Swoop says
We are committed to keeping you up to date with the most important updates from Chile. We are in touch with our partners and contacts on the ground and are monitoring official government websites and the local news. We will update this guide with any significant changes.
The latest from Chile
Santiago, Chile
As of the 1st of September 2022, the following currently applies:
- Vaccinated travellers are required to show a Local Vaccination Certificate* upon entry to Chile, which must show that you are fully vaccinated (the affidavit for travellers online declaration form is no longer required)
- The Local Vaccination Certificate* has replaced the Mobility Pass and should be carried at all times
- Non-vaccinated individuals are required to show a negative PCR test result (no older than 48 hours) to be able to enter the country
- Random Covid-19 testing continues to be conducted at the country's borders upon entering
- Travellers under 18 years of age have no requirements to enter Chile
*This is simply the certificate that you are given when you receive your vaccinations in your home country, at your local vaccination centre. It may be in a digital or printed format. It isn't something you have to apply for specifically.
VAT payments in Chile
At present in Chile, tourists are not charged VAT (19% in Chile) for their hotel/accommodation rates. This is controlled by the hotel itself, via the customer's passport stamp and immigration paper receipt.
In Chile, the immigration slip (with the letters PDI printed at the top) must be shown upon checking in to your hotels/ships and will be returned to the immigration authorities upon leaving the country. It is essential you do not lose this small piece of paper during your stay in Chile. If you do lose this document you will have to submit a lengthy online application for a replacement slip.
To avoid doubt, neither Swoop nor our local partners will be held liable for any surcharges or any taxes, including VAT or its equivalent, that may be applied as a result of national or regional government policies. Such governmental policies can be modified at short notice and without prior notification.
Proof of Financial Solvency
Upon arrival in Chile you may be asked to prove that you have sufficient funds for the duration of your trip. As of February 2023 the Chilean Government has set this at USD $46/day per person, but this amount may change over time.
In our experience, this measure has not been thoroughly enforced, but you may nevertheless be asked to show credit cards, cash and/or a bank statement, possibly alongside your itinerary, to confirm your financial viability to travel in Chile.
Chilean pesos
PCR testing at the airport
On arrival in Chile, 50% of people are being asked to take a PCR test in the airport. This is randomised and you could be chosen even if you have received a booster dose of the vaccine within 6 months of travelling. Currently, the PCR test randomly administered to some tourists on arrival is free of charge and has been for many months. However, it is possible that this may change in the future with little or no notice to be chargeable. The Chilean authorities have not yet stated how long it will take for results to be shared, but we anticipate it could take around 24 hours.
Children under the age of 18 may enter, even if not vaccinated, so long as they are accompanied by a vaccinated adult or adults. Children above the age of 2 will need to PCR test on arrival.
International travellers landing in Chile are no longer required to isolate after entering the country, even if they are waiting for a PCR test result. Only those who return a positive PCR test result are required to isolate (for 5 days).
Travel insurance
Whilst travel insurance is no longer an official requirement of the Chilean government when entering Chile (official source), all international travellers are strongly recommended by the Chilean authorities to have medical insurance which covers any expenses relating to Covid-19.
Bear in mind that Chile has previously had a requirement for a fixed level of medical insurance for Covid-19, so although they have currently dropped this requirement, we are conscious that it could be brought back if the situation changes.
Here at Swoop, we require all customers to have adequate insurance and your Patagonia operator(s) will also have their own requirements with which you need to comply. Finally, we recommend that you carry a printout of your policy (and possibly a spare copy in case you lose one).
Swoop says
We recommend bringing printed copies of all essential documents where possible. If you are relying on your phone, only to discover the battery has drained, or you don't have a signal or WIFI when you need it, this might add unnecessary stress to your journey.
Visas & travel documentation
Passports
We recommend that all visitors to Chile and Argentina have a valid passport for at least the entire duration of your trip, considering any possible delays that could occur on your trip.
Please check with the relevant authority (embassy and/or airline) for any specific requirements or restrictions, if you are in any doubt and/or if your passport will be close to expiring at the return date of your trip.
Visas
Citizens of the European Union, the UK, the United States and Canada (among other countries), will not be required to apply for a visa when travelling to Chile. If you travel from certain countries not mentioned above, including Australia, you may need to apply for a visa - check with your local embassy. You can find your nearest Chilean embassy here.
If you are not required to apply for a visa, you will be issued a tourist card, or 'Tarjeta de Turismo', on arrival in Chile, which will last 90 days. This is an A5-sized white piece of paper/immigration slip (with the letters PDI printed at the top). As mentioned in VAT payments above, you must retain this document and present it to immigration when you leave.
Travelling families
In an effort to prevent international child abduction, Chile has put in place strict requirements for the entry/exit of minors under the age of 18. Even when the minor is travelling with both parents, the parents will be required to show evidence of their relationship to the child when departing the country. Please carry an original, certified or authenticated birth certificate.
If only one parent is travelling with a minor, a legal authorisation to take the child abroad will be required, too. This permit must be signed by the parent or parents that are not travelling.
Please consult your nearest Chilean embassy for the latest and exact requirements that this documentation must include.
Enjoying expansive views whilst road tripping in Chile's Aysen region
Reciprocity fees
If you are a US, UK, Canadian or Australian national you won’t need to pay a reciprocity fee to enter Chile. Some other nationalities may need to pay a fee, so do check with the Chilean embassy in your home country.
If you need to pay a fee, you must do so on arrival at the airport, either in US Dollars or by credit card. If you enter Chile by land, you will not need to pay a reciprocity fee.
Contact
The Chilean government has published the following telephone numbers for international travellers who need assistance regarding Covid:19:
+56 22 8717800 (when calling from your home country)
800 123 668 (when calling whilst in Chile)
Calls are answered both in English and Spanish.
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Sources
Chile Turismo, Requirements for entering Chile, <https://chile.travel/en/traveltochileplan>
Chilean Government, Request your mobility pass, <https://mevacuno.gob.cl/>
Chilean Ministry of Health, C-19 Health Passport, Travellers from abroad, <https://www.c19.cl/llegada-internacional.html>
Disclaimer
Information provided by Swoop is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time only, but in this fast-changing environment, we cannot be held responsible for changes not immediately reflected on this website or in information shared with you. Customers should undertake their own research appropriate to their individual circumstances before making final decisions.
Where links to government, operators or other third-party sites are provided, again this information is accurate and up-to-date to the best of our knowledge, but we cannot be held responsible for third-party content.