Chile Forum

I got an email today from someone that was confused about the need to leave the country after filing for temporary residency, but before immigration approves your application or acknowledges they are reviewing it. We get this question a lot, so I thought I would settle it once and for all.

YOU DO NOT NEED TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY OR RENEW YOUR TOURIST VISA AFTER FILING FOR TEMPORARY VISA APPLICATION!!

When you submit your application, you will be given a receipt of sorts for a certain number of months. If that should expire, and immigration has not approved, rejected, or requested more information regarding your application, you need to go back to the immigration office and they will issue you an extension. Many, many people have this problem especially when immigration in Santiago gets really slow in reviewing applications.

This is a quote from an official ruling we requested from immigration on the issue for our clients:

En la copia de la solicitud que le fue entregada, se específica un plazo de validez del documento, periodo en el cual la Autoridad resolverá su petición, ya sea aprobando o rechazando. La validez del mismo puede ser ampliada, si excede el plazo de resolución.

What does it cost to renew or extend a temporary residence visa application once it expires?

It doesn't cost anything. It also depends on why you need to extend it.

If you for instance did not get your 180 days in one year, then you can extend for another year to get your 180 day requirement done. You must apply for a change to permanent residency within a fairly small window of 3 months, once your temporary residency requirements are completed. There is a point at which you can not extend your temp anymore and must start the process of applying all over again.