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🇨🇱 Chile

Moving Guide

Moving to Chile is logistically straightforward for most Western nationalities — arrive visa-free, settle in Santiago's furnished apartment market, then apply for your long-term visa. The main challenge is immigration processing time: applications for temporary residency currently take 6–8 months..

90 days

Visa-Free Tourist Entry

Extendable once for most nationalities

CLP 1,000–5,000

SIM Card Cost

Entel/Movistar prepaid, available at airports

$2,000–4,500

Container Shipping (20ft, US West Coast)

Varies by origin port and season

$150–200/mo

Spanish Classes (Intensive)

Group classes; private from $20–35/hr

Required

Health Insurance (Day 1)

International or ISAPRE policy

Overview🏙️Santiago🎨Valparaíso
🛂Visa🏥Healthcare💰Finance🏠Housing💼Working🌆Daily Life✈️Moving📚Education🌅Lifestyle📈Investing

Overview

Moving to Chile is logistically straightforward for most Western nationalities — arrive visa-free, settle in Santiago's furnished apartment market, then apply for your long-term visa. The main challenge is immigration processing time: applications for temporary residency currently take 6–8 months.

Key Takeaways

  • Health insurance: arrange international coverage before departure — SafetyWing ($45–80/mo), Cigna Global, or AXA all accepted for visa purposes
  • Airport arrival: Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) — buy a local SIM at Entel or Movistar kiosks in arrivals; take official taxi or Uber to accommodation
  • Luggage-only move: the most common approach — buy furniture and appliances locally (well-priced at Homecenter/Sodimac, and MercadoLibre)
  • SIM card: buy at Santiago airport from Entel (best coverage), Movistar, or Claro; prepaid SIM from CLP 1,000–5,000; monthly 10GB plans from CLP 12,000 ($13)
  • International schools: enroll 3–6 months in advance — Nido de Águilas, Craighouse, TIPS, and Santiago College fill quickly; fees $8,000–22,000/yr
1

Pre-Arrival Checklist

The most important preparation happens before you board the plane. Getting these items sorted in advance saves significant time and stress during the first weeks in Santiago.

  • Health insurance: arrange international coverage before departure — SafetyWing ($45–80/mo), Cigna Global, or AXA all accepted for visa purposes
  • Finances: activate a Wise card and/or Schwab debit card for fee-free ATM withdrawals from arrival day
  • Accommodation: book furnished apartment for first 4–6 weeks via Airbnb or Facebook 'Expats in Chile Housing' group — do not sign long-term leases sight unseen
  • Spanish basics: complete Duolingo or a pre-departure Spanish course through survival conversational level — Chilean Spanish is learnable but fast
  • Medications: bring a 3-month supply of any prescription medications — some are unavailable locally or require Chilean prescription for refills
  • Apostilled documents: begin the apostille process for your criminal background check and any diplomas or marriage certificates — needed for visa applications
  • Research neighborhoods: Expat.cl, r/chile, and 'Expats in Chile' Facebook group provide current first-hand neighborhood and visa information
2

The First 90 Days: Arriving & Settling In

The first three months are about exploration, building your local foundation — RUT, bank, housing, community — and submitting your visa application before your tourist entry expires.

  • Airport arrival: Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) — buy a local SIM at Entel or Movistar kiosks in arrivals; take official taxi or Uber to accommodation
  • Register with your embassy: US STEP program (step.state.gov), UK FCDO registration — free, takes 15 minutes, provides emergency support access
  • Apply for your RUT (Chilean tax ID): at the Servicio de Impuestos Internos (SII) — requires proof of address and passport; available to foreigners on tourist visa in most cases
  • Open CuentaRUT (BancoEstado): basic digital account available with just your RUT — useful for local payments before you have full residency
  • Join key expat communities: 'Expats in Chile', 'Santiago Expats', 'Expats in Chile Housing' on Facebook — invaluable for real-time recommendations
  • Start visa application early: immigration processing is 6–8 months — submit within your first 60 days to avoid tourist visa expiry complications
  • Explore neighborhoods: spend time in Providencia, Las Condes, Ñuñoa, and Barrio Italia before committing to long-term housing
3

Shipping Your Belongings

Most expats move to Chile with luggage only or a small shipment. Full container shipping is available and well-handled through Santiago's port of San Antonio, the closest to the capital.

  • Luggage-only move: the most common approach — buy furniture and appliances locally (well-priced at Homecenter/Sodimac, and MercadoLibre)
  • Air freight: good for small volumes (<50kg) — DHL, FedEx, and Starken offer door-to-door; budget $6–14/kg
  • LCL (less-than-container) sea freight: 1–3 CBM of personal items — $1,000–2,500 from North America; $1,500–3,000 from Europe
  • Full 20ft container from US West Coast: $2,000–4,500 USD; East Coast: $3,000–6,000 USD; add Chilean customs handling ($500–1,000)
  • Duty-free household goods (Menaje de Casa): available to holders of permanent or temporary residency with documentation — not available on tourist entry
  • Chilean customs (Servicio Nacional de Aduanas): hire an experienced agente de aduana (customs broker) for any sea shipment — essential to avoid delays and unexpected fees
  • Buying locally: Homecenter and Sodimac (hardware/furniture chains), Lider and Jumbo (appliances and home goods), and MercadoLibre for second-hand items
4

Administrative Setup: SIM, RUT, Banking & Registration

Building your Chilean administrative foundation takes 2–6 weeks depending on your visa status. The RUT is the key that unlocks everything else.

  • SIM card: buy at Santiago airport from Entel (best coverage), Movistar, or Claro; prepaid SIM from CLP 1,000–5,000; monthly 10GB plans from CLP 12,000 ($13)
  • RUT (Rol Único Tributario): Chilean tax ID — apply at any SII office or online at sii.cl; available to foreigners on tourist visa with passport and proof of address; unlocks banking
  • CuentaRUT (BancoEstado): openable online with just your RUT — basic account for local transfers and payments before full banking access
  • Full bank account: requires RUT + visa/residency documentation; Banco de Chile, Santander, and BCI all have expat-friendly procedures
  • Health insurance: activate your ISAPRE or international policy in the first week and carry the card at all times
  • Embassy registration: US STEP (step.state.gov), UK FCDO — 15 minutes online, provides emergency assistance access
  • WhatsApp: Chile runs on WhatsApp — set up with your Chilean number immediately for all bookings, landlord communication, and daily services
5

Moving with Family & Pets

Chile is an excellent destination for families — world-class international schools in Santiago, safe neighborhoods, and a reliable public infrastructure. Pet importation requires SAG (Chile's agriculture service) clearance but is manageable.

  • International schools: enroll 3–6 months in advance — Nido de Águilas, Craighouse, TIPS, and Santiago College fill quickly; fees $8,000–22,000/yr
  • Family residency: spouses and dependent children of visa holders apply for derivative residency simultaneously — submit together to avoid gaps in legal status
  • Pet import: dogs and cats require a health certificate from an accredited vet, rabies vaccination, microchip, and internal/external parasite treatment; SAG clearance at the airport
  • SAG (Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero): Chile's agriculture authority handles pet imports — check sag.gob.cl for current requirements before travel; no quarantine for most countries
  • Airlines: LATAM Airlines and most international carriers allow pets in-cabin (small dogs/cats under 8kg) or as checked baggage/cargo
  • Chilean school year: March–December (Southern Hemisphere) — arrivals in January/February can enroll for the new year; mid-year arrivals may need temporary placement
  • Childcare: jardines infantiles (daycare/preschool) widely available; JUNJI (government) and private options; costs $200–600/mo depending on type
FAQs

Common Questions — Moving Guide in Chile

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