The Chile Religious Visa, Explained
Are you relocating to Chile to serve a religious entity recognized under Chilean law? Here is who qualifies for Chile's religious visa, what documents you need, and how the application works.
What is a religious visa in Chile?
The religious visa is officially named the Residencia Temporal - Religiosos de Cultos Reconocidos (Religious Ministers Temporary Residence). It is a category of temporary residence for foreigners who belong to a religious entity legally constituted in Chile under Ley N° 19.638. It is intended for people who need to stay in Chile for reasons directly linked to the exercise of worship and the faculties considered in Article 7 of that law. [1][2]
Who can apply for a religious visa in Chile? Is the religious visa right for me?
Foreigners who belong to or join a religious entity legally constituted and registered in Chile, and who need to remain in the country for reasons directly related to that entity's religious activities, are the people this visa is for. [1]
Note
This permit does not itself authorize paid employment. It only covers activities directly linked to the exercise of worship. See the FAQ on working under a religious visa below.
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Who does not qualify for a religious visa?
- A foreigner who does not belong to, or is not joining, a religious entity legally constituted and registered in Chile under Ley N° 19.638. [1]
- A foreigner who wants to relocate to Chile to establish a new religious organization that is not already registered in Chile. This visa only covers members of religious entities already recognized under Chilean law. [1]
- A foreigner subject to Ley 21.325's mandatory entry prohibitions. See details on the Chile temporary visa page. [3]
Chile religious visa eligibility
In Chile, the requirements to apply for a religious visa are:
- being a member of a religious entity legally constituted and registered in Chile under Ley N° 19.638 (Chile's law on the constitution of religious entities). [1]
- needing to remain in Chile for reasons directly linked to the exercise of worship and the faculties considered in Article 7 of Ley N° 19.638. [1]
- a passport valid for at least 12 months at the date of application. [1]
- a criminal background certificate covering the last 5 years, from your country of origin and any country where you resided in that period. [1]
- not being subject to Ley 21.325's mandatory entry prohibitions. See details on the Chile temporary visa page. [3]
Note
If you want to establish a new religious entity in Chile, you do not qualify for this visa. The entity must first be legally constituted and registered in Chile under Ley N° 19.638 before any of its members can apply.
Required documents to apply for a religious visa
Documents required for all temporary visas
- Criminal record certificate (last 5 years)
- Valid passport
Requirements come from the official eligibility rules; always confirm against the cited source before applying.
Specific documents for this visa
- Certificate from the religious entity identifying you and describing the religious activities you will carry out in Chile. This certificate must state that the entity will cover your maintenance costs during your residence.
- Certificate proving the current legal status of the religious entity and its governing board.
- Favorable report from the National Office of Religious Affairs (Oficina Nacional de Asuntos Religiosos, ONAR) of the Secretariat of the Presidency (SEGPRES).
Note
Documents issued abroad must be apostilled or legalized by the Chilean consulate in the country of origin and by the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, referring to articles 345/345 bis of the Civil Procedure Code. [1] Any document in a language other than Spanish or English must be accompanied by an authorized translation. [1] Documents issued by public bodies must be no older than 60 days at filing. Documents from private entities must be no older than 30 days. [1]
Religious visa duration and renewal
The religious visa is granted for up to 24 months per period, renewable. [1] To renew it, you must file between 90 and 10 days before the current permit expires and present documentation proving you continue the religious activities that justified the original permit. [4] See the visa renewal page for the general renewal process.
Chile religious visa fees and related costs
The religious visa is a category of temporary visa. The associated visa fees vary based on the applicant's citizenship. [5]
Religious visa complete application process
The religious visa is one of the types of temporary visas available in Chile, and it must be filed from abroad. For the general steps, see the temporary visa application process. [1]
Path to permanent residency and citizenship from a religious visa
- Religious Ministers Temporary Residence (Residencia Temporal — Religiosos de Cultos Reconocidos), granted for up to 24 months per period, renewablefrom 24 months[1]
- Permanent residence (Residencia Definitiva) eligibility: 24 months of continuous eligible temporary residence
- Naturalization eligibility (Carta de Nacionalización): 5 years of continuous residence, counted from the Temporary Residence Electronic Stamp date, as a Residencia Definitiva holder aged 18+from 60 months[6]
Statutory minimums — actual processing adds time on top. Details on the visa page.
Holding a religious visa leads to permanent residency and, eventually, citizenship:
- Temporary residence: the religious permit is granted for up to 24 months per period, renewable. [1]
- Permanent residency (Residencia Definitiva): you become eligible after 24 months of continuous, eligible temporary residence on this visa. The religious subcategory is not among the categories excluded from permanent residence eligibility. [3][4]
- Naturalization (Carta de Nacionalización): available after 5 years of continuous residence, counted from your Temporary Residence Electronic Stamp date, once you hold permanent residency and are 18 or older. [6]
Frequently Asked Questions about the religious visa in Chile
Religious visa application process
No. Decreto 177 sets out a single religious-minister permit (Artículos 47-49), open to any foreigner who belongs to a religious entity legally constituted in Chile under Ley N° 19.638. The specific supporting certificates can vary slightly depending on how the religious entity is organized, but there is no separate subcategory to choose between.[1][2]
No. SERMIG does not offer a paid or otherwise expedited processing option for the religious visa.[2]
Religious visa conditions
Yes. Family members who can join you as dependents are your spouse or equivalent partner, your parents, your minor children, children with a disability, and unmarried children under 24 who are (or will be) enrolled in studies. You must prove the family relationship, and additional documents apply. See the dependent temporary residence rules for more information.[1][3]
The religious visa is granted for up to 24 months per period, renewable.[1]
Yes. As a valid temporary residence permit, the religious visa lets you leave and re-enter Chile without restriction during its validity.[3]
No. Chile does not require Spanish-language or cultural-integration courses or exams to obtain a religious visa. If any of your supporting documents are not in Spanish or English, they must be accompanied by an official translation.[1]
Questions related to religious activities
Yes. Decreto 177 Article 48 requires two documents from the institution: a certificate from the religious entity identifying you and describing the religious activities you will carry out in Chile, and a certificate proving the entity's current legal status and governing board. A favorable report from the National Office of Religious Affairs (Oficina Nacional de Asuntos Religiosos, ONAR) is also required.[1]
No. The religious visa is only available to members of a religious entity that is already legally constituted and registered in Chile under Ley N° 19.638. It does not cover foreigners coming to Chile to found a new religious organization.[1]
Yes, as long as the religious entity you belong to is legally constituted and registered in Chile under the rules of Ley N° 19.638. Chilean law does not list eligible religions by name. The requirement is the entity's legal status, not the faith itself.[1]
No. This permit does not authorize paid employment. It is granted so you can carry out activities directly linked to the exercise of worship and the faculties considered in Article 7 of Ley N° 19.638. It does not authorize work under an employment contract, for the religious entity or otherwise. Foreigners who need to work in Chile must qualify separately for the paid-activities (actividades remuneradas) subcategory or another work-authorized visa.[1][10]
Decreto 177 Article 48 requires the religious entity's certificate to expressly declare that it will cover your maintenance costs while you carry out your activities in Chile. This declaration is a mandatory part of the entity's certificate, not an optional alternative to personal income.[1]
It depends. You can only hold a religious visa as a member of an existing religious entity already legally constituted and registered in Chile under Ley N° 19.638. Activities carried out on behalf of that registered entity, including opening a local place of worship connected to it, fall within the visa's purpose. Creating or relocating a cult that has no existing legal presence in Chile does not qualify.[1]
It depends. If a religious entity registered in Chile is sponsoring your stay for religious formation or education tied to its own activities, this falls within the religious visa's purpose. If you are instead enrolling independently in an educational program, the student visa is the applicable category.[1]
Yes, it is checked. SERMIG relies on the certificate proving the entity's current legal status and governing board, together with the favorable report from the National Office of Religious Affairs (ONAR), to confirm the entity is legally constituted and registered under Ley N° 19.638 before granting the permit.[1]
Visa renewal / Permanent residency
Yes. You can change subcategory while in Chile if you meet the requirements of the visa category you are applying for. The change must be filed between 90 and 10 days before your current permit expires.[4]
Yes. You become eligible for permanent residency (Residencia Definitiva) after 24 months of continuous, eligible temporary residence on the religious visa. The religious subcategory is not among the categories excluded from permanent residence. Naturalization requires holding permanent residency and then completing 5 years of continuous residence, counted from your Temporary Residence Electronic Stamp date.[3][4][6]
Note
This is a private immigration information service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or authorized by SERMIG (Servicio Nacional de Migraciones) or the Government of Chile. The information on this page is general in nature and is not legal advice. Official applications must be filed directly at serviciomigraciones.cl. For legal representation in Chilean immigration matters, consult an attorney licensed in Chile. This page does not replace professional legal advice.
References
- [1]Decreto 177 — Subcategorías Migratorias de Residencia Temporal (Spanish) [law text]
- [2]SERMIG — Residencia Temporal, Subcategoría: Religiosos (Spanish)
- [3]Ley 21.325 — Ley de Migración y Extranjería (Spanish) [law text]
- [4]Decreto 296 — Reglamento de la Ley 21.325 (Spanish) [law text]
- [5]SERMIG — Aranceles Migratorios (fee schedule) (Spanish)
- [6]DS 5.142/1960 — Ley sobre Nacionalización de Extranjeros (Spanish) [law text]
- [7]SERMIG — Residencia Temporal (Spanish)
- [8]SERMIG — Residencia Definitiva (Spanish)
- [9]SERMIG — Estimaciones de Personas Extranjeras en Chile (Spanish)
- [10]SERMIG — Residencia Temporal, Subcategoría: Actividades Remuneradas (paid work) (Spanish)
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