Republic of Chile vs Republic of Vanuatu
A neutral side-by-side of immigration systems, routes and regulators. Each row links to the underlying visa page with its primary government source.
Last reviewed:
Republic of Chile
Chile administers immigration through the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (SERMIG) under the 2021 migration reform, Ley 21.325. Most foreigners progress through a tiered system — Permanencia Transitoria, then Residencia Temporal, then Residencia Definitiva — with the headline routes being temporary residence for lawful remunerated work, employment-opportunity seekers, investors, family reunification and students.
- Official portal
- Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile)
- Languages
- Spanish
- Currency
- Chilean peso
Republic of Vanuatu
Vanuatu administers residence through the Department of Immigration and Passport Services, with six residence-visa grounds (partner, child, employee, self-funded, investor and leaseholder) and a permanent-resident visa. Its Development Support Program (citizenship by investment) is run separately by the Citizenship Commission and grants citizenship, not residence. Note that the EU removed Vanuatu from its visa-free Schengen list in December 2024.
- Official portal
- Department of Immigration and Passport Services (Vanuatu)
- Languages
- Bislama, English, French
- Currency
- Vanuatu vatu
How Republic of Chile and Republic of Vanuatu differ
| Dimension | Republic of Chile | Republic of Vanuatu |
|---|---|---|
| Total routes covered | 5 | 7 |
| Routes without employer sponsor | 3 | 5 |
| Routes leading to permanent residence | 4 | 4 |
| Typical full settlement timeline | — | — |
| Dominant skilled visa | Temporary Residence - Lawful Remunerated Activities | Residence Visa (Employee ground) |
| Skilled visa salary minimum | — | — |
| Skilled visa processing time | — | — |
| Skilled visa government fees | — | — |
| Official languages | Spanish | Bislama, English, French |
| Currency | Chilean peso | Vanuatu vatu |
| Primary regulator | CACh | VLS |
| Policy changes (last 12 months) | 0 | 0 |
Skilled-route head-to-head
Comparing each country’s most-used skilled-migration route side by side.
Routes unique to Republic of Chile
Visa routes side by side
Republic of Chile (5)
Temporary Residence - Lawful Remunerated Activities
Sponsor · To settlement · Temporary residence valid up to 2 years; counts toward Residencia Definitiva after roughly 24 months.
Temporary Residence - Employment Opportunity
No sponsor · To settlement · Temporary residence valid up to 2 years; counts toward Residencia Definitiva after roughly 24 months.
Temporary Residence - Investors and Related Personnel
No sponsor · To settlement · Temporary residence (up to 2 years per the Residencia Temporal framework); counts toward Residencia Definitiva.
Temporary Residence - Family Reunification
Sponsor · To settlement · Temporary residence (up to 2 years under the Residencia Temporal framework); renewable and counts toward Residencia Definitiva.
Temporary Residence - Students
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Temporary residence aligned to the study programme; extensions require continued enrolment and financial capacity.
Republic of Vanuatu (7)
Residence Visa (Employee ground)
Sponsor · Non-settlement · Issued for set periods (commonly one to several years) and renewable while you remain employed by the sponsoring business. Confirm the current bands on the official Department of Immigration page.
Residence Visa (Self-funded ground)
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Issued for set periods and renewable while you keep meeting the income condition. Confirm the current bands on the official Department of Immigration page.
Residence Visa (Foreign Investor ground)
No sponsor · To settlement · Issued for set periods and renewable while you hold a valid VIPA certificate and the investment continues. Confirm the current bands on the official Department of Immigration page.
Residence Visa (Leasehold Holder ground)
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Issued for set periods and renewable while you maintain the qualifying leasehold and income. Confirm the current bands on the official Department of Immigration page.
Residence Visa (Partner / Child ground)
Sponsor · To settlement · Issued for set periods and renewable while the qualifying relationship continues. Confirm the current bands on the official Department of Immigration page.
Permanent Resident Visa
No sponsor · To settlement · Longer-term permanent residence status, subject to the conditions and any renewal or reporting requirements set by the Department. Confirm the current terms on the official Department of Immigration page.
Development Support Program (citizenship by investment)
No sponsor · To settlement · Grants citizenship, not a time-limited residence; the underlying programme rules can change. Confirm the current rules with the Vanuatu Citizenship Office.
Frequently asked questions
Which country has an easier skilled-migration route, Republic of Chile or Republic of Vanuatu?+
Republic of Chile’s Temporary Residence - Lawful Remunerated Activities is the dominant skilled route; Republic of Vanuatu’s Residence Visa (Employee ground) is the dominant skilled route. “Easier” depends on your salary, sponsor situation, and nationality — see each visa’s eligibility detail.
Does Republic of Chile or Republic of Vanuatu have more visa routes without an employer sponsor?+
Republic of Vanuatu has more: 5 of its covered routes can be pursued without an employer sponsor, against 3 for Republic of Chile. No-sponsor routes — such as digital-nomad, self-employment, and points-based skilled migration — matter most if you do not yet have a job offer.