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Chile Visa for United States Citizens 2026

Visa Free

US citizens can enter Chile visa-free for stays of up to 90 days as a tourist, with only a valid passport required at the border.

Guide last updated October 1, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for the duration of your stay (Chile does not require extra validity beyond your departure date, though 6 months is good practice).
  • No visa application form - only the standard electronic or paper arrival/customs declaration (Declaracion Jurada) completed before or on arrival.
  • Proof of sufficient funds is rarely checked but a credit card or modest cash reserve is sensible.
  • Return or onward ticket can be requested by immigration or your airline.
  • Hotel booking or host address if requested.
  • No photo required for entry.
  • No biometrics collected from US citizens at the border.
  • Travel health insurance is not mandatory but recommended for the length of your stay.

Visa types

  • No visa is needed for tourism or short business trips - entry is granted as a visitor under the visa-waiver arrangement.
  • Tourist/business stay: up to 90 days, free of charge, multiple entries permitted within any 12-month period subject to immigration discretion.
  • Student or work visas are a separate category requiring advance application through a Chilean consulate if staying longer or working.

Entry conditions

  • Immigration typically grants 90 days on entry, stamped in your passport or recorded electronically via the Tarjeta Unica Migratoria.
  • Working is not permitted under tourist entry.
  • You may be asked about your trip's purpose, accommodation, and onward travel at the border.
  • Extensions of 90 more days (for a total of up to 180 days per year) can be requested at a regional immigration office (Extranjeria) for a fee of around USD 100, processed in about 1-2 weeks.

Fees & processing time

  • No visa fee for the initial 90-day entry since the route is visa-free.
  • Extension fee: approximately USD 100 (paid in Chilean pesos), filed at a local Extranjeria office.
  • No VFS/BLS service fees apply to this route.
  • Processing for an extension typically takes 1-2 weeks; the entry itself is processed immediately at the border.

Tips for United States travelers

  • Keep your entry slip (Tarjeta Unica Migratoria confirmation) - you may need to show it when departing.
  • Entry refusals are uncommon for US citizens but can happen if you can't demonstrate onward travel plans or sufficient funds.
  • There's no VFS/BLS decision needed since no visa application is involved.
  • Check for any current bilateral travel notices, though US-Chile relations are generally visa-friendly with no recent restrictions.
  • If you want to extend your stay, apply at Extranjeria before your 90 days expire to avoid overstay fines, which are charged per day past the authorized period.

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

More visa guides for United States passport holders

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This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.