🇨🇱 Chile
South America's most developed economy, with strong institutions and a 3-year foreign-income tax break for newcomers
Visa Options
- Temporary Residency Visa (remote work) (Up to 2 years, renewable) — Foreign service contract (attorney-in-fact in Chile) + $1,500–2,000/mo stable income
- Rentista (Passive Income) Visa (1 year → permanent) — Proof of stable passive foreign income (pension, investments, rent)
- Work Visa (Sujeta a Contrato) (Up to 2 years, renewable) — Employment contract with a Chilean company
- Investor/Entrepreneur Visa (1 year, renewable) — Business plan and capital investment in a Chilean company
Tax Overview
- Income Tax: 0% – 40% progressive (Impuesto Global Complementario)
- New-resident foreign income break: Foreigners taxed only on Chilean-source income for their first 3 years of residence
- After 3 years: Worldwide income becomes taxable
- Corporate Tax: 27% (standard regime)
- VAT (IVA): 19%
Cost of Living
- Comfortable living (single, typical): $1,300 – $2,000/mo
- 1BR Apartment (Santiago — Providencia/Ñuñoa): $500 – $850/mo
- 1BR Apartment (Valparaíso): $350 – $600/mo
- Groceries: $220 – $350/mo
- Utilities: $70 – $130/mo
- Dining out: $8 – $18/meal
- Public transport (Red/Metro): $35 – $50/mo
- Private health insurance (Isapre): $80 – $200/mo
Relocation Checklist
- Secure a qualifying contract (remote employer letter, local job offer, or business plan)
- Apostille documents (birth cert, police record) and get certified translations
- Apply for the temporary residency visa at a Chilean consulate or via visa portal
- Enter Chile and register with the Policía de Investigaciones (PDI) within 30 days
- Obtain your Cédula de Identidad (Chilean ID card)
- Open a Chilean bank account (often requires the cédula first)
- Choose between public (Fonasa) or private (Isapre) health coverage
- Track the 3-year mark, after which worldwide income becomes taxable