CHILE: Recent Immigration Changes

April 29, 2019

The immigration authorities in Chile have recently implemented several measures.

• Effective immediately, the Migration Department of Chile will allow entry and settlement of Venezuelan nationals holding expired passports or identity cards. These documents must have been issued after 2013, and will be considered valid for a period of two years from 18 April 2019 until 18 April 2021.
• The Migration Department has begun testing online applications for permanent residence. As of 1 May 2019, all permanent residence applications should be submitted digitally, and postal applications will no longer be accepted. For now, however, the pilot scheme may be only available in certain areas of Chile, and applicants are advised to check with their immigration specialist before submitting.
• Also effective 1 May 2019, it is now mandatory to present a criminal record certificate from the country of origin in support of all permanent residence applications.
• The authorities are now allowing holders of expired tourist visas who have applied for residence to exit and reenter the country by presenting the courier delivery receipt (“comprobante de envío del correo”) for the residence application, if they haven't yet received a proof of visa processing (“comprobante de visa en tramite”).
• Finally, the Migration Department now allows work permit renewals if a renewal application appointment has been requested prior to the expiration date (even if the appointment hasn't taken place before the work permit expiry date.