🇨🇱 Chile · Permanent Residency
Permanent-residence routes: eligibility, required years of residence, and the official application steps — including any investment routes where a country offers them.
Quick answer
Chile grants permanent residence (permanencia definitiva) generally after about 2 years on a temporary residence permit, under the National Migration Service. It lets you live and work freely on equal terms; Chilean citizenship follows after around 5 years, and Chile allows dual nationality.
Permanent residence (residencia definitiva) in Chile is generally available after holding temporary residence for a qualifying period. It grants indefinite stay and full work rights.
- Applicants usually qualify after a continuous period of temporary residence.
- Permanent residents live and work in Chile without a job-specific permit.
- Long absences from Chile can affect permanent-residence status.
Step-by-step
- 1
Hold temporary residence first
Obtain and keep a temporary residence permit for the required time (generally about 2 years) before applying for permanent residence.
- 2
Meet residence and conduct conditions
Meet the minimum stay in Chile, keep your temporary status valid, and maintain a clean record.
- 3
Apply to the Migration Service
File the permanent-residence application online with the National Migration Service and upload the required documents.
- 4
Register and get your ID
After approval, register with the police and update your Chilean ID card (cédula) to reflect permanent residence.
- 5
Maintain the status
Permanent residence is stable but can lapse with very long continuous absence; keep the cédula current.
- 6
Understand path to citizenship
Chilean nationality is generally available after 5 years’ residence, and Chile allows dual nationality.
Checklist
- Temporary residence held (~2 years)
- Minimum stay + valid status + clean record
- Migration Service application (online)
- Police registration + cédula update
- Permanent residence (stable)
- Avoid very long continuous absence
- Citizenship ~5 years (dual allowed)
- Keep cédula current
Official authorities
- Servicio Nacional de Migraciones
National Migration Service — permanent residence.
Frequently asked questions
How long until permanent residence?
Generally about 2 years on a temporary residence permit, meeting the minimum-stay and conduct conditions.
Can I work with permanent residence?
Yes — permanent residents can live and work in Chile freely, on broadly the same terms as nationals.
Does Chile allow dual nationality?
Yes — Chile allows dual nationality, and citizenship is generally available after 5 years’ residence.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.