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South Africa to Chile visa requirements

South African ordinary passport holders do NOT need a visa for tourism in Chile. You are admitted visa-free for up to 90 days under Chile's Permanencia Transitoria (temporary stay) permit, granted free of charge on arrival. As of 2026, South Africa is on Chile's list of visa-exempt nationalities. Ordinary passport holders may enter Chile for tourism, business, or similar short-term purposes without a visa and stay up to 90 days under the Permanencia Transitoria permit issued at the port of entry at no cost. The permit is governed by Law No. 21.325 and administered by Chile's Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (SERMIG). At immigration you will receive a Tarjeta Única Migratoria (electronic entry record) instead of a paper card. You should carry a passport valid for at least six months with blank pages, proof of onward/return travel, and proof of sufficient funds and accommodation. The 90-day stay can be extended once for a further 90 days at the SERMIG/Extranjería for a fee (around USD 100), or you may exit and re-enter. Chile is not part of the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply. No reciprocity fee currently applies to South African passport holders. Always reconfirm with the Chilean Consulate in Pretoria before travel, as policies can change.
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.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Visa-free entry (Permanencia Transitoria permit issued 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 reciprocity fee for South African passport holders)
consular fee only
Processing time
Issued on arrival at immigration
standard track
Validity
90-day stay; extendable once for a further 90 days for ~USD 100
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm your eligibility
Verify you hold a valid South African ordinary passport. South Africa is on Chile's visa-exempt list, so no visa application is needed for a tourist stay of up to 90 days.
· No visa needed· Ordinary passport
/02
Check passport validity and pages
Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay and has at least 2-4 blank pages for stamps.
· 6 months validity· Blank pages
/03
Prepare supporting documents
Arrange a return or onward air ticket, proof of accommodation, and evidence of sufficient funds for your stay. A letter of invitation is recommended if visiting friends or family.
· Return ticket· Proof of funds
/04
Check yellow fever requirements
Chile does not require yellow fever vaccination for direct arrivals, but a certificate may be requested if arriving from or transiting a country with risk of yellow fever. Carry your vaccination card to be safe.
· Yellow fever card
/05
Arrive and receive your permit
On arrival, immigration issues the Permanencia Transitoria permit (electronic Tarjeta Unica Migratoria) granting up to 90 days. Keep the digital record for your departure.
· On arrival· Keep entry record
/06
Extend or exit before 90 days end
To stay longer, request a 90-day extension via SERMIG/Extranjeria (around USD 100) before your permit expires, or exit and re-enter Chile.
· Extension ~USD 100· Do not overstay
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items
Personalized checklist
South Africa -> Chile · Visa-free entry (Permanencia Transitoria permit issued on arrival)
0 / 12 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredSouth African ordinary passport valid 6+ months beyond stay
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredAt least 2-4 blank passport pages
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredReturn or onward air ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RecommendedProof of sufficient funds for the trip
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
recommended
RecommendedProof of accommodation (hotel booking or host address)
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
recommended
OptionalLetter of invitation (if visiting friends/family)
Signed or stamped letter with host contact details and visit arrangements
optional
ConditionalYellow fever vaccination card (if arriving from a risk country)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
conditional
RecommendedTravel/medical insurance for the duration of stay
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RequiredKeep your electronic entry record (Tarjeta Unica Migratoria)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
ConditionalOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Visa-free routes usually do not require a visa form; submit any arrival card or authorization if required.
RequiredConfirmed onward ticket
Ticket or booking showing departure from the transit country within the allowed window
Airlines commonly check this before boarding.
RequiredVisa or entry proof for final destination
Visa, residence permit, eTA, or visa-free proof for the next country
Transit permission can be refused if onward admissibility is unclear.
Official sourcesServicio Nacional de Migraciones (SERMIG) - Tourists / Permanencia TransitoriaVisa policy of Chile - Wikipedia (visa-exempt list including South Africa)Sherpa - Chile visa requirements for South African citizens
Application link included: Visa policy of Chile - Wikipedia (visa-exempt list including South Africa)
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Tourist entry (Permanencia Transitoria)FreeNo visa or reciprocity fee for South African passport holders
Stay extension (prórroga)~USD 100Optional one-time 90-day extension via SERMIG/Extranjeria
Tarjeta Unica Migratoria (entry record)FreeIssued electronically at the port of entry
Total estimate0 — USD 100incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

On-arrival entry
At the border (immediate)
Visa-free admission processed by immigration on arrival; the Permanencia Transitoria permit is granted at the port of entry.
Stay extension request
Allow several weeks
If extending beyond 90 days, apply online via SERMIG before your permit expires; processing can take time, so apply early.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Visa-exempt nationality
South Africa is on Chile's list of countries whose ordinary passport holders may enter without a visa for short tourist stays.
High
/02
Insufficient passport validity
Entry can be refused if the passport is not valid for at least six months or lacks blank pages.
Medium
/03
No proof of onward travel
Travelers without a return/onward ticket may be questioned or denied boarding/entry.
Medium
/04
Overstaying the 90-day permit
Staying beyond the granted period without extension leads to fines and future entry problems.
Low
/05
Yellow fever from a risk country
Arriving from or transiting a yellow-fever-risk country without a certificate can cause entry issues.
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
South Africa to Chile route verified
Confirmed visa-free entry for South African ordinary passport holders for up to 90 days under Chile's Permanencia Transitoria permit, verified against SERMIG and the Chilean visa policy. No reciprocity fee applies.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do South Africans need a visa to visit Chile for tourism?—
No. South African ordinary passport holders are visa-exempt and may enter Chile for tourism for up to 90 days, receiving a Permanencia Transitoria permit on arrival at no cost.
How long can I stay in Chile without a visa?+
Is Chile part of the Schengen area?+
Is there a reciprocity or entry fee for South Africans?+
What documents do I need at the Chilean border?+
Can I work or study on this visa-free entry?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the South Africa passport

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