Chile entry requirements for Canada passport holders
Verified May 12, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Canadians don't need a visa for tourism or business stays up to 90 days in Chile. Just bring your passport and a return ticket, and you'll get a tourist card on arrival. This policy is in effect for 2026.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your Canadian passport needs to be valid for the entire time you plan to stay in Chile. No minimum validity beyond your departure date is required by Chilean immigration, but airlines may ask for at least 6 months validity — check with your carrier before flying. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Chile | Immigration officers at Santiago (SCL) routinely ask for proof of a return or onward flight. Have a printed or digital copy of your ticket ready — a bus ticket to Argentina or a flight to another country also counts. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Officers may ask where you are staying, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary. Have a hotel confirmation, Airbnb booking, or a letter from a host ready to show. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Evidence of sufficient money for your stay | Chilean immigration can ask to see bank statements, credit cards, or cash. A reasonable daily budget of around $50–$100 USD per day is a safe benchmark. Having a credit card and a recent bank statement on your phone usually satisfies the officer. | Recommended |
Tourist card is not extendable
You cannot extend your 90-day stay. If you need more time, you must leave Chile before the card expires and re-enter, or apply for a different visa beforehand.
Keep your tourist card safe
You must return this card when you leave Chile. Losing it means a trip to the Policía Internacional office at the airport before your flight.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at immigration counter
At Santiago (SCL) or any other airport, join the 'Extranjeros' line. Hand over your passport and return ticket if asked. The officer will stamp your passport and give you a tourist card (Tarjeta de Turismo) valid for up to 90 days.
2
Keep your tourist card safe
You must return this card when you leave Chile. If you lose it, you'll need to get a replacement at the Policía Internacional office before departure.
3
Exit through customs
After immigration, collect your bags and walk through the green (nothing to declare) or red (goods to declare) channel. Standard procedure.
Download Chile Entry Checklist
PDF · Canada Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 12, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue
CostFree (not required for visa-free entry)
Visa-free entry already covers single entry; no need to apply.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity1 year
CostFree (not required for visa-free entry)
Visa-free entry allows multiple entries; no separate visa needed.
Long-stay visa (temporary residence)
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
Cost~$100 USD (estimated)
For longer stays; requires proof of income, health insurance, and clean criminal record.
retirement visa
Temporary Residence Visa for Retirees
1 year, renewable annually
~$100 USD (estimated)
For retirees with a stable pension or income. Requires proof of monthly income of at least ~$1,000 USD and health insurance. Allows long-term stay in Chile.
digital nomad visa
Digital Nomad Visa (Temporary Residence for Remote Workers)
1 year, renewable
~$100 USD (estimated)
For remote workers with income from abroad. Requires proof of employment and income. Allows stay and work remotely in Chile.
work visa
Work Visa (Visa de Trabajo)
1 year, renewable
~$150 USD (estimated)
For those with a job offer from a Chilean company. Requires employer sponsorship and contract. Allows full-time work in Chile.
student visa
Student Visa (Visa de Estudiante)
1 year, renewable
~$100 USD (estimated)
For students enrolled in a recognized Chilean institution. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds. Allows study and part-time work.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Visa-free entry covers single entry; no separate tourist visa needed. | Free (not applicable for visa-free entry) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Visa-free entry covers multiple entries within the validity period. | Free (not applicable for visa-free entry) |
| Stay extension costVisa-free stay is not extendable; must leave and re-enter. | Not available |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstay fines are applied at immigration upon departure; avoid overstaying. | ~$100 USD per day (estimated) |
| Overstay maximum capMaximum fine cap may apply; check with Chilean immigration. | ~$500 USD (estimated) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Chile
No transit visa needed
Canadian passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes in Chile, as long as they remain airside and do not pass through immigration.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsArturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) · Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL)
Health & vaccines for Chile
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis ARecommendedTyphoidConsiderRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, varicella, influenza)EssentialCOVID-19Recommended
Health risks
Altitude sicknessModerate risk
Risk in high-altitude areas like the Andes; acclimatize gradually.
Mosquito-borne diseases (dengue, chikungunya)Low risk
Low risk in most areas; use repellent in rural or tropical regions.
Food and water safetyLow risk
Tap water is generally safe in cities, but bottled water is recommended in rural areas.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Santiago
Departamento de Extranjería y Migración
Av. San Antonio 580, Santiago
Mon–Fri 08:30–14:00
Main office for visa extensions and residency applications; arrive early to avoid long queues.
Valparaíso
Oficina de Extranjería Valparaíso
Calle Cochrane 751, Valparaíso
Mon–Fri 09:00–14:00
Handles immigration matters for the region; bring all required documents.
Practical information for CA travellers
Country basics
CapitalSantiago
LanguageSpanish
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencyChilean peso (CLP)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 897.17 CLP
Time zone
Local timeUTC-3
vs New York+1h
vs Los Angeles+4h
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,LType C (European 2-pin) and Type L (Italian 3-pin) are common.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water is generally safe to drink in urban areas.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No, the tourist card is not extendable. If you want to stay longer, you must leave Chile before the 90 days are up and re-enter, or apply for a different visa before you travel.
You'll be fined when you leave. The fine is roughly 100 USD (about 80,000 CLP) and you may be banned from re-entering for a period. Avoid it.
No, the same visa-free rules apply for business meetings, conferences, and short-term work. But if you're getting paid by a Chilean company, you may need a work visa.
Yes, same visa-free rules apply at land borders. You'll get a tourist card at the border post. Just have your passport and return ticket ready.
You'll likely be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry by Chilean immigration. Renew your passport before you travel.
No, there's no arrival declaration or online pre-registration for Canadians. Just show up with your passport and ticket.
No, the tourist card is free for Canadians. You don't pay anything at immigration.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 12, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.