Chile digital nomad visa & residency (2026)

Chile does not have a visa category labelled 'digital nomad' or 'remote worker.' All long-stay options for remote workers flow through the general Residencia Temporal framework introduced by Ley 21.325 (2021).

The 'Foreigners engaged in lawful remunerated activities' subcategory explicitly covers self-employed (independent) workers. Applicants must demonstrate stable foreign-sourced income (commonly cited as USD 1,000–1,500/month) or provide a service contract. The permit is valid up to two years and renewable.

Foreigners with passive income (pensions, rental income, dividends) may apply under the 'Retired foreigners or leasers' subcategory. Freelance or remote-work income generally does not qualify for this route; it is intended for provable passive/recurring income streams.

New tax residents in Chile are taxed only on Chilean-source income for their first three years of residency. Foreign-sourced remote-work income is effectively exempt during this period, making Chile fiscally attractive for relocating remote workers.

Ley 21.325 includes an 'Investors and related personnel' Residencia Temporal subcategory. A minimum investment of approximately USD 500,000 in a Chilean business or project is required. Two years of temporary residency leads to permanent residency; citizenship is possible after five cumulative years of legal residence.

Residencia Temporal processing currently takes 6–8 months due to administrative backlogs following the 2022 rollout of Ley 21.325. In the interim, nationals of many countries may stay up to 90 days visa-free (extendable once to 180 days) and work remotely for non-Chilean clients without a permit, though this does not confer legal work status in Chile.