Entry Procedures

Many nationalities can enter Chile visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days, with a possible extension. The old paper Tarjeta de Turismo (tourist card) has been digitised, and your entry is registered electronically. Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality, so check the official Chilean immigration sources and your embassy before you travel, as rules can change.

You need a passport that is valid for the duration of your stay in Chile. Many authorities recommend having at least six months of validity remaining as a safety margin, and some airlines apply their own rules. Make sure your passport is in good condition and has blank pages for stamps. Check your specific requirements before you travel.

At the border the PDI (border police) may ask you to show supporting documents besides your passport. These can include a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation (hotel booking or an invitation), evidence of sufficient funds for your stay, and travel insurance. Have these ready to speed up entry.

If you enter or leave Chile carrying cash or negotiable instruments equivalent to US$10,000 or more, you must declare it to customs (Aduana). This applies to any currency combined. Failure to declare can lead to fines or seizure, so complete a cash declaration form when required.

Travellers arriving in Chile have duty-free allowances for personal-use goods such as a reasonable quantity of alcohol and tobacco within set limits. All arriving passengers must complete a sworn customs and agricultural (SAG) declaration. Above the allowances, duties may apply. Check current allowances with Chilean Customs (Aduana) before you travel.

Bring enough of your prescription medicines for your trip, ideally in their original packaging with the prescription or a copy. Some controlled medicines may require a doctor's note explaining your need. Carry medicines in your hand luggage and check the rules with Chilean health authorities before you travel.

No special vaccinations are required to enter Chile for most travellers. It is recommended that your routine vaccinations are up to date, such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-polio and others per your home country schedule. A yellow fever certificate may be requested if you arrive from a risk area. Check with your doctor or a travel clinic well before departure for personalised advice.

Most travellers arrive at Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL). On arrival you go through immigration checks run by the PDI (border police), who register your entry electronically and issue the electronic tourist card. You then pass a customs and SAG agricultural inspection where baggage may be scanned. Have your travel documents ready and follow the signage.

Chile is a very long country, so climates vary hugely from the Atacama Desert in the north to Patagonia in the south; pack for your region and season. Spanish is the main language and English is less widely spoken than in Europe, so a few phrases help. Do not carry any undeclared food or plants across the border because of strict SAG quarantine.