What is the World’s Best Citizenship Combo?
December 29, 2025
Here’s a question that sounds simple until you really try answering it: What’s the world’s best citizenship combo?
Chile Investor Visa
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Program Type:
Residence by Investment
Processing Time:
2-3 months
Citizenship Timeline:
5 years
Permanent Residency Timeline:
2 years
Physical Presence Required:
None
Citizenship Visa-Free Access:
175 countries
Minimum Contribution:
US$500,000 or 10% company stake
Contribution Options:
Bond Investment, Business Investment, Property Investment
On This Page
Program Overview
Chile Investor Visa
Chile offers temporary residence permits to foreign individuals who either make an investment in excess of US$500,000 in the country. This visa is also available to senior managers employed in a foreign-owned company in Chile.
After two years of holding a temporary Chilean residence permit, the individual can convert their visas to a permanent residence permit.
Following five years of continuous residency in Chile, subject to having spent most of their time in the country, applicants are eligible for Chilean citizenship.
Chilean citizenship comes with a global top 20 passport in terms of visa-free travel, and the right to reside permanently within South America’s Mercosur area.
Chile Investor Visa
How to Qualify
To qualify for Chile’s Investor Visa, the applicant must either:
- Personally invest in excess of US$500,000 in Chile
- Be a senior manager working for a Chilean company in which a foreign investor directly controls at least 10% of the company’s voting rights.
In principle, there is no restriction regarding the asset class, though the applicant will need to obtain a letter of support from the Chilean Foreign Investment Agency.
Chile Investor Visa
Salient Benefits
- Path to citizenship
- Permits dual/multiple citizenship
- Lower cost of living
- Warm climate
- Enhanced business access to large economies
- Short processing time
Chile Investor Visa
Citizenship Timeline and Requirements
Those aiming to ultimately obtain Chilean citizenship should follow the below steps.
After holding a temporary Investor for 2 years, the person may apply for permanent residency.
Permanent residency is valid indefinitely as long as the individual is not absent from Chile for more than two consecutive years. The PR card itself is valid for five years, but is renewable.
After five years of residency in Chile, the applicant is eligible for citizenship, subject to proficiency in Spanish language and the passing of a civics exam.
In practice, the process to obtain the nationality can take up to 2 years.
Browse 195 countries’ paths to citizenship in the hyper-detailed IMI Citizenship Catalog.
Chile Investor Visa
Program Authority and Legal Basis
Applications for this program may be directed to National Migration Service.
Legislation upon which this program is based Law No. 21.325 Migration and Aliens Act 2021.
Chile Investor Visa
IMI Pros Who Can Help You
Chile Investor Visa
Qualifying Real Estate
As noted in the program qualifications above, an investor can qualify for this program with a local property purchase above the minimum investment threshold. View eligible properties curated by IMI and our real estate partners:
Chile Investor Visa
Recent Stories About This Destination
Why Chile Urgently Needs a Citizenship by Investment Program
November 19, 2025
“Chile has the reputation and stability. What’s missing is action,” writes María Esperanza Schorr Donoso.
Trump’s Order to Abolish Birthright Citizenship Driving Families to Latin America
April 22, 2025
According to Alexey Nosovsky, head of iWorld’s legal department, families are increasingly considering birthing programs in Latin America.
Chile Investor Visa
Program Statistics
See more statistics on this program and others in the IMI Data Center.