--- title: "Moving to Chile 2026: visas, requirements and tax" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- Cuernos del Paine at sunset in Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia # Moving to Chile 6 ways to move to Chile in our guide: 1 investor route, 1 pay-to-stay route, 2 work visas, 1 student visa, 1 spouse visa. No digital nomad visa. Smallest investment: [Investor · US$500k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/investor/), $500k+. Tax for newcomers: [Chilean income tax: three years on Chilean-source income only for new residents (Ley de la Renta art. 3)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/tax/), Tax relief. Checked against official sources on 12 October 2026. **Smallest investment needed:** **$500k+** Investor · US$500k **Longest first stay:** **2 years** Paid work residence **Tax angle:** **Tax relief** Chilean income tax: three years on Chilean-source income only for new residents (Ley de la Renta art. 3) Chile offers a few clear temporary residence routes, each tied to a different purpose: investing or managing a foreign-backed company, taking up paid work with a Chilean employer, or studying at a recognised institution. Visas and tax are handled separately. Investors or executives tied to a foreign company putting money into Chilean production Specialist staff linked to a Chilean company with foreign control Employees with a job offer from an employer in Chile Students enrolled at a state-recognised institution ## Investing · 1 ### [Investor · US$500k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/investor/) **Investment needed:** $500k+ [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/investor/) ## Retire or live on savings · 1 ### [Retiree / rentista](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/retiree-rentista/) Needs a place to live Retirement [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/retiree-rentista/) ## Work · 2 ### [Paid work residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/paid-activities/) **First stay:** 2 yrs Can work: limited [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/paid-activities/) ### [Investor's staff residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/investor-related-personnel/) [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/investor-related-personnel/) ## Student · 1 ### Student residence **Details** Residencia Temporal — Estudiantes de establecimientos reconocidos (subcategoría 3) - Proof of enrolment and of financial support is required - Scholarship holders present the scholarship certificate - A passport valid one year is required Temporary residence for students of recognised institutions. (source 1) #### Requirements - Proof of enrolment and of financial support is required. (source 1) - Scholarship holders present the scholarship certificate. (source 1) - A passport valid one year is required. (source 1) - A criminal-record certificate (over 18) is required. (source 1) #### Stay - Temporary residence; the migration service page does not state its length. - Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal. #### Work Holders may do paid work up to 30 hours per week without extra authorisation. #### Family Dependants can apply under the dependant status of the temporary residence. Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Official site ↗](https://serviciomigraciones.cl/residencia-temporal/subcategorias/estudiantes/) ## Spouse visas · 1 For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident. ### [Spouse visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/family-reunification/) Can work: yes Needs certified translations [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/family-reunification/) **Free movement and visa-free stays · 1** - **[Mercosur residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/free-movement-mercosur/)** · Lets you live here Open to 5 passports: [Argentina](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/argentina/), [Bolivia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/bolivia/), [Brazil](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/brazil/), [Paraguay](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/paraguay/), [Uruguay](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/uruguay/). [Where each passport can live without a visa →](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/) ## Tax The records for Chile do not describe how newcomers are taxed or how foreign-source income is treated. Special regime ### [Chilean income tax: three years on Chilean-source income only for new residents (Ley de la Renta art. 3)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/tax/#tax-cl-foreign-resident-three-years) Tax relief **Details** - On: Chilean-source income during the first three years - Who: Foreign national who establishes domicile or residence in Chile A foreigner who sets up domicile or residence in Chile pays tax only on Chilean-source income during the first three years from entry; after that, worldwide income is taxed unless the Regional Director grants an extension in qualified cases. #### Taxed on Chilean-source income during the first three years; worldwide income afterwards. #### Who it applies to - Foreign national who establishes domicile or residence in Chile. - The three years count from the date of entry into Chile. #### Exclusions - Chilean-source income remains taxable from the start. - Chilean nationals who recover domicile or residence in Chile are not covered. #### Days in the country - More than 183 days in any period of 12 consecutive months · Presence in Chile, continuous or not, of more than 183 days makes the person resident from the 184th day. #### Tax residence A person present in Chile for more than 183 days, continuous or not, within any 12 consecutive months is resident from the 184th day; domicile is a separate test. The three-year period runs from entry into Chile whether or not residence or domicile has yet been established. #### Visas The rule depends on domicile or residence, not on the type of temporary residence. #### Other taxes Extension of the three-year period must be requested from the Regional Director. Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/tax/) Special regime ### [Chile three-year Chilean-source-only taxation for foreigners who settle](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/tax/#tax-cl-foreigner-three-year-chilean-source) Tax relief Foreign-source income: First 3 years Chilean-source **Details** - On: Chilean-source income only during the period - Who: Foreign national who constitutes domicile or residence in Chile A foreigner who establishes domicile or residence in Chile is taxed only on Chilean-source income for the first three years counted from entry into Chile; the Regional Director may extend that period in qualified cases, and afterwards worldwide income is taxed. #### Taxed on Chilean-source income only during the period (Global Complementario or Impuesto Único de Segunda Categoría on income received from entry); worldwide income afterwards. #### Who it applies to - Foreign national who constitutes domicile or residence in Chile (art. 3 inciso 2 of the Ley sobre Impuesto a la Renta, as quoted in SII Oficio 2123 of 2018). - The three years run from the date of entry into Chile, not from the date residence is acquired (SII Circular 63 of 2021 example: entry 1 March year X0, worldwide taxation from 2 March year X3). - Extension beyond three years is a discretionary decision of the Director Regional in qualified cases. #### Exclusions - Chilean nationals who recover domicile or residence are not covered (SII Oficio 2123 of 2018). - Before the 184th day of presence the person is a non-resident subject to impuesto adicional on Chilean-source income; after residence begins the Global Complementario or Único de Segunda Categoría applies. #### Days in the country - More than 183 days in any period of 12 consecutive months · Presence in Chile, continuous or not, of more than 183 days makes the person resident from the 184th day; entry and exit days count, transit days between two foreign points do not #### Tax residence Tax residence is purely objective (days present) since Ley 21.210 (2020); domicile is a separate concept assessed on intention and facts. #### Visas The rule depends on becoming domiciled or resident for tax purposes and on the entry date, not on a particular visa category. Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/tax/) Standard rules ### [Chile personal income tax: Second Category (employment) scale 0-40% and global complementary tax](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/tax/#tax-cl-ordinary-residence-tax) Worldwide income **Details** - On: Worldwide income of residents after the three-year foreigner period - Who: Domiciled in or resident in Chile (more than 183 days in any 12-month period) - Limit: CLP 974k/mo ≈ $1,000 Salaried income above 13.5 UTM a month pays Impuesto Único de Segunda Categoría on a scale of 4%, 8%, 13.5%, 23%, 30.4%, 35% and 40% (above 310 UTM); after the three-year period (or any extension) a person who is domiciled or resident in Chile is taxed on income from any source, and a person present more than 183 days in any 12 consecutive months is resident from the 184th day. #### Taxed on Worldwide income of residents after the three-year foreigner period; Chilean-source income of non-residents (impuesto adicional, 35%). Employment income is taxed monthly on the taxable salary after mandatory pension, health and unemployment contributions, at the UTM-based scale; other income and annual reconciliation use the same scale in annual tax units (UTA = 12 UTM) under the Global Complementario tax. #### Who it applies to - Domiciled in or resident in Chile (more than 183 days in any 12-month period). - The Second Category scale applies to income from dependent employment and pensions, withheld monthly by the employer. #### Exclusions - Foreigners within their first three years from entry pay only on Chilean-source income. - Non-residents pay additional tax at a flat 35% on Chilean-source income instead of the scale. #### Limits - CLP 974,038.5 a month (≈ $1,000) · Exempt band: monthly taxable salary up to 13.5 UTM (CLP 974,038.50 (≈ $1,000) in October 2026) pays no Second Category tax. - CLP 2,164,530 a month (≈ $2,220) · 4% band: monthly taxable income above CLP 974,038.50 (≈ $1,000) up to this amount; tax = income x 0.04 minus CLP 38,961.54 (≈ $40) (October 2026). - CLP 3,607,550 a month (≈ $3,690) · 8% band: income above CLP 2,164,530 (≈ $2,220) up to this amount; tax = income x 0.08 minus CLP 125,542.74 (≈ $130). - CLP 5,050,570 a month (≈ $5,170) · 13.5% band: income above CLP 3,607,550 (≈ $3,690) up to this amount; tax = income x 0.135 minus CLP 323,957.99 (≈ $330). - CLP 6,493,590 a month (≈ $6,650) · 23% band: income above CLP 5,050,570 (≈ $5,170) up to this amount; tax = income x 0.23 minus CLP 803,762.14 (≈ $820). - CLP 8,658,120 a month (≈ $8,860) · 30.4% band: income above CLP 6,493,590 (≈ $6,650) up to this amount; tax = income x 0.304 minus CLP 1,284,287.80 (≈ $1,310). - CLP 22,366,810 a month (≈ $22,900) · 35% band: income above CLP 8,658,120 (≈ $8,860) up to this amount; tax = income x 0.35 minus CLP 1,682,561.32 (≈ $1,720); above this amount the rate is 40% (income x 0.40 minus CLP 2,800,901.82 (≈ $2,870)). - CLP 72,151 a month (≈ $74) · Value of one UTM (monthly tax unit) for October 2026, set by the Internal Revenue Service; all bands are multiples of the UTM (13.5, 30, 50, 70, 90, 120 and 310 UTM) and move every month. #### Days in the country - More than 183 days in any period of 12 consecutive months · Physical presence in Chile, continuous or not #### Tax residence Resident from the 184th day of presence in any 12 consecutive months; domicile also creates residence. The three-year foreigner period applies from entry and can be extended on request. #### Visas Tax residence follows presence and domicile, not visa type. #### Other taxes Employee contributions (employer withholds): 10% of taxable pay to the pension fund plus the AFP commission, 7% health contribution, and 0.6% unemployment insurance on indefinite contracts (employer pays 2.4%). Taxable pay is capped at 90.0 UF a month for pension and health contributions and 135.2 UF a month for unemployment insurance from February 2026 payments. Contributions reduce the taxable base for the Second Category tax. Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/tax/) Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) **No digital nomad visa in Chile.** Remote workers usually look at [Retiree / rentista](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/retiree-rentista/), or [nomad visas elsewhere](https://settleanywhere.com/visas/digital-nomad/). ## Arriving in Chile: first steps 1. Apply for the relevant SERMIG temporary-residence subcategory, in most cases from abroad. 2. For the investor-related route, include the InvestChile sponsorship letter and investment details; renewals need project-progress evidence. 3. For paid work, gather employer and job evidence under the current category checklist. 4. For study, secure enrolment or acceptance from a recognised establishment and meet the current subcategory documentation requirements. ## Questions people ask ### How much do you need to invest for residency in Chile? Chile has 1 investor route. [Investor · US$500k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/investor/) asks for an investment of at least $500,000. ### Can I retire or live in Chile on my savings or pension? Chile has 1 retirement or pay-to-stay route. It is [Retiree / rentista](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/retiree-rentista/). ### What work visas does Chile offer foreigners? Chile has 2 work visas. [Paid work residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/paid-activities/) gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. There is also [Investor's staff residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/investor-related-personnel/). ### How do I get a student visa for Chile? Chile has 1 student visa. It is Student residence. ### Can I join my spouse or partner in Chile? Yes. Chile has 1 spouse visa. It is [Spouse visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/family-reunification/). ### Does Chile have a special tax regime for new residents? Yes: [Chilean income tax: three years on Chilean-source income only for new residents (Ley de la Renta art. 3)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/chile/tax/). A foreigner who sets up domicile or residence in Chile pays tax only on Chilean-source income during the first three years from entry; after that, worldwide income is taxed unless the Regional Director grants an extension in qualified cases. It is separate from the visa and has its own conditions. ## Compare with [🇲🇽 Mexico](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/mexico/) [🇨🇴 Colombia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/) [🇨🇷 Costa Rica](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/costa-rica/) [🇧🇷 Brazil](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/brazil/) [🇦🇷 Argentina](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/argentina/) [🇨🇦 Canada](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/canada/) [🇺🇸 United States](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-states/) [🇺🇾 Uruguay](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/uruguay/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. **Sources (1)** ## Official sources 1. [Residencia Temporal — Estudiantes (subcategoría 3)](https://serviciomigraciones.cl/residencia-temporal/subcategorias/estudiantes/) · Servicio Nacional de Migraciones · checked 2026-10-12