Retire in Chile

Chile Retirement & Income Visa

Chile is one country that seems to take a slightly more pragmatic approach to retirement visas than most. That being said, this country that stretches along the Pacific does not set out a list of cookbook style requirements their requirements seem a bit more subtle.

@ Map of Chile

Another significant and welcome fact is that there is little corruption involved in the visa process. But the avoidance of corruption requires an additional layer of bureaucracy.

One Visa Fits All - Almost

You don't necessarily need to be of retirement age to get the Retirement and Income Chilean Visa. One visa service firm in Chile reports:

"In many ways the Retirement and Income visa is the swiss army knife of immigration visas in Chile. When assessing the best visa for our clients we look first to see if their situation and goals fits the Retirement and Income visa, and then we look to other sorts of visas if they do not qualify. In fact, it is very rare that our clients need to apply for any other sort of visa such as the more complex “Investor Visa”.

Apparently

• What is not required is being old or retired
• A proven level of regular income is not carved in stone
• Chilean Retirement & Income Visas do not disqualify you from Requesting a work visa or Starting a business

Qualifications - Chilean Retirement & Income Visa

Chilean Immigration tends to look at the overall financial status of applicants. They will look at Social Security income, bank accounts, stock portfolios as well as real-estate holdings in Chile and other countries

Officials look for income that is sufficient to live on in the area you are intending to reside. And quite naturally, income required in Arica or Temuco is considerably less than required in Santiago. Some claim the ability to show a monthly income of US$ 1,000 per family member is standard.

Procedures for Chile Retirement & Income Visa

• Don't apply at a consulate outside Chile. You have a high probability of having the application rejected
• Most applications that are correctly completed and with proper support documentation included are accepted
• Visit Chile on a tourist visa, then change you status via application for Retirement & Income Visa
• When your temporary visa has been approved, you must be physically present in Chile for 365 days total in the next two year period .. with no absence greater than 180 days.
• After completion of the temporary residence, one may apply for a status change to permanent residence.

You may want to consider using a visa service firm, since the vetting of documentation can be complex and time consuming.