Family & Spouse Visas in Chile

Sponsoring a partner, children, or parents

Family ties are one of the named grounds for temporary residence. Spouses and civil partners of Chilean nationals or of residents, along with dependent children and, in defined circumstances, parents, can apply on that basis rather than on employment, and the permit carries work rights.

Who qualifies

• The spouse or civil partner of a Chilean national, of a permanent resident, or of a temporary resident, depending on the sub-category applied for.
• Children who are minors, and adult children who are dependent for defined reasons.
• Parents, in the circumstances the regulations set out.
• Chile recognises the acuerdo de unión civil, so registered partners are within the family categories and not confined to a discretionary route.

Documents and formalities

Marriage, partnership, and birth certificates issued abroad commonly require an apostille or consular legalisation and an official translation before Chilean authorities will accept them. Foreign marriages are frequently registered with the Chilean civil registry as part of the process.

Relationships that are not registered are harder to evidence. Where a couple relies on cohabitation rather than a marriage or civil union, the evidential burden falls on the applicant.

Children born in Chile

Chile applies birthright citizenship to children born in its territory, subject to a narrow exception for children of transient foreigners and of foreign officials. This affects families planning long stays, and the position of the child is determined by the civil registry rather than by the migration service.

Official sources

• Servicio Nacional de Migraciones
• Servicio de Registro Civil e Identificación

Checked against these pages in September 2026. Fees and processing times change without notice — confirm before you act.

More on Chile