About the Chile Digital Nomad Visa
Chile offers the Digital Nomad Visa (Visa de Trabajo Remoto para Nómades Digitales) — launched October 2023 for non-resident remote workers and self-employed professionals. The program lets eligible applicants live in Chile for 1 year, renewable annually. No maximum cap on renewals. After 1 year of continuous legal stay: can apply for temporary residence. After 5 years: eligible for permanent residency. while working remotely for clients or employers based outside the country.
Applicants typically need to demonstrate stable monthly income of at least the income required by the program, valid health insurance, and a clean criminal record. It is renewable, allowing nomads to extend their stay.
Tax-wise, Chile treats digital nomad visa holders distinctly from local residents — see the Taxes section below for the full picture.
Requirements & Eligibility
Income
No official minimum income requirement. Applicants must demonstrate sufficient income to support themselves. Practical recommendation: approximately USD $1,500–$2,000/month. Income must come from employer or clients based outside Chile.
Documents needed
- Valid passport (6+ months validity
- photocopy)
- Completed visa application form (from Chilean consulate)
- Recent passport-size photo
- Proof of remote employment: employment contract OR client/service contracts with companies based outside Chile
- Proof of income: bank statements or payslips for last 3 months showing sufficient monthly income
- Health insurance valid in Chile for full stay duration
- Clean criminal record certificate (apostilled, translated to Spanish, issued within last 3 months)
- Proof of accommodation in Chile (hotel booking, rental contract, or letter of invitation).
How to Apply for the Chile DNV
Processing time: Processing at Chilean consulate: approximately 15–30 business days. Very efficient compared to other Latin American programs.
- 1Confirm eligibility: employed by or contracting for company outside Chile; income from foreign sources; ability to work remotely.
- 2Gather required documents (apostilled and officially translated into Spanish where required).
- 3Apply at nearest Chilean embassy or consulate in country of residence. Schedule appointment.
- 4Submit application in person and pay fee (approximately $100–$200).
- 5Wait 15–30 business days.
- 6Enter Chile with visa.
- 7Within 30 days of arrival: register with Registro Civil and Chilean immigration authority (Servicio Nacional de Migraciones — SerNaM).
- 8If planning to stay long-term: after 1 year, apply for Residencia Temporaria.
Application fees: Visa fee: approximately USD $100–$200 (varies by nationality and consulate). Additional costs: apostilles, certified translations into Spanish.
Official sourceVisa Duration & Renewal
Initial duration: 1 year, renewable annually. No maximum cap on renewals. After 1 year of continuous legal stay: can apply for temporary residence. After 5 years: eligible for permanent residency.
Renewal: Yes — the Digital Nomad Visa (Visa de Trabajo Remoto para Nómades Digitales) — launched October 2023 can be renewed beyond the initial period.
Taxes for Digital Nomads in Chile
Chile uses a territorial tax system. Remote workers earning from outside Chile are generally NOT subject to Chilean income tax on that foreign-sourced income. Tax residency triggered after 183 days in Chile over any consecutive 12-month period. If tax resident: progressive income tax up to 35% on Chilean-sourced income. Chile has double taxation treaties with many countries including the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Spain, and all EU members.