Chile Forum

Hi there everyone, quick story incoming
(I think this is my first post, but I do intend on becoming more active).

I grew up with the rest of my fam in Chile before I was even 1 & I have a younger sister who was born there. During that time we became residents. After about 14 - 15 years, we came to USA cause our parents wanted us in a US high school / college. Anyway, I've gone back to Chile just about every other year now to visit for a few months.

My plan right now is to go to Rancagua, Chile to live. I already know where exactly I'll be staying but I was wondering a few things.
I'm no longer a resident of Chile, so I'll technically be limited to the 3 months as a tourist which I can extend by going to Argentina for a day.
I work online so I can be out of USA as long as I need to be, but the business isn't necessarily established in USA as it all takes place online.

I'm purchasing a one way ticket & my brother mentioned the airline will probably ask questions since I'm not a resident.
Should I tell them I intend on running my US business while I'm in Chile or that I'm just going to visit indeterminately? Or perhaps I don't need to tell them anything at all.

Another thing is, I'd like to take a nice desktop computer down to Chile, apart from a laptop & I was wondering if I should build the whole thing beforehand & take it as 1 whole computer (I'm going to be purchasing parts) or take all the parts with me to build once I'm there. A new computer would roughly have 9 - 10 different parts, so it'd be brand new stuff all spread throughout my suitcases.

One last thing which is a bit more offtopic but I'm basically self-employed in what I do & I was wondering if it would be easier to just put everything I do under an newly registered LLC to make it more official if I say I'm going down for business.

I really appreciate any tips / recommendations. I plan to go early/mid August.

Cheers,
TJ

If you're using a US passport, just say you're a tourist or visiting family. And are self employed. Mentioning the business could be problematic. I don't know the policies here, but if you want to set up business here, I would do it after you're in the country.

I'd also buy the computer parts in USA and bring it. It'll be much cheaper. You can buy a case here to save weight if needed, or just get a cheap lightweight case.

bring the PC parts, leave the case, dont declare it on arriving to chile, and just act stupid if htey ask you anything (they usually dont anymore, Computers are off their hit list) dont bring the original boxes for the parts, dont have them wrapped like new, as far as they need to know they are second hand computer parts as a gift for a family member, and valued at $25(below the customs tax limit of $30), but in the last 5 years of me coming to chile with cases full of pc parts, i have never been asked.......

dont mention business, you are visiting chile as a tourist, if the airline asks or gives you problems with the one way ticket, search one way ticket on this forum, their are some links to official websites with information saying you do not need a one way ticket, and you can use that information to shut the airline up......

The one way ticket is not an issue, but do have a credit card and some cash, don't say "oh I don't need money as I'll be working online" you may have to show means of support while you are in country as a tourist a credit card or 2 always answers the question along with $400-500 in cash. I’m a summer tourist every Nov to April and get asked about support once in awhile.

nwdiver wrote:I’m a summer tourist every Nov to April and get asked about support once in awhile.

That's interesting, I've never been asked about support as a 10 year rotating tourist visa "resident" (sshhhh ). This is PDI at SCL passport control asking this? I think some of our younger expats occasionally get questions at the land border with Peru if the accounts here are accurate but I have never had questions of those sorts at Los Libertadores or SCL.

eeuunikkeiexpat wrote:

nwdiver wrote:I’m a summer tourist every Nov to April and get asked about support once in awhile.

That's interesting, I've never been asked about support as a 10 year rotating tourist visa "resident" (sshhhh ). This is PDI at SCL passport control asking this? I think some of our younger expats occasionally get questions at the land border with Peru if the accounts here are accurate but I have never had questions of those sorts at Los Libertadores or SCL.

I have appeared in their computer every Nov for many years, then leave mid January for a week in Mendoza then back in Chile until Easterish, they have asked about my means of support. Yes PDI at SCL, I didn't get asked this year as I flew in privately.

nwdiver wrote:The one way ticket is not an issue, but do have a credit card and some cash, don't say "oh I don't need money as I'll be working online"

That's because technically....technically.... it's illegal to work even "online" while a tourist. Even though nobody has ever heard of anyone being busted for working online while a tourist, and the collective experience base of the readership covers every possible eventuality, it's still not legal unless you get an authorization to work while a tourist. And there is a provision for that. Here is what the authorisation letter looks like (sample):

http://www.interior.gob.cl/transparenci ... 502092.pdf

The application preamble goes like this

La autorización para trabajar con permiso de turismo, se podrá otorgar a quienes tengan la
condición de turista vigente y requieran desarrollar actividades laborales en nuestro país, sean
éstas remuneradas en el país de origen o en Chile.

http://www.extranjeria.gob.cl/filesapp/T3_ISO.pdf

We now open the microphone to those wishing to say that just because it's the law doesn't mean that it is enforced, that you will never in a million years be caught violating this provision if working online in Chile while a tourist. Or something similar.

Well, it is kind of along the lines of where you are doing your business and a very loaded "where you intend to make your tax home". Kind of like executive comes to Chile to fly fish, and the office calls him on his sat phone, is he expected to go get permission to work in Chile? Would anyone care? Will the trout turn him in?

It is written in to almost every free trade agreement also, as almost boiler plate intro text, something along the lines of place of regular work or something to that effect for professionals and technical support. In any case, very low on the priority list of things to worry about.

All readings indicate that this would be hands-on work activity within the Chilean market, not trading your foreign forex account or controlling your US Ebay sales over the Internet or even "managing" a Chile corp which you may be invested in.

INFORMATION ON TOURISM PERMITS:

TOURIST: All foreigners that enter the country with entertainment, health, business, family, religious, or any other similar purpose, will be granted the status of a tourist and that do not have the purpose of immigrating, establishing residence or the development of remunerated activities.

Regarding tourism, there are three basic statuses that may be requested: Tourism Expansion beyond a period of 90 days, the Extension of Tourist Stay, and the authorization to work as a tourist.

In the case of tourists entering the country with the purpose of developing activities involving artistic purposes, they must be represented by natural or juridical person that complies with the requirements of the Ministry of Interior to develop these activities.

http://www.extranjeria.gov.cl/ingles/pe ... rismo.html

INFORMACIÓN DE PERMISOS DE TURISMO

TURISTA: Tiene la calidad de turista todo extranjero que ingrese al país con fines de recreo, deportivos, de salud, de estudios, de gestiones de negocios, familiares, religiosos u otros similares, sin propósito de inmigración, residencia o desarrollo de actividades remuneradas.

En relación con el turismo, existen tres trámites básicos que pueden ser solicitados: Ampliación de Turismo, Prórroga de Turismo y Autorización para Trabajar como Turista.

En el caso de los turistas que vienen a desarrollar actividades con fines artísticos, éstos deben ser representados por personas naturales o jurídicas que cumplan con los requisitos que el Ministerio del Interior exige para el desarrollo de este tipo de actividades.

http://www.extranjeria.gov.cl/permisos_turismo.html




Nothing approaching indirectly recommending a visitor or official resident drive with an expired foreign license and expired IDP permit as 20+ years of experience and a clean driving record prove.

I would go with it has to be a taxable activity in Chile. Not a formal definition, just more of rule of thumb. Would, given your status, this be considered income taxable in Chile, all other things being equal? As a tourist, working online, in a foreign country, being paid in a foreign country, under the 3 year foreign income exemption for new residents, no sales or customers in chile, and so on.

If you are here for years doing it; yea, you are pushing your luck and you know better by then.

Simple and to the point, thanks Charles.

BTW, what is the exact law and fines and other info that would be theoretically brought against you?

Seems this is something the Chilean authorities would want to use against Tompkins, but it obviously is not there to be used if they tried to pass legislation singling him out?

FYI, the fee for this permiso for a USA citizen is $0.