Chile · Citizenship
Chilean Nationality by Carta de Nacionalización
Foreign residents become Chilean through a carta de nacionalización. Investors and founders follow the same path as other residents: Residencia Definitiva first, then five years of residence and an online application filed from inside Chile.
- Startup route
- No startup visa; investor or work-based temporary residence
- Minimum capital
- USD 500,000 for the investor subcategory
- Permanent residence
- 24 months of temporary residence (12 in some cases)
- Citizenship
- 5 years from the temporary permit's stamping
Carta de nacionalización
Applicants must be 18 or older, hold a valid Residencia Definitiva and have lived in Chile for at least five years, counted from the electronic stamping of the temporary residence that gave rise to their definitive residence. A two-year path exists for people with a qualifying Chilean family tie, such as being married to a Chilean for at least two years. Applications go through the Portal de Trámites Digitales with ClaveÚnica and only from inside Chile. Self-employed applicants add tax compliance records, including the Carpeta Tributaria and a debt certificate from the Treasury. Nationality is granted by exempt decree, and processing takes about three years on average.
- Residence
- 5 years, counted from the temporary permit's stamping
- Family route
- 2 years with a qualifying Chilean family tie
- Status needed
- Valid Residencia Definitiva
- Where to apply
- Online with ClaveÚnica, from inside Chile
- Processing
- About 3 years on average
- Dual nationality
- Allowed; acquiring another is not a loss cause
Requirements
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Hold a valid Residencia Definitiva.
- Have five years of residence in Chile, or two with a qualifying family tie to a Chilean.
- Provide an identity document, a criminal record certificate from the country of origin and a recent photo.
- If self-employed, show tax compliance through the Carpeta Tributaria and a Treasury debt certificate.
How to apply
- Confirm the five-year count from the temporary permit's electronic stamping.
- Apply online with ClaveÚnica while in Chile.
- Respond to any requests during processing.
- Receive the exempt decree granting Chilean nationality.
Dual nationality and investment
SERMIG's list of the ways Chilean nationality can be lost does not include acquiring another nationality. Voluntary renunciation before a Chilean authority takes effect only if the person has already been naturalized in another country, a rule that assumes dual nationality is possible. The carta de nacionalización requirements published by SERMIG do not include renouncing an earlier nationality either. Whether the applicant's country of origin lets them keep its citizenship is a separate question governed by that country's law.
Chile has no citizenship-by-investment program. Investment can open the door to temporary residence through the investor subcategory, but nationality depends on time spent living in Chile and on holding Residencia Definitiva. Naturalization is also optional: SERMIG notes that applying is not an obligation, and holders of Residencia Definitiva already have the right to reside in Chile indefinitely, so some investors choose to remain permanent residents.
Questions and answers
How many years does it take to become a Chilean citizen?
Applicants need five years of residence counted from the electronic stamping of the temporary permit that led to their Residencia Definitiva, and they must hold that definitive residence when applying. SERMIG reports that processing then takes about three years on average, so the full path can span around eight years from first arrival.
Does Chile allow dual citizenship?
Yes. Acquiring another nationality is not among the causes of losing Chilean nationality, and the naturalization requirements do not ask applicants to renounce their earlier nationality. Applicants should still check their country of origin's rules, since some countries withdraw citizenship when a national voluntarily acquires another one.
Can investment shorten the path to Chilean nationality?
No. Chile does not grant nationality for investment, and the five-year residence rule applies to investors like everyone else. The only shorter route is the two-year path for people with a qualifying Chilean family tie, such as at least two years of marriage to a Chilean.
Can I apply for Chilean nationality from abroad?
No. SERMIG accepts carta de nacionalización applications only from within Chile, through the Portal de Trámites Digitales using ClaveÚnica. Applicants need a valid Residencia Definitiva at the time of filing, so long periods abroad around the filing date can complicate the process.
Official sources
- Nacionalidadserviciomigraciones.cl
- Residencia Definitivaserviciomigraciones.cl
- Residencia Temporal subcategoriesserviciomigraciones.cl
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in Chile.
Startup visa
No startup visa; Start-Up Chile funds founders but grants no permit
02Temporary residence
Subcategory 13 for USD 500,000 investors, or Subcategory 2 for salaried work
03Permanent residence
Residencia Definitiva after 24 months of temporary residence
04Citizenship
Carta de nacionalización after 5 years, filed from inside Chile