Articles on: Americas

Chile — No dedicated “Digital Nomad Visa”? The real official routes to live & work remotely in Chile

Knowledge Base – QUESTRAVEL

By Víctor Pizarro, Co-founder of QUESTRAVEL

The short version

Chile has breathtaking range—from the Atacama Desert to Patagonia—but there is no visa category called “Digital Nomad” in Chile’s immigration law. Instead, your options are Short Stay (Permanencia Transitoria) and several Temporary Residence sub-categories that may fit depending on your case. (SERMIG)


Is there a specific Digital Nomad visa in Chile?

No. The National Migration Service (SERMIG) lists official Temporary Residence sub-categories, and none is named “digital nomad.” The system is organized into Permanencia Transitoria, Residencia Temporal (with sub-categories), and Residencia Definitiva. The framework comes from Law 21.325 and its regulations. (SERMIG)


What does exist (official routes)

1) Temporary Residence for Licit Remunerated Activities

For people with a real work/ services link in Chile (local employer, formal offer, or services contract in Chile). Applied from abroad via SERMIG’s portal. Not the typical route for someone paid 100% by a foreign employer/client. (SERMIG)

2) Temporary Residence for Retirees & Rentiers

For people with regular passive income (pensions, rents, assets). Also filed from abroad. Useful if your support comes from passive income rather than ongoing work for clients. (SERMIG)

A corporate-leaning path tied to investment in Chile (e.g., investor, executives/technicians). (SERMIG)

4) Multiple-entry Business Permit

For frequent entries to do executive/business activities. It limits stay to a max of 6 months per calendar year—it’s not designed for day-to-day long-term living. (SERMIG)

5) Permanencia Transitoria (tourism)

Standard entry for up to 90 days, extendable once for +90 days. Extension fee: USD 100 (children are exempt). It does not authorize regular remunerated activities and does not let you switch to Temporary Residence from inside Chile (with limited legal exceptions). (SERMIG)


Duration & renewals (Temporary Residence)

Temporary Residence is granted for up to 2 years (seasonal-worker rules aside). If approved abroad, validity starts when you enter Chile. Payments are channeled through Tesorería General de la República per SERMIG’s instructions. (SERMIG)


Requirements (examples by route)

  • Licit Remunerated Activities: passport, criminal record, photo, and formal offer/contract with a Chilean entity (notarized per SERMIG rules; employer must have SII activity, typical minimum duration, etc.). (SERMIG)
  • Retirees/Rentiers: proof of steady pension or rents, plus passport, criminal record, translations/apostilles as needed. (SERMIG)
  • Investors: investment documentation (and, where applicable) InvestChile support. (SERMIG)
  • Permanencia Transitoria: enter as tourist; if needed, request the one-time 90-day extension (USD 100) online. (SERMIG)

Legal backbone: Law 21.325 (Migration & Aliens) and its regulation organize categories, authorities, and limits. If you plan to live in Chile while working exclusively for a foreign employer/client, there is no specific nomad sub-category today; we usually assess whether you qualify as a rentier (if income is passive) or whether your plan should be reframed (e.g., real local contract, investment route, or simply tourism + extension while you define a compliant strategy). (bcn.cl)


A) You have passive income (pension/rents) → “Retiree/Rentier”

  • Gather proof of regular passive income.
  • Prepare passport, criminal record, translations/apostilles.
  • Apply from abroad in SERMIG’s Digital Procedures Portal.
  • After approval, download your Electronic Stamp and enter Chile within the validity window. (SERMIG)

B) You will have a genuine Chilean employer/contract → “Licit Remunerated Activities”

  • Formalize the offer/contract with a Chilean entity (observe notarial and format requirements).
  • File from abroad via SERMIG’s portal.
  • After arrival, follow stamping/registration instructions. (SERMIG)

C) You only need time while you decide → “Permanencia Transitoria” (tourism)

  • Enter as a tourist (some nationalities require prior authorization).
  • If needed, request the +90-day extension online (USD 100, kids exempt).
  • Remember: it doesn’t authorize regular paid activities and typically doesn’t allow switching to Temporary Residence from inside Chile. (SERMIG)


  • Temporary Residence – SERMIG (overview): serviciomigraciones.cl/residencia-temporal/ (SERMIG)
  • List of sub-categories (official): serviciomigraciones.cl/residencia-temporal/subcategorias/ (SERMIG)
  • Licit Remunerated Activities (requirements): serviciomigraciones.cl/residencia-temporal/subcategorias/actividades-remuneradas/ (SERMIG)
  • Retirees & Rentiers (requirements): serviciomigraciones.cl/residencia-temporal/subcategorias/jubilados-y-rentistas/ (SERMIG)
  • Multiple-entry Business permit: serviciomigraciones.cl/residencia-temporal/subcategorias/negocios/ (SERMIG)
  • Permanencia Transitoria (overview & FAQ): serviciomigraciones.cl/permanencia-transitoria/ (SERMIG)
  • Extend Permanencia Transitoria (USD 100): serviciomigraciones.cl/permanencia-transitoria/prorroga/ (SERMIG)
  • Legal framework – Law 21.325 (BCN): leychile.cl/…/idNorma=1158549 (Library of Congress of Chile). (bcn.cl)


QUESTRAVEL’s take

Most people arrive with a classic nomad idea (100% foreign employer/clients) and then learn Chile doesn’t have a made-to-measure category. Our job is to map your facts to a real, legal route: if your income is passive, we aim for rentier; if you’ll have a genuine local link, we use remunerated activities; if you’re still exploring, we plan tourism + one extension and a compliant next step from abroad.

💡 Want us to evaluate your profile and propose a viable legal route for Chile? Book a 1:1 with QUESTRAVEL and leave with a clear plan, model documents, and a realistic timeline.

Updated on: 03/11/2025