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Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Chile Property Pack
Chile offers several investment-based residency options for foreign nationals seeking to establish themselves in South America. While Chile doesn't operate a traditional "Golden Visa" program like some European countries, it provides clear pathways to residency through substantial investments in Chilean businesses or economic projects.
The Chilean investor visa requires a minimum investment of USD 500,000 in qualifying projects that contribute to the country's economic development. Real estate investment can qualify if it forms part of a broader economic project that creates jobs or drives innovation.
If you want to go deeper, you can check our pack of documents related to the real estate market in Chile, based on reliable facts and data, not opinions or rumors.
Chile's investor visa requires a USD 500,000 minimum investment in qualifying economic projects, with a clear two-year path to permanent residency.
Real estate investments can qualify if they're part of broader economic development projects that create employment or foster innovation.
| Visa Type | Investment Required | Duration | Path to Citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investor Visa (Subcategory 13) | USD 500,000 | 1-2 years (renewable) | 5 years total residency |
| Business Investment Route | USD 60,000-75,000 | 1-2 years | 5 years total residency |
| Independent Means Visa | USD 1,500/month income | 1-2 years | 5 years total residency |
| Processing Time | 1-3 months | Total process: several months | Family inclusion: Yes |
| Renewal Requirements | Maintain investment | Permanent after 2 years | Physical presence required |
What type of investor visa does Chile offer and is there a Golden Visa program?
Chile does not operate a traditional "Golden Visa" or direct citizenship-by-investment program like Portugal or Malta.
The country offers an Investor Visa under the Residencia Temporal – Subcategory 13 classification. This visa targets foreign nationals who invest at least USD 500,000 in Chilean projects that produce goods or services, or senior managers in foreign companies owning at least 10% of a Chilean company.
The investment must aim to boost the Chilean economy, foster innovation, or create employment opportunities. While some sources refer to this as Chile's "golden visa" due to its investment-based nature, it differs significantly from European golden visa programs in structure and requirements.
Chile also provides other residency options like the Independent Means Visa (Rentista/Pensionado) for individuals with recurring income, but these are not investment-based pathways.
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What are the main residency options available through investment in Chile?
Chile provides three primary investment-related residency pathways for foreign nationals.
The main Investor Visa (Subcategory 13) requires a minimum USD 500,000 investment in qualifying Chilean economic projects. This visa suits investors looking to make substantial investments in businesses, real estate developments, or economic projects that contribute to Chile's growth.
The Business Investment Route offers a lower entry point, with some sources indicating investments between USD 60,000-75,000 for starting new businesses. However, the official investor visa for residency typically requires the higher USD 500,000 threshold.
The Independent Means Visa serves individuals with consistent income streams of at least USD 1,500 monthly, though this isn't technically an investment visa. All these pathways lead to temporary residency initially, with the possibility of converting to permanent residency after two years of continuous residence.
Each option allows family inclusion and provides a clear path to Chilean citizenship after five years of total residency.
What is the minimum investment required to qualify for an investor visa?
The official minimum investment for Chile's investor visa is USD 500,000 in qualifying projects or businesses.
This investment must be directed toward projects that produce goods or services and contribute to Chile's economic development. The Chilean Investment Promotion Agency (InvestChile) must validate the project and issue a support letter confirming its economic impact.
For entrepreneurs starting smaller businesses, some legal sources mention lower thresholds around USD 60,000-75,000, but these typically don't qualify for the formal investor visa residency program. The USD 500,000 requirement ensures the investment creates meaningful economic impact through job creation, innovation, or export development.
Real estate investments can meet this threshold if they form part of larger economic projects, such as commercial developments, tourism projects, or residential developments that create employment. Pure real estate purchases for personal use typically don't qualify unless they're part of a broader economic initiative.
Can I invest in real estate to get residency or do I need to open a business?
Real estate investment can qualify for Chilean investor residency, but it must be part of a broader economic project rather than a simple property purchase.
| Investment Type | Qualification Status | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Real Estate Development | Qualified | Must create jobs, part of economic project |
| Tourism/Hotel Development | Qualified | Must demonstrate economic impact, employment creation |
| Residential Development Project | Qualified | Must be part of urban development, create employment |
| Personal Residence Purchase | Not Qualified | No economic impact, no job creation |
| Investment Property Portfolio | Potentially Qualified | Must demonstrate economic contribution, property management business |
| Industrial Real Estate | Qualified | Manufacturing, distribution centers with employment |
| Agricultural Land Development | Qualified | Must include agricultural business operations |
Opening a formal business is not mandatory, but your real estate investment must demonstrate clear economic contribution to Chile through job creation, innovation, or export potential. InvestChile evaluates each project based on its economic impact rather than the investment vehicle used.
What are the specific requirements for the business investment route in Chile?
The business investment route requires comprehensive documentation and validation from Chilean authorities.
You must develop a detailed business plan demonstrating profitability and economic impact on Chile's economy. This plan should outline job creation potential, innovation aspects, export opportunities, or contribution to strategic economic sectors identified by the Chilean government.
Proof of funds documentation must clearly establish the legality and origin of your invested capital. Chilean authorities require bank statements, investment records, and other financial documents that trace the money's source and confirm its legitimate origin.
Project validation from InvestChile is mandatory. The Chilean Investment Promotion Agency must review your business plan and investment proposal, then issue a support letter confirming the project meets economic contribution criteria.
If purchasing or establishing a business, you'll need company registration documents, relevant licenses, financial statements, and compliance with Chilean corporate regulations. Legal representation in Chile is highly recommended to navigate registration requirements and ensure all documentation meets government standards.
What is the step-by-step process to apply for an investor visa in Chile?
- Project Analysis and Selection: Identify a suitable investment project or business opportunity in Chile that meets the USD 500,000 minimum and demonstrates economic impact potential.
- Legal and Financial Review: Engage a qualified Chilean lawyer to review contracts, licenses, financial statements, and ensure compliance with local regulations and investment requirements.
- Investment Execution: Complete the investment or business acquisition, ensuring all financial transactions are properly documented and funds can be traced to legitimate sources.
- Company Registration: Register new business ownership with Chilean authorities, obtain necessary licenses, and establish legal presence in the country through proper corporate structure.
- InvestChile Validation: Submit your completed project to the Chilean Investment Promotion Agency for validation and obtain the required support letter confirming economic contribution.
- Visa Application Submission: Apply for the investor visa through the Chilean Migration Service online portal from outside Chile, including all required documentation and proof of investment.
- Document Processing: Wait for visa processing (typically 1-3 months) while authorities review your application, verify documentation, and confirm investment legitimacy.
- Relocation and Registration: Upon visa approval, relocate to Chile and register with the Civil Registry within 30 days of arrival to activate your residency status.
The entire process typically takes several months when including project preparation and validation phases. Working with experienced legal counsel familiar with Chilean investment immigration significantly improves success rates and processing efficiency.
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How long does the investor visa last and can it be renewed?
The Chilean investor visa provides temporary residency for one to two years initially, depending on your specific project and application circumstances.
Renewal is possible if you continue meeting investment requirements and maintaining your qualifying business or project. You must demonstrate ongoing economic contribution and compliance with the original investment conditions that secured your visa approval.
After two years of continuous temporary residency, you become eligible to apply for permanent residency (Residencia Definitiva). This conversion doesn't require additional investment but does require proof of ongoing residence and compliance with Chilean tax and legal obligations.
Permanent residency in Chile has no expiration date and provides significantly more stability than temporary status. Permanent residents enjoy most rights of Chilean citizens except voting in national elections and holding certain government positions.
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Is there a clear path from investor residency to citizenship?
Chile provides a straightforward pathway from investor residency to full citizenship within five years of total residency.
The timeline progresses from temporary residency (1-2 years) to permanent residency (after 2 years) to citizenship eligibility (after 5 years total). This five-year period includes both temporary and permanent residency time, making Chile relatively fast compared to many countries.
Physical presence requirements exist but aren't strictly defined for the initial visa phases. However, for citizenship eligibility, you must spend most of your time in Chile during the five-year period. Extended absences can disrupt the citizenship timeline.
Chilean citizenship offers significant benefits including visa-free travel to numerous countries, the right to vote and hold office, and access to social services. Chile generally allows dual citizenship, so you typically won't need to renounce your original nationality.
The citizenship application process requires demonstrating integration into Chilean society, including basic Spanish language skills and knowledge of Chilean history and culture. Most investor visa holders who maintain continuous residence successfully obtain citizenship within the prescribed timeframe.
Can I include my spouse and children in my investor visa application?
Chilean investor visa applications allow inclusion of immediate family members including spouses and dependent children.
Family members receive dependent residency status that permits them to live in Chile throughout your visa period. Dependent status generally doesn't include automatic work authorization, though family members can apply separately for work permits if they secure employment in Chile.
Required documentation for family inclusion includes original marriage certificates for spouses and birth certificates for children. These documents must be apostilled or legalized if issued outside Chile or the UK, and officially translated into Spanish if originally in other languages.
Dependent children typically must be under 18 or financially dependent students under 24 to qualify for inclusion. Adult children pursuing higher education in Chile may qualify for student visas independently rather than as dependents.
Family members follow the same residency progression timeline, converting to permanent residency after two years and becoming eligible for citizenship after five years total residence. This synchronized timeline helps families maintain unified legal status throughout the naturalization process.
What documents and proof of funds are needed for the visa application?
The Chilean investor visa requires comprehensive documentation proving investment legitimacy and personal background.
- Investment Documentation: Purchase agreements, business ownership registration, bank transfer records, and other evidence of the USD 500,000+ investment in qualifying Chilean projects.
- Business Plan: Detailed project plan demonstrating economic impact, job creation potential, innovation aspects, and contribution to Chilean economic development goals.
- Financial Proof: Bank statements covering recent months, proof of funds' legal origin, source of wealth documentation, and evidence of financial capacity to maintain investment.
- Personal Documents: Valid passport with at least one year remaining validity, clean criminal record certificate from your country of origin, and any previous visa or immigration history.
- Legalized Documentation: All foreign documents must be apostilled or consular legalized, and translated into Spanish by certified translators if originally in other languages.
InvestChile validation letters and support documentation from the Chilean Investment Promotion Agency are mandatory components. This official endorsement confirms your project meets economic contribution requirements and qualifies for investor visa consideration.
How long does the application process take from start to approval?
The Chilean investor visa application typically requires 1-3 months for processing once submitted to Chilean Migration Services.
However, the total timeline including project preparation, investment execution, and document gathering often extends several months. Project validation through InvestChile can add 4-8 weeks depending on project complexity and agency workload.
Document preparation phases vary significantly based on investment type and documentation complexity. Real estate investments may require additional due diligence, property inspections, and legal reviews that extend preparation time.
Processing speed depends heavily on documentation completeness and accuracy. Applications with missing documents, unclear fund sources, or inadequate business plans face delays and potential rejection. Working with experienced legal counsel familiar with Chilean requirements typically accelerates the process.
Administrative workload at Chilean consulates and migration offices can affect timing, particularly during peak application periods. As of June 2025, processing times remain within historical ranges, though applicants should plan for potential delays when timing their relocation plans.
Are there real experiences from people who obtained the Chile investor visa?
Legal firms and expatriate communities report generally positive experiences for applicants who meet requirements and provide complete documentation.
Successful applicants typically emphasize the importance of thorough preparation, particularly in developing robust business plans that clearly demonstrate economic impact. Those who engage qualified legal counsel familiar with Chilean immigration law report smoother processes and fewer complications.
Common challenges include insufficient documentation of fund sources, weak business plans lacking clear economic contribution, and administrative delays due to incomplete applications. Some applicants underestimate the documentation requirements or attempt to qualify personal real estate purchases as economic projects.
Professional services firms report high success rates for clients who follow proper procedures and meet investment thresholds. The process is considered more straightforward than many European investor visa programs, though it requires significant upfront planning and documentation.
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Conclusion
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are advised to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. We do not assume any liability for actions taken based on the information provided.
Chile's investor visa program offers a structured pathway to residency and citizenship for qualified investors willing to make substantial economic contributions.
With proper planning, documentation, and legal guidance, the process provides reliable access to South American residency and eventual Chilean citizenship within five years.
Sources
- Expat.cl - Chile Investor Visa Guide
- Chilean Migration Service - Investor Residency
- Golden Harbors - Chile Residency by Investment
- Becker Abogados - Chile Investor Visa Process
- Mackrell International - Chile Golden Visa
- Golden Visas - Chile Investment Program
- IMI Daily - Chile Independent Means Visas
- IMI Daily - Chile Investor Visa