Republic of Chile · work sponsored · Leads to settlement
Temporary Residence - Lawful Remunerated Activities
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Temporary residence subcategory for foreigners coming to Chile to perform lawful paid work under a contract, service contract or job offer.
- Processing time
- Indicative only - SERMIG processes applications through the digital portal; timeframes vary. Confirm on the official page.
- Government fees
- Indicative only - government fees depend on nationality and reciprocity agreements (some are waived). Confirm current fees on the official SERMIG page.
- Typical duration
- Temporary residence valid up to 2 years; counts toward Residencia Definitiva after roughly 24 months.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Overview
This Residencia Temporal subcategory is for foreigners who intend to reside in Chile to engage in lawful remunerated activities, typically under a subordinate employment relationship with an employer established in Chile, a service contract, or a formal job offer. Under Ley 21.325 the permit is valid for up to two years and is applied for from abroad through the SERMIG digital portal. Time accrues toward Residencia Definitiva.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Employment contract with a Chilean-domiciled employer, a service contract, or an accepted formal job offer.Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) ↗
- ✓Valid passport (validity of at least one year from the application date).Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) ↗
- ✓Criminal record certificate for applicants aged 18 or over, generally not older than 60 days.Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) ↗
- ✓Application filed from abroad via the SERMIG digital portal.Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) ↗
Common blockers
- !No qualifying employment contract, service contract or formal job offer at the time of application.Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) ↗
- !Employer unable to evidence tax/solvency documentation.Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) ↗
- !Criminal record certificate missing, expired, or not legalised/apostilled.Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Notarised employment contract, service contract or accepted job offer.Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) ↗
- ·Valid passport with at least one year remaining.Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) ↗
- ·Criminal record certificate (over-18 applicants).Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) ↗
- ·Employer tax and solvency documentation.Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Obtain an employment contract, service contract or formal written job offer from an employer established in Chile.
Build the evidence pack
Gather valid passport, criminal record certificate, photo and employer tax/solvency documents.
Submit through the official channel
Submit the Residencia Temporal application on the SERMIG digital procedures portal from abroad.
After approval
Receive notifications by email, pay any applicable fee, and enter Chile to activate residence.
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 - Lawful Remunerated Activities route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Temporary Residence - Lawful Remunerated Activities.
Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile) · verified
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a job offer before applying?+
Yes. This subcategory requires a qualifying employment contract, service contract or formal job offer from an employer established in Chile, submitted with the application from abroad. Always confirm current requirements on the official SERMIG page.
Can this lead to permanent residence?+
Yes. Time spent on Residencia Temporal counts toward Residencia Definitiva (permanent residence), which is generally available after about 24 months. Check the official SERMIG criteria for your situation.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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