Is it safe to travel to Chile right now?

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Chile’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Chile set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Chilean Embassy in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

Your passport should have an ‘expiry date’ after the day you plan to leave Chile.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

British-Chilean dual nationals

British-Chilean dual nationals must enter and leave Chile using their Chilean passport. Chilean entry and exit requirements for dual nationals may change without notice. For further information check with the Chilean Embassy in the UK.

Visa requirements

You can visit Chile for up to 90 days without a visa.

The Chilean immigration authorities will give you a tourist card (‘tarjeta de turismo’), an A5-sized white form. Keep it safe and give it to immigration when you leave the country. If you lose it, Chilean police investigations (PDI) allows you to request a copy online (choose ‘Duplicado de tarjeta de turismo’). You can also go to the nearest PDI office.

To stay longer (to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons), you must meet the Chilean Government’s entry requirements.

Travelling with children

Chile requires children travelling with only one parent, with a guardian or alone, to have permission from the non-travelling parent or parents. Parents travelling with children for tourism have faced difficulty leaving Chile at the end of their visit when only one parent is present. You must have

• a written notarised authorisation from the non-travelling parent(s)
• an original birth certificate

If you’re travelling with children aged 17 and under, check the website of the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (website in Spanish) for what documents you need to show.

Travelling with dual national children

Before a dual national child aged 17 or under leaves Chile, you must get authorisation to travel from a Chilean notary (‘notaría’) if the child is travelling:

• alone
• with only one parent or guardian
• with friends or relatives

If a child was born in Chile, they must have a Chilean passport to leave the country.

Travelling to Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

To enter Rapa Nui (Easter Island) you must:

• complete a Rapa Nui entry form
• show a return ticket
• show a reservation registered with SERNATUR, the national tourism service (select region ‘Valparaiso’ and comuna ‘Rapa Nui’ to refine your search for accommodation) or an invitation letter from the provincial delegation

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Chile guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Chile. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Some countries have imposed measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak. These can include restrictions on entry and health screening measures for travellers having recently visited an affected country. If you are suspected of having symptoms, you may be subject to isolation, quarantine and/or travel restrictions. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.

The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Chile has strict entry and exit requirements, especially for dual citizens and children.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay in Chile.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports and other travel documents

Visas

Tourist visa: not required
Business visa: not required
Student visa: required
Work visa: required

Other entry requirements

The Chilean government requires visitors to have at least $46 USD per day available to cover their expenses during their trip. Customs officials may ask you to show them proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay.

Temporary stays – Government of Chile (Spanish only)

Tourist card

You will receive a tourist card upon arrival. The card is valid for a maximum period of 90 days.

You must keep the card and present it to immigration officers upon departure from the country. Failure to do so may result in delays.

Replacing a tourist card

If your card is lost or stolen, you may obtain a new one online.

Alternatively, you may go, well in advance of departure:

• to a special police unit (Jefatura Nacional de Migración y Policia Internacional) in Santiago
• to the nearest office of the Police Investigations Service outside Santiago

Useful links

• Migrations and International Police – Investigations Police of Chile (Spanish only)
• Replacing a tourist card – Police Investigations Service (Spanish only)

Extension of stay

You can request an extension of stay for up to 90 days online. You must do so before your current tourist card’s expiration date. A fee applies.

If you stay in Chile for longer than the allowed period, you will have to pay a fine at the Chilean immigration office before you can leave the country.

Useful links

• Migrations Chile – National Migration Service
• Portal for digital processes – National Migration Service (Spanish only)

Easter Island

Stays on Easter Island (Rapa Nui) are limited to 30 consecutive days for all travellers, including Chileans who reside on the mainland. To board a flight and upon arrival on the island, you will have to show:

• a round-trip ticket
• a passport valid for the duration of the stay
• proof of reservation of an accommodation authorized by local authorities

You’ll also have to complete the Rapa Nui Entry Form.

Useful links

• Travelling requirements – Government of Chile
• Rapa Nui Entry Form – Government of Chile

Dual citizenship

Canadian-Chilean dual citizens residing in Chile must enter and depart the country using their Chilean passport.

Canadian-Chilean dual citizens travelling to Chile on their Canadian passport must request an extension of stay if they decide to stay longer than 90 days. They may have to depart the country on a Chilean passport if they fail to do so.

Children and travel

Chile has strict requirements for the entry and exit of persons under the age of 18, including special documentation. Parents travelling with children should carry proof of parentage, such as a long-form birth certificate. Children travelling with only one parent, with a guardian or alone, are required to carry:

• a notarized, apostilled and translated letter of authorization from the other parent or a court
• the child’s apostilled long-form birth certificate

For more information on these requirements, contact the nearest Chilean embassy or consulate before travelling to Chile. If you’re already in Chile, contact a local Chilean notary public.

Useful links

• Children and travel
• Entry and exit of minors from the country – Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in Spanish only)
• Authentication of documents

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).