Chile has no digital nomad visa. Americans can visit for 90 days, extendable once for 90 more. Longer stays need temporary residence, such as the rentista visa for passive income or a work visa with a Chilean company.
Checked against the sources at the end on November 2, 2026. This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the official source before you apply.
At a glance
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Visit first | 90 days, extendable once for 90 more (fee about $100) |
| Route for remote workers | No digital nomad visa (tourist stay, or temporary residence routes) |
| Money you need to show | No remote-work visa. The rentista visa needs roughly $1,000 to $1,500 a month in passive income (pensions, rent, dividends); salaries don't count |
| Length | Temporary residence: up to 2 years, renewable |
| Government fees | Tourist extension about $100 |
| Timeline | Temporary residence: often 6 to 8 months |
| Where you apply | Tourist extensions and residence applications through Chile's migration service (SERMIG) online |
| Family | Dependents can apply with a temporary visa holder |
| Long-term residence | Permanent residence after 2 years of temporary residence |
| US taxes | Still due every year. See our US taxes and banking guide |
Who qualifies
Chile has no digital nomad visa. Americans can visit for 90 days, extendable once for 90 more. Longer stays need temporary residence, such as the rentista visa for passive income or a work visa with a Chilean company.
- Remote employees of companies outside Chile: not on this route.
- Freelancers and business owners: not on this route; check the alternatives below.
- Money: No remote-work visa. The rentista visa needs roughly $1,000 to $1,500 a month in passive income (pensions, rent, dividends); salaries don't count.
Open question: Chile hasn't created a remote-worker residence category.
Documents
Order US documents first: apostilles and FBI checks are the slowest part.
- Passport
- Proof of passive income (rentista)
- Criminal record
- Health insurance
Step by step from the US
- Decide how long you'll stay and check the visitor rules above.
- Before you fly: Tourist extensions and residence applications through Chile's migration service (SERMIG) online.
- Buy health insurance for the whole trip.
- Track your days for both immigration and tax.
- For a longer move, look at the residence routes below with a local adviser.
Taxes
- More than 183 days in 12 months can make you tax resident; foreign income is generally exempt for the first 3 years of residence
- The US-Chile tax treaty is in force since 2023; there's a US-Chile totalization agreement
- US citizens still file a US return every year. The foreign earned income exclusion is up to $132,900 for 2026; the foreign tax credit is the alternative. See our US taxes guide.
Common mistakes
- Residence processing is slow because of backlogs
- Working remotely on a tourist stay isn't specifically authorized
Where to live in Chile
Our city guides cover costs in dollars, neighborhoods, live weather and the time difference: Santiago · Valparaíso · Viña del Mar · La Serena.
Moving with a partner or kids? See Moving abroad with family.
Sources
Checked on November 2, 2026. Where sources disagree, we say so above.
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