Pathway

Chile Student Residence

Chile Residency

Updated October 5, 2026

Pathway overview

At a glance

Chile’s student residence route is for confirmed students at state-recognized institutions with financial support for their stay. It also allows lawful paid work for up to 30 hours a week.

Admission: State-recognized educational institution
Support: Student or sponsor funding
Application: Generally from outside Chile

Summary

If you are enrolled at a state-recognized educational institution in Chile, you can apply for student residence. You need confirmation of your place and proof of how you will pay for your stay.

The permission allows lawful paid work for up to 30 hours a week, but you must remain a qualifying student. Apply through the initial procedure from outside Chile.

Apply from abroad with confirmed enrollment

Confirm your place at a recognized institution Obtain the certificate of enrollment or regular student status.
Prepare funding and personal records Prepare support, passport, and the required authenticated background records.
Apply through SERMIG from abroad Keep continuing-study and support evidence for later renewal.

The work allowance does not replace the educational basis. Leaving the course requires a separate immigration-status assessment.

Eligibility

The institution must be recognized by the state. The published checklist asks for a certificate of enrollment or regular student status, rather than an application awaiting a decision.

Evidence can include bank funds, regular transfers, a financial-support commitment from an eligible sponsor, or a scholarship identifying its duration, funding, and institution.

The published initial student procedure is an application from outside Chile. It requires a passport with at least one year of validity, a photograph, and applicable recent background records. Foreign documents must meet the authentication and translation rules.

What This Route Allows

If approved, you can live in Chile for your studies and do lawful paid work for up to 30 hours a week. You can apply to renew while you continue to meet the study and financial-support requirements.

What This Route Is Not

This is not full-time work permission or a guaranteed graduate visa. Losing regular student status can put the residence permission at risk.

Next Steps

Obtain your enrollment or regular-student certificate and confirm the course dates.
Prepare proof of funding, your passport, photograph, and the required background records.
Arrange document authentication and translations under the official rules.
Apply from abroad through SERMIG’s online portal. Keep study and support records for renewal.