Visit (visa exemption): Canadian citizen in United States → Chile
Canadian citizens living in the United States can visit Chile without a visa — you enter as a transitory-stay (Permanencia Transitoria) visitor for up to 90 days, per the official visa table of the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs; carry a valid passport and be ready to show lawful means of subsistence. Living in the US changes nothing — there is no visa to obtain and no Chilean consulate to visit from the United States; the transitory-stay permit is granted on entry regardless of where you live.
Visa-free entry to Chile for short visits — no visa to obtain in advance; the transitory-stay (Permanencia Transitoria) permit is granted on entry with a valid passport.
- Validity
- Visa-free entry — no visa is issued in advance
- Entries
- Visa-free regime (the transitory-stay permit is granted on entry)
- Max stay per visit
- Up to 90 days, extendable once by 90 days inside Chile via the National Migration Service
When to start
Start 3–14 days before your travel date.
The official per-country table of the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists Canada ordinary passports as visa-free (¿Requiere visa?: NO): you enter Chile as a transitory-stay (Permanencia Transitoria) visitor without any visa, application or fee before travelling.
Every transitory-stay visitor must be able to show the border authority lawful means of subsistence for the stay, and the permit cannot outlast your passport's expiry date — travel with a passport that stays valid for your whole visit.
At the border you are admitted as a transitory-stay (Permanencia Transitoria) holder — the permit granted by the National Migration Service authorises a stay of up to 90 days without settling in the country. It can be extended once, by 90 days, inside Chile.
What you'll need
- Valid passport — Your passport must remain valid for the whole visit — the transitory-stay permit cannot outlast the passport's expiry date. ✓ verified
- Proof of lawful means of subsistence — Evidence of enough money for your stay — every transitory-stay entrant must be able to show the border authority lawful means of subsistence. ✓ verified
- For under-18s travelling without both parents: written authorisation — Minors must be accompanied by their mother, father or guardian; otherwise they need a written authorisation from one of them or the competent authority, legalised before the Chilean consular authority or apostilled. ✓ verified·
Where you'll apply
There is nothing to apply for before travelling and no Chilean consulate to visit from the United States — the process is identical regardless of residence; the transitory-stay permit is granted on entry at the Chilean border checkpoint.
Fees
Gotchas to watch
- Visa-free entry does not guarantee admission — the border authority checks your means of subsistence and makes the final decision.
- Transitory-stay holders may not carry out paid activities.
- Since 12 February 2022 you cannot change your stay type inside Chile (e.g. from tourism to work or study) — you must leave and re-enter with the right permit.
- The permit cannot outlast your passport's expiry date — renew a soon-expiring passport before travelling.
