Pre-arrival card
Official portal
https://serviciomigraciones.cl/Specifics
- Visa-free for U.S., Canadian, EU, UK, Australian, Japanese, most Latin American.
- Strict agricultural-import controls; declare all food, plant, meat, dairy items at SAG inspection.
- Reciprocity fee suspended since 2014.
By passport nationality
Headline rule for the nine most-trafficked passport groups. Always confirm on Chile’s immigration portal before booking; visa policy changes frequently.
- US passportVisa-freeUp to 90 days
- Visa-free 90 days for U.S. passport-holders.
- UK passportVisa-freeUp to 90 days
- Visa-free 90 days for UK passport-holders.
- EU passportVisa-freeUp to 90 days
- Visa-free 90 days for EU passport-holders.
- CA passportVisa-freeUp to 90 days
- Visa-free 90 days for Canadian passport-holders.
- AU passportVisa-freeUp to 90 days
- Visa-free 90 days for Australian passport-holders.
- IN passportConsular visa requiredUp to 90 daysPre-arrival: Chilean consular visa
- Consular visa via Chilean consulate.
- BR passportVisa-freeUp to 90 days
- MERCOSUR national ID sufficient.
- JP passportVisa-freeUp to 90 days
- Visa-free 90 days for Japanese passport-holders.
- CN passportConsular visa requiredUp to 90 daysPre-arrival: Chilean consular visa
- Consular visa via Chilean consulate.
Practical guidance
For most short-stay tourists
The headline rule for Chile is 90 days visa-free for western nationalities. US passport-holders specifically get visa-free for up to 90 days. See the by-passport block above for your specific nationality.
Pre-arrival documentation
Chile requires Tarjeta de Turismo before boarding. Airlines check this at the gate; without it you will be denied boarding even if your visa is in order. Allow at least 72 hours for processing in case the portal queues, longer if you are travelling on a national holiday in Chile.
When to apply
For visa-required nationalities, apply at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Visa-on-arrival and e-Visa systems process in 1 to 7 days typically but can stall around major holidays or political events; do not book non-refundable travel against a pending application. Chile’s official portal is serviciomigraciones.cl; only apply through that portal or through your nearest Chile embassy or consulate. Third-party visa services charge for what the government provides at cost.
Common rejection reasons
Passport with under 6 months validity from intended exit date. Fewer than two blank visa pages. No confirmed onward or return ticket. Travel insurance not naming Chile explicitly (Schengen-style coverage minimums apply for many European destinations). Prior visa overstays anywhere, especially in neighbouring countries. Most rejections cite one of these five rather than a substantive concern about the traveller.
Related for Chile
More on Chile
Chile is one of the safest countries in Latin America by every general crime measure and operates as the most-developed traveller infrastructure in South America. The risks are concentrated and specific: the Santiago petty-crime baseline that has risen materially since 2019, the world’s most active subduction-zone earthquake exposure on the Pacific coast, the Atacama altitude profile, the rapidly-changing Patagonian weather window, and a lingering 2019 social-protest legacy that occasionally produces street disorder around Plaza Baquedano. This guide unpacks the SHOA tsunami warning system, the Santiago barrio map, the Atacama acclimatisation logic, the Patagonian weather window, and the practical contacts that shape a Chilean itinerary.
Frequently asked about Chile
Do I need a visa to travel to Chile?
The headline rule is: 90 days visa-free for Western nationalities. Specific allowance depends on your passport nationality; the by-passport block on this page covers the 9 most-trafficked passports (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, India, Brazil, Japan, China). Always confirm on Chile's official immigration portal before booking, visa policy changes frequently.
How long can I stay in Chile on a tourist visa?
90 days visa-free for Western nationalities. Tarjeta de Turismo is required pre-arrival. For per-passport specifics see the block above. Overstaying carries fines and re-entry bans across most jurisdictions.
Can I extend my visa once I'm in Chile?
Most countries allow a one-time extension via the local immigration office for an additional 30 to 90 days, processed within 7 to 14 working days. Chile's policy varies; the safety guide's Getting In chapter covers it where applicable. Apply at least 2 weeks before your existing visa expires.