Temporary Stay in Chile: What It Is and Isn't
Temporary Stay, Seasonal Workers and Multiple-Entry Business permits in Chile — what each one allows, and what it does not.
Three Chilean immigration categories sound alike — all involve short stays or multiple entries — but they’re legally distinct, with rules on work, deadlines, and application routes that don’t overlap: Temporary Stay (which any tourist receives upon entering Chile), Seasonal Workers (a subcategory of Temporary Residency), and Multiple-Entry Business Visas (another subcategory of Temporary Residency, despite the name suggesting something passing). Confusing the three is a common mistake, and each one carries a different consequence for whoever makes it.
Temporary Stay: the tourist category
What it is
Temporary Stay (Permanencia Transitoria) is the status granted to foreign nationals entering Chile for recreational, sporting, health, study, business, family, or similar purposes — it includes, for example, performers, athletes, speakers, consultants, and specialized technicians on a one-off visit.
- Validity: limited to 90 days, extendable once for another 90 days, counted from the expiration of the first permit.
- Prior authorization: under Article 27 of Law N.° 21,325, most nationalities don’t need a visa in advance to enter under Temporary Stay — but, for reasons of national interest or international reciprocity, some specific nationalities may require authorization or a visa issued by a Chilean consulate before traveling.
Can I work under Temporary Stay?
As a general rule, no. Temporary Stay holders cannot carry out paid activities in Chile. The exception is a special SERMIG authorization for specific, one-off activities — typically tied to public performances, sports, conferences, consulting, or specialized technical work — which must be requested at least 1 business day before the activity, and can even be requested before arriving in Chile. The cost of this authorization equals 150% of the fee for Temporary Residency by employment contract, depending on the applicant’s nationality.
Can I apply for residency while on Temporary Stay?
As a rule, no. Temporary Stay holders cannot apply for residency permits during their stay in Chile, except for the exceptions set out in Article 69 of Law N.° 21,325:
- Proof of a family tie with a Chilean citizen or permanent resident.
- Application as a dependent of a Temporary Residency holder.
- Humanitarian reasons.
- Situations where continued presence aligns with the goals of the National Migration and Foreign Nationals Policy.
- Other cases qualified by the Undersecretariat of the Interior, by resolution, following a SERMIG report.
In other words: a tourist who decides, while already in Chile, that they want to marry a Chilean citizen or regularize their situation for humanitarian reasons can apply for residency without leaving the country — but a tourist who simply received a job offer must, as a general rule, leave Chile and apply for the corresponding Temporary Residency from abroad.
Seasonal Workers: a subcategory of Temporary Residency, not of Temporary Stay
Despite the name suggesting something transient, “Seasonal Workers” is officially a subcategory of Temporary Residency — in fact, the only one whose validity can extend beyond 2 years.
Features
- Validity: up to 5 years, extendable by 2 more, but with an annual limit: the worker’s presence in the country cannot exceed 6 months per calendar year.
- Employment contract: must cover services directly related to the employer’s main declared line of business, following the Labor Code — including, where applicable, the provisions on agricultural workers’ contracts.
- Deadline to submit the contract: up to 45 days after entering Chile. If it isn’t submitted within that period, SERMIG can reject the application and order the foreign national’s departure from national territory.
- Change of employer: the end of the contract that served as the basis for the permit doesn’t automatically revoke residency — the worker can change employers without needing to notify SERMIG beforehand.
Where to apply
Outside Chile, through SERMIG’s Digital Procedures Portal.
Multiple-Entry Business Visa: also Temporary Residency, despite the name
Aimed at those who need to enter Chile regularly for executive or managerial matters related to business or investments — without this constituting a formal employment relationship in the country.
Features
- Length-of-stay limit: total time spent in the country during visits cannot exceed 6 months in each calendar year.
- Does not count toward time for Permanent Residency: due to its nature of short, recurring stays, this subcategory does not accumulate qualifying time toward an eventual transition to Permanent Residency — a point frequently overlooked by those choosing this route while planning to settle long-term.
Required documents
- Valid passport (minimum 1 year).
- Criminal background check (valid for no more than 60 days).
- Recent photo, SERMIG format.
- A document explaining the purpose of the visit and the economic/business interests involved.
- A letter or certificate issued by the foreign institution the applicant represents, specifying their role, interests, and income associated with managing the business, apostilled or legalized.
Extension
Possible, through documentation proving the continuity of the activities that supported the original grant.
Comparison of the three categories
| Category | Legal nature | Validity | Allows paid work | Counts toward Permanent Residency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Stay | Its own permit (not residency) | 90 days, extendable once | No, except for special one-off authorization | No |
| Seasonal Workers | Subcategory of Temporary Residency | Up to 5 years (6 months/year) | Yes, tied to the seasonal contract | Yes, but with specific extension rules |
| Multiple-Entry Business Visa | Subcategory of Temporary Residency | Renewable, limited to 6 months/year of presence | Not an employment relationship — it’s business management | No |
Most common mistakes
- Believing “Temporary Stay” and “Multiple-Entry Business Visa” are the same thing — the first is the standard tourist status; the second is a formal subcategory of Temporary Residency, with its own documentation.
- Working for pay under Temporary Stay without special authorization — even if the activity seems one-off, SERMIG requires specific prior authorization.
- Choosing the Multiple-Entry Business Visa expecting the time to count toward Permanent Residency — this subcategory doesn’t accumulate that time, unlike most others.
- Missing the 45-day deadline to submit the seasonal employment contract after entering Chile.
Frequently asked questions
Does an executive who visits Chile 4 times a year for business meetings need Temporary Residency?
If total days in the country over the year don’t exceed Temporary Stay’s limits (90 days per entry, extendable once) and there’s no formal paid activity in Chile, Temporary Stay may be sufficient. If the visits are more structured and tied to managing investments, the Multiple-Entry Business Visa subcategory is the right route — but it won’t count as accumulated residency time.
Can a seasonal worker bring their family?
Yes, dependents can be included under the general rules of Article 74 of Law N.° 21,325, as applied to this subcategory.
Can I convert a Temporary Stay into Temporary Residency without leaving Chile?
Only in the exceptional cases set out in Article 69 of the law — family ties, dependent status, humanitarian reasons, or other cases qualified by the immigration authority.
Conclusion
The names of these three categories are misleading: “temporary” and “multiple entry” sound like synonyms for a short stay with few formalities, but legally they’re distinct statuses, with completely different documentation, deadlines, and implications for anyone planning to eventually pursue Permanent Residency in Chile. Before deciding which path to take for a recurring business visit or seasonal work, it’s worth precisely mapping which of these three categories your situation actually fits.
This content is for informational purposes only and was prepared based on the legislation in force as of its publication date. It does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. Each situation should be individually assessed by qualified professionals.