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Do France passport holders need a visa to visit CL?

French ordinary passport holders do NOT need a visa for tourism in Chile. They enter visa-free under a "Permanencia Transitoria" (transitory stay) permit for up to 90 days. As of 2026, holders of an ordinary French passport are exempt from a tourist visa for Chile. On arrival, immigration (Policia de Investigaciones, PDI) grants a "Permanencia Transitoria" tourist permit valid for up to 90 days and issues a Tarjeta Unica Migratoria (single migration card) that must be kept for the entire stay and surrendered on departure. There is no entry fee or reciprocity fee for French nationals (Chile abolished the reciprocity fee that previously applied to some nationalities). The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry. Travelers should be ready to show proof of onward/return travel and proof of sufficient funds (a credit card generally suffices); travel insurance is recommended. The 90-day stay may be extended once for a further 90 days for a fee of about USD 100 at the migration service. Chile is not in the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply to this route.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE 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.
France (PR)Living in France as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Visa-free (Permanencia Transitoria tourist permit on arrival)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days per entry
per entry
Entries
Multiple (each entry granted up to 90 days)
from issue date
Visa fee
Free (no visa or entry fee for French nationals)
consular fee only
Processing time
None in advance; permit issued on arrival
standard track
Validity
Permit valid for the 90 days granted on entry; passport must be valid 6+ months beyond entry
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm passport validity
Ensure your French ordinary passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned date of entry into Chile.
· 6-month validity
/02
Book onward/return travel
Arrange and keep proof of a return or onward ticket; Chilean immigration and your airline may ask for it before boarding or on arrival.
· Proof of onward travel
/03
Prepare supporting documents
Have proof of accommodation and proof of sufficient funds (a credit card usually suffices). Travel/health insurance is strongly recommended.
· Funds· Insurance recommended
/04
Travel to Chile
No visa application is required in advance. Fly or arrive at an official border post; ensure your passport is stamped on land crossings.
· No advance visa
/05
Receive entry permit at the border
On arrival, the PDI grants a Permanencia Transitoria permit for up to 90 days and issues the Tarjeta Unica Migratoria. Keep this card safe.
· Tarjeta Unica Migratoria· Up to 90 days
/06
Extend if needed
To stay longer, request an extension (prorroga) of up to 90 additional days at the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones for a fee of about USD 100 before your initial period expires.
· Optional· ~USD 100
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

8 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 8 complete
French ordinary passport valid 6+ months beyond entry date
required
Return or onward travel ticket
required
Proof of sufficient funds (credit card generally accepted)
required
Proof of accommodation / itinerary
recommended
Travel and health insurance
recommended
Tarjeta Unica Migratoria kept for the whole stay
required
Stay within the 90-day Permanencia Transitoria limit
required
Funds for extension fee (~USD 100) if extending
optional
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Tourist visa feeUSD 0No visa required for French nationals
Entry / reciprocity feeUSD 0Chile does not charge French passport holders a reciprocity or entry fee
Stay extension (prorroga)~USD 100Optional, only if extending beyond the initial 90 days
Total estimate00incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Visa-waiver for short stays
Chile exempts French nationals from a tourist visa for stays of up to 90 days under the Permanencia Transitoria regime.
High
/02
No reciprocity fee
Unlike some nationalities in the past, French passport holders pay no entry or reciprocity fee.
High
/03
Onward travel and funds checks
Immigration may request proof of onward travel and sufficient funds before granting entry.
Medium
/04
Land-border stamp requirement
Travelers arriving overland must use an official border post to get a passport stamp and migration card.
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 · major
France to Chile route verified
Confirmed visa-free tourist entry up to 90 days for French ordinary passport holders against Chilean SERMIG and French Ministry of Foreign Affairs sources.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do French citizens need a visa for Chile?
No. Holders of an ordinary French passport can enter Chile for tourism without a visa for up to 90 days under the Permanencia Transitoria permit issued on arrival.
How long can I stay in Chile as a French tourist?+
Is there an entry or reciprocity fee for French travelers?+
What documents do I need at the border?+
Does the Schengen 90/180 rule or ETIAS apply to Chile?+
What is the Tarjeta Unica Migratoria?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the France passport

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