If you haven’t been to Chile, it’s time to queue up for the Chile Tourist Visa. The Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made it easy for foreign nationals to apply online for a tourist visa. However, in some cases, you may have to contact the embassy in your country of residence to find out if you must apply in person.
But even if you apply online for a tourist visa to Chile, you must visit the Chile Embassy or consulate nearest you to complete the process and receive your tourist visa. During your online application, you will be informed about the particular consulate to visit and submit your passport and pick up your visa.
Chile’s immigration law allows foreign nationals to visit the country and search for employment in special situations. With a job offer, they can visit Chile as tourists, and after that, they can apply for a more prolonged stay. To apply for a Chile Tourist Visa, you must find the requirements and documents to submit as part of your application. Also, find the right steps to take to acquire a tourist visa to Chile.
In this article
About the Chile Tourist Visa
The Chile Tourist Visa is a short-stay visa that allows its holder to enter the country for tourism for a stay of 30 to 90 days. Apart from tourism, the visa can be used to visit Chile for sport, business, family visits, or medical or religious treatment. You can use the Chile Tourist visa for any visit that does not require you to look for a residence permit.
About Chile’s Tourist Visa Policy
Chile welcomes foreign nationals from about 90 countries to enter the country without a visa for tourism. The list includes all European Union Member countries, Canada, the United States of America, New Zealand, and Ukraine, among others. These countries’ nationals can stay in Chile for 90 days without a visa.
Similarly, some countries where nationals can enter Chile but are only allowed to stay for a maximum of 30 days. They are Macao, Malaysia, and Singapore. However, they must get the relevant visa if they intend to stay for more than 30 days.
There is another set of people who can enter Chile without a visa. In this case, they must visit with their identity document or ID card. They are:
Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Colombia
Ecuador
Paraguay
Peru
Uruguay
Recently, the Chilean government introduced the eVisa to make it easy for foreign nationals to request a visa. Although this opportunity is open to very few countries, one of which is Australia, other countries will soon be added to the list for Chile’s e-Vistur. With the eVisa, all an applicant needs to do is to apply online, print out the visa, and carry it along, together with other required documents.
Who needs a Chile Tourist Visa?
About 150 countries must obtain a consular or embassy visa to visit Chile for tourism. These are primarily African and non-European countries. Some of them are:
Iran
Iraq
Isle of Man
Ivory Coast
Jersey
Jordan
Maldives
Mali
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Mayotte
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
New Caledonia
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Requirements for a Chile Tourist Visa
Before you apply for a Chile Tourist Visa, there are necessary documents that you must put together to complete your application. They are called supporting documents. They are:
1. Valid passport, with scanned copies of relevant pages which contain your personal, the issue date, and expiry date. Also include previous visas, if any.
2. Health clearance shows that the applicant does not suffer from infectious diseases.
3. Police clearance shows that the applicant does not have a criminal background.
4. Letter of explanation to the consul or embassy to elaborate on your reason for visiting Chile.
5. Letter of invitation from your contact in Chile, if any.
6. Description of your financial situation, e.g., monthly pay slip or a financial statement.
7. Name and address of any contact person you have in Chile.
8. Proof of accommodation, e.g., hotel booking for your stay.
9. Copy of your flight itinerary
10. Three passport-size photos of the applicant must be 4.5 by 4.5cm. The photos must be colored, taken before a white background, and your face shows a neutral expression.
How to apply for a Chile Tourist Visa
You can start applying for a tourist visa to Chile as soon as you have gathered the above documents. Here are the steps to take to apply for a visa.
Step #1. Apply online.
You will visit the official website of the government of Chile, to apply. Also, you will be directed to the visa application page. You will find questions about your age, nationality, and reason for traveling there. Other questions center around your family and source of income, among others. Not to forget, you must answer all questions accurately and thoroughly.
Step #2. Attach copies of your relevant documents.
After filling out the tourist visa application form, you will be directed to a page where you will upload your documents. These must be in PDF format.
Step #3. Wait for your visa to be processed.
This takes about 15 to 20 days. However, you will be alerted when it is time to visit the embassy or consulate close to you for a visa interview.
Step #4. Visit the Chilean embassy
Once it is time, you will visit the embassy for a visa interview. Again, the interview is part of the application process.
Step #5. Pay the Chile visa fee
The visa fee for Chile is between $50 to $150. However, it will depend on your country of residence and visa type. You must wait to receive a notification from the embassy before you pay your visa fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I stay in Chile with my Tourist Visa?
The maximum number of days you can stay in Chile with your tourist visa is 90 days. However, remember that your time starts counting from when your visa is approved. Therefore, if your visa is approved, it’s advisable to leave immediately for Chile to maximize your tourist visa’s 90 days’ validity. Remember that your tourist visa is a short-stay visa. As a result, it does not exceed 90 days unless in extreme circumstances. If you overstay your visa, you will become an illegal tourist.
Can I extend my tourist visa?
Yes, you can, but only in extreme situations. An example includes ill health or a result of a crisis in your country of residence. Other situations may also count as extreme. In this case, you must apply for an extension at the Department of Immigration of the Ministry of Interior Affairs closest to you in Chile.
For this purpose, you must submit photocopies of your passport’s relevant pages and a copy of your Tourism Card. Furthermore, you must do this at least 30 days before your visa expires. This process would cost you an additional $100 but will award you another 90 precious days in Chile.
What is the processing time for a Chile Tourist Visa?
It takes about 20 days to process your tourist visa to Chile. However, during that time, the Consular office may require more documents from you or more clarification. If this happens, it may affect the processing time. So, estimating between 20 to 30 days before your visa is ready is best.
Can I work in Chile with a Tourist Visa?
Generally, a Chile Tourist visa holder is not permitted to take up any employment. Still, if necessary, the person can be issued authorization to work. The Ministry of Interior gives this authorization in Chile, and you will have to pay a specific amount. This fee is 150% of what you would pay for a Chile Work Visa.
What is the processing fee for a Chile Tourist Visa?
The processing fee for a Chile Tourist Visa can be as little as $50 and as much as $150. Of course, this depends on your nationality. Besides, you will only find out how much you will pay after you complete your online application. The good news is that you will pay the visa fee when your application is approved, not before. This means that Chile Tourist Visa is not non-refundable because if you get to the point where you have to pay the fee, your visa application is approved.
Conclusion
There are so many reasons to visit Chile. For some, if it’s not for the arts and festivals, it is for the wine and the music. And don’t forget the snow-capped mountains and the beautiful people. Chile is a tourist haven, best experienced firsthand. It is also one of the safest tourist countries because the crime rate is so low. There is a Chilean embassy or representative in almost every country, which makes it possible for you to get a Chile Tourist Visa. Experience the magic of Chile. Get your visa today.
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