Chile (officially the Republic of Chile) is a sovereign country in the southwest of South America. It stretches over 4,300 km (2,672 miles) from north to south, making it the longest country in the world. Its coastline is 6,435 km (3,995 miles) long. The total area of the territory is 756,626 km² (292,260 sq mi). It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, and Argentina to the east. The country also includes islands in the Pacific Ocean, including Easter Island. The capital and the most populous city is Santiago.
The government system is a unitary republic. The form of government is a presidential republic. The country is divided into 16 regions, each headed by a leader appointed directly by the president of the country.
It is a member of the UN, IMF, MERCOSUR, IBRD, WTO, OECD, and OAS. According to the World Bank classification, it is among the countries with a strong economy and is considered the most economically developed country in South America.
Visa
No visa is required for entry and stay in Chile for up to 90 days. Upon entry, a Single Migration Card is issued, granting the right to stay in the country and specifying the maximum duration of stay in the Republic.
If you are staying in the country for more than 3 months, you must apply for a visa. This can be done through the government online portal before entering the country or at local migration service offices. Currently, Chile offers visas depending on the required length of stay and the type of intended activity:
- Tourist
- Student
- Work
- Retirement
- Investor/Entrepreneur
If the visa does not permit engaging in commercial activities, then professional activities are prohibited.
In a separate article, all types of visas, their conditions, terms, and restrictions were discussed.
Residence Permit
Depending on the purpose and duration of your planned stay in Chile, you can obtain one of two types of residence permits: permanent (lifetime) and temporary (up to 5 years). Under standard circumstances, to apply for a residence permit, you must have lived in the country for at least one year and meet the criteria of one of the programs. Currently, a residence permit can be obtained by:
- Specialist
- Student
- Investor/Entrepreneur
- Digital Nomad
- Spouse of a Chilean citizen
- Retiree
- Foreigner with Chilean roots
Specific requirements are established for each category of applicants, and the maximum duration of stay is determined.
Find out more about all the options for long-term stay in the Republic and the details of obtaining a residence permit.
Passport
The Passport of Chile is attractive to relocators and individuals seeking dual citizenship. However, obtaining it requires strict conditions, including a minimum of 5 years of continuous residence in Chile with the right to permanent residency. Additionally, it is necessary to demonstrate knowledge of local culture, integration into public life, and to take an oath. Foreign citizens can obtain a Chilean identity card through one of the following programs:
- By right of birth.
- By right of descent.
- Naturalization.
- For exceptional merits to the country.
Each applicant is thoroughly checked by government institutions. If there are any discrepancies with the conditions or suspicions of a threat to national security, the application is rejected.
Find out more about what the requirements are for applicants and what steps you need to take to guarantee your Chilean passport.
Citizenship
Any foreigner can become a citizen of Chile if they meet the criteria of the current programs. The main requirements are:
- Minimum residency in the country with the right to permanent residence for at least 5 years.
- Having a stable income.
- No criminal record.
- Knowledge of the language.
- Integration into society.
In 2021, a number of legislative amendments were introduced to simplify the process of naturalization and citizenship. All programs are available to Russians and allow for online application.
The online portal of the Chilean immigration service offers convenient functionality for submitting applications and tracking their status. Applicants also have access to detailed information on current requirements, options, and conditions. Thanks to step-by-step instructions, the task can be completed without external assistance.
Explore all the ways to obtain Chilean citizenship, the procedures for its application, and the opportunities available to citizens.
Climate Conditions
The climate diversity in Chile is due to the country's location. In the north, there is the Atacama Desert, the driest desert in the world; in the center, a Mediterranean climate; in Easter Island, a tropical climate; and in the east and south, tundra and glaciers.
While the massive Andes Mountains limit the movement of air masses into the continent, the cold Humboldt Current causes cooling of the water temperatures along the country's coast. The arrival of the El Niño climate anomaly leads to heavy rainfall and flooding.
In the Norte Grande region, the climate is desert-like with minimal precipitation. The temperature varies little throughout the year, averaging around 20°C. Coastal areas experience abundant cloud cover, while inland areas have significant temperature fluctuations with zero humidity and almost no clouds.
In the mountainous regions of Chile, average temperatures change with altitude. The cold climate here is characterized by heavy rainfall in the summer. In the capital of Chile, winters are cold and cloudy, while summers are dry. Annual temperature fluctuations can range from 3°C to 30°C. However, temperatures below -1°C and above 33°C are rare.
The northern part of the country is influenced by a tropical desert climate, where the Atacama Desert is located. Temperatures throughout the year range from -25°C to +42°C.
Demographics
As of 2024, Chile has a population of 9,860,062 people. Currently, there is a natural population increase. The fertility rate is 1.54 children per woman. Net migration adds about 45,000 people per year. Life expectancy is 74.4 years for men and 81.1 years for women. The literacy rate is over 97%.
The population density is 19.9 people per square kilometer. Chile is characterized by uneven population distribution. The majority of the population lives in the central regions of the country, with the highest concentration in the capital (over 5.6 million people). The periphery is sparsely populated. Up to 85% of the population resides in urban areas.
According to statistics, about 53% of the population considers themselves white, 40% are mestizos, and about 10% are indigenous. Overall, the nation was formed from a mix of local indigenous populations with settlers from Europe, primarily Spaniards. The ethnic composition also includes many Italians, Germans, and Croats. Nearly 70% of the population considers themselves descendants of Europeans, while 30% are of indigenous American descent.
The official language of Chile is Spanish, which is the native language of the majority of Chileans. Indigenous minorities have preserved their languages, but communication throughout the country is conducted in Spanish.
More than 66% of the adult population adheres to the Roman Catholic Church. 17% of Chileans belong to evangelical churches (Greek, Persian, Serbian, Ukrainian, Armenian). Atheists and agnostics make up about 12% of the population.
Economy
Chile is one of the most stable and economically developed countries in Latin America. Since 2013, it has been among the high-income countries. It is the only Latin American country that is a member of the OECD.
As of 2023, Chile's GDP amounted to $301 billion. The annual GDP growth rate is 1.1%. GDP per capita is $14,358. The inflation rate is 5.1%. The unemployment rate increased to 9% in 2023. The employment rate is 55.6%. However, there is a shortage of labor in agriculture, mining, and construction.
The largest part of the economy is the service sector (over 60% of GDP). The second largest sector is mining. Copper mining accounts for 20% of Chile's GDP and 60% of its exports. The Escondida copper mine is the largest in the world, producing over 5% of global copper output. Chile is also a major exporter of food products, such as grapes, blueberries, apples, and plums.
Historically, agriculture has been a cornerstone of Chile's economy. Along with forestry and fishing, it makes up more than 5% of the country's GDP. These sectors employ over 14% of the country's workforce. Due to the mountainous terrain, the scope and intensity of agricultural development are limited. Arable land constitutes only 2.62% of the total area. Due to its geographical isolation and strict customs policy, Chile rarely experiences livestock epidemics, which is an advantage in the global market.
In the Economic Freedom Index for 2023, Chile ranked 71st. In terms of competitiveness, Chile's economy is ranked 35th, down from 20th place.
Freedom of Travel (Visa-Free Countries)
In the global passport power ranking, Chile is in 14th place, trailing behind Brazil and Argentina (12th and 13th places, respectively). The Freedom of Movement Index is 162. This means that citizens of Chile can travel visa-free to 106 countries with a stay of up to 180 days. In 48 countries, they can obtain a visa on arrival (up to 120 days), and in 8 countries, they can apply for an electronic authorization (up to 90 days).
Thanks to the MERCOSUR agreement, Chilean citizens have the right to enter all Latin American countries freely for work, permanent residence, or study. Additionally, the Chilean passport guarantees entry to the United States without the complexities of obtaining a Green Card.