Frequently Asked Questions: Residencia Definitiva

Frequently Asked Questions: Residencia Definitiva

1. What is Residencia Definitiva?
It is a permit to reside permanently in Chile that allows you to engage in any lawful activity, with no restricitons other than those established by the legal and regulatory provisions.

2. How to apply for the Residencia Definitiva permit? 
It is requested through tramites.serviciomigraciones.cl by selecting “Solicitud de Residencia Definitiva”. You can either log in with your ClaveÚnica or create an account on the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones website.

3. What documents are required to demonstrate the existence of income?

In the case of dependent workers:
-Payrolls
-Historical letter of obligatory social security contributions, this one issued by the corresponding Pension Fund Administrator.
-Current employment contract. 

In the case of self-employed workers (pensioners, retirees, among others, when applicable)
-Tax folder of the taxpayer, issued by the Internal Revenue Service.
-Contribution card issued by the pertinent Pension Fund Administrator, when contributions are made under that specific pension system.
-Proof of payment of pensions issued for retirement, disability, or other reasons

FINANCIALLY SUPPORTED BY SPOUSE - PARENTS - CHILDREN OR OTHERS (INACTIVE)
1. Affidavit of expenses of the person supporting the applicant.
2. Economic income of the person supporting the applicant.

4. How long do I have to apply for the Residencia Definitiva?
The deadline to apply for the Residencia Definitiva is no more than ninety days before the expiration of the current residence permit. 
It is also possible to apply for and obtain the Residencia Definitiva permit despite the fact that the Residencia Temporal permit held by the applicant is still valid, as long as the period of time that enables it has been fulfilled, as defined for the respective subcategory,  (Art. 62 of the Immigration and Foreigners Regulation).

5. What should I consider when applying for the Residencia Definitiva?

-It is mandatory for users to have an email address and cell phone number.

-The system does not allow incomplete applications. All mandatory documents must be submitted with the application.

-The allowed document format is pdf.

-If the applicant uploads information that does not apply or is incorrect, the application will not be accepted and will not proceed. 

-Any document in a language other than Spanish or English must be translated.

-Criminal or Judicial Record Certificates from the country of origin must be valid for no more than 90 days from the date of issuance. 

-All documents issued abroad or with the respective consular representation in Chile must be apostilled or duly legalized.

6. Can the dependents of a Residencia Temporal holder apply for Residencia Definitiva?
Yes. They can apply without being subject to the established deadlines, as long as the permit holder has complied with the required period of residence according to the immigration subcategory, and the permit allows to apply for Residencia Definitiva.

7. Can my departures from the country affect the time I have to wait to apply for the Residencia Definitiva?
Depending on the range of months of absence from the country, a certain number of months of residence will be required to apply for the Residencia Definitiva (ONLY FOR RESIDENCIAS TEMPORALES REQUESTED AFTER 14.05.2022).

Range of months (absences) 

Number of months (residence) 

Two months of absence or less, continuous or discontinuous.

At least twenty-four months of residence.

From more than two months to six months of absence, continuous or discontinuous.

At least thirty months of residence.

From more than six months to twelve months of absence, continuous or discontinuous.

At least thirty-six months of residence.

More than twelve months of absence, continuous or discontinuous.

Forty-eight months of residence.

8. How can I obtain an extension of my application for Residencia Definitiva in process?
It can be obtained through tramites.extranjeria.gob.cl by logging in with ClaveÚnica and selecting the option “Ampliación de Solicitud de Residencia Definitiva en trámite”. Then the application form must be completed and the requested information must be included.

9. What is the cost of the Residencia Definitiva?
-The general cost of the Residencia Definitiva is $97.978 (It is calculated according to the current Minimum Non Remunerative Income).
-If the foreigner has a Chilean spouse, the benefit is exempt from payment. 
-Minors are exempt from payment.

10. How can I know if the resolution that grants the Residencia Definitiva has been issued?
When the benefit is granted, you will be notified to the email address you declared when you submitted your application.

11. How can I download the Residencia Definitiva Certificate?
With the new regulations, we inform you that the Residencia Definitiva Certificate no longer exists. In order to obtain your identity card, you must present the copy of the Resolución Exenta (Exempt Resolution) that grants the Residencia Definitiva at the Servicio de Registro Civil e Identificación, and also with the notification received by email or by registered letter. This information also applies to children and adolescents.

12. What should I do once my Residencia Definitiva is granted?
Once the benefit is granted, you must make an appointment at the Registro Civil e Identificación within 30 days from the notification of the Resolution that grants the Residencia Definitiva.

13. Are there any limitations to leave and enter the country with an application for Residencia Definitiva in process?
If the requirements have been fulfilled at the time of the application, and it is confirmed that the applicant has a Residencia Definitiva permit in process, there will be no limitations to the number of entries and exits of the national territory, even if the Residencia Temporal Permit is no longer valid.

14. Can the Residencia Definitiva be lost once it has been granted?
The Residencia Definitiva will be tacitly revoked upon being out of the country for a continuous term of more than two years, unless the interested party requests its extension from the respective Chilean consulate, within a term of sixty days prior to the expiration of this term. This extension will be granted only once and will be valid for two years.

15. How can the rectification of the resolution that grants the Residencia Definitiva be made if there is  wrong information?
To make the rectification you must go to tramites.serviciomigraciones.cl select “Rectificación de Resolución que otorga la Residencia Definitiva” and start the process with your ClaveÚnica.

16. If my Residencia Definitiva gets rejected and I am granted a Residencia Temporal permit instead, what should I do?
If you were notified, you can request the reconsideration of your Residencia Definitiva. 

In the following link you will find the requirements: https://serviciomigraciones.cl/residenciadefinitiva/reconsideracionderesidenciadefinitiva/ or accept the granted benefit. 
If you are going to choose the second option, you must download your Estampado Electrónico at https://tramites.extranjeria.gob.cl/ and follow the following instructions:
Once on the institution's website, select “Estampado Electrónico”.

You can download your Estampado Electrónico (EE) with either of these two options:
Download EE with the information from the Exempt Resolution:
-Applicant's date of birth
-Applicant's nationality
-Date of the resolution that granted the benefit
-Number of the resolution that granted the benefit

or Download EE with the information of your identity document: 
-Type of document
-Document with which the application was made
-Country granting the document
-Date of birth of the applicant

17. If my Residencia Definitiva gets rejected and I am granted a Residencia Temporal permit instead, am I entitled to request a refund?
Yes. You have the right to request a refund if the cost of the Residencia Temporal granted is less than the cost paid for the Residencia Definitiva. In addition, the foreigner must have completed the procedure of downloading the Estampado Electrónico of the Residencia Temporal permit granted. To complete the procedure enter HERE with ClaveÚnica.

18. If I leave the country, can I lose my Residencia Definitiva once it has been granted? 
With the entry into force of the new law, the deadlines to stay out of the country have changed. The Residencia Definitiva will be tacitly revoked when being out of the country for a continuous term of more than two years, unless the interested party requests its extension from the respective Chilean consulate. In this case, it must be requested sixty days prior to the expiration of this term. This extension will be granted only once and will be valid for two years.