Temporary residence to work in Chile: requirements and steps
A summary of what SERMIG requires to live and work in Chile with an employment contract or a formal job offer.
Verified on October 13, 2026 against official sources · See sources · Leer en español
In short: It is requested only from abroad, through the SERMIG online portal, with an employment contract or a notarized formal job offer. The permit lasts up to two years and can be extended for another two.
Who it is for
- People who want to live in Chile for a limited time to work under a subordinate relationship with an employer that has a domicile or branch in Chile.
- Also people who have a formal job offer from a Chilean individual or company and have formally accepted it.
- And people who will work independently, under the conditions described below.
Where and how to apply
- Only from abroad, through SERMIG's Digital Procedures Portal (tramites.serviciomigraciones.cl), logging in with ClaveÚnica or with an account created for that purpose.
- The portal asks, in order: applicant data, contact details, identity document, activity to be carried out, documents, holder or dependent status, type of link (employment contract, fee-for-services contract or offer), verification, payment of fees, and submission.
- After submitting you receive a confirmation email, and SERMIG will contact you by email when the review begins.
General requirements
- A passport valid for at least one year from the application date (applications submitted from abroad).
- A criminal record certificate from your country of origin or the country where you lived in the last 5 years (over 18). It cannot be more than 60 days old.
- A recent color photo with a white background, no glasses or hat, in JPG or PNG format.
- An employment contract, a services contract or a formal offer, depending on your case.
- Proof that the employer has the liquidity to hire you (SII tax folder if it has registered activities, or sufficient financial solvency).
Documents depending on your situation
- Employment contract: signed by the employer before a Chilean notary and by you at the competent consulate. The procedure states that its duration cannot be less than 3 months.
- Job offer: an offer letter notarized by a Chilean notary and an acceptance letter signed by you at the consulate.
- Fee-for-services (services contract): signed before a notary, with tasks and remuneration.
- For-profit legal entity: SII start-of-activities certificate and a document proving legal representation. Non-profit: certificates of validity and board of directors from the Civil Registry.
Document rules
- Documents issued abroad must be apostilled or legalized.
- Documents in a language other than Spanish or English require an authorized translation.
- Documents from private parties are submitted within 30 days of issuance and those from public bodies within 60, unless they state their validity.
- All documents are uploaded in PDF format.
With a job offer: the 90- and 45-day deadlines
- With a formal offer, SERMIG grants a 90-day permit.
- From the moment you enter Chile you have 45 calendar days to submit a copy of the employment contract and proof of its electronic registration (article 9 bis of the Labor Code). The contract must be with the employer that made the offer.
- If the contract does not materialize, SERMIG ends the 90-day permit and orders you to leave the country.
Validity, extension and changing employer
- An employment relationship gives you residence of up to two years, extendable for another two.
- To extend it you must show that you continue to carry out lawful paid activities.
- Losing your job or voluntarily changing employers is not, by itself, grounds to revoke the permit. With a valid temporary residence you can change employers without informing SERMIG, except for the 90-day permits granted with a job offer.
If you will work independently
- Before entering Chile you must have a contract with a Chilean person or a permanent resident, for intangible or specialized professional services, lasting more than 90 calendar days, executed before the competent consulate.
- If the stay is shorter, the Permanencia Transitoria rules apply.
- Without that contract, SERMIG does not issue the "permit in process" certificate.
Your family
Family members can apply for Temporary Residence as dependents if they meet paragraphs 1 and 2 of article 74 of Law 21,325.
What the official source does not specify
- The fee amounts: the official page refers to "Immigration fees" and they depend on nationality (there may be exemptions through agreements).
- SERMIG processing times.
- How exactly the employer's "sufficient liquidity" is calculated.
- Requirements can change: the page consulted shows it was last updated on December 18, 2025.
Official sources
- SERMIG: Foreigners engaged in lawful remunerated activities
- SERMIG (help): step-by-step guide to apply for the permit
Information verified on October 13, 2026 against the official sources listed. Immigration requirements change: always confirm on the official site before filing. This guide is informational and is not legal advice. It is an English summary of sources published in Spanish.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for this residence from Chile?
According to SERMIG, this application is only available from abroad.
How long does it last?
Up to two years with an employment relationship, extendable for another two. With a job offer, the initial permit is 90 days.
What happens if I lose my job?
According to SERMIG, losing your job is not, by itself, grounds for revoking the permit.
Can I change employer?
With a valid temporary residence yes, without informing SERMIG, except for the 90-day permits granted with a job offer.
Something outdated, wrong or unclear? Tell us (the form is in Spanish; English is fine).