Getting to know | Getting ready for Chile

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We provide a comprehensive guide step by step so you can fulfil all the requirements in order to study and research in Chile

Before you travel | important documents

Visa

German citizens do not need a visa for entering Chile if their planned stay is of no more than 90 days.
Upon entering the country, you will receive a document called “Tarjeta Única Migratoria” from the Chilean Investigation Police (PDI) at the airport. It states inter alia the date when you must leave the country. Without a visa, that date is 90 days after your entrance.
Take care of this document, you will have to present it upon leaving the country or upon starting the process of getting your Chilean ID at the Civil Registry and Identification Service office.

In case a visa is required for your stay, you will need:

A passport that is valid for a period of at least one year from the date on which you apply for the visa.
A criminal record certificate with apostille
Proof of study or research purpose
Proof of financial liquidity during your stay in English or Spanish

We recommend applying for your visa at least two months before your trip.
Visa fee: €84

Where to look for a scholarship

Arriving to Chile

At the airport

Present your passport to the Chilean Investigation Police. If your stay will be of more than 90 days, show your visa document (estampado electrónico). Fill out the form for the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) customs duty.

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Registry

You need to register at the Civil Registry and Identification Service if your stay exceeds 90 days. To do so, you need to seek the Sevice office within 30 days of your entrance to Chile and bring: the Tarjeta Única Migratoria from the airport, the estampado electrónico from your visa and your passport.

The registration fee is of $3.820 CLP and is to be paid in cash.

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Find accomodation and build your network

Once registered, start by finding accommodation through Facebook groups like “ROOM MATE AND FLAT FINDER (CHILE),” “UC students: Finding a flat,” “Germans in Santiago de Chile,” and “Gringos/students/foreigners in Chile.” To stay posted and learn about interesting events visit ucatolica.cl and follow @letras_uc and @ucatolicaoficial on Instagram.

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Public transportation in Santiago

We recommend buying the rechargeable card Tarjeta Bip! for aproximately 2.000CLP at any metro station. It gives you access to all public transport in Santiago. The rate is 730 CLP for one ride and may vary, depending on the time of your ride. You can charge the card using cash only at every metro station. Do not charge more than 20.000 CLP.