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Republic of Chile · family · Leads to settlement

Temporary Residence - Family Reunification

By · Last reviewed:

Source check: all 11 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026

Temporary residence subcategory for close family members of Chilean citizens or holders of Residencia Definitiva.

Requires sponsorshipLeads to permanent residencyTemporary residence (up to 2 years under the Residencia Temporal framework); renewable and counts toward 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
Reviewed Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) ↗

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

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. 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.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Collect the relevant civil certificates, passport, criminal record certificate and photo.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    Submit the application on the SERMIG digital procedures portal, choosing the from-abroad or in-Chile option as applicable.

  4. After approval

    On approval, activate temporary residence; the holder may take up lawful paid work.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Temporary Residence - Family Reunification, use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check the conditions for your own permission, including work, and keep evidence of the qualifying relationship. The principal applicant’s conditions may differ.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official Temporary Residence - Family Reunification instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to Chile

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Chile. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

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.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant + sponsor
    Use 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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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 Chile

How 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

See the full evidence trail and methodology

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