$46 per day - that’s how much Ukrainians need to prove they have to enter Chile as tourists. Visa-free entry, 90 days, a passport, and a return ticket - that’s all it takes to get there. But if you want to stay, it’s a whole different story - apostilles, certified translators, and a queue at the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones that can stretch for months. Here’s the tricky part: most documents must be in Spanish or English, and translations from Ukrainian need to go through an official channel - Chile’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREL) or a certified translator. Let’s break it down step by step.
If you’ve already compared options in Latin America - Argentina, Brazil, or Mexico - Chile stands out with its stable economy, relatively straightforward process, and a direct path to citizenship in 5 years. Plus, they recognize dual citizenship - so you won’t have to give up your Ukrainian passport.
Visa-Free Entry: What You Need to Know Before You Go¶
Ukraine and Chile have had a visa-free agreement since October 21, 2015. With a biometric passport, you can stay in Chile for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without any visa.
What you need at the border:
- Biometric passport valid for at least 3 months from the date of entry
- Return ticket or proof of onward travel
- Hotel booking or invitation letter from a host
- Proof of financial solvency - at least $46 USD per person per day (bank statements, credit card, cash)
- Travel health insurance (recommended, not mandatory)
Important update: as of October 29, 2025, Ukraine abolished the ability to extend foreign passports and add children’s information. If you had an extended passport, you need to get a new biometric one before traveling. According to VisitUkraine, you can only travel with a valid biometric passport.
Pro tip: those 90 visa-free days are enough time to submit your temporary residency application directly in Chile. Many people do exactly that - fly in as a tourist, find a job or assess the situation, and apply from within the country.
Visa de Responsabilidad Democrática - Why It’s Not for Ukrainians¶
You might have heard about the Visa de Responsabilidad Democrática (VRD) - it comes up often when people google Chile immigration. Here’s the thing: this visa is exclusively for Venezuelan citizens. Chile introduced it in 2018 under President Piñera’s decree as a response to Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis - the VRD grants temporary residency for 1 year with the option to extend.
Ukrainians can’t get the VRD. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t options - there are plenty, and some are actually more convenient.
Types of Residency in Chile: What’s Available to Ukrainians¶
After Chile’s new immigration law Ley 21.325 came into effect, the system works through subcategories of temporary residency (Residencia Temporal). Here are the main options:
| Subcategory | Who It’s For | Key Requirement | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paid activities (Actividades remuneradas) | Workers with contracts | Employment contract with a Chilean company, 3+ months | Up to 2 years |
| Family reunification (Reunificación familiar) | Relatives of Chilean citizens or residents | Proof of family ties | Up to 2 years |
| Retirees/rentiers (Jubilados o rentistas) | People with passive income | Income of $1,000-1,500 USD/month per person | Up to 2 years |
| Students (Estudiantes) | Enrolled at a recognized institution | Acceptance letter from educational institution | Duration of studies |
| Investors (Inversionistas) | Entrepreneurs and investors | Business plan, proof of investment | Up to 2 years |
| Humanitarian reasons (Razones humanitarias) | Special circumstances | Decision by migration service | Case by case |
| Seasonal workers (Trabajadores de temporada) | Agricultural workers | Seasonal work contract | Up to 5 years |
| International agreements (Reciprocidad internacional) | Citizens of Mercosur countries | Mercosur membership | Up to 2 years |
The full list of subcategories and details for each are available on the official SERMIG website.
As Chambers and Partners notes in Corporate Immigration 2025:
The new immigration law introduced 16 subcategories of temporary residence, each designed to address specific immigration needs while streamlining the application process for foreign nationals seeking to establish themselves in Chile.
For most Ukrainians, the most realistic paths are the work subcategory (if you have a contract), rentier (if you have remote income of $1,000-1,500/month), or family reunification (if you have relatives who are residents in Chile).
Document Package: What Needs to Be Translated¶
Regardless of subcategory, the basic document package for Residencia Temporal includes:
Mandatory Documents for Everyone¶
- Foreign passport - valid for at least 1 year from application date (for applications submitted from abroad)
- Criminal record certificate - from Ukraine or the country where you’ve lived for the past 5 years. Issued no earlier than 60 days before submission. Required for applicants 18+
- Color photograph - white background, front-facing, no glasses or hats, JPG or PNG format
- Apostilled originals of all documents
Additional Documents by Subcategory¶
Work (Actividades remuneradas): - Employment contract with a Chilean employer (minimum 3 months) - Bank statements for the last 3 months
Retiree/rentier: - Proof of regular income or pension ($1,000-1,500 USD/month) - Bank statements for 3-6 months - Pension certificate (if applicable)
Family reunification: - Marriage certificate (apostilled) - Children’s birth certificates (apostilled) - Documents proving the relative’s status in Chile
Student: - Acceptance letter from a Chilean institution - Proof of financial solvency
All documents must be submitted in PDF format through the SERMIG online portal.
Apostille: How to Prepare Ukrainian Documents for Chile¶
Both Ukraine and Chile are members of the 1961 Hague Convention, so the legalization process is simplified - you only need an apostille, no consular legalization required.
What needs to be apostilled:
- Birth certificate
- Marriage/divorce certificate
- Criminal record certificate
- Diploma, school transcript, academic records
- Medical certificates (if required)
Where to get an apostille in Ukraine:
- Ministry of Justice - for civil registry documents (certificates), court decisions
- Ministry of Education and Science - for diplomas, school certificates
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs - for other documents
Cost of apostille in Ukraine - from 300-500 UAH per document. Processing time - 3 to 10 business days, depending on the queue and document type.
Pay attention: the criminal record certificate is valid for only 60 days from the date of issue. So if you got the certificate, apostilled it, translated it - and all of that took 2 months - it’s already expired. Plan your timeline carefully so everything fits within the deadline.
Translation Requirements: What Chile Accepts¶
Here’s where it gets interesting. According to the official SERMIG requirements:
Documents issued in any language other than Spanish and English must be submitted together with their respective translation, which must be authorized by a certified body.
So you have two options:
If your document is in English - no translation needed. Chile accepts documents in Spanish and English. If you have an English translation with NAATI certification (for example, for Australia) or a certified translation for USCIS - it may work for Chile too.
If your document is in Ukrainian - you need an official translation into Spanish. And there are some nuances.
Who Can Translate¶
Unlike Argentina, where translations must be done by a local traductor público, Chile offers several options:
-
MINREL Translation Department (Chile’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs) - the official government translation service. Available online through tramites.minrel.gov.cl/traducciones/inicio or in person at Agustinas 1320, Santiago (Mon-Fri, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM, limited to 50 requests per day). Languages: Spanish ↔ English, French, German, Portuguese, Italian
-
Certified translator (perito traductor) - a private translator recognized by Chile’s judicial system. Their translations carry legal weight
-
Chilean consulate - can authorize translations before you leave Ukraine
The catch: MINREL officially translates only from 5 languages (English, French, German, Portuguese, Italian). Ukrainian isn’t on the list. So the optimal strategy for Ukrainians:
Option A - get your documents translated from Ukrainian to English in Ukraine (or use ChatsControl for a quick draft translation), then submit the English version - since Chile accepts documents in English.
Option B - get a Spanish translation through a certified translator (perito traductor) in Chile and have it certified.
Translation Costs¶
| Method | Approximate Price Per Page | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| MINREL (standard) | 15,000-25,000 CLP ($15-25 USD) | 5-10 business days |
| MINREL (urgent) | +100% surcharge | 2-3 business days |
| MINREL (extra-urgent) | +150% surcharge | 1-2 business days |
| Perito traductor (private) | $20-50 USD per page | 1-5 business days |
| English translation in Ukraine | 400-800 UAH per page | 1-3 days |
Pro tip: if you’re planning to apply, take care of translations well in advance. The 60-day validity of the criminal record certificate doesn’t leave much room if you still need to wait for the apostille and translation.
Application Process: Step-by-Step Plan¶
Step 1: Gather Documents in Ukraine¶
- Order a current criminal record certificate
- Collect all required certificates (birth, marriage, diplomas)
- Apostille each document
- Get translations into English or Spanish
Step 2: Enter Chile as a Tourist¶
Ukrainians can apply for residency either from abroad (through a consulate) or while in Chile. Many choose the second option - fly in as a tourist, settle in, find a job, and submit documents on the ground.
Step 3: Submit Your Application Online¶
All Residencia Temporal applications go through the SERMIG portal. The exception - family reunification and humanitarian reasons - these can be submitted from within Chile.
What to upload: - Passport scan (PDF) - Apostilled documents with translations (PDF) - Photo (JPG/PNG) - Additional documents for your subcategory
Step 4: Wait for a Decision¶
Average processing time is 6-8 months. For some categories, it can stretch to 12-14 months. During this time, you’ll receive a temporary permit to stay.
Step 5: Get Your Cédula de Identidad¶
Once approved - register for your Chilean identity card (RUN/Cédula de Identidad) at the Registro Civil.
Costs: How Much Money to Prepare¶
| Expense | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Document apostilles (5-7 documents) | 1,500-3,500 UAH |
| Document translation (5-7 pages) | 2,000-5,000 UAH or $100-350 USD |
| Immigration fee for temporary residency | Depends on nationality (from $50-200 USD) |
| Permanent residency fee | 136,395 CLP (~$140 USD) |
| Photo | 500-1,000 UAH |
| Total (minimum) | $250-700 USD |
As SERMIG reports, the cost of temporary residency depends on the applicant’s nationality - you’ll see the exact amount only after filling out the online application.
Path to Citizenship: From Residency to Passport¶
Chile offers one of the most accessible paths to citizenship in the region:
- Temporary residency (Residencia Temporal) - up to 2 years, renewable
- Permanent residency (Residencia Definitiva) - after at least 1 year on a temporary permit, provided you’ve been in the country for at least 185 days per year
- Citizenship (Nacionalización) - after 5 years of total legal residence
As VisitWorld notes:
Dual citizenship is recognized in Chile. You do not need to renounce your previous citizenship to become a citizen of Chile.
That’s a huge plus for Ukrainians - no need to give up your Ukrainian passport.
Requirements for naturalization: - Permanent residency (Residencia Definitiva) at the time of application - Clean criminal record - Spanish language proficiency - Knowledge of Chilean culture and history - Successful completion of an interview
Application fee for citizenship - 37,979 CLP (~$40 USD). The naturalization process takes about 2 years after submission.
Comparison with Other Latin American Countries¶
| Criteria | Chile | Argentina | Brazil | Mexico |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa-free entry | 90 days | 90 days | 90 days | 180 days |
| Time to permanent residency | 1 year | 2-3 years | 4 years (VIPER) | 4 years |
| Time to citizenship | 5 years | 2 years | 4 years | 5 years |
| Dual citizenship | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (with limits) |
| Min. income (rentier) | $1,000-1,500/mo | $1,400-2,000/mo | Depends on visa | $2,500-3,000/mo |
| Document language | Spanish/English | Spanish | Portuguese | Spanish |
| Humanitarian program for Ukrainians | No | Yes (since 2022) | Yes (VIPER) | No |
As you can see, Chile doesn’t have a special humanitarian program for Ukrainians (unlike Argentina with Provision 417/2022 or Brazil with VIPER), but it offers one of the fastest paths to permanent residency - just 1 year.
Common Mistakes and Pitfalls¶
1. Expired Criminal Record Certificate¶
The certificate is valid for only 60 days from issue. If you got it in Ukraine, then apostilled it, translated it, and flew to Chile - the deadline might have already passed. Count backward from your planned submission date.
2. Documents Without Apostille¶
Chile strictly requires apostilles on all foreign documents. Without one, your application simply won’t be accepted. And the apostille must be placed BEFORE the translation, not after.
3. Translation in the Wrong Language¶
If you submit a translation in English - that’s fine, Chile accepts it. But if you submit in Spanish - the translation must be from a recognized certified translator or MINREL. A translation from “just a translator” on a freelance platform won’t work.
4. Applying from Abroad Without Proper Documents¶
Applications from abroad (through a consulate) require a passport valid for at least 1 year. For applications within Chile - requirements are softer, but you still need a valid passport.
5. Expecting a Quick Decision¶
6-8 months is standard. Some cases take 12-14 months. Don’t plan to leave Chile during this period if you’re applying from within the country.
Practical Tips¶
-
Translate into English before you fly - this is the easiest route. Chile accepts English, and getting a quality translation in Ukraine is much simpler (and often cheaper) than finding a Ukrainian-to-Spanish translator in Santiago. For a draft translation, you can use ChatsControl - upload your document and get a translation in minutes, then refine it with a professional translator
-
Prepare your document package in advance - ideally, have all apostilled and translated documents ready before departure. Even if you plan to apply from within Chile - this way you won’t waste precious days from your 90-day visa-free stay
-
Online submission - the entire application process through the SERMIG portal is in Spanish. If you don’t speak the language - ask someone for help or use a page translator
-
Banco de Chile or BancoEstado - you’ll need a Chilean bank account to pay fees. BancoEstado is the easiest for foreigners - you only need a passport and RUT (temporary tax number)
-
Cédula de Identidad - this is the main ID document in Chile. You can’t do much without it: no proper bank account, no phone contract. After your residency is approved - go straight to the Registro Civil
FAQ¶
Do Ukrainians need a visa to enter Chile?¶
No, Ukrainians can enter Chile without a visa for up to 90 days. The visa-free agreement has been in effect since 2015. You only need a valid biometric passport, a return ticket, and proof of funds (at least $46 per day).
Can I apply for residency while in Chile as a tourist?¶
Yes, but with limitations. As a general rule, Residencia Temporal applications must be submitted from abroad. The exceptions are family reunification and humanitarian subcategories, which can be submitted from within Chile. For the work subcategory, status changes may be possible, but it’s best to check directly with SERMIG.
How much does document translation cost for Chile?¶
Through the official MINREL service - 15,000 to 25,000 CLP ($15-25) per page at standard rates, with double surcharges for urgent requests. Private perito traductores charge $20-50 per page. English translation in Ukraine costs 400-800 UAH per page. The best option for Ukrainians is to translate documents into English while still in Ukraine, since Chile accepts documents in English.
Does Chile recognize dual citizenship?¶
Yes, Chile fully recognizes dual citizenship. Ukrainians can get a Chilean passport without giving up their Ukrainian one. Eligibility for naturalization comes after 5 years of legal residence in Chile.
What is the Visa de Responsabilidad Democrática and can Ukrainians get it?¶
The Visa de Responsabilidad Democrática (VRD) is a special visa created by Chile in 2018 exclusively for Venezuelan citizens due to the humanitarian crisis. It grants temporary residency for 1 year with an option to extend. Ukrainians cannot get the VRD - they have access to other Residencia Temporal subcategories (work, rentier, family, and others).
How long is the apostille valid on Ukrainian documents for Chile?¶
The apostille itself doesn’t expire - it’s permanent. But certain documents have their own validity periods: the criminal record certificate is valid for 60 days from issue, documents from private institutions for 30 days. Plan your process so that apostilling, translation, and document submission all fit within these timeframes.
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