Job Discussion Forums

[ghostdog]

I am wondering if anyone can offer any first-hand knowledge or advice about either a "temporaria" visa or a mere work permit.

As I understand it, a "subject to contract" visa binds you to one employer and thus is impractical for those of us who serve more than one master.

I have been told that it's possible to get a "temporaria" visa as an independent contractor. This visa is more expensive than the "contract" visa but allows you to work as you wish and be paid through "boletos." (In addition, it was suggested to me that after having this visa for a year it was then possible to apply for permanent residency.)

However, as of yet I've not gotten much help on this from either of my current employers. One seems to be delaying writing the contract which I would need to apply for this visa. The other claims that it's not possible to apply for a temporaria visa unless one falls into a certain category, such as a parent with a child, etc. They have instead advised me to request a work permit from Extranjeria (wherever that may be), which is free for North Americans and which can supposedly be issued without any problems even on a tourist visa. This apparently would entail 3-month border runs to someplace like Mendoza, though.

Can anyone shed any light on this situation? I'm thinking about staying long term and thus wish to be legal and in a position to apply for permanent residency. Thanks very much. (Please feel free to PM me if you prefer.)

[john_n_carolina]

...what city are you planning to stay "long-term"??

we're thinking of moving "long-term" to Vina or Concepcion
in a few years...

but, im a parent with a child, so i suppose i have a different visa...

im going to look for the website for you -- get back to you on this..

[ghostdog]

I'm in Santiago now and expect I will be for a while. That doesn't rule out the rest of the country later on.

Thanks for any info.

[john_n_carolina]

...i talked to a few institutes / univ....you should come on a tourist visa, then during the 3 months, have them fill out a contract etc, and change it to a legal working visa. of course, then you pay taxes (10%), but not bad. if you're staying long term it's better to be legal. Chile is the least corrupt country in S.A. they even give speeding tickets.