Chile Visa

Chile - Living on a Tourist Visa?

You want to stay in Chile and enjoy all that the beautiful country has to offer. But there is a problem. You know full well that you don't have the financial profile to qualify for a Chilean Retirement & income visa. What next?

Simple. Get a tourist visa and do "visa runs". Take a nice weekend in Buenos Aires and get a new 90 day tourist visa on your return. Maybe a visit to Peru's historical sites are more your style.

@ Map of Chile

From most areas of Chile, a few hundred miles will get you a new visa.

Some people spend years in Chile on nothing except tourist visas. Chile immigration doesn't seem to mind visa runners, so they don't penalize.

Visa requirements for Chile vary depending on your nationality. But once paid, you have another 90 days of stay. Tourist visas are multiple entry and good for the life of your passport.

From the areas around Santiago, a common visa run by bus is to Mendoza, Argentina. In the north, a trip to the Peruvian border gets you a visa as well as a duty-free shopping excursion. Ditto for Bolivia.

"That sounds great," you say. "I just wish I could own property with tourist visa." Guess what!