Chile

Residencia Temporal para Jubilados y Rentistas

The Residencia Temporal para Extranjeros Jubilados y Rentistas (Temporary Residence for Retired Foreigners and Rentiers) is a subcategory of Chile's temporary residence permit established under Law No. 21.325 of 2021 (Ley de Migración y Extranjería), specifically Article 70, numeral 12. The program is administered by the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (SERMIG) and targets two categories of foreign nationals: retirees (jubilados) receiving a pension from their country of origin or residence, and rentiers (rentistas) deriving constant income from real estate or financial assets. Notably, unlike many comparable programs worldwide, Chilean law grants all temporary residents — including jubilados and rentistas — the right to engage in paid employment (Article 73, Law No. 21.325).

• For jubilados (retirees): Pension obtained in accordance with the regulations of the country of origin, with income sufficient to cover the applicant's basic needs in Chile as defined by Ministry of Social Development indicators
• For rentistas (rentiers): Constant income derived from exploitation of real estate or financial assets, sufficient to cover basic needs during the stay
• No fixed monetary income threshold is published — adequacy is assessed on a case-by-case basis
• Applications must be submitted from outside Chile
• No minimum age, educational, or professional qualifications required

For jubilados (retirees):

• Valid passport (minimum 1-year validity from application date)
• Criminal record certificate from country of origin (maximum 60 days old, apostilled/legalized, required for applicants aged 18+)
• Recent color photograph (white background, neutral expression)
• Retirement certificate specifying income amount and payment period (apostilled/legalized)
• Most recent pension payment receipt (apostilled/legalized)

For rentistas — real estate income:

• Valid passport and criminal record certificate (as above)
• Ownership certificate from competent authority (not required if property is in Chile)
• Lease contract stipulating regular payments (apostilled/legalized)
• Documents proving lease income

For rentistas — financial assets:

• Valid passport and criminal record certificate (as above)
• Ownership certificate of financial assets (not required if assets are Chilean)
• Documents demonstrating income from financial assets

All documents not in Spanish or English require certified translation. Private documents are valid for 30 days; public documents for 60 days. Files must be uploaded in PDF format (max 2 MB per file).

The initial permit is valid for up to 2 years. Extensions of up to 2 additional years are available and must be applied for within the last 90 days before the current permit expires, from within Chile, through the SERMIG digital portal. Applicants must demonstrate continued retiree or rentier status and sufficient income.

Permanent residency (Residencia Definitiva) is expressly available to this subcategory under Article 70 of Law No. 21.325. Applicants demonstrating pension or passive income may qualify after 12 months of temporary residence rather than the standard 24 months.

Spouse or cohabiting partner and children (under 18, persons with disabilities, or aged 18–24 if studying at state-recognised institutions) may be included as dependants under Article 74 of Law No. 21.325. Dependants are authorised to engage in paid work. The principal applicant must demonstrate income sufficient to maintain all dependants. Family relationships must be proven through apostilled/legalized documentation (marriage or birth certificates).

Foreigners who spend more than 6 months in Chile in a calendar year (or over a period of two years) become tax residents. During the first 3 years of tax residency, only Chilean-source income is taxed; an additional 3-year extension may be requested. After this period, worldwide income is subject to Chile's progressive Global Complementary Tax (0%–40%). Non-residents are taxed only on Chilean-source income at rates of 15% (professional/technical services) or 35% (other income).

Applications must be submitted from outside Chile through SERMIG's Portal de Trámites Digitales (tramites.serviciomigraciones.cl). The process requires:

1. Create an account or authenticate via ClaveÚnica on the SERMIG portal
2. Select "Solicitud de Residencias Temporales para Extranjeros fuera de Chile"
3. Complete the online form and upload all required documents in PDF format
4. Pay the applicable fee through Chile's Treasury portal (fees vary by nationality)
5. Upon approval, receive an electronic stamp (Estampado Electrónico) and enter Chile within 90 days

Upon arrival, holders must apply for a Chilean identity card (Cédula de Identidad) at the Servicio de Registro Civil e Identificación within 30 days of the permit taking effect, and notify SERMIG of any change of address within 30 days.

Links

• https://serviciomigraciones.cl/en/residencia-temporal-permit/subcategories/retired-and-leasers/
• https://serviciomigraciones.cl/en/residencia-temporal-permit/
• https://serviciomigraciones.cl/en/residencia-temporal-permit/extension/

Other Digital Nomad Visas in South America