Chile Forum

I came to Chile about 3 years ago. I got a job as a teacher to get a working visa to stay in the country with my girlfriend. After some time I married my girlfriend. When my working visa expired we applied for a permanent resident visa. They gave me the visa with no problem after filling out and turning in all the required paperwork. They told me that it was a "Temporary permanent visa". During this time, I can not get into trouble, change my job, divorce my wife. etc.

My question is: My visa is going to expire on the 3rd of January. Now what do I do?

Do I have to go through the same process with all the paperwork again. Or do they issue the new visa automatically. I'm at a bit of a loss. I really don't want to go and wait 2 hours at the immigration office to find out what I need to do next. So I figured I'd ask here first to see if anyone had any idea.

So, they told you that it was a "Temporary Permanent Visa" -- in English? It must be rather unique sort of visa.

Sounds like what you got was a "Residencia Temporal". Now you need to apply for a "Residencia Definativa".
This you do via post. Download the form from the extranjeria website, fill it it, get all the required documents together (photos, letter, certificates from PDI, copies of passport & carnet etc), and send it via registered mail with correos de chile.

Search the forum for Residencia Definativa and you can find experiences and processes.

rachelmarama wrote:Sounds like what you got was a "Residencia Temporal". Now you need to apply for a "Residencia Definativa".
This you do via post. Download the form from the extranjeria website, fill it it, get all the required documents together (photos, letter, certificates from PDI, copies of passport & carnet etc), and send it via registered mail with correos de chile.

Search the forum for Residencia Definativa and you can find experiences and processes.

Well, I did everything you said and sent in the paperwork today. Thanks for all the help. Now let's hope they give me the visa.