Chile Forum

Ok, so I've read many different posts on this forum, but I just want to make sure as I'm getting different opinions from people in Chile.

Here's my situation:

I'm moving to Talca for about 6 months to teach at the University of Talca. I need a visa. The person hiring me is telling me that I need to apply for my visa before I arrive in Chile. However, according to this forum, I should just wait til I get there and apply at immigration directly. Is this what I should do? I will have a contract/job offer as soon as I arrive (and they'll send me what I need beforehand also), is that enough to go directly to immigration and get my tourist visa changed to a work visa? Will I have problems getting that temporary work visa (I will be starting classes within a week of arrival, so if it takes 3 months to get a proper work visa, that would be a major problem.)

I appreciate everyone's input. Thanks!

a "visa sujeto a contrato" if that is what you are applying for (?), is much more straight forward than the other types of visas discussed on the forum. In my personal experience, and many expat friends, these are easily processed via your consulate in your home country, though they still take some time. YMMV, and others will probably chime in, but most of the firms here hiring expats on this type of visa get them processed outside of chile before the employee starts working in chile.

I'm not sure what kind of visa I need. I'm just teaching English conversation classes at the University, so I'm not sure if that actually qualifies as needing a "contract worker" visa as I'm not specially qualified, or if I just need a visa that allows me to work in Chile. I think I just need to be able to work legally...?

get a notarized contract from the University when you arrive, go to immigration. In some parts of Chile like Santiago it is even simpler because you just mail it in. The U. is suppose to help you get it, but really not that much involved in it.