Important Updates
Important Updates
July 1, 2025 | Republic of Korea (South Korea)South Korea: Update on In-Country Dependent Visa Applications
July 1, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
July 1, 2025 | PolandPoland: Single Permit Eligibility Limited  
July 1, 2025 | PortugalPortugal: Residence Permits Extended
July 1, 2025 | Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: Visit Visa Entry and Exit Restrictions for Select Nationals
July 1, 2025 | Republic of Korea (South Korea)South Korea: Update on In-Country Dependent Visa Applications
July 1, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
July 1, 2025 | PolandPoland: Single Permit Eligibility Limited  
July 1, 2025 | PortugalPortugal: Residence Permits Extended
July 1, 2025 | Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: Visit Visa Entry and Exit Restrictions for Select Nationals
July 1, 2025 | Republic of Korea (South Korea)South Korea: Update on In-Country Dependent Visa Applications
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

New Mandatory Online System and Documentary Requirements for Permanent Residence Applications

May 10, 2019

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • ChileChile

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a Glance

  • Effective immediately, permanent resident applicants must submit their applications online instead of by mail. This requires a personal appearance by the applicant in Chile to obtain a code for the online system. This system should eventually reduce permanent residence application processing times. However, immigration authorities may delay adjudication of online applications until they complete the review of applications previously filed by mail, which would cause a delay in the initial stages of implementation of this system.
  • Also effective immediately, all permanent residence applicants must submit an apostilled or legalized criminal clearance certificate from their country of origin, whereas previously this requirement only applied to Colombian, Peruvian and Dominican Republic nationals. This may delay the permanent residence document gathering time, since it may take a significant amount of time to obtain this document in some countries.

The situation

The Chilean Immigration Department has announced two major changes for permanent residence applicants, both effective immediately, that will add administrative hurdles to the process.

New online application process

  • Online application process. Effective immediately, permanent residents must submit their applications online through the Immigration Department’s digital portal, instead of by mail.
    • Personal appearance required. To use the online system, applicants must first obtain a code (Clave Única) in Chile by appearing at any civil registry office and then accessing their code on the online system. Once they have a code, Fragomen can assist the applicant with the permanent residence application.
  • Impact. The online application process should reduce permanent residence application processing times by at least 20 days, according to the Immigration Department. However, immigration authorities may delay adjudication of online applications until they complete the review of applications previously filed by mail, which would cause a delay in the initial stages of implementation of this system.
  • Exceptions. Applications filed before May 1 are not affected by the change. Also, nationals of Brazil, China, Cuba, Haiti and Peru are not yet eligible to file their permanent residence application online and must continue to file their applications directly at a ChileAtiende office.

 

Police clearance certificate requirement

  • Details. All permanent residence applicants must submit an apostilled or legalized criminal clearance certificate from their country of origin. Previously, this requirement applied only to Colombian, Peruvian and Dominican Republic nationals. The certificate must also be translated into Spanish unless issued in English, French, Italian or Portuguese.
  • Impact. This may delay the permanent residence document gathering time, since it may take a significant amount of time to obtain this document in some countries.
  • Exception. Applications filed before May 1 are not affected by the change.

 

Background

  • Influx of permanent residence applications. In 2018, over 100,000 foreign nationals regularized their immigration status in Chile through an amnesty program and will be eligible to apply for permanent residence this year. In preparation for the significant volume of applications expected in the next few months, the Chilean Immigration Department has implemented the online system to streamline and expedite the process.
  • Permanent residence details. Permanent residence allows foreign nationals to reside indefinitely in Chile and perform any legal activity in the country. Prior to applying for permanent residence, the foreign national must have resided in Chile for two years under a Work Contract Visa or for one year under a Resident Visa and must not have spent more than 180 days outside the country during this time. A permanent residence application can be filed within 90 days of expiration of the visa. The current average government processing time for permanent residence applications is five months.
  • Growing use of online processes. Chile is one of many countries that are using digitalization to streamline the immigration process.

 

Looking ahead

As the number of foreign workers in Chile rises, the government has expressed its commitment to reduce paperwork and bureaucracy in its processes using technology, and expects that by 2022, 80% of government processes will be completely digital. It is likely that the system will be expanded to additional immigration applications in the future and Fragomen will report on any relevant developments.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

Country / Territory

  • ChileChile

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Blog post

2025 Middle East and Africa Immigration Trends: Balancing Localization Concerns with Global Talent Attraction Efforts

This blog highlights the most significant immigration developments shaping the Middle East and Africa in 2025, drawing from Fragomen’s upcoming 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews—available mid-July.

Learn more

Video

French Citizenship by Decree | Everything You Need to Know

Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia covers everything you need to know about French citizenship by decree, a legal process through which a foreign national can acquire French nationality.

Learn more

Blog post

The Future of Care Work in the UK: Understanding the Latest Immigration Announcements

Partner Siobhan Owers and Senior Associate Asif Hanif discuss the latest UK immigration announcements and their impact on the future of care work.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年6月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Arab News: Growing Saudi Film Industry Driving Job Creation, Economic Growth

Partner Abeer Al Husseini highlights how Saudi Arabia’s growing film industry is creating jobs, attracting global talent and supporting economic diversification.

Learn more

Awards

Silicon Valley Business Journal Recognizes Partner Cindy Jen Among 2025 Women of Influence

Partner Cindy Jen is recognized as a 2025 “Woman of Influence” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 LAR and Canada Immigration Trends: Balancing Control and Opportunity

This blog highlights the most significant immigration developments shaping Canada and Latin America in 2025. Drawing from Fragomen’s upcoming 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews—available mid-July—it provides actionable insights and strategic guidance to help businesses and individuals navigate the region’s dynamic immigration landscape.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: DOL Plans “Emergency Agency” to Approve H-2A Visas

Partner Rachel Beardsley highlights how employment-based immigration supports the US agricultural sector amid labor shortages and evolving policies.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Middle East Tensions Show Importance of Caring for Mobile Talent

Partner Abeer Al Husseini shares how employers can support mobile talent through travel readiness, immigration awareness and a people-focused approach.

Learn more

Blog post

The EB-1C Green Card for Multinational Managers and Executives: Exploring Non-Traditional Pathways to Permanent Residency

Associate Whitney Luman discusses the EB-1C Green Card for multinational managers and executives, exploring non-traditional pathways to permanent residency.

Learn more

Video

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) | Staying in Canada Post-Graduation

Partner Jack Kim discusses one of many immigration pathways for staying in Canada post-graduation, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Learn more

Blog post

A New Beginning: The Rise of Highly Skilled Visa and Digital Nomad Visa Options in APAC

Practice Leader Kate Praphakornphiphat, Senior Manager Amy Zhang, Immigration Program Manager Melissa Ngeow and Senior Knowledge Management Specialist Faye Amorado discuss the increasing popularity of highly skilled visas and digital nomad visas in the Asia-Pacific region.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 Middle East and Africa Immigration Trends: Balancing Localization Concerns with Global Talent Attraction Efforts

This blog highlights the most significant immigration developments shaping the Middle East and Africa in 2025, drawing from Fragomen’s upcoming 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews—available mid-July.

Learn more

Video

French Citizenship by Decree | Everything You Need to Know

Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia covers everything you need to know about French citizenship by decree, a legal process through which a foreign national can acquire French nationality.

Learn more

Blog post

The Future of Care Work in the UK: Understanding the Latest Immigration Announcements

Partner Siobhan Owers and Senior Associate Asif Hanif discuss the latest UK immigration announcements and their impact on the future of care work.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年6月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Arab News: Growing Saudi Film Industry Driving Job Creation, Economic Growth

Partner Abeer Al Husseini highlights how Saudi Arabia’s growing film industry is creating jobs, attracting global talent and supporting economic diversification.

Learn more

Awards

Silicon Valley Business Journal Recognizes Partner Cindy Jen Among 2025 Women of Influence

Partner Cindy Jen is recognized as a 2025 “Woman of Influence” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 LAR and Canada Immigration Trends: Balancing Control and Opportunity

This blog highlights the most significant immigration developments shaping Canada and Latin America in 2025. Drawing from Fragomen’s upcoming 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews—available mid-July—it provides actionable insights and strategic guidance to help businesses and individuals navigate the region’s dynamic immigration landscape.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: DOL Plans “Emergency Agency” to Approve H-2A Visas

Partner Rachel Beardsley highlights how employment-based immigration supports the US agricultural sector amid labor shortages and evolving policies.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Middle East Tensions Show Importance of Caring for Mobile Talent

Partner Abeer Al Husseini shares how employers can support mobile talent through travel readiness, immigration awareness and a people-focused approach.

Learn more

Blog post

The EB-1C Green Card for Multinational Managers and Executives: Exploring Non-Traditional Pathways to Permanent Residency

Associate Whitney Luman discusses the EB-1C Green Card for multinational managers and executives, exploring non-traditional pathways to permanent residency.

Learn more

Video

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) | Staying in Canada Post-Graduation

Partner Jack Kim discusses one of many immigration pathways for staying in Canada post-graduation, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Learn more

Blog post

A New Beginning: The Rise of Highly Skilled Visa and Digital Nomad Visa Options in APAC

Practice Leader Kate Praphakornphiphat, Senior Manager Amy Zhang, Immigration Program Manager Melissa Ngeow and Senior Knowledge Management Specialist Faye Amorado discuss the increasing popularity of highly skilled visas and digital nomad visas in the Asia-Pacific region.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.