Chile Residency by Investment Programme 2026

Chile occupies an exceptional position in South America. Ranked consistently as the region's most economically stable and least corrupt nation, it combines strong institutional governance, a developed financial system, OECD membership, and a quality of life — particularly in Santiago and the wine-producing valleys — that competes with many European standards. For high-net-worth individuals seeking South American residency or a stepping stone to Chilean citizenship, the country offers structured legal pathways and a currency backed by one of the world's most developed copper and lithium economies.

Chile's new migration framework, established under the Ley de Migraciones y Extranjería (Law No. 21,325, enacted 2021), modernised the country's residency and visa system. The relevant routes for investors and entrepreneurs are well-defined and administered by the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (SERMIG) and the Chilean Civil Registry (Registro Civil e Identificación).

Important: Chile's immigration law framework was substantially revised in 2021 and implementing regulations continue to develop. All requirements, fees, and thresholds should be confirmed with SERMIG or a Chilean immigration attorney before proceeding. This guide reflects publicly available information as of mid-2026.

Programme Overview and Current Status

Chile does not operate a "golden visa" programme in the European sense — there is no single investment product that directly produces a residency card in exchange for capital. Instead, Chile offers substantive investment and entrepreneur visas under its migration law, which are consistent with the country's philosophy that residency should be based on genuine economic participation rather than passive financial contribution.

This approach reflects Chile's OECD membership and its preference for aligning with international good governance standards. The result is a programme that is more demanding than some competitors but confers residency rights with genuine solidity and a pathway to one of South America's most respected passports.

Investment and Visa Options

Investor Visa (Visa de Inversor)

The investor visa is available to individuals who are making a genuine and significant investment in Chile. There is no officially published minimum investment threshold — the assessment is based on the economic impact of the investment and its contribution to Chilean development. In practice, investments considered meaningful typically begin at around USD 500,000 to USD 1,000,000, though smaller investments may be considered if they create substantial local employment.

The investment must be in a productive activity — real estate speculation alone is not a qualifying investment, though real estate development or commercial real estate operations may qualify if accompanied by genuine business activity and job creation.

Entrepreneur Visa (Visa de Emprendimiento)

For investors who intend to establish and operate a business in Chile, the entrepreneur visa is a well-established route. Chile has long been a destination for international entrepreneurs, partly due to the government-sponsored Start-Up Chile accelerator programme (which has attracted thousands of international founders). The entrepreneur visa requires:

• A detailed business plan approved by the relevant authority (Corfo, InvestChile, or a designated partner institution)
• Evidence of sufficient capital to execute the plan
• A genuine commitment to resident-led business management

Income-Based Long-Stay Residency

For individuals with significant passive income, Chile also offers long-stay residency for those who can demonstrate sufficient means to support themselves and any dependants without working in Chile. This is broadly analogous to a "passive income" or "financial independence" residency and suits retirees or HNW individuals with substantial foreign investment portfolios.

Eligibility Requirements

All Chilean investor and entrepreneur residency applicants must:

• Have no criminal convictions in Chile or their country of origin/residence
• Be in good health (medical certificate required)
• Demonstrate the lawful origin of any investment funds
• Not be subject to immigration enforcement action in Chile
• Submit a complete application with all required supporting documents

Chile does not prohibit investment residency for citizens of any specific nationality, though applicants from higher-risk jurisdictions may face enhanced scrutiny.

Application Process and Timeline

Applications for investor and entrepreneur visas are processed by SERMIG, with supporting review by InvestChile (the national investment promotion agency) for investment cases. The process involves:

1. Pre-application preparation — engage a Chilean immigration attorney; prepare the business plan or investment evidence; apostille all foreign documents
2. Application submission — applications are submitted digitally through the SERMIG online platform (or via the Chilean consulate in the applicant's home country for initial entry)
3. Document review and assessment — SERMIG and relevant sector authorities assess the application; queries are common and respond times vary
4. Temporary residency issuance — an initial temporary residency visa is issued (typically for one year, renewable)
5. Transition to permanent residency — after satisfying the required period of temporary residency, applicants may apply for permanent residency

The typical processing time for an initial investor or entrepreneur visa is three to six months, though administrative delays are not uncommon within the Chilean public service. Having professional representation significantly reduces the risk of application errors causing delays.

Physical Presence Requirements

To transition from temporary to permanent residency, Chile generally requires that the applicant has spent the majority of the initial residency period actually residing in Chile. Extended absences (generally more than six months in a twelve-month period) can interrupt the qualifying residency period and delay the permanent residency application.

This is not a passive "visit once a year" programme. Chile expects genuine residence and genuine business or investment engagement.

Pathway to Permanent Residency and Citizenship

Permanent Residency: Available after one year of continuous temporary residency (for most categories). Permanent residency in Chile is indefinitely valid (subject to renewal formalities) and allows the holder to live and work in Chile without restriction.

Chilean Citizenship: Naturalisation requires five years of continuous residence in Chile following the grant of initial temporary residency. The application is submitted to the Ministry of the Interior and Public Security. Applicants must demonstrate:

• Five years of continuous residence
• Good moral character (clean criminal record during Chilean residence)
• Sufficient income to support oneself
• Basic knowledge of Chilean history, geography, and civic values

Chile permits dual citizenship. Applicants do not need to renounce their original nationality upon naturalisation as a Chilean citizen. This is a significant advantage over certain other South American naturalisation programmes.

Chilean Passport Strength

The Chilean passport is one of South America's strongest travel documents, providing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 175 countries and territories, including:

• The entire Schengen Area
• The United Kingdom
• The United States (under the Visa Waiver Program — a significant advantage for those from countries whose citizens require US visas)
• Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and most OECD nations
• All of Latin America and the Caribbean

For investors from countries whose passports do not provide US visa-waiver access, Chilean citizenship offers a transformative improvement in North American mobility.

Family Inclusion

Immediate family members of investor and entrepreneur visa holders may accompany the principal applicant under dependent residency visas:

• Spouse or civil partner
• Dependent children under 18 (and in some cases up to 24 if in full-time education and financially dependent)
• Other dependants may be assessed case by case

Dependants receive residency rights commensurate with those of the principal applicant and accumulate qualifying residence years for their own eventual permanent residency and citizenship applications.

Tax Implications

Chile operates a progressive income tax system with rates up to 40% on the highest income bands. Residents are taxed on their worldwide income once they are considered tax resident (broadly: residing in Chile for six or more consecutive months in a calendar year, or establishing domicile in Chile).

There is, however, a transitional concession for new residents: in the first three years of residency, individuals taxed in Chile are only taxed on their Chilean-source income, not their worldwide income. This three-year window allows new residents to plan their worldwide tax position before full Chilean worldwide taxation applies.

Chile has a network of double taxation treaties, including with the UK, Australia, Canada, and various European and Latin American nations.

Capital gains on the sale of Chilean assets are subject to taxation. There is no general wealth tax, but property ownership is subject to annual property tax (contribuciones).

Independent tax advice from a specialist in Chilean taxation — particularly in relation to the international tax position of HNW individuals with complex cross-border asset structures — is essential before proceeding.

Key Risks and Considerations

Active participation required: Chile is not a passive investment visa jurisdiction. Genuine business engagement and genuine residence are expected. Investors who are not genuinely interested in spending time in Chile will find the programme less accommodating than European golden visa programmes.

Processing times: SERMIG's processing capacity has faced pressures as immigration volumes to Chile have increased. Realistic timelines should include a margin for administrative delay.

Political context: Chile has experienced significant political turbulence in recent years, including the 2019 social protests and subsequent constitutional reform processes. While institutional stability has been maintained and Chile remains an OECD member with strong rule of law, investors should monitor political developments. Property rights and investor protections are robust under the current framework.

Currency risk: The Chilean Peso (CLP) is subject to volatility, partly driven by copper price fluctuations (Chile is the world's largest copper producer). Investors converting foreign currency into CLP for investment purposes should consider exchange rate risk.

Seismic risk: Chile is one of the world's most seismically active countries. This affects property construction standards (which are high by regional standards), insurance costs, and general risk awareness. Building codes are sophisticated and major construction is seismically engineered.

Language: Spanish is the language of business and daily life in Chile. While Santiago has a significant English-speaking expatriate community and international business is conducted in English, genuine integration requires Spanish language ability.

Why Chile?

Chile is an exceptional choice for investors who want South American residency underpinned by OECD-grade institutional quality, genuine natural beauty (from the Atacama Desert to Patagonia and the Chilean Lake District), and a genuine pathway to one of the continent's most powerful passports — without requiring renunciation of their existing nationality.

The country's technology and startup ecosystem (particularly in Santiago's Las Condes and Vitacura districts), its wine tourism, ski resorts (Valle Nevado, Portillo), and its position as a gateway to Antarctic tourism, all add to its lifestyle offering for HNW individuals.

For investors with genuine commercial interests in Latin America — in copper, lithium, renewable energy, agriculture, or technology — Chilean residency provides a natural headquarters from which to operate across the region.

How Global Investments Can Help

Global Investments has thirty-two years of experience advising high-net-worth clients on international investment and residency decisions. Our team can introduce you to leading Chilean immigration lawyers and investment advisers, help you structure a qualifying investment or business plan for the relevant Chilean visa category, and assess how Chilean residency and eventual citizenship fits within your broader asset and family planning framework.

We will also provide a frank comparison with Panama, Uruguay, Paraguay, and other South American residency programmes, ensuring you select the jurisdiction most appropriate for your specific circumstances.

This guide is for information only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Chilean immigration law has been substantially revised in recent years and requirements continue to evolve. Seek qualified professional advice before making any application or investment decision. Investment values can vary and you may receive back less than you invest.