Chile immigration and residence options in 2026

Chile's current migration system separates temporary residence, transitory stay, specific work authorization and permanent residence. For founders and professionals, the most relevant official categories are remunerated activities, investment, repeated business management, treaty-based residence and MERCOSUR reciprocity.

The current SERMIG catalogue does not publish a dedicated digital-nomad or startup-visa subcategory. ReloTide therefore does not relabel another permit as a digital-nomad visa. Remote workers and founders should instead compare the legal categories that match their actual activity and contractual structure.

Current route map

• Remunerated Activities Temporary Residence
• Investor and Related Personnel Residence
• Multiple-Entry Business Residence
• International Agreements Temporary Residence
• MERCOSUR Reciprocity Residence
• Retiree and Rentista Residence
• Family Reunification Residence
• Dependent Temporary Residence
• Transitory-Stay Work Authorization
• Permanent Residence

Employees, consultants and self-employed professionals

The Remunerated Activities Temporary Residence covers employment relationships and also own-account remunerated activity. For own-account services that are not within the investor subcategory, SERMIG requires a qualifying civil or commercial contract for specialized or intangible services lasting more than 90 consecutive days, entered into before travel under the official formalities.

This residence is not the same as merely registering a company, issuing invoices or obtaining a tax identifier. Immigration permission, labor compliance, tax registration and professional licensing must each be checked separately.

Investors and founders

The Investor and Related Personnel Residence is aimed at specified foreign-company legal representatives and senior managers seeking to invest USD 500,000 or more in production of goods or services, as well as certain senior managers and specialist technical personnel of Chilean companies controlled by qualifying foreign investors. The investor application requires an InvestChile sponsorship letter.

A founder who does not meet the investor category should not assume company incorporation alone creates residence eligibility. Depending on the activity, the remunerated-activities or treaty routes may be more relevant.

Business travel and treaty routes

The Multiple-Entry Business Residence is for people who must enter Chile regularly for executive or managerial activity linked to business or investment. Total stays may not exceed six months in each calendar year.

The International Agreements Temporary Residence implements applicable treaties. SERMIG specifically identifies temporary-entry chapters in several free-trade agreements that can cover business persons. MERCOSUR Reciprocity Residence is a separate route for eligible nationals under the current reciprocity framework.

Passive income, family and dependants

The Retiree and Rentista Residence is for qualifying pensions or regular income from real estate or financial assets. It should not be treated as a remote-work visa.

Family Reunification Residence applies to specified relatives of Chilean nationals or definitive residents. Dependent Temporary Residence applies to qualifying relatives of temporary-residence holders. SERMIG states that dependants may perform lawful remunerated activities, subject to general rules.

Short, specific work and long-term settlement

A holder of Permanencia Transitoria is generally not authorized to perform remunerated activity. The Transitory-Stay Work Authorization is an exception for specific and sporadic activities such as certain performers, athletes, lecturers, advisers and expert technicians.

For long-term settlement, Permanent Residence generally requires at least 24 months as an eligible temporary resident. SERMIG explains that the minimum can in some cases be reduced to 12 months or increased depending on personal circumstances, economic stability and time spent outside Chile.

This guide is editorial information, not individualized legal or tax advice. See Latin America, self-employment visas, entrepreneur visas, methodology and legal disclaimer.

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