The Chile Student Visa, Explained

You must apply for a student visa outside Chile. This process is only available from abroad, and you can not apply while staying in Chile as a tourist.

No. There is no formal deadline. Yes, remember that visa processing in Chile can take several months. You should apply as early as possible to obtain your visa on time before coming to Chile.

Yes. One of the documents required is a certificate of student issued by the institution where you will study.

The student visa is a category of temporary visas. You can find the current application time on this page, section "Reply Time".

No. The Chile immigration service does not provide an option to expedite the visa process.

Yes. You can bring dependents or family members to Chile under your student visa. The family members that you can include are your spouse or equivalent, children under 18 years old, children with disabilities, unmarried children under 24 years old who are (or will be) studying in Chile, and minors under your personal care or guardianship. Additional documents are needed to establish family links. See the temporary visa application page for more information.

A student visa in Chile can have a duration of up to two years. It may be less, based on the duration of the planned studies. You can extend it for additional periods. After 24 months spent in Chile, you also have the option to apply for permanent residency if you meet the requirements.

Yes. There is no travel restriction on this visa.

No. There is no age limit to apply for a student visa in Chile. The application process varies depending on the applicant's age: between 14 and 17 years old, minors under 18 years old, and over 18 years old.

To prove financial support for your stay and studies in Chile, you can use any of the following documents: a current work contract, bank transfers, tax income statement, and money transfers from abroad. If a family member supports you financially, you can present a notarized sworn statement of expenses signed by the supporter and proof of the supporter's income.

Yes. Scholarships or funding can count as part of the financial requirements. There is an option in the visa application to indicate that you are receiving a scholarship and attach the relevant documents.

No. There is no formal cap on student visas defined at the immigration service level. Yes, universities have limited slots, and the best ones may be more challenging to enter.

No. Knowledge of Spanish might be helpful if you are going to study at a university, but this is optional to get a visa.

The student visa in Chile is available to foreigners who wish to study at educational establishments recognized by the Chilean Ministry of Education. This includes higher education institutions, not just universities. Private institutes, such as language schools, not registered with the Ministry of Education do not qualify.

Yes. You can find the list on the site of the Ministry of Education.

No. There is no minimum duration. Remember, though, that 1) Chile can issue tourist visas for up to 90 days for citizens of many countries, and 2) the application process for temporary residency visas, such as the student visa, takes several months. Therefore, for short training below three months, consider a tourist visa if accepted by the institution.

No.

The education institutions inform the Chilean immigration service of the list of international students currently studying with them, as required by law. As serious misconduct can lead to expulsion from the institution, the consequence may be revoking your visa. The National Migration Service can indeed revoke the visa of those who have lost their status as regular students. We recommend maintaining good academic standing and complying with all institutional rules and regulations to avoid potential visa complications.

Yes, but. You can use a student visa to do an internship in a company in Chile if you are registered as a student in a Chilean educational institution and if the internship is less than 30 hours per week. Yet, if the internship agreement is signed between a foreign institution and a Chilean company, then you are not considered a student in Chile. Therefore, you can not apply for a student visa. In that case, you should apply for a work visa or a work permit as a tourist if the internship is short (up to 6 months).

Yes. You can work up to 30 hours per week without being required to obtain a permit. You shall inform the immigration service and send a copy of your work contract. You do not need to change your visa to another category. Working more than 30 hours per week requires you to change the subcategory of your visa to a work visa.

No. You do not have to ask for a specific work permit at the same time as the student visa. If you hold a student visa, you are allowed to work up to 30 hours per week without needing additional authorization. However, you must inform the immigration authority (SERMIG) and submit a copy of your work contract. The work activities should not interfere with your student status nor exceed the maximum of 30 hours per week.

Yes. You can switch to a different visa type while residing in Chile on a student visa. However, you must meet the requirements corresponding to the visa category you are applying to.

Yes. It is possible to renew a student visa in Chile when it expires. You must request the renewal of a residence permit at most ninety days before the expiration of the current residence permit.

Yes. You can renew your student visa if you extend your studies or if the duration of the visa initially given to you is insufficient to cover the duration of your studies. Look at the visa renewal page for more information.

You must abide by the expiry date of the visa that you receive when starting your studies in Chile.

Yes for permanent residency: you can apply for permanent residency in Chile after living on a student visa, but you need to have spent at least 24 months to qualify for permanent residency. If you have a family link with a Chilean citizen, you may qualify after a minimum stay of 12 months. No for citizenship, as you are first required to be a permanent resident.