (standard track) | ~6–7 years |
Fees
| Item | CLP Amount | USD Equivalent (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Residency application | CLP 50,000–100,000 | ~$55–$110 USD |
| Naturalization application | CLP 100,000–200,000 | ~$110–$220 USD |
| Cédula de identidad | CLP 4,300 | ~$5 USD |
| Document apostilles | Variable | $20–$100 USD per document |
| Translation services | Variable | $50–$200 USD |
USD equivalents approximate at ~900 CLP/USD.
Related Countries
Countries with special nationality relationships or reduced naturalization periods for Chilean nationals:
- Argentina — MERCOSUR member; 1-year reduced track for Chileans
- Spain — Ibero-American preference; 2-year naturalization for Chileans
- Colombia — Pacific Alliance partner; 1-year reduced track mutual
- Peru — Pacific Alliance partner; mutual Ibero-American preference
- Mexico — Pacific Alliance partner; Ibero-American preference
- Brazil — MERCOSUR; 4-year naturalization for Chileans
- Portugal — Historical Iberian ties; Lusophone preference
Sources
- Constitución Política de la República de Chile (1980, as amended) — Articles 10–11: https://www.bcn.cl/leychile/navegar?idNorma=242302
- Ley 21.325 — Ley de Migración e Extranjería (2021): https://www.bcn.cl/leychile/navegar?idNorma=1158549
- Decreto Ley 1.094 — Ley de Extranjería (replaced by 21.325): https://www.bcn.cl
- Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (SERMIG): https://www.extranjeria.gob.cl
- Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores — Nationality information: https://minrel.gob.cl
- Registro Civil e Identificación — Birth registration abroad: https://www.registrocivil.cl
- Henley Passport Index 2024 — Chile: https://www.henleyglobal.com/passport-index
- Transparency International CPI 2023 — Chile: https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2023
- UNDP Human Development Report 2023/24 — Chile HDI: https://hdr.undp.org
- Heritage Foundation Economic Freedom Index 2024 — Chile: https://www.heritage.org/index/country/chile
- World Happiness Report 2024 — Chile: https://worldhappiness.report
- Start-Up Chile (CORFO) official program: https://www.startupchile.org