Chile's Digital Nomad Visa: Navigating the 2026 Policy Revisions

Starting January 1, 2026, Chile implemented significant revisions to its digital nomad visa program, aiming to streamline applications while also adjusting income requirements to better reflect the nation's economic landscape and cost of living. This move follows a period of rapid growth in South America's remote work sector, with Chile itself experiencing a 35% increase in digital nomad inquiries in late 2025 alone, according to migration statistics released by the Chilean Ministry of Interior and Public Security. This article dissects these crucial updates, providing a comprehensive guide for anyone considering the vibrant country as their next remote work destination under the new 2026 regulations.

Quick facts:

Feature	Detail
Income requirement	USD equivalent of CLP 1,800/month (before taxes)
Visa duration	Up to 1 year
Renewable	Yes, for another year
Application fee	CLP 150,000 (approx. USD 170 / EUR 155, subject to exchange rates)
Processing time	30-60 days
Tax rate for holders	0% on foreign-sourced income for the first 12 months, then standard progressive tax
Family members allowed	Yes, dependents can apply for a dependency visa
Path to residency	Possible after 2 years on temporary visas, subject to meeting criteria

What is the Chile digital nomad visa?

The Chile digital nomad visa, officially known as the Temporary Residence Visa for Remote Workers (Visa de Residencia Temporal para Trabajadores Remotos), was initially introduced in 2023 to attract foreign professionals contributing to the global economy from Chilean soil. Its core purpose remains unchanged: to permit individuals earning income from outside Chile to live and work remotely within the country for an extended period. The 2026 policy revisions predominantly focus on refining the eligibility criteria, particularly the financial thresholds, and standardizing the application process to enhance efficiency. Previously, the income requirement was loosely defined, often leading to inconsistent interpretations by consular officials. The new regulations clarify this, providing a concrete figure to reduce ambiguity for applicants and simplify compliance checks for the authorities.

Chile digital nomad visa requirements

The 2026 policy updates have brought more clarity and specific requirements for the Chile digital nomad visa. Applicants must now demonstrate a more substantial and consistent income stream, alongside other standard documentation. These requirements are non-negotiable and form the bedrock of a successful application.

General Eligibility Criteria:

• Nationality: Open to citizens of almost all countries. There are no specific country exclusions for this visa type, unlike some other Chilean visa categories.
• Age: Must be 18 years or older.
• Profession: Must be engaged in an occupation that can be performed remotely. This includes, but is not limited to, freelancers, independent contractors, remote employees working for companies outside Chile, and digital entrepreneurs with clients or businesses domiciled abroad.
• No local employment: The applicant must not be employed by a Chilean company or have Chilean clients. The essence of the digital nomad visa is earning foreign income.

Financial Requirements (Revised for 2026):

Perhaps the most significant change in 2026 is the explicit monthly income threshold. Applicants must now prove a minimum gross monthly income equivalent to CLP 1,800,000 (Chilean Pesos) from sources outside Chile. At current exchange rates (as of late 2025/early 2026), this translates to approximately USD 1,800 or EUR 1,650 per month. This is a slight increase from the implicitly understood