Bringing Foreign Staff to Chile: Work Permits and Visas Explained

Most industrial technology and service companies that come into Chile start small. They rely on their headquarters or regional teams for technical support, especially in the early stages. As projects move forward, it is very common to send specialists into Chile for short, focused periods to help with commissioning, supervision, installation, or troubleshooting.

At that point, a practical question always comes up: Can this person work in Chile with a simple permit, or do they need a full work visa? The answer is not always obvious and depends on factors such as how long the person will stay, what they will actually be doing on the ground, costs, and how the local company is set up.

Below we explain, in simple terms, the difference between a work permit and a work visa, and when each option makes sense.

Work Permit (Short-Term Assignments)

If a worker is entering Chile for a short period (generally under 30 days) to provide specific technical or professional services, the most efficient option is usually a work permit.

In these cases, the worker enters Chile as a tourist and then applies for a work permit once in the country. The process is straightforward, fast, and requires limited documentation.

Key points:

• The application is submitted online after arrival in Chile.

• Approval is typically granted within 24 to 48 hours after payment of the government fee.

• Most workers complete the process from their hotel shortly after arrival.

• Government fees vary by nationality. For example, Australian citizens pay approximately USD 2,000, while U.S. and Canadian citizens pay roughly one-third of that amount.

• Once approved, the worker may legally perform the services in Chile.

• Before leaving the country, the work permit must be exchanged back to a tourist status to allow proper exit.

Work Visa (Longer-Term Assignments)

If the services will be provided for more than 90 days, a work visa is generally the better option.

Based on our experience, applying for the work visa from the worker’s home country is significantly faster and more predictable than applying from within Chile.

Key points:

• It is strongly recommended that the worker be hired by the Chilean entity and integrated into the local team during their stay.

• The application process is conducted online and requires more extensive documentation.

• Processing times are typically around two to three months, so planning ahead is essential.

• Once approved, the worker may enter Chile and provide services for the duration of the visa.

• The worker may also obtain a Chilean identity card and access the local social security system.

Conclusion

For short-term technical visits, a work permit is usually the fastest and simplest solution and can be obtained shortly after arrival in Chile.

Longer stays require more planning. A work visa takes more time but gives the worker stability, flexibility to travel in and out of the country, and access to a Chilean identity card, which is important for day-to-day life when staying in Chile for an extended period.

Choosing the wrong option can create delays, unnecessary costs, or compliance issues. At Ax Legal, we help clients decide the right approach from the start and handle the process end-to-end, so your team can focus on the project rather than immigration formalities.

Ax Legal helps industrial technology, engineering, and service companies to navigate the legal and commercial aspects of operating their business in Latin America. With deep knowledge of the industrial and natural resource sectors, we provide actionable and practical advice to help streamline our clients’ entries into Latin America, improve how they operate in the region, and to protect their interests.

Over the years, our team of legal and commercial advisors have developed a track record of working with companies of all sizes from Australia, Canada, the U.S., and Europe. The one common factor that connects our clients is that they are leaders in their field, providing innovative technologies and services to the industrial sectors.

To better understand how we can support you in the Region, please contact Cody Mcfarlane at cmm@ax.legal