Job Discussion Forums

[kevin_Voros]

I was wondering if someone could shine some light on the teaching in Chile visa situation for me. I'm a Canadian Citizen leaving for Chile on Feb. 21 and I don't have a connection for a job yet. I need a job in order to get a visa before I go (so I've been told). I've been told (by the Embassy) I will not be able to work in Chile, while other sources say that no reputible school hires teachers without a visa. I have also been told that alot of the work as an English teacher does not require a visa. I really don't know what to belive anymore. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Kevin Voros

[Don Alan]

Hello Kevin

From what I know, and I have even read the Chilean government pages about this, is that the embassies say one thing before you leave but they don´t tell the full story. For example, the Chilean embassy in London told me in the past that you need a Visa before you go if you intend to work legally but that´s not true. When you go to Chile you will receive a tourist visa when you first arrive. If then you find a job with a contract they will apply for a work visa for you without problem. This takes about 4 months but in the meantime you are given something temporary. If you don´t find a contract and decide to teach hours here and there you have two options, one is to go to Mendoza, Argentina every 3 months to renew your tourist Visa, another is to appy for a Visa temporaria but to do that you have to have the backing of some employer even though you teach freelance, someone would have to say, I hereby certify that i give so many hours of work to this person each month etc.

I like you was a bit clueless about the visa but since I have looked into it, its not so complicated.