Visa Requirements for Citizens of the Republic of Chile

Visa Requirements for Chilean Citizens

Visa requirements for Chilean citizens are administrative entry restrictions of other states that apply to Chilean passport holders. The Chilean passport is ranked as the 16th most powerful passport in the world in terms of travel freedom, and is the strongest passport in Latin America, according to the Henley Passport Index.

Chilean passport holders are currently able to travel to approximately 130 states without applying for a visa or with a visa on arrival.

Visa requirements for Chilean citizens may vary depending on the purpose of the visit and the amount of time the traveler expects to spend inside the borders of their destination.

The states that are included on the visa-exempt country list for Chilean passport holders permit travelers to stay between 21 to 180 days in the destination. Usually, the purpose of the stay may be for either tourism, transit, or business.

Some countries on the visa-free country list may require Chilean travelers to pre-register before departure for an electronic travel authorization.

Additionally, nationals of Chile can currently travel to any Latin American country, with the exception of Venezuela, simply by presenting a valid ID Card. Chile is also the only Latin American state that currently has visa-waiver access to the United States.

Chilean citizens who are planning visit other destinations, or visit a visa-free country for longer permitted stays, need a visa to do so. This visa can vary between a consular visa in a diplomatic office of their destination, a visa on arrival at a border entry point, or an electronic visa through an online program.

List of Visa Countries for Chile Passport Holders

While it is possible for Chilean nationals to travel to some countries around the world without obtaining a visa, it is mandatory to meet visa requirements to travel to others.

Currently, there are around 140 countries whose visa policy states that citizens from Chile need to obtain a visa to gain entry to their borders, no matter the purpose or the duration of the intended stay.

Around 110 countries require travelers to obtain a visa before departure from Chile, either from the nearest embassy or consulate of their destination, or by completing an online electronic visa application.

Travelers are also required to obtain the correct type of travel authorization according to the purpose of the trip. This may be a tourist visa, student visa, transit visa, business visa, work visa, or other visa option.

Approximately 30 countries allow Chilean nationals the option to obtain a visa upon arrival. However, many of these territories also offer an eVisa program, which greatly simplifies the application process and eliminates the need to wait in a queue at a border entry checkpoint.

Find below all of the countries that require Chilean passport holders to obtain a visa.

Electronic Travel Visa Authorization

An Electronic Travel Visa Authorization program permits nationals from Chile to obtain an electronic visa waiver or an online electronic visa (eVisa) to travel to the country of their destination, eliminating the need to apply in person at an embassy or consulate.

There are currently around 30 countries across the globe that require visitors from Chile to obtain this kind of travel authorization.

Some of these states require travelers to pre-register for an electronic visa waiver before arrival so that the security department of their destination can identify any potential risks. Other countries have implemented an online eVisa application to expedite the visa process.

Most electronic visa waivers and eVisas are multiple entry travel authorizations that permit Chilean citizens to stay between 14 days up to 3 months with each entry, for tourism, business, or transit purposes. Some are valid for multiple years from the date of approval.

In almost all cases, the approved travel authorization is sent to the visitor by email and may also be electronically linked to their passport. However, travelers are generally advised to print a paper copy to avoid complications upon arrival.

See below a list of the main destinations Chileans can travel to by applying for an Electronic Travel Visa Authorization.

US ESTA for Citizens of Chile

Nationals of Chile are currently the only Latin American citizens who are able to gain visa-free entry to the United States.

However, although Chilean citizens are US visa-exempt, they are still required to apply for and obtain an approved travel authorization before departure, if arriving by sea or air.

The US ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) application is simple and can be completed online in just a few minutes with basic personal, passport, and travel information.

Once approved, an ESTA is electronically linked to the holder’s Chilean passport, meaning there is usually no need to print a paper copy.

An approved ESTA for citizens of Chile is a multiple entry travel authorization which allows multiple entries to the United States during its validity, for a stay of up to 90 days with each entry.

The US ESTA for Chileans is valid for a total of 2 years from the date of issue, or until the associated passport expires, and allows travel for tourism, transit, and business purposes.

Visa on Arrival

Another kind of travel authorization that Chilean passport holders may require to gain entry to some territories is a visa on arrival, which they can obtain upon arrival at immigration checkpoints in some destinations.

Currently, there are around 30 visa on arrival countries for Chileans, including a number of African territories.

To obtain this type of visa for Chilean citizens, travelers should go directly to a border checkpoint upon arrival. Once there, it is normally necessary to wait in a queue until an immigration officer hands them a visa on arrival application form.

After filling in the form, almost all of the countries require the applicant to pay a visa on arrival fee which may only be accepted in cash in the local currency.

Visas on arrival for citizens of Chile may be issued for a single entry or multiple entries, for a permitted stay of between 7 days to 3 months. This visa type usually permits entry for tourism, transit, or business purposes.

Several states that offer visa on arrival also permit Chilean passport holders to obtain an electronic visa before departure from Chile, which greatly expedites the application process.

Find below a full list of the visa on arrival countries for nationals of Chile.

Bangladesh
Comoros
Guinea-Bissau
Kyrgyzstan
Lebanon
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mozambique
Palau
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Somalia
Timor-Leste
Tuvalu
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Get Embassy Info

Embassy Visa Required

An embassy visa for Chilean citizens is a type of travel document that is obtained in person and in advance of the departure date from an embassy or consulate of the destination country.

In order to obtain an embassy visa for citizens of Chile, it is usually necessary to schedule an appointment at the nearest embassy or consulate of the destination country.

As the process of obtaining an approved embassy visa may take up to two weeks or more, the traveler should make an appointment well in advance of the intended date of arrival.

Once the appointment is scheduled, the applicant is usually required to complete a visa application form with personal and passport information, which must be brought to the consular interview.

Some additional supporting documentation may be also requested depending on the purpose and expected period of stay in the country.

An embassy visa may be granted as either a single or multiple entry travel document and for a variety of periods of permitted stay, depending on the destination.

Find below a list of the main destinations to which Chileans can travel by first obtaining an embassy visa.

Afghanistan
Aland Islands
Algeria
American Samoa
Anguilla
Antarctica
Australia
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bonaire
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Brunei Darussalam
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
China
Christmas Island
Cocos Islands
Congo
Cook Islands
Cuba
Curacao
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
French Guiana
French Polynesia
Gambia
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greenland
Guadeloupe
Guernsey
Iraq
Isle of Man
Jersey
Kiribati
Liberia
Libya
Mali
Martinique
Mayotte
Montserrat
Namibia
Nauru
New Caledonia
Niger
Niue
Norfolk Island
North Korea
Northern Mariana Islands
Pitcairn Islands
Reunion
Saint Barthelemy
Saint Helena
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Seychelles
Sint Maarten
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Syrian Arab Republic
Tokelau
Tonga
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Wallis and Futuna
Yemen

Get Embassy Info

Visa Not Required

For a number of countries around the globe, a travel document such as an electronic travel authorization or a visa is not required for Chilean nationals for short stays.

Chilean passport holders can visit these visa-free countries for different periods of stay depending on the territory of destination, from 21 up to 180 days.

The list of visa-exempt countries currently includes almost all Latin American territories: to stay in these regions for up 90 days, it is only necessary to present a valid ID Card.

This list also currently includes all of the European countries that have signed the Schengen Agreement, where Chilean citizens can stay visa-free for up to 90 days within every 180 day period.

To gain entry to these territories and others on the visa-exempt country list, it is only necessary to present a valid Chilean passport. Travelers are usually permitted to enter these regions visa-free for purposes such as tourism, business, or to transit to another country.

If travelers are planning to visit a visa-free country for a longer period of stay or for another purpose, they may need a visa to do so. It is usually necessary to obtain an embassy visa before departure from Chile.

Find below a complete list of the visa not required countries for citizens of Chile.

Albania
Andorra
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Austria
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Colombia
Costa Rica
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
Ecuador
El Salvador
Estonia
Federated States of Micronesia
Fiji
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Grenada
Guam
Guatemala
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Kazakhstan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malta
Mauritius
Moldova
Monaco
Montenegro
Morocco
Netherlands
Nicaragua
Norway
Palestinian Territory
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Republic of Cyprus
Romania
Russian Federation
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
San Marino
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Venezuela

Get Embassy Info

ETIAS Visa Waiver for Chilean Nationals

Although Chilean passport holders can currently visit any Schengen Area country without first obtaining a visa, this will change in 2025.

The European Commission will implement the ETIAS visa waiver program for all nationals that are visa-exempt for the Schengen passport-free zone.

ETIAS is being introduced to pre-screen visa-free travelers for any potential security risks, with the intention of strengthening and protecting Europe’s external borders.

ETIAS will be a multiple entry travel authorization and permit holders to travel to Europe for up to 90 days with each entry, for purposes such as tourism, transit, business, or medical treatment. It is valid for 3 years from approval.

To obtain an ETIAS, citizens of Chile will have to complete an online application with personal, passport, and travel information, as well as answer a few health and security-related questions. The entire process will not take more than 10 minutes.

Once the ETIAS travel authorization is approved, it will be automatically linked to the Chilean passport, which must be valid for at least 3 months from the intended date of arrival in the Schengen Area.

Upon arrival, Chilean nationals will be requested to present their passport to the immigration official to obtain entry to Europe.

If a citizen of Chile is planning to visit the Schengen Area for a longer period of permitted stay, or for purposes such as to work or study, they will have to apply for an embassy visa.