All about the working holiday in Chile!
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005 (medical expenses, hospitalization, repatriation…).
Between 18 and 30 or 35 years old
A valid passport for the entire duration of your working holiday
At least US$3,000 or equivalent in another currency
This must be your first participation
Must cover medical and hospitalisation
Apply before the annual quota is reached
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?
As well as proof of passport validity, health insurance and sufficient funds, you may be asked to provide:
- A police certificate satisfactory to Chile’s character requirements
- A medical examination signed by a registered medical practitioner and dated within 30 days prior to date of application, confirming you are in good health/free of any contagious disease
- A passport sized photograph
- A cover letter addressed to the Chilean Consulate
- Proof of a return ticket (or additional funds to purchase a ticket at the end of your stay)
- Proof of accommodation for the beginning of your stay
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?
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?
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.
11. Where can I apply?
You can apply online at the official website, selecting the nearest Chilean Consulate in your area of residence on the form.
Although you can apply online, you will need to attend your nearest Chilean Consulate in person to obtain the visa once your application has been approved.
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.
- Chapter 5: Getting WHV health insurance
- Everything You Need to Know About Insurance for Working Holiday and Other Adventures Abroad
- What to have in your Working Holiday adventure first-aid kit
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.
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.
- Chapter 6: Booking housing for your arrival
- 7 Tips for finding housing during your working holiday abroad
- Couchsurfing Abroad
Once your application is approved, 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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
You must show savings of at least US$3,000 (or the equivalent in another currency) to support yourself while in Chile. You can use bank statements, credit card statements, travel cheques or money orders to provide proof of funds.
See our chapter on budgeting for an idea of how much more savings you should have for a working holiday.
This must be your first participation. If you have already been in Chile on a working holiday, then you cannot apply again.
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.
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.