Obtaining Temporary Residency in Chile: real experience from chats
Short answer
To apply for temporary residency as a spouse, you must submit a Chilean marriage certificate, a passport, and an apostilled, Spanish-translated criminal record certificate certified by a Chilean notary. Note that the application process via the SERMIG portal is lengthy, often taking between four months and 1.5 years, and neither marriage nor having a Chilean child accelerates this timeline.
From real experience
To apply for residency in Chile as a spouse of a Chilean citizen, after marrying within Chile, the required documents typically include:
1. Criminal record certificate ( справка о несудимости).
2. Passport photos.
3. Valid passport.
4. Marriage certificate issued in Chile.
The criminal record certificate will need to be apostilled and translated into Spanish.
Often, the embassy can assist with obtaining, apostilling, and translating this document. After obtaining the Spanish version, a stamp from a specific Chilean government agency may be required for it to be valid within Chile.
✓ 2 reports from chats
The Chilean Temporary Residence Visa (VNT) application process for foreigners, especially when applying from abroad, can be lengthy.
Initial applications are often made through the SERMIG portal outside Chile, with processing times ranging from 4-6 months to potentially 1-1.5 years. After approval, applicants can enter Chile to finalize the process, including obtaining a national ID card (cédula de identidad). During the waiting period, individuals may stay as tourists, with possibilities for extension, but careful management of visa durations and potential 'visa runs' (exiting and re-entering Chile) is necessary. Neither having a Chilean child nor marriage necessarily expedites the VNT process. Obtaining the cédula de identidad after VNT approval typically takes 1 week to 1 month.
✓ 1 report from chats
When applying for Chilean Residencia Temporal (Temporary Residency), particularly for family reunification, and submitting a criminal record certificate from a foreign country (e.g., Russia): 1. Ensure the certificate is apostilled in the country of origin.
2. It must be translated into Spanish. 3. It is crucial to send both the original apostilled certificate and its Spanish translation. 4. Critically, the Spanish translation should ideally be certified by a Chilean notary, who typically adds a QR code to each page, to be recognized as valid by Chilean immigration authorities.
✓ 1 report from chats
In Chile, foreign nationals can enter as tourists and get married.
After the marriage is registered, the spouse can apply for a Temporary Residence Permit (Residencia Temporal) based on family reunification (vinculo familiar). It is generally not necessary to marry abroad beforehand. The process for a minor child is separate; usually, after the parent receives residency, they apply for residency for the child as a dependent.
✓ 1 report from chats
To obtain a Chilean temporary residence permit (visado de residencia) as a pregnant woman, one can apply for a humanitarian visa.
The process and timeline can vary. It is advisable to consult official Chilean immigration websites or contact the relevant authorities for the most up-to-date requirements and processing times.
✓ 1 report from chats
It is not possible to obtain a Chilean bank card with a Russian international passport on a tourist visa.
Even with a temporary residency permit (VNJ), there are only limited options. The processing time for a VNJ can vary significantly, with some cases taking up to 1.5 years.
✓ 1 report from chats
Residency application for Chile requires submitting original documents to the Chilean consulate in the applicant's home country (e.g., Moscow).
The process can take approximately one year and may involve international travel to secure required documentation.
✓ 1 report from chats
Temporary residence (VNJ) in Chile based on pregnancy can be applied for and processed from within the country, even if the applicant entered on a tourist status.