Important Updates
Important Updates
July 31, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
August 1, 2025 | MalaysiaMalaysia: Enhanced Online Interview Feature for Certain Applications Forthcoming
August 1, 2025 | United KingdomTimes Higher Education: More Universities Put on ‘Action Plans’ as Home Office Gets Tough
August 1, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Federal District Court Postpones TPS Terminations for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua
July 31, 2025 | United StatesLaw360: Grappling With Workforce-Related Immigration Enforcement
July 31, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
August 1, 2025 | MalaysiaMalaysia: Enhanced Online Interview Feature for Certain Applications Forthcoming
August 1, 2025 | United KingdomTimes Higher Education: More Universities Put on ‘Action Plans’ as Home Office Gets Tough
August 1, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Federal District Court Postpones TPS Terminations for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua
July 31, 2025 | United StatesLaw360: Grappling With Workforce-Related Immigration Enforcement
July 31, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
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

Online Appointment System Continues to Cause Processing Delays

December 6, 2018

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

The situation

Foreign nationals submitting immigration applications to the Central Immigration Office in Santiago, Chile continue to experience delays caused by the new online appointment system. Additionally, foreign nationals seeking visa appointments in Santiago are seeing only a few available daily appointments.

Impact

  • Extent of delays. Foreign nationals’ start dates are affected by delays that can last up to several weeks. Their travel may also be impacted as use of the online application system and an immigration appointment are required for all immigration statuses, and those without the proper documentation cannot re-enter Chile after leaving.
  • Other filing locations unaffected. Applications filed outside of Santiago are not impacted as these offices have not implemented the online appointment system and have not reduced available appointments. To file an application outside of Santiago, the foreign national must provide proof of residence in another city.

Possible solutions

Due to the delays, impacted foreign nationals, including temporary residents and Special Work Permit for Tourists holders, may benefit from filing their applications at a consulate or airport, respectively, depending on their situation.

Tourist Card and Special Work Permit for Tourist renewal applicants may need to start their application process much sooner, including scheduling their immigration appointment 15-20 days sooner than before, to obtain an appointment date prior to the expiration of their status.

Background

  • In-country v. consular processing. Visa applications for Chile are processed by two different entities depending on whether they are filed in country or at a consular post. In-country applications are processed by the Immigration Department, which has recently implemented an online appointment system; visa applications filed at consulates are processed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is not currently experiencing delays or problems.
  • Benefits of in-country process. Although foreign nationals seeking a Chilean visa can file an application at a consular post or in Chile, traditionally, the in-country process has been preferred since it allows foreign nationals to start work almost immediately after arrival under the Special Work Permit for Tourists. Consular applications also allow work upon arrival but take 25-30 days to process.
  • Rare delays. This is an unusual development in a country that has traditionally had stable visa processes with few unexpected delays.

Looking ahead

Fragomen continues to work closely with the authorities to find solutions and will issue further updates as they become available.

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

Media mentions

Times Higher Education: More Universities Put on ‘Action Plans’ as Home Office Gets Tough

Senior Manager Jonathan Hill noted that stricter UKVI audits and asylum claim reviews are driving more student visa action plans.

Learn more

Media mentions

Law360: Grappling With Workforce-Related Immigration Enforcement

Partner K. Edward Raleigh and Associate Anna I. Perina explore how changing immigration enforcement is affecting workforce planning and compliance for US employers.

Learn more

Blog post

Updating Articles of Association (AoA) in Saudi Arabia: What Companies Need to Know

Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung provide guidance for businesses on the legal and procedural requirements for amending their AoA in Saudi Arabia.

Learn more

Blog post

Green Card Backlogs and Visa Bulletin Trends: What Employers Can Do In 2025 and Beyond

Counsel Susan Steger discusses how US employers can navigate ongoing green card delays and shifting visa bulletin trends to better support foreign talent and workforce planning.

Learn more

Media mentions

C21 Media: How to Prepare for Immigration Reforms Under the UK Industrial Strategy

Senior Manager Sean Rhodes and Associate Milosz Skorupski outline how UK immigration reforms will affect creative businesses and highlight key considerations for planning ahead.

Learn more

Awards

WirtschaftsWoche Recognises Fragomen and Partner Axel Boysen as Best in Migration Law

WirtschaftsWoche names Fragomen to its "Best Law Firms 2025" list and Partner Axel Boysen to its "Best Lawyers 2025" list in the field of migration law for private individuals. 

Learn more

Media mentions

Arab News: Saudi Arabia’s High-End Dining Scene Fuels Culinary and Cultural RevivalLearn more

Awards

Fragomen Ranks as Band 1 in Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Legal Guide 2025

Fragomen is ranked in Band 1 in Chambers & Partners High Net Worth Legal Guide 2025.

Learn more

Media mentions

Toronto Star: Ford and Other Premiers Want Provincial Work Permits for Refugee Claimants. It May Not Solve Anything

Partner Rick Lamanna discusses the potential option of decentralizing work permit issuance in Canada, emphasizing the need for clear coordination between the provincial and federal governments.

Learn more
Generic Insights

Video

Transfer Tactics & Talent Pipelines – The UK Angle with Alex Hood ⚽ | #FragomenFC - Ep. 10

Fragomen FC hosts are joined by Manager Alexander Hood to examine how immigration rules are reshaping global football, from EPL transfers to the rise of international transfers into the Women’s Super League.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: More Declines Loom in “Seriously Concerning” US Visa Trends

Partner Aaron Blumberg noted that enhanced screening measures, including social media vetting, may be contributing to delays in US student visa processing.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration Reforms: What’s Next for Construction Employers?

Associate Ilaria Iovieno outlines how recent UK immigration reforms will impact construction employers and their ability to sponsor overseas talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times Higher Education: More Universities Put on ‘Action Plans’ as Home Office Gets Tough

Senior Manager Jonathan Hill noted that stricter UKVI audits and asylum claim reviews are driving more student visa action plans.

Learn more

Media mentions

Law360: Grappling With Workforce-Related Immigration Enforcement

Partner K. Edward Raleigh and Associate Anna I. Perina explore how changing immigration enforcement is affecting workforce planning and compliance for US employers.

Learn more

Blog post

Updating Articles of Association (AoA) in Saudi Arabia: What Companies Need to Know

Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung provide guidance for businesses on the legal and procedural requirements for amending their AoA in Saudi Arabia.

Learn more

Blog post

Green Card Backlogs and Visa Bulletin Trends: What Employers Can Do In 2025 and Beyond

Counsel Susan Steger discusses how US employers can navigate ongoing green card delays and shifting visa bulletin trends to better support foreign talent and workforce planning.

Learn more

Media mentions

C21 Media: How to Prepare for Immigration Reforms Under the UK Industrial Strategy

Senior Manager Sean Rhodes and Associate Milosz Skorupski outline how UK immigration reforms will affect creative businesses and highlight key considerations for planning ahead.

Learn more

Awards

WirtschaftsWoche Recognises Fragomen and Partner Axel Boysen as Best in Migration Law

WirtschaftsWoche names Fragomen to its "Best Law Firms 2025" list and Partner Axel Boysen to its "Best Lawyers 2025" list in the field of migration law for private individuals. 

Learn more

Media mentions

Arab News: Saudi Arabia’s High-End Dining Scene Fuels Culinary and Cultural RevivalLearn more

Awards

Fragomen Ranks as Band 1 in Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Legal Guide 2025

Fragomen is ranked in Band 1 in Chambers & Partners High Net Worth Legal Guide 2025.

Learn more

Media mentions

Toronto Star: Ford and Other Premiers Want Provincial Work Permits for Refugee Claimants. It May Not Solve Anything

Partner Rick Lamanna discusses the potential option of decentralizing work permit issuance in Canada, emphasizing the need for clear coordination between the provincial and federal governments.

Learn more
Generic Insights

Video

Transfer Tactics & Talent Pipelines – The UK Angle with Alex Hood ⚽ | #FragomenFC - Ep. 10

Fragomen FC hosts are joined by Manager Alexander Hood to examine how immigration rules are reshaping global football, from EPL transfers to the rise of international transfers into the Women’s Super League.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: More Declines Loom in “Seriously Concerning” US Visa Trends

Partner Aaron Blumberg noted that enhanced screening measures, including social media vetting, may be contributing to delays in US student visa processing.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration Reforms: What’s Next for Construction Employers?

Associate Ilaria Iovieno outlines how recent UK immigration reforms will impact construction employers and their ability to sponsor overseas talent.

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.