Yes, Indians do need a visa for chile as well. Are you surprised?
Chile Visa update for US Visa holders:
Indian citizens with a valid US Visa will now be able to travel to Chile for up to 90 days, with Visa on arrival facility. This is effective 2019 provided the US Visa is valid for at least 6 months and is not a transit Visa.
While this is a great development and brilliant news for Indian passport holders, it probably wouldn’t have helped me too much anyway in 2016 when I applied for Chile Visa as part of my South America adventure because I didn’t have a US Visa either.
My experience of getting Chile Visa during demonetization:
Chile Visa would have been one of the easiest Visas to get, had demonetization been announced a week later in India.
Applying for Chile tourist Visa for Indian citizens from India is a streamlined process that begins at filling the online application on the tramites portal which requires the applicant to attach other standard documents like bank statements, cover letter, itinerary, etc. as they are not accepted in hardcopy later. Successful submission of form does not guarantee a Visa though. The applicant has to wait for the status to change on the portal and based on the outcome – Interview or Payment has to make a trip to New Delhi for further processing including Visa stamping. This can take between 1-2 working days.
Other documents you would require to successfully submit your application are listed below.
Documents required for Chile tourist Visa:
- Website: http://chile.gob.cl/nueva-delhi/en/
- Cost:
- US $50 – Single Entry
- US $81 – Multiple Entry (If you’re planning a road trip or intend to travel to Argentina as well then please choose Multiple entry)
- Processing time: Once the payment is made the Passport is stamped the same day but they mention two working days (So, keep some buffer time). Total turnaround time was 12 days (Would have been way lesser if I was staying in New Delhi)
- Embassy: New Delhi
- Email Id: nuevadelhi@consulado.gob.cl
- Visa Requested: 30 days, Multiple Entry
- Visa Issued: 60 days multiple entry
- Validity: 60 days from the date of arrival but to be used within 90 days of Issue
- Online form: https://tramites.minrel.gov.cl/
- Documents: They don’t accept any hard copy of documents. All the documents are to be uploaded on the online form.
A common problem while filling out the Application for Chile Visa:
I filled the online form which was slightly troublesome because the page wouldn’t respond on my laptop (mac) as it was supposed to. I eventually used my friend’s laptop (Windows) to fill the form.
If you’re facing similar issue, try using a different OS and/or a browser. The form is originally in Spanish and uses on page translation which could be the cause of trouble.
Interview:
I got an email with an interview date 4 working days after submitting the form which came as a surprise to me. I had not read anywhere about an interview in the process of getting a Chile visa for Indians.
The interview date given to me was very close to my flight date (I was flying on the 20th Nov, the interview date was 18th Nov). I was flying out of Mumbai and the only Chile embassy in India is in New Delhi so it was going to be a close call.
I responded to the email requesting for an earlier interview date (I had already attached my flight tickets to the application). I also very subtly informed them of my other Visas being in order (Brazil, Argentina, and Peru) and that only Chile Visa was pending.
I received a response the very next day stating that the interview had been canceled as I had all other visas. The status of my online application then changed to ‘Payable’, in Spanish it would state ‘Pagar‘.
TIP:
Do attach a copy of all your other Visas on your online application even though it’s not asked for. It strengthens your case.
With the lack of resources available back in 2016, I didn’t know what this meant. I wrote to them multiple times for an explanation but received no response this time. Their phone always ends in voicemail which never gets answered. I eventually booked my tickets for Delhi when I couldn’t wait any longer. I received a response the day I was traveling to Delhi.
Chile Embassy Experience in Delhi:
They were really helpful at the embassy though. One of the best embassy experiences I had in India. As soon as my online application was verified (I had carried a hardcopy), I was given a demand draft slip. Had I been able to return with the DD same day, they would have stamped my passport the same day. Unfortunately, I couldn’t.
They had given me the USD 80 equivalent in INR along with the DD slip for the bank that was to be paid at HDFC bank. The bank is not too far from the embassy.
The only issue was getting that DD done as the country was going through a very difficult time with the announcement of demonetization. I was backpacking so did not have a cheque book with me and the cash withdrawal limit was much lesser than what I needed. Also, people had been queueing in banks since days, There was no cash in any of the ATMs I went to. And I did go to quite a lot of them from one end of the city to the other. There was no way I could get the required amount.
A friend who works in a bank helped me out otherwise I don’t think I would have been able to enter Chile at all as attaining Chile Visa for Indians outside the country of residence can be a challenge.
Eventually, everything turned out well and I had all the Visas I was hoping to get minus Uruguay (I eventually didn’t go to that country).
Chile Visa stamping at Delhi embassy:
My passport was stamped with Chile Visa the very same day I submitted the Demand draft. It could take an additional day in a regular scenario. Owing to demonetization chaos they were being accommodating wherever possible.
Step by Step process to fill the online application:
In the video I fill out each column of the online application with you.
While US Visa makes the life of a backpacker so much simpler esp. for the ones with weaker passports like an Indian passport, it’s not the easiest to get and costs $160. I’m all for applying for the Visa but do ask yourself why you need the Visa and be ready to back your story.
I strongly recommend taking a multiple entry visa if you are visiting Argentina as well. It would be cheaper and convenient to cross border with Chile and Argentina couple of times. Unfortunately, I did not know this and got single entry visa. I approached Chile embassy in Buenos Aires to make it multiple entry. They said its like akin to issueing a new visa and will take 20 days. Further they advised, once I enter Chile, it should be easy to do. Lets see how I am going to make to Patagonia and North Chile smoothly and economically.
Fortunately, Argentina Visa is free of cost. Do keep us updated. It would be of great help. I hope it goes smoothly 🙂
Hi Manisha,this is sunny,I want to visit Chile,plz tell me which type of questions chile embassy ask in interview
Hi Sunny, I was not interviewed by the embassy as I already had every other Visa I needed then from other Latin America countries.
Most of the embassies are interested in your intent of travel and enough proof that you would return to your home country.
Hi Manisha,
This is Sachin and I want to travel chile,so Where and what document need Chile embassy in India,also i have USA F1 visa ,also in past I had been to Denmark and Eu country also i had been to south east Asia . So It Is Possible to i get Chile visa .
Thank you
Please go through the post to check list of documents required to apply for Chile.
Hi Manisha !
Would like to know if a transit Visa will be required when my flight goes / comes via London.
I’d be travelling from India.
Thanks !
Hi Akash, I have never flown via London but as far as I know you would need a transit Visa if you’re traveling on Indian passport.
Hey Manisha! Firstly, I’d like to say thanks a TON for all of these posts. It made planning my trip to South America so much easier; you saved me a ton of trouble. 🙂
So, I’m applying for a tourist visa to Chile and I have a couple of small questions about the filling of the forms and some other small details and the embassy won’t answer my calls :/ So, I was wondering if you would be willing to help me with my queries. Should I just post my questions in the comment section here or would you prefer that I reach out to you on some other mode of communication?
Thanks a ton! 😀
Hey, thank you so much for the encouraging words.
I believe it’s better that you post the questions here so someone else with same question could take note as well.
Hi Manisha
i am an Indian national residing in Saudi Arabia , we do not have embassy here its in Jordan which covers this region means we have to fly to Amman for the Visa to be stamped they do not have any DHL service etc.
i have Visas for the most of the countries do i have to upload them .
they have sent me the online link where i have to fill in the form, will the US visit visa will waive chile visa or not.
invitation , stay would be hotel information.
Wife application has to be filled in separately.
kindly if you can shed some advise on this.
Thanks
Habeeb
Hi Habeeb,
Chile Visa is not dependent on US Visa so unfortunately, you would have to apply for Chile Visa. However, I would strongly recommend that you upload your other valid Visas. This may give you an interview waiver at least.
Yes, any contact needed can be your hotel information. And wife’s form would have to be filled separately.
Good luck!
Manisha
Hi Manisha
i want to apply for Chile Tourist Visa but am getting difficulty in Online application where it is asking me to fill the “Contact in Chile”. I don’t have any Invitation from a person in Chile.Is it mandatory to have an Invitation letter even for a Tourist Visa.Kindly guide me through the process.
Thank You
Hi Ahmed,
It’s not mandatory to have invitation letter for tourist Visa. You can give your hostel/accommodation details there.
I had done the same. If you don’t have a hostel booked. Try to book it for one night at least (it doesn’t matter if you cancel them after getting the Visa).
Hi Manisha
Thanks and thanks a lot for your quick response and guidance.
My pleasure and good luck with the Visa. Just an additional tip – If you have any other Latin American Visa, add that. It helped me get rid of the interview I didn’t have time for.
Hello Manisha , Your blog gave a wonderful knowledge about the the country i want to visit. Thanks for to download the page.
I need your help to get visa for chile and argentina. If you have some spare time . Please help.
As i saw on the chile’s counsler’s website, that they need a invitation letter for tourist visa. How we can get invitaion letter and also same i saw on argentina visa site.
Please suggest me the site to apply online .
Thanks & Regards
damanpreet Singh
Hi Damanpreet,
There was no invitation letter required for Chile tourist Visa when I applied in 2016 and neither for Argentina. For Argentina, there is a cover letter required though which has to be mandatorily in Spanish.
thank you for this Manisha ! I had completed the form yesterday and the application status shows as “for paying” . Which is kind of confusing
Hey,
When the status says ‘payable’ then you have to reach the embassy. They would give you a form to make a payment in their account.
Hello Manisha,
Thanks for all the info you have provided. I was wondering if you could give me some more info about your visa experience.
1. I am applying from Bangalore. So I have to travel to Delhi to give them my passport and any personal interview. Do you by any chance know how many days can this take? Like I finish the application online and then get an appointment and go to Delhi to give my passport. How many days will I have to be in Delhi to get the passport back and to get the visa stamped?
2. Do I have to bring any hard copies of supporting documents with me? Like Bank statements, IT return proof etc. Or should I upload all these online?
I apologize for asking all these but there are very few people in the country who has done this process to ask anything about this. And most of the visa agents in Bangalore doesn’t even know what or where Chile is.
Thanks in advance!
Arun
Hi Arun,
Apologies for the delay. I have been traveling. Here is the info that I have on your questions
1. This process is pretty straight forward. Once your online application status has changed to ‘Payable’ you travel to Delhi. At the embassy when your turn comes, they would give you a deposit slip for you to deposit money ($60) into their bank account. So now, you go to the bank, deposit this money. Come back to the embassy with the stamped deposit slip with passport. They would either return the passport the same day or ask you to come the next day. It wouldn’t take more than two days though.
2. No hard copies are needed. Everything is to be uploaded with the form.
Good luck with your Visa. Keep me updated in case there is a change in process 🙂
Thanks Manisha. I spoke to you through facebook message and you helped me out a lot. Grateful for that.
I completed my application and now the status says “Por Pagar” which I assume that I am supposed to make the payment now. Packing my bags to Delhi and fingers crossed.
Unrelated, but I heard that even if you have a B1/B2 US visa and you Peru accepts that for a 180 days stay, the airport immigration authorities do not even care about that and deny entry. They are just not interested in looking at your English documentation apparently. Have you heard anything about these from any fellow travelers. Would be cool if somebody post their experience.
Thanks for everything!
Yes, that means it’s ready for payment.
After the Visa change happened, I know of only one Indian who used it and had no issues entering with US Visa.
My recommendation would be carry the print from Peru embassy website that talks of this change.
While you are in Delhi, you could even ask Peru embassy to issue you a letter that says you can enter on US Visa or ask them to sign a letter that says so.
Although it may not work out but no harm in trying.
On http://chile.gob.cl/nueva-delhi/en/
It says: For Business Visa
Original Invitation letter/ Sponsorship in original from Chile, duly signed with name, address, telephone, etc., of the person to be contacted, and letter head , when the invitation letter comes from the company. The document should be duly notarized and legalized by the Ministry of External Affairs of Chile. Invitation through e-mail not accepted.
if I need to upload all the documents and they dont accept any hard copies then why is invitation letter needed in original.
Hi Vivek,
I have never applied for a Business Visa with any country so I’m not sure of the requirements. However, some countries do expect a notarised document to be scanned and uploaded (even if they don’t need it a physical copy).
Following is being shown on my application status.
Type of Application Visa
Application Status Cerrado
Description Date Management
Cerrar por no pago 7/2/2018 2:11:26 AM
Enviar a Pago 7/2/2018 12:15:47 AM
Asignar Responsable 7/2/2018 12:10:01 AM
what do you think it mean ?
thanks for your help..
It says your application is closed because there was no payment. When the application status was ‘payable’, it was open for payment. You could call and ask if they’ll still accept payment on this application.
I got the status cerrado//what is next process…approved or rejected? please reply me soon.:mail id:vibin.business@gmail.com
I Dr. Vinoth, regarding the Visa process for Chile in the month of June 12 which has been canceled for the invalidity of the passport. I was advised to get a new passport and apply again for and I did. Now, it has been shown on the official website of the chile embassy that my visa process is proved. Though, I am having my passport with me and not attend the interview in Delhi. So I am pleasing you to light me up on this. What should I do further? and when will I be getting my visa interview there…
Visa interview for Chile is not a mandatory step. They at time approve Visa based on past travel history.
If your status is showing as ‘payable’ then you need to visit the embassy in Chile, deposit money in the bank as instructed by the embassy. Once money is deposited in their account, Visa would be given either the same day or next day.
Hi Manisha,
I am traveller like you and happy to see that you made it to Chile and Latin america.
I have been to Peru and Mexico many times and this year i am going to make it to Chile and Argentina as tourist around December 15 to Jan 15. (15 days in chile and 15 in argentina)
My question to you is , Can I use the “Multiple entry Chile Visa” to enter Argentina ? I am not taking any Argentina visa separately and it looks like you also mentioned that its possible so I wanted to just double confirm , if Chile visa is all you need to enter argentina ?
Thanks..
One more Question , I am a wheelchair user( became paraplegic last year) and wanted to explore the trip to chile on wheelchair with a friend from US.
Just wondering if you know how chile was in general for WHeelchair users ? Thanks.. 🙂
One of the first things I had noticed in Latin America was just how wheelchair friendly every place was. From buses to sidewalks. Every singly place had a ramp except maybe Bolivia and some parts of Peru.
Any difficulties there would be rare, you should be good in most parts 🙂
There’s much to learn and implement in India from that part of the world in this regard.
Hey Jaydeep,
Thank you!
I love Mexico and hope I can go back to Peru some day for all the hikes I missed because of my limited Visa.
That’s the beginning of Summer so best time to visit Argentina and Chile.
I’m sorry but that’s not possible. I don’t know where have I indicated that. Please let me know what gives you that idea. I’ll correct it.
Indians need separate Visa for Argentina and Chile to travel there. Chile multiple entry Visa is needed to be able to reenter the country as a lot of places between the two countries require you to pass through the other country. So it’s essential to get both multiple entry Visas.
You have time so I’d recommend you apply for Argentina Visa immediately after Sep 15th. As they wouldn’t accept the applications before 90 days of travel time.
Good luck on your trip.
Hi Manisha,
The application status (I applied three days ago) says Por Pagar which means ‘payable’ but I haven’t received any date for an interview, nor they return my calls or reply back to my emails. So do I directly drop by their embassy?
Thanks a lot,
Great blog by the way!!
Hey,
Yes, do visit the embassy directly. Interview is not a mandatory step for Chile Visa. My interview was cancelled as well after I posted pictures of other Visas.
You should get your Visa the same day or next day of making the payment.
Thank you for acknowledging the work 🙂
Hello, my gf lives in chile and i want to go meet her. I am sorry i am a complete amateur and I have several doubts –
Do i need to go for interview even for travel visa ?
how many days can I stay there on travel visa ?
What are the odds or reasons for which my visa might get rejected ?
Do I need to file ITR ?
How much balance do I need in my account besides ticket costs ( for them to approve visa )?
What do i need to do if I want to marry my gf and settle there ?
thank you. I am very nervous about my travel as I am a complete noob and I haven’t travelled anywhere before.
Interview for Chile Visa is not mandatory. It depends entirely on the embassy.
Usual stay given is 60 days, I’m not sure how does the extension work.
There are multiple reasons for Visa rejection like insufficient funds, potential immigrant threat, etc.
I didn’t file ITR back then but it is mandatory if you have been working for over a year.
Balance depends on the requested duration and style of travel. I had showed about 1.5 lakhs.
I have no idea about settling down in Chile, it would be best if your partner checks this in her home country.
Hey, your blog is great and the information is wonderful.
I am not applying for a visa, but I was going through the visa details for I am writing a comprehensive guide about Chile and wanted to write the visa process. My experience with the visa process is different as I had applied for a temporary residentship visa.
Would link your blog to my post. Thanks for the details. Check out my blog(onmycanvas.com) if you have time.
Thank you for writing in. I’m glad you found value in my writings 🙂
Hey, Can you please elaborate on how to fill the field ” contact in Chile” because it is asking about :
relationship?
name?
surname?
country of residence?
Thankyou in advance. can you please reply ASAP.
I had mentioned my hostel name in that and everything else ‘NA’
Hi Manisha
Thanks for another brilliant post. I am in the midst of filling up the online application form and I came across this mandatory field “Attach Apostille Record Certificate”. Can you please help me understand what this pertains to?
Thanks!
Hey,
I’ve been getting this question quite a lot these days. Unfortunately, it was not a requirement when I applied for Visa.
It would be great if you could update here when you figure out what would suffice for this document title.
Sorry for the late reply. For this apostille document field, I just re-attached my passport and got the visa in 2 days.
Thanks Priyanka and Manisha for your inputs!
Thank you so much for the update,
Ram.
Hey. I have covered this question in my visa guide which could only be written with the help of Manisha’ this blog post and my experiences and my friend’s too. In the apostille, which is a criminal background check, my friend attached her cover letter. When I applied for a temporary residentship, I had to add an apostille certificate which I got by applying from Indian passport website. It is a criminal check which says that you have a clear background and didn’t commit any crimes.
Hope this helps.
On another note, Manisha, do check out my blog here https://www.onmycanvas.com/2018/12/how-score-chile-visa-indian-passport/. I have linked to your article 🙂 I tried sending you an email but my email bounced. Can you send me an email over guptapranky06@gmail.com. So that we can connect. I have a Chile travel extensive guide that could help your readers 🙂
Thank you so much for this information. I’m sure readers would find it useful.
Sorry forgot to mention. But a tourist visa for Chile doesn’t need a background check. You can attach any document in there.
Hey manisha, this is Kamal. I just want to apply for chile tourist visa. So I jusg want to ask, do I upload notarized photocopies of visa, ITR’s etc. While applying online chile tourist visa or do I have to upload scanned copies of original documents but not photo copies of each. Because some documents may be in native language. Please suggest me. I’ll be very thankful to your for your valuable advise and kind attention.
Regards,
Kamal
Scanned copied of each document would be best. I didn’t get any document notarized for Chile.
I’ve applied for Chilean Visa since last 15 days my status hasn’t changed to Por Pagar it’s showing Cerrado. Does it mean my Visa has been rejected ? My wife’s visa has been approved and stamping also done. Could you please enlighten.
The status is as below :
Date 12-24-2018
Passport No. Z******9
Identity card
DNI
Name(s) as shown on the passport ****** *******
Surname(s) as shown on the passport ********
Type of Application Visa
Application Status Cerrado
Record
List with no records
That’s quite strange. Cerrado does mean ‘closed’. Best would be to check with the embassy. I haven’t come across such a scenario before.
Do you have any contact in embassy ?
The email Id given has an automatic reply giving links for Visa status online application etc. what was your visa online status before Por Pagar ? Did you check it ?
No, I don’t.
I don’t recall what the status was before it changed to ‘Payable’ but it was not ‘Closed’.
closed meaning rejected or approved?
Hi,
I am really happy to see all the people getting answers for their quires.
I need to know how many days it will take to issue Temporary Resident Visa.
I applied on May 4,2019.
Interview on May 23,2019.
The status is Assign Responsible.
Please let me know to whom i contact to expedite the visa process.
Hey, I have never applied for a resident Visa so don’t know about that process.
Tourist Visa could not be expedited. You could try writing them an email.
Hi Manisha, Thanks for sharing details here, very helpful. Would you know if PCC is required anymore? Also, is the visit to embassy with passport and stamping passport a same day process or does it spill over to a few.days?
Thanks, Gopa
I was never asked for a PCC in 2016.
My visa processing was done in a day but it was because they were trying to compensate for additional trouble caused by demonetisation.
It can spill over by a day but that’s the most delay. They do accommodate special requests so in case you can’t take another day off, do mention it in the morning while submitting the passport.
I’m planning to visit 7 countries in South America.
I stay in Bangalore and mostly all embassies are in Delhi. I’ve checked with Peru Embassy they’ve told me that I have to come personally and submit my passport for tourist visa.
Now my question is: Is there any way I can apply for multiple countries in South America similar to Schengen visa in Europe.
As I don’t want to go 7 times to Delhi and Submit my passport individually to each embassy.
Unfortunately, there is no single Visa for South America but the good news is in the last three years the Visa norms have changed drastically. On a valid US Visa will give you access to Peru, Chile, Colombia. Ecuador is Visa free, Bolivia Visa can be attained very easily in a day from South America, Brazil intends to go Visa free for Indians from this year (keep an eye out for this).
My strong recommendation would be to try and get US Visa if you are looking at long term travel.
Thanks for reply Manisha,
I’m not planning to Visit either US or Canada as I’ve covered those in past.
My only intention is to cover South America countries which are “Argentina, bolivia,brazil, chile, peru, Colombia and Ecuador”.
Yes, I’ve heard that Brazil have Visa on arrival for Indians and Bolivia too in past.
So, in my scenario: Do, I have to go in every embassy in Delhi to apply for tourist visa(e.g. like 5-6 times)?
I understand you don’t want to visit US or Canada what I’m saying is with the Visa for US or Canada you wouldn’t have to take multiple Visas needed in South America. As some countries (Peru, Colombia, Chile) have Visa free access/ VOA for valid US Visa holders.
If you don’t want to take this route then you would to go to each embassy. Some are in Mumbai as well (Argentina, Brazil) so basis whichever city is more comfortable, you could choose to process Visas there.
Hello, I am trying to apply for visa but i am not able to upload documents. can you help me on this
Please try turning the pop up window on…