Approval now required for travel outside of Chile when visa, residence applications are under consideration

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Chile has announced that it will require foreign nationals with pending visa or residence applications to seek approval before traveling out of Chile.

What does the change mean? Foreign nationals who need to travel abroad while their applications are in “processing status” must (1) send an email to the Immigration Department five days before travel, (2) attach a letter explaining the reason for the travel, (3) attach a copy of their international travel itinerary and (4) include a receipt for the lodgement of their visa or residence application.

• Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing.
• Visas/permits affected: In-country visa and residence applications, including renewals.
• Who is affected: Foreign nationals with pending visa and residence applications in “processing status” intending to travel outside of Chile.
• Business impact: The change will limit mobility and business travel options for foreign nationals with pending visa applications, especially those seeking to travel out of Chile on short notice.

Additional information: In May, Chile’s Immigration Department eased travel procedures for foreign nationals with pending visa or residence applications. At the time, officials said travel out of Chile would be permitted so long as the individual presented a courier receipt from the post office that sends and receives information from the Immigration Department (Correos de Chile). This changed last week however, and foreign nationals with pending applications now must obtain approval before traveling out of Chile.

Analysis & Comments: The change makes international travel more difficult for foreign nationals with pending visa or residence applications. The challenges may be compounded by the delays applicants are seeing in visa and permit processing. Foreign nationals with pending applications should contact Deloitte about international travel plans for help in seeking approval to travel from the authorities.

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