All about the working holiday in Chile!

Chile is a popular backpacker destination with diverse landscapes from Patagonia to Easter Island. Relax in coastal Valparaiso or settle in vibrant Santiago—Chile has it all.
Wherever you are in the process of working holiday preparation, pvtistes.net provides free information and resources to help with your planning and big move.
Working Holiday Visa travel insurance.

We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005 (medical expenses, hospitalization, repatriation…).

1 Eligibility requirements
Age limit

Between 18 and 30 or 35 years old

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Valid passport

A valid passport for the entire duration of your working holiday

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Sufficient funds

Enough to support yourself

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First participation

This must be your first participation

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Mandatory health insurance

Must cover medical and hospitalisation

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Beat the quota

Apply before the annual quota is reached

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Contents
2 FAQ

01. What is the Working Holiday Visa?

WHVs are bilateral accords signed between governments to promote youth mobility and cultural exchange. Participating countries allow young adults to spend a set period of time (usually one year) living and working abroad. Most of the accords are signed between countries in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and East Asia. A WHV encourages cultural exchange alongside the chance to gain valuable work experience, though participants are not obligated to work.

02. Which nationalities are eligible?

Young adults from the following countries can apply for a Working Holiday Visa to Chile:

    Australia, Austria, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Sweden and Switzerland.

    03. What is the application fee?

    The visa application fee varies by nationality.

    • Australians: US$150
    • Canadians: US$135
    • New Zealanders: US$150
    • Irish: US$150
    • French: US$135

    For all other nationalities’ fees, check with the relevant Embassy for more information.

    04. What documents are required for the application?

    The exact list might differ slightly for your nationality, but will generally include:

    • Scan of your passport.
    • Proof of adequate travel medical insurance. (Have questions? Read insurance FAQs.)
    • Proof of sufficient savings.
    • Proof of a return/onward ticket (or additional funds to purchase a ticket at the end of your stay).
    • Proof you have good health (usually a medical certificate) and no criminal record (usually a police certificate).

    Check the details for your citizenship here. The exact requirements will also be listed in your online application.

    05. How long is the visa good for?

    The Working Holiday Visa allows holders to stay up to one year in Chile.

    06. Are there any other requirements I should be aware of?

  • You cannot bring dependents.
  • Once you have entered the country, you have 30 days to register your visa in order to obtain a Chilean ID card for the duration of your stay.
  • Australian citizens will need a basic level of Spanish qualified by the Chilean Consulate. (Source)
  • 07. When do I have to enter the country by?

    You must arrive no later than 90 days from the date the visa is issued at the Chilean Consulate.

    08. Do I need to buy health insurance?

    Yes, you must buy medical and comprehensive hospitalisation insurance for the entirety of your stay in Chile. You will need to buy this at the time of applying and provide proof of insurance during the application process.

    09. Are there any work restrictions?

  • You are not allowed to work for the same employer longer than six months.
  • You are only allowed to study or take part in training courses if the course runs for less than six months.
  • You must find a job in Chile yourself—the Chilean authorities cannot help you find a job.
  • 10. What is pvtistes.net and how can it help me?

    We are a team of current and former working holiday makers dedicated to providing free information and resources about the working holiday, to Chile and other destinations. Read our helpful articles, leave comments if you have questions, and check out our special deals.

    We don’t ask for any money, and neither should anyone else in your application process (besides the embassy/consulate and their official partners). Be very careful of online scams where someone might ask you for an exorbitant amount to help you get your visa. Working Holiday Visas are designed to be relatively easy to obtain yourself, so there is absolutely no need to pay any professional service to do it on your behalf.

    Contents
    3 Applying for your Chile WHV

    Visa applications are never fun, but if you know what steps to anticipate, it doesn’t have to be complicated.

    In our Chile WHV application guide, we walk through 1) applicant eligibility 2) program description and rules 3) and application steps. Be sure to read it in detail so you’re fully prepared.

    How to get a Chile Working Holiday Visa (for all nationalities)
    Useful links
    Contents
    4 Buying health insurance

    As mentioned earlier, all working holiday makers must buy private health insurance that covers medical care and hospitalisation.

    We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They meet the requirements and have covered thousands of working holiday makers over the years.

    Learn more about Globe WHV
    Useful links
    Contents
    5 Opening a Chilean peso account

    Chile’s currency is the Chilean Peso (CLP, CL$). As a foreigner/temporary resident, it will be difficult to open a traditional bank account in Chile. You will instead want to consider an online neo-bank like Wise.

    Wise is an app that offers multi-currency financial services. Customers receive a physical debit card that can be used to withdraw cash at local ATMs or to make payments in CLP. You can also use your Wise account to transfer money to recipients in Chile. These capabilities could be useful in exchanges with your employer or landlord.

    You can register for a Wise account from your home country or once you arrive in Chile. Learn more about Wise.

    Learn more about Wise
    Contents
    6 Finding housing in Chile

    Once your application is approved, you’ll need to think about where to live, especially in the first few days and weeks. If you are planning on renting long term housing, we recommend you wait until you arrive in Chile before paying a deposit or signing anything. Never send money to anyone without seeing the place in person.

    For your first couple of weeks, you could consider Airbnb or hotels. But the most affordable option is going to be youth hostels. You can find some great ones on Hostelworld.

    Find a hostel on Hostelworld
    Useful links
    Contents
    7 Getting ready for departure

    After you get your visa, you will have plenty of things to take care of. Some of them are more urgent than others, so this list breaks down your to-dos, starting with the most urgent to the least. It may seem like a lot, but don’t worry, one step at a time!

    Useful links
    Contents
    8 Read up on other important topics

    As you prepare for your working holiday in Chile, check out our library of free articles and guides. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team has done (or is currently on) a working holiday, so everything we write is from personal experience.

    Library of free articles and guides on the working holiday
    Useful links
    Contents
    9 Language courses and other deals

    This is the perfect chance to learn or brush up on Spanish. Babbel is partnering with pvtistes.net to offer 20% off on language courses (learn more). Also check out our other deals for working holiday makers.

    Learn more about Babbel (-20%)
    Our special offers
    Take advantage of our special offers for flights, banking, money transfers, and language courses.
    Read more
    Contents
    Age limit

    The age limits vary by nationality. You can be up to 35 years old if you are from:

    – Canada
    – Hungary
    – New Zealand
    – Switzerland

    You can be up to 30 years old if you are from Australia, Austria, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, and Sweden.

    Valid passport

    You must have a passport that is valid for the entire duration of your working holiday in Chile. You may also need to prove your passport is valid for at least six months after leaving Chile.

    Sufficient funds

    You must prove that you have sufficient savings to support yourself for at least the initial period of your stay.

    The amount is not always specified, but some nationalities will have to prove a specific amount (e.g. New Zealanders must have US$3,000). Check with your nearest Embassy to confirm the requirement for your nationality.

    See our chapter on budgeting for an idea of how much more savings you should have for a working holiday.

    First participation

    This must be your first participation. If you have already been in Chile on a working holiday, then you cannot apply again.

    Mandatory health insurance

    You must have medical and comprehensive hospitalisation insurance for the duration of the 12 month Working Holiday. You must provide proof of insurance at the time of applying.

    Beat the quota

    Apply before the annual quota is reached. Chile sets an annual quota by nationality for the number of Working Holiday Visas issued.

    – Australians: 3,400
    – Canadians: 750
    – French: 400
    – Irish: 200
    – New Zealanders: 940

    For all other nationalities’ quotas, check with the relevant Embassy for more information.