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| The Chile Information Project |
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CHIP - Chile Information Project: SETTLING IN Overview You've just arrived in Chile, but what do you do next? In this section you will find everything you need to know about getting you're roots planted in Santiago, whether for a short period or for a number of years. Check out the chpaters on visas and the many sections on setting up a new home in Chile. Visas and Immigration: Overview If you want to stay in Chile for more than 90 days you should start thinking about visas. There are various visas to choose from, depending on your reason for being in the country: Tourist Card, Special Work Card, Subject-to-Contract Visa, Student Visa, temporary residency and permanent residency. Do not forget to register your visa so you can receive your Chilean Identification Card (see Registering Your Visa). Tourist Card: Overview If you did not arrange a visa before hand, you will receive a Tourist Card (Tarjeta de Turismo) when you enter Chile. At Santiago's Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport, the Tourist Card is issued at the immigrations desk. For most nationalities the tourism card is free. However, citizens of the U.S. pay US$61, Canadians pay US$55 and Australians US$30. The Tourist Card is valid for 90 days, but if you would like to stay longer, you can purchase a 90 day extension. To obtain the extension, you must present a photocopy of your passport, the original Tourist Card and a US$100 application fee to the Foreign Legalization Service (Departmento de Extranjería). The extension is usually issued upon application. If you leave the country and return, you will be issued a new Tourist Card upon entry. If you enter the country through another port of entry, the duration of the Tourist Card may vary between 30 and 90 days. With a Tourist Card, you cannot technically work or take classes in Chile. You can change your status at the Foreign Legalization Service (Policía Internacional). If you lose your Tourist Card, you must obtain a replacement from the International Police before you are permitted to leave the country. Addresses
Overview If you plan to work in Chile for a short period of time, you can apply for the Special Work Card (Tarjeta Especial de Trabajo). The Special Work Card permits foreigners to work while they are in Chile on a Tourist Card. It also serves as a temporary work visa if you apply for the Subject to Contract Visa. If you are only going to use this visa with the tourist card, you are required to have a 500,000 peso monthly salary (approximately US$800). To receive the Special Work Card, you must have an employment contract stating base pay and the duration of employment. Present a notarized copy of this contract with your Tourist Card and a photocopy of your passport to the Foreign Naturalization Service (Departamento de Extranjería). The Foreign Naturalization Service issues the Special Work Card immediately, but beware of extremely long lines. The fee for the Special Work Card varies depending on nationality. It costs half the price of the Subject to Contract Visa if you simultaneously apply for that visa. The card can be renewed as many times as necessary while the Tourist Card is valid.
The Subject to Contract Visa (Visa Sujeta a Contrato) is the most common work visa. Most Chilean employers hire foreigners under contract. You must present a notarized copy of this contract to the Foreign Legalization Service (Departamento de Extrajería), along with 2 photocopies of your passport, 2 photocopies of you Tourist Card and two 3 x 2 cm photographs with your name and passport number. The cost of the visa varies according to nationality. British citizens pay US$74 and Canadians pay US$102, while for U.S. citizens the visa is free. The employment contract must include a monthly base pay of at least 100,000 pesos (approximately US$160), a clause stating that you will not start working until the visa or a Special Work Card is issued, a clause stating that the employer will pay your return ticket when the contract ends and an agreement for the withholding of taxes. A Subject to Contract Visa is valid for two years, but only as long as you hold a binding employment contract. When the work contract terminates, you have a 30 days before you are required to leave the country or to find new employment. In order to change employers, you must present a letter from your previous employer stating that the contract is invalid, a letter stating your reasons for changing employers and a new employment contract. If the job lasts longer than two years, the visa is renewable. The Subject to Contract Visa application takes about two months to process, but you can apply for a Special Work Card to work in the mean time. Your dependents are also permitted to stay in the country under the terms of the Subject to Contract Visa. Along with the photographs and passport and Tourist Card copies, to obtain a visa for your spouse you must present a marriage certificate and for your children include birth certificates. Dependents may not work unless they obtain a separate visa. After you receive your visa, remember to apply for your Chilean Identification Card (See Registering Your Visa). Addresses
Overview The Temporary Residence Visa (Visa de Residencia Temporaria) is the most flexible visa, but it is more difficult to obtain. This visa does not require a contract with a single employer, so it will not expire if the holder loses his job. It is the most convenient visa for freelance and self-employed visitors to Chile. It is also useful for employees of foreign companies working in Chile. The Temporary Residence Visa is valid for one year and can be renewed only once. After the second year, the holder has to apply for permanent residence if he wants to stay in Chile. It takes about two months to obtain. The cost of the temporary residence visa varies by nationality. Citizens of the United Kingdom pay US$350 and Canadians pay US$102. It is free for U.S. citizens. To obtain the visa, present 2 photocopies of your passport, 2 photocopies of you Tourist Card and two 3 x 2 cm photographs with your name and passport number to the Foreign Legalization Service (Departamento of Extranjería). You will also have to defend your reason for being in Chile. If you are representing a foreign company in Chile, you must present a certificate from your employer stating your purposes in Chile and certificates from any Chilean companies that contracted your company to perform a service. If you are going to be self-employed or work freelance, you must provide a detailed description of the work you intend to perform as well as present letters from three clients stating that they intend to employ you. Your dependents are also permitted to stay in the country under the terms of the Temporary Residence Visa. To obtain a visa for your spouse you must present a marriage certificate and for your children include birth certificates. Dependents may not work unless they obtain a separate visa. After you receive your visa, remember to apply for your Chilean Identification Card (See Registering Your Visa). Addresses
Overview Permanent residency (residencia permanente) allows you to live in Chile indefinitely and pursue any legal activity. You may only apply for legal residency after you have held temporary residency for one year or a student or subject-to-contract visa for two consecutive years. You will are required to apply for permanent residency if you have been a temporary resident for two years. Permanent residence does not expire until you leave the country for more than a year. If you leave the country for a year or longer, your visa expires automatically unless you arrange ahead of time with the Foreign Legalization Service (Departamento de Extranjería). Apply at the Foreign Legalization Service. It takes between six and 12 months for the Foreign Legalization Service to process your application, but as you wait you can work under the terms of temporary residence. Permanent residency costs 7,800 pesos (approximately US$12.50). If your current visa is a subject-to-contract via, you must present a copy of the employment contract, a letter from your employer stating that the contract is in force and your last three salary slips. After you receive your visa, remember to apply for your Chilean Identification Card (See Registering Your Visa). Addresses
Overview The student visa (visa de estudiante) allows you to study at a school or university in Chile. You must enroll yourself in a school before you apply for the visa. Apply for the student visa at the Foreign Legalization Service (Deparamento de Extranjería). To obtain the visa, present two photocopies of your passport, two 3 x 2 cm. photographs with your name and passport number, your proof of enrollment and proof of income or savings. The visa is valid for one year and can be renewed if you present current enrollment at the end of one year. The visa prohibits you from working in Chile, but you can apply for a work permit at the Foreign Legalization Service. The cost of the student visa varies by nationality. The visa is free for U.S. citizens, British citizens must pay US$50 and Canadians pay US$85. After you receive your visa, remember to apply for your Chilean Identification Card (See Registering Your Visa). Addresses
Overview Once you receive your visa, you are required to register it at the International Police (Policia Internacional) and apply for a Chilean Identification Card (Cédula de Identidad). If already had a visa when you came to Chile, you must do this within 30 days of arrival. At the International Police, you must present your passport, and 800 pesos (approximately US$1.30), and three 3X2 cm. photographs bearing your name and passport number. You can ask for I.D. card size photos ("fotos de tamaño carnet") at any photography shop. The International Police will issue you a registration card, which you must bring with one I.D. card sized photo to the Civil Registry (Registro Civil) to receive your Chilean Identification Card. This will cost you 1,060 pesos (approximately US$1.75). Your Chilean Identification Card will henceforth be your official form of identification, which means you must always have it on your person while in Chile. Addresses
Overview Registration at your nation's embassy is an important step when you are getting yourself settled in Santiago. It is as easy to do as it is easy to forget. Registration helps the embassy contact you in case of a large-scale emergency and to keep you informed about tax and election information for citizens abroad. At the U.S. Embassy, an on-line form at http://www.embajadaeeuu.cl/cons/regform.html makes registration almost too easy. For other countries, you should make a brief visit to the embassy to fill out a registration form. Addresses
Overview Relocation agencies aid you in every aspect of an international move. They can help you move your furniture overseas, arrange for your visas and documentation, look for housing in Chile and help you orient yourself in Santiago. Some relocation agencies even provide cross-cultural training to help you get to know the dos and don'ts of Chilean culture. Addresses
Overview Santiago's daily newspaper El Mercurio has the most extensive property listings. The newspaper is on sale at virtually all Santiago’s newsstands. The paper costs 300 pesos (US$0.50) Monday through Saturday and 500 pesos (US$0.85) on Sunday. Check in section B "Economia y Negocios" for the classified ads. The 200 section of the classifieds is for rentals, and 300 is for sales. The paper also has online listings. El Rastro is a publication of classified ads printed twice weekly. You can find it at many newstands for 700 pesos (approximately US$1.15). There are also a number of on-line classified ads and property listings, some of them are offered Santiago's local newspapers and classified publications. Addresses
Overview Furnished apartments cost more per month than unfurnished apartments, but they are convenient if you plan to be in Chile for a short period of time. In the newspaper, furnished apartments are listed as departamentos amoblados. The following companies offer furnished apartments to business travelers. These are generally for shorter-term visitors and cost more money than individual furnished apartments offered in the newspapers. On the other hand, they offer a wide range of services for business people. Addresses
Overview International moving companies will arrange for your furniture to be picked up in your home country, shipped to Chile and brought right to your new home. Some moving companies will move more than your household goods. Decapack, for example, offers to move your car and pets, and will arrange for them to clear customs. Some companies, like Ward Van Lines and Decapack, have associations with relocation agencies to help you get oriented in Santiago. The moving companies below provide both local and international moving services. Packing (embalaje) and storage (almacenaje) are also available at many moving companies. Addresses
Overview Though you can purchase furniture at malls and department stores (See Shopping), some stores offer a more unique furniture selection. Many furniture stores specialize in Oregon pine (pino oregón), which is grown in Chile's southern regions. Addresses
Overview The Chilean telephone market is highly competitive, which means that you have many companies to choose from. If you live in an apartment building, however, you may have no other choice but to go with the company that services the building. To save yourself the trouble, check with your landlord to see if one company exclusively services your building. When you are deciding your telephone provider, you should take a number of factors in to consideration. Many phone companies offer services like voice mail and call waiting for free. Telephone companies also have a selection of telephones. More advanced phones have memory and caller ID. Virtually all phone companies offer their own Internet service or have an agreement with an Internet service provider. VTR offers telephone, Internet and cable TV. Remember: International and long distance charges do not depend on your service provider. See Long-Distance and International Calling for the various companies that provide long distance service. Overview
Overview Gas for your kitchen, water heater and heating system is purchased in tanks called balones. There are a variety of companies that will deliver gas to your door. You will have to pay once for each tank that you want in your house. With replacement, the empty tank is exchanged for a full tank, and you only have to pay for the gas. Tanks usually come in five, 10 and 20 liters. If you live in an apartment with centralized gas, ask your landlord about payment. You may have to pay at local payment centers or your gas bill will be included with other utilities. Warning: check all gas fittings in your home before signing your lease. In older homes, the water heater and space heaters may be dangerous. The government is taking a stronger stance on the safety of these older gas systems. If you demand repairs and improvement, you have the law on your side. Addresses
Overview Discus the water bill with your landlord when you are negotiating the lease. Water may be included in the rent payment, or it may be part of a separate bill that includes garbage called gastos comunes. The tap water in Santiago is generally considered safe to drink, but your body may take some time to get used to the change. We have included suppliers of purified water, Addresses
Overview Santiago's hotels can lie primarily in three areas of the city. There are a number of good hotels in the downtown area. In the borough of Providencia, a few hotels can be found along Avenida Providencia between Pedro de Valdivia and Los Leones. Most of the city's more exclusive five star hotels are on Avenida Kennedy in Las Condes. All hotels except credit cards, but you will avoid paying an 18% tax if you pay for your room in U.S. dollars. Rates are subject to change. Addresses
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