Republic of Chile · family · Leads to settlement
Temporary Residence - Family Reunification
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 11 official citations reconfirmed 11 July 2026
Temporary residence subcategory for close family members of Chilean citizens or holders of Residencia Definitiva.
- Processing time
- Indicative only - SERMIG processing timeframes apply. Confirm on the official page.
- Government fees
- Indicative only - government fees may apply and vary by nationality/reciprocity. Confirm on the official SERMIG page.
- Typical duration
- Temporary residence (up to 2 years under the Residencia Temporal framework); renewable and counts toward Residencia Definitiva.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
In short
As of 9 July 2026, the Temporary Residence - Family Reunification for Republic of Chile is a sponsor-led Chile immigration route. Sources: official Republic of Chile government pages, reviewed 9 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/chile/temporary-residence-family-reunification#answer
What is the Temporary Residence - Family Reunification in Republic of Chile?
Temporary Residence - Family Reunification is a sponsor-led Chile route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - government fees may apply and vary by nationality/reciprocity. Confirm on the official SERMIG page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - SERMIG processing timeframes apply. Confirm on the official page; typical duration is Temporary residence (up to 2 years under the Residencia Temporal framework); renewable and counts toward Residencia Definitiva. This route can lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) on 1 June 2026.
Overview
This Residencia Temporal subcategory allows foreigners with a qualifying family bond to a Chilean citizen or a holder of Residencia Definitiva to reside in Chile. Qualifying relationships include spouse or civil-union partner, parents, children under 18, disabled children of any age, unmarried children aged 18 to 24 in study, and minors under personal care or guardianship. Holders may engage in lawful paid work, subject to labour-code limits on minors.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Qualifying family bond with a Chilean citizen or a holder of Residencia Definitiva.Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) ↗
- ✓Documentary proof of the relationship (marriage, civil union, birth or guardianship certificates).Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) ↗
- ✓Valid passport or identity document (validity of at least one year if applying from abroad).Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) ↗
- ✓Criminal record certificate for adult applicants, generally not older than 60 days.Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) ↗
Common blockers
- !Relationship not within the qualifying categories or not documented.Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) ↗
- !Sponsor is not a Chilean citizen or holder of Residencia Definitiva.Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) ↗
- !Certificates missing required legalisation or apostille.Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Marriage, civil-union, birth or guardianship/custody certificates as applicable.Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) ↗
- ·Valid passport or identity document.Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) ↗
- ·Criminal record certificate (adult applicants).Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) ↗
- ·Recent colour photograph meeting specifications.Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Verify the family bond falls within the SERMIG-listed categories and that the sponsor is a Chilean citizen or permanent resident.
Build the evidence pack
Collect the relevant civil certificates, passport, criminal record certificate and photo.
Submit through the official channel
Submit the application on the SERMIG digital procedures portal, choosing the from-abroad or in-Chile option as applicable.
After approval
On approval, activate temporary residence; the holder may take up lawful paid work.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicant + sponsorUse official Temporary Residence - Family Reunification route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Temporary Residence - Family Reunification.
Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) · verified
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Temporary Residence - Students
Temporary residence subcategory for foreigners studying at education establishments recognised by the Chilean State.
Temporary Residence - Investors and Related Personnel
Temporary residence subcategory for investors making a qualifying investment in Chile and for related executive or specialist personnel.
Frequently asked questions
Which relatives qualify?+
Per the official SERMIG page: spouse or civil-union partner, parent, child under 18, disabled child of any age, unmarried child aged 18 to 24 in study, and a minor under personal care or guardianship, where the sponsor is a Chilean citizen or holder of Residencia Definitiva. Confirm specifics on the official page.
Can family-reunification holders work?+
Yes. Holders may engage in lawful remunerated activities, except where labour-code restrictions apply to minors. Verify current conditions on the official SERMIG page.
Can I sponsor my spouse for family reunification while I am only a temporary resident of Chile?+
Not through this route. Family reunification requires the sponsor to be a Chilean citizen or a holder of Residencia Definitiva, and a sponsor who is neither is a common reason applications are refused. Check the official SERMIG page for the conditions that apply to your situation.
Does the Chile family-reunification permit lead to permanent residence?+
Yes. This temporary residence is renewable and counts toward Residencia Definitiva. Check the official SERMIG criteria for your situation.
What documents prove the family relationship for reunification?+
You provide the relevant civil certificates - marriage, civil-union, birth or guardianship/custody certificates as applicable - and these must carry the required legalisation or apostille, otherwise the application can be blocked. Confirm the document list on the official SERMIG page.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in ChileHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile)
Last checked: 1 June 2026