Chile Business Visa - Definitive Guide

There are different kinds of business activities that are done when you have business bonds in different countries. In order to be able to enter the country for carrying out any of the business activities, you will have to acquire a Chile business visa. There are several benefits to this permit. With this visa, you can visit Chile to attend business meetings, exhibitions and conferences, business meetings for a branch of your own company or a sister company, or attend client meetings and other business errands. This visa is not very common and is not normally preferred. The validity offered by this visa is of 6 months and you can stay in the country for 90 days per visit. It can even allow you multiple-entry to Chile.

The process of applying for the business visa to Chile is offline once you have the form online. But before going ahead with the application process, you must make sure that you have all the requirements to be able to apply. You also must match the eligibility criteria as per the guidelines put forth by the embassy. The steps for the application process are given as follows:

• Visit the embassy website and fill out the Chile visa application form online.
• Fill in the information correctly as per the details on your travel documents.
• Attach the copies of required documents online.
• Pay the required fee for the permit.
• The application will then be approved by the Chile Immigration.
• After the approval, you can then submit the rest of the documents along with the original passport that are asked by the Immigration.

While filling out the form, it is important that you provide all the correct information as there are chances that with false or unverifiable information, the visa may get rejected. To avoid the visa rejection for sure, it is better to consult the professionals.

When applying for the visa, there are eligibility criteria that you need to match. The criteria vary depending on the type of visa. The requirements for the business visa to Chile are given as follows:

• You must have proof of business ownership and purpose of visit

• You must have proper proof of your business enterprise to show it to the authorities.
• If you have been invited to a business conference or to attend a business or client meeting, an invitation letter from the company must be provided to the embassy.
• You must meet the health requirements

• You must be healthy enough to travel to Chile.
• You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide a relevant documentary proof.
• You must be within the age limit to be able to apply for a work permit.
• You must meet the character requirements

• You must be of good character and have genuine intentions behind working in Chile.
• You need to provide a relevant documentary proof for the same as well (if asked) in the form of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).
• You must have sufficient funds

• You must possess or have access to sufficient funds to be able to cover your stay and other expenses in Chile.
• Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.

There is a list of documents required for a business visa to Chile. The documents may still vary depending on the purpose of the visit. The common documents are given as follows:

• Original passport with a validity of at least 6 months ahead of the date of travel.
• Visa application form, duly signed
• Coloured photographs as per the photo specifications
• A cover letter with all the required details
• Confirmed flight tickets
• Proof of accommodation - invitation letter, hotel reservation, etc.
• Proof of sufficient funds - bank statement or any other equivalent document.
• Income Tax Returns proof
• Proof of identification - PAN card, Adhaar card
• Letter of recommendation from the organisation where the applicant is working.
• Copy of valid older visas (if any) - USA, UK, Schengen, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Chile.
  

The Chile business visa photo specifications are as follows -

• Two copies must be provided
• Photo size: 4 cm x 5 cm.
• Coloured copy must be provided
• The head must be about 1 to 1.4 inches of the photo frame. 
• Head should well-centred.
• The picture must not be older than 6 months.
• The background must be white
• Neutral expressions
• Glasses are not permitted.
• Headgears are not allowed except for religious reasons.
• Clothing shouldn’t match the background.

When the business visa is being processed, there are several factors that affect the process. The workload on the embassy, type of visa, the approval process and others. Generally, the processing time required for the issuance of the business visa crosses over 20 business days. There are various kinds of documents and there are commercial documents as well whose verification demands time.

The fees for the visa is to be paid to the embassy. The prices range depending on various factors which include the type of the visa, the embassy’s requirements, the urgency of the requirement of the visa and others. The fee is to be paid along the submission of the online application form.

When the application process is complete, 

• If there are any other requirements to be fulfilled or if there are any mistakes in the application, the embassy or the agency must be informed.
• If there are any changes related to the application, for instance, change in marital status or birth of a child, you must inform the embassy/agency.
• You can even check the status of the application and the processing in the meantime. 
• If there is a change of plans, you can withdraw the application.
• The visa fee is generally not refundable.

The embassy will take time to process the documents and after which only the approved visa applications will be processed and passports will be provided with the stamp. Business visa of all requires the most time. If you need to check the status of these processes, you must wait until the processing time. You cannot check the status before 15 days of application. After this period, you can contact the embassy and book yourself an appointment for collecting the processed visa.

After the successful submission of the visa application form and getting the business visa stamp for Chile on your passport, there are certain measures that are to be taken. You must -

• Before you travel

• Make a note of the visa expiry date, as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
• You should travel to Chile within the validity of your visa.
• Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while you are in the country.
• Issue health insurance and travel insurance from a certified company.
• At the Border

• Get your documents checked and your passport verified.
• Obtain the entry stamp on your passport.
• Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
• Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.
• When you enter Chile

• Ensure not to get involved in any kind of employment. You can, however, do volunteer work.
• The business visa does not permit you to employ the residents or reside in the country.
• It is a permit that allows you to only perform business and business-related operations in the country. You are still permitted tourism.
• The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
• Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for the visa extension in time.