Chile

About Chile Citizenship and Residency

Chile offers residency by investment programs. It’s beneficial to many wealthy investors, especially those in a hurry for new citizenship. Naturalization can happen after only 5 years of residence in Chile. 

Investment options:

• Investor/Entrepreneur/Trader Visa

– Financial Investment of $60 000 USD, but within three months of approving temporary residency, an investor needs to start their company in order to proceed with permanent residency.

– Foreign nationals who have invested for at least or intend to invest in Chile, as well as entrepreneurs conducting business or planning to set up a business in the country, may obtain a temporary residence visa.

– There are no officially specific investment or business requirements. Usually, this visa is obtained by investing in Chilean stocks or setting up a company with substantial economic activity in the country. 

– Dependents such as a spouse, children, and parents may be included.

– The investor visa allows you to live for one or two years in Chile. After this period, you can apply for a permanent residency permit.

– After one year you may apply for a permanent residency permit, provided that you still keep the investment or business, you have spent at least 185 days within the country in a year and you have paid taxes. When applying for a permanent visa you must attach to your application a letter stating why you want to become a Chilean permanent resident and your ties with the country.

However, there are certain requirements that need to be followed with respect to this:

Requirements:

If you intend to invest or set up a business:

– Business plan or Investment plan.

– If the capital has been transferred to Chile, prove through bank or customs documentation or any document that demonstrates that you have capital in Chile that will allow you to make the declared investment and that you possess the means to support yourself and your dependents in the country.

– If the capital has not been transferred to Chile, prove, through any suitable document in your name, that you have capital abroad that will allow you to make the declared investment and that you possess the means to support yourself and your dependents in the country.

B. If you have already invested or started a business:

– Demonstrate transfer of capital to the country, corresponding to the money contributed to the company by the person applying for residence.

– If the capital has been transferred to Chile, prove through bank or customs documentation, or any document that demonstrates you have capital in Chile, which will allow you to make the declared investment and that you possess the means to support yourself and your dependents in the country.

– If the capital has not been transferred to Chile, prove through any suitable document in your name that you have capital abroad that will allow you to make the declared investment and that you possess the means to support yourself and your dependents in the country.

– Deed of the constitution of the society and later modifications.

– Initiation of activities of the Internal Revenue Service (S.I.I.) and declaration of the modifications of the company in this organization.

– Proof of payment of municipal taxes.

– Contract of lease, sale, or deeds of property, which support the development of the project.

 – Invoices of purchases/sales.

– Last Balance Sheet or Pre-Balance by the Counter.

– Last Statement of Income Tax (if applicable).

– Payment of VAT for the last three months.

– The payroll of contracted workers, with their respective historical certificates of social security payments.

– To accredit the authorization of the competent authorities to carry out economic activity in the determined zone.

• Retirement/Income-Based Visa

– It allows you to live for one year in Chile.

– The retirement visa is one of the most commonly granted visas to live in Chile.

– A pensioner or Renter’s Visa is a temporary residency visa that applies to applicants that are retired and have a retirement pension or the means to support themselves.

– You must show that you have approximately $1,500 (plus $500 per additional family member) to support yourself without needing to draw on social benefits. You’re also able to start a business under this visa. 

Requirements:

For pensioners:

– 1 photocopy of the last 3 monthly payments of retirement income or pension, duly legalized, or

– 1 photocopy Certificate from the Consul of the country of origin certifying the pension or retirement income in national currency (Chilean Peso, CLP) or equivalent in US dollars, legalized before a notary.

For persons of independent means:

Proof of regular passive income, through the presentation of lease contracts held in Chile or abroad, or other similar documents that indicate the periodical obtaining of economic resources. Whatever the document, you must present a photocopy notarized before a notary.

Permanent Residency/Citizenship

• Territoriality: Anyone born in Chile, regardless of the nationality of their parents, is automatically granted Chilean nationality. A permanent residence permit has a validity of 5 years and is renewable. After 5 years of residency, you become eligible for citizenship. The process to obtain citizenship takes about 2-3 years. You will have to do an interview and have a good Spanish level and knowledge of Chilean culture.
• Blood relationship: people who have a Chilean father and / or mother but are born in another country can apply for Chilean nationality.
• Nationalization letter: foreigners over 18 years old who have been living in Chile for more than 5 years can apply for nationality. Likewise, children under 18 years old but over 14 years old, who have been living in Chile for more than 5 years and who have a notarial agreement of their legal representatives, may apply for Chilean nationality.
• Nationalization by grace: conferred by law to foreigners who have provided an important service to the Republic of Chile

Benefits Of The Chile Residency By Investment Program

1. The safest country in Latin America
2. A modern country with modern cities and all of the contemporary facilities
3. A stable economy with lots of opportunities, especially in mining, food production, and aquaculture
4. The most transparent country in Latin America ranked 26th on the Corruptions Perception Index (the USA is ranked 23rd, for comparison)
5. One of the most stable currencies in the region, thanks to foreign trade
6. A pro-business country. It’s the easiest and cheapest place to start a business in Latin America
7. The world’s 17th biggest recipient of direct foreign investment
8. Eligible for permanent residency in a short time

Chile Residency Requirements And Qualifications

The requirements and qualifications required to obtain Chile residency or citizenship are listed above in the “About Chile Citizenship and Residency” section.

Steps And Timeline

• STEP #1: Accessing the National Migration Service’s website.
• STEP #2: Entering the information under the “visa application” field
• STEP #3: Submitting passport and documents
• STEP #4: Saving the verification code
• STEP #5: Completing the questions
• STEP #6: Attaching the electronic copies of all required documents
• STEP #7: Waiting for application processing and approval

All applications need to be submitted through National Migration Service´s website available at the following link: https://tramites.extranjeria.gob.cl/.

After you access the website, select the language in the top-right corner. Click on “Visa Application”. You will be redirected to the application/registration page where you have to give your age, passport number, country of residence, and nationality. After you give your country of residence, you will be notified which Chilean consulate will handle your application. That’s where you must submit your passport and documents.

Once you complete the first section, you will receive a Verification/Validation code. Save it because you’ll need it to resume your application where you left off in case you need to obtain additional documents. After you complete each section of questions, press “Save and Continue” to move on to the next.

In the final section, you must attach electronic copies of all the required documents.

Once your online visa application is processed and approved, you will be contacted via email to receive an appointment at the Chilean consulate.

Our Services

Privacy World offers its services to anyone, not only looking to obtain residency and/or citizenship processes but our experts figure out legal ways to:

• Find the best solution for your needs.
• Identify and deploy a strategy to help you accomplish your goals.
• Activate our network of people in the country where you need help without having you search for the best solution or lawyer. We only work with licensed people in every country whom we carefully vet and pass our guidelines and principles of privacy we stand for.
• Focus on cutting through the red tape and to expedite your process.
• Provide proper communication with you about your case.
  …. and above all: Offer you legal strategies to provide additional layers of privacy for your identity, while obtaining your residency or citizenship!

Privacy World can also help you with incorporating your company in Chile, assisting in getting you settled in the country and coordinating with you so that this experience will be less of a hassle.

Want Privacy World to handle your case? Have any questions? Contact us!

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