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Do China passport holders need a visa to visit CL?

Chinese ordinary passport holders need a visa for Chile, applied online via the SAC consular system before travel. Holders of a valid US or Canada visa (6+ months validity, not transit) can enter visa-free for up to 90 days. As of 2026, a Chinese ordinary passport holder generally requires a tourist visa to enter Chile. Applications are submitted online through Chile's Consular Attention System (Sistema de Atencion Consular, SAC) and processed by the nearest Chilean consulate; for Chinese nationals the tourist/business visa is issued no-fee, though consular service charges may still apply in some cases. The big exception: anyone holding any valid (non-transit) US or Canada entry visa with at least six months' remaining validity may enter Chile visa-free for up to 90 days. Chile is not in the Schengen area, so Schengen and ETIAS rules do not apply. Direct airside transit under 24 hours without changing terminals does not require a visa. Tourists receive a Tourist Card (Permanencia Transitoria) on arrival allowing a stay of up to 90 days for non-paid tourism activities.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Consular tourist visa (Permanencia Transitoria / SAC), or visa-free with valid US/Canada visa
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days
per entry
Entries
Single or multiple (set by consulate)
from issue date
Visa fee
No-fee for Chinese tourist/business visa; service charges may apply
consular fee only
Processing time
About 20-30 days
standard track
Validity
Stay up to 90 days; entry validity set by consulate
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Check the US/Canada visa exemption
If you hold any valid (non-transit) US or Canada entry visa with more than 6 months validity, you can enter Chile visa-free for up to 90 days. No consular visa needed.
· Exemption· 90 days
/02
Create an account in the SAC system
If you do not qualify for the exemption, register and log in to Chile's Consular Attention System (SAC) on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs site to start a tourist visa application.
· Online· SAC
/03
Complete the online application form
Fill in personal, passport and travel details, and upload required documents (passport, photo, itinerary, proof of funds, onward ticket, accommodation).
· Form· Documents
/04
Submit and await consulate review
The nearest Chilean consulate reviews the application. You can track status online; processing typically takes about 20-30 days.
· Review· ~20-30 days
/05
Pay any charges and collect the visa
The Chinese tourist visa is no-fee, but if a service charge applies you receive email payment instructions (pay within 30 days). The visa is then affixed or issued.
· No-fee visa· Payment window
/06
Enter Chile and receive the Tourist Card
On arrival the PDI (investigative police) issues a Tourist Card under the Permanencia Transitoria permit, valid up to 90 days. Keep proof of onward travel.
· Arrival· Tourist Card
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

9 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 9 complete
Passport valid 6+ months beyond intended stay
required
Completed SAC online visa application
required
Recent passport-style photo
required
Round-trip or onward departure ticket
required
Proof of accommodation (hotel booking/invitation)
required
Proof of sufficient funds for the trip
required
Travel itinerary
recommended
Valid US or Canada visa (if using the visa-free exemption)
alternative
Travel/medical insurance
recommended
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Chinese tourist/business visaUSD 0No-fee for Chinese nationals per reciprocity
Consular service charge (if applicable)VariesSome consulates may levy a service/handling charge
Stay extension in ChileUSD 100Optional, to extend the 90-day stay via Extranjeria
Total estimateUSD 0USD 0incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa-free via US/Canada visa
Immediate at border
No application needed if you hold a qualifying valid US or Canada visa (6+ months, non-transit).
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
No visa-free agreement for Chinese ordinary passports
China and Chile have no general visa-waiver for ordinary passport holders, so a consular visa is the default.
High
/02
Traveler lacks a US/Canada visa
The 90-day visa-free entry only applies to holders of a valid non-transit US or Canada visa; without one a visa is required.
High
/03
Missing onward/return ticket or proof of funds
Tourists must show onward travel and means of support; lacking these can cause refusal.
Medium
/04
Intends paid activity on a tourist permit
The tourist permit forbids paid work; doing so requires special authorization.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30
China to Chile route verified
Confirmed via Wikipedia visa policy of Chile and SERMIG that Chinese ordinary passport holders need a consular tourist visa (no-fee, via SAC), with a 90-day visa-free exemption for holders of a valid non-transit US or Canada visa. Chile is not Schengen; no ETIAS.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can Chinese citizens enter Chile without a visa?
Only if they hold any valid (non-transit) US or Canada entry visa with at least 6 months remaining validity, which allows visa-free entry for up to 90 days. Otherwise a consular tourist visa is required.
How much does the Chile tourist visa cost for Chinese nationals?+
How long does processing take?+
How long can I stay in Chile as a tourist?+
Is Chile part of the Schengen area or ETIAS?+
Do I need a visa to transit through Chile?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the China passport

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