By the end of this guide, you’ll understand who qualifies for the Chilean investor visa, how to apply, which investments count, and how to turn your residency into citizenship—all backed by official sources.

Who Qualifies and What You Must Invest

Chile sets clear criteria to welcome foreign investors. Below is what you need:

• A USD 500,000 investment requirement in an economic development project.
• Alternatively, a USD 60,000–75,000 startup investment or 10% equity requirement in a qualifying Chilean company as an entrepreneur or senior manager.
• Demonstrated intent to reside in Chile, including a credible plan for physical presence.
• All supporting documents apostilled or legalized and, if not in Spanish or English, accompanied by certified translations.

The USD 500,000 Threshold

Chile’s 2022 immigration reforms, under Law 21.325 (Decree 177/2022), officially established the USD 500,000 floor for investor visas, replacing earlier regimes. Applicants must present proof of funds and a structured project plan.

Lower-Cost Business Route and Senior Manager Option

If your objective is entrepreneurship rather than a large-scale investment, injecting USD 60,000–75,000 into a Chilean startup or positioning yourself as a senior manager with at least 10% voting shares yields the same residency rights.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Chile has centralized its immigration services under the National Migration Service to simplify the application flow:

1. Gather and apostille/legalize your documents (birth certificates, criminal record checks, proof of funds).
2. Submit your application via the nearest Chilean consulate or directly to the Immigration Department.
3. Include a detailed investment plan or comprehensive business proposal.
4. Await approval (processing typically takes 2–4 months).
5. Enter Chile and receive your one-year visa, renewable upon demonstration of ongoing investment.

Document Authentication

All foreign-issued documents must bear a Hague Convention apostille or be legalized according to Chilean civil procedure. Non-Spanish or English materials require certified translations to be accepted.

Adding Your Family

Your spouse and minor children can be included under the same visa application, qualifying them for individual residency permits once your application is approved.

How InvestChile Guides Your Project

InvestChile official website, the government’s investment promotion agency, evaluates and supports qualifying projects. Services include:

• Expert consultations on project design and regulatory compliance.
• Facilitating connections with local partners, suppliers, and authorities.
• Guidance through environmental, labor, and tax requirements.

InvestChile’s oversight ensures your proposal meets the job-creation and innovation standards necessary for investor visa approval.

“Chile’s investor framework balances clarity with flexibility, making it a reliable destination for global capital.”
— InvestChile official

What Counts as a Qualifying Investment

Chile imposes no sector restrictions, but passive real estate purchases alone are insufficient. Eligible investments must:

• Generate meaningful employment.
• Foster technological or social innovation.
• Contribute to the country’s economic growth.

For instance, developing residential projects that employ local contractors while integrating smart-housing technology with startup partners would satisfy the criteria.

Pathway to Citizenship and Long-Term Stay

Your initial investor visa is valid for one year and can be renewed annually if your investment remains active. To progress toward permanent status:

• Maintain physical presence in Chile—spend at least 183 days per calendar year in the country.
• Renew your visa annually for five consecutive years.
• Permanent residency and citizenship pathway, which allows application for permanent residency and, after one additional year, eligibility for citizenship.
• Demonstrate basic Spanish proficiency and cultural integration as part of the naturalization process.

Chilean citizens benefit from full political rights and extensive visa-free access worldwide.

Onward to Your Chilean Future

With transparent rules, a dedicated promotion agency, and multiple investment avenues, Chile’s investor visa distinguishes itself in Latin America. Whether you’re launching a tech startup in Santiago or backing a renewable energy initiative in Valparaíso, this guide provides a clear roadmap from initial capital deployment to permanent residency—and ultimately, Chilean citizenship.