Job Discussion Forums

englishtou · Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 47 Location: mexico city

I�ve noted lotsa talk about the "carnets",work permits.....Are the immigration people really active in Chile,unlike Argentina?Thanks so much,Frank

koshechka · Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 3:46 pm Post subject: legal stuff

the immigration people are really active although i am not sure what you mean by that. in general, laws are taken much more seriously than say in mexico, where i lived for two years as well. i am not sure about your experience, but puebla was a mess for paperwork. even there i need my fm3 to work. you didn't? here things are a lot easier and a lot less corrupt.
hope this helps

englishtou · Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 47 Location: mexico city

thanx,going to argentina instead....next time you go to mx just teach your own classes,lots easier,no prob

chuckenchile · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 12

You must have a work visa in Chile. That said, they are not that hard to get. Once you have a contract with a school, they should handle getting your work permit. If a school does not give you a contract, even if you are working "free lance", you are working illegally. Once you have your contract, then you mail in your work visa. No lines. You can work as soon as you have a contract and the papers in the mail.

No one is going to kick in your door in Chile and send you out of the country. However, the reason they do not need to do this is that the tax IRS system is so well run that it is nearly impossible to do anything in Chile that will not be reported to the IRS. The IRS is more likely to grab you than the Immigration people. Your RUT number or national ID is more or less your tax number. It is used everywhere in Chile, for everything.

englishtou · Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 47 Location: mexico city

Thank you SOOOO much for this very useful info!!Best,Frank

Trotsie5 · Joined: 17 Mar 2006 Posts: 3 Location: USA

Hey-
Just to let you know, theres a new website in the works, all about teaching English in Chile, specifically Santiago. There, you'll find all sorts of info about work visas for teaching, how-to, etc., as well as information about specific schools... their credibility and info from past teachers. The school I taught at didn't bother with certain teachers. They even made their teachers pay taxes sans visa!!! Some institutes are tricky like that, so be careful.
Anyway, I'll let you know when it goes live, it should be soon!