🇨🇱 Chile citizenship · By naturalization
Chile citizenship by naturalization
Anyone can obtain Chilean citizenship through naturalization - permanent residence in the country opens the way to a strong passport.
Chilean citizenship by naturalization is open to anyone, whatever their original citizenship. The path starts with a temporary residence permit and ends with a passport.
Legal grounds for citizenship
Anyone can naturalize in Chile. The standard period is 5 years of permanent residence. If a child is born in Chile during that time, the period is cut to 2 years.
Three stages of the process
- Temporary residence permit. Applied for online. With temporary residence you can live in Chile, start a business, open bank accounts and take a job.
- Permanent residence. Granted 1-2 years after the temporary permit and valid indefinitely. To apply you need to have spent 22 months out of 24 in Chile - with a lawyer this period can be cut to 12 months.
- Citizenship. The final stage, once you have completed the required period of residence.
We will confirm the exact timelines and requirements for your situation on a free consultation.
Advantages of a Chilean passport
A strong passport
16th place in the global passport ranking.
Wide visa-free access
Visa-free entry to 174 countries, including the USA, Canada, Japan, the European Union and the United Kingdom.
A faster route if a child is born
If a child is born in Chile, the naturalization period drops from 5 years to 2.
Resident rights from day one
Even with a temporary residence permit you can live in Chile, run a business and open bank accounts.
How to get Chilean citizenship step by step
Getting a residence permit
Applied for online. With temporary residence you can live in Chile, start a business, open bank accounts and take a job.
Getting permanent residence
Available 1-2 years after the residence permit. To apply you need to have spent 22 months out of 24 in Chile - with a lawyer this can be cut to 12 months. Permanent residence is valid indefinitely.
Applying for citizenship
The final stage - receiving Chilean citizenship and a passport.
FAQ
Who can get Chilean citizenship by naturalization?
How long do I need to live in Chile to get citizenship?
How many countries can I visit visa-free with a Chilean passport?
174 visa-free countries with a Chilean passport
Visa-free
Don’t want to figure this out alone?
We handle the whole process end to end: we check your documents, match a program to your situation and give you honest timelines and costs. Leave your details and a migration expert will get back to you. The first consultation is free.