Work Visa & Employment Contract in Chile

What this involves

Foreigners who will work in Chile for a Chilean employer need a residence permit that allows paid work. Under Ley 21.325, the migration law in force since 2021, and its regulation (Decreto Supremo 177 of 2022), this is temporary residence for people who enter to carry out lawful remunerated activities. Expats and employers still often call it the "visa sujeta a contrato", the name used under the old system, and search engines reflect that habit. The permit is processed by the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (SERMIG).

Two points surprise most newcomers. First, working on a tourist entry is not allowed, and the law prohibits employers from hiring a foreigner who lacks authorization to work. Second, as a rule a person who arrived as a visitor cannot convert to residence from inside Chile. Planning the sequence of contract, documents and travel is therefore the main job.

What we handle

What your contract needs to say

The application is built on the employment contract, so its content matters. It must be in writing, identify the parties, the position, the place of work, the remuneration and the term, and comply with the Código del Trabajo. A vague contract, a salary that does not match the role or missing social security details can slow the application or cause problems later with the Dirección del Trabajo. We review drafts before they are signed, which is cheaper than correcting them after a rejection.

Rules for employers

Chilean labor law requires that, for employers with more than 25 workers, at least 85 percent of the staff be Chilean, with limited exceptions such as specialized technical personnel. Companies hiring foreign nationals must also check that each person holds a permit that allows work. Remote workers employed by a foreign company and paid abroad raise a different set of questions, including whether a work permit is needed at all. We answer these case by case, and we do not give tax advice, which should come from your accountant.

Employers should also remember that a work permit is tied to a specific activity and period. Changing the job, the employer or the contract terms can require an update or a new application, so we recommend a short check before any change is signed.