Moving to Chile for settlement? Interested to get a suitable job? If yes, you have taken an excellent decision to build up a shining future in the richest country in Latin world.
But Chilean work visa is a complex one for those who have little knowledge on Chilean immigration and labour law.
It is always wise to 'look before you leap' before boarding a flight to Chile. You may bear the risk of returning for updating your professional diplomas to grab a job in Chile.
What is a Chilean Work Visa?
Work in Chile is very disciplined. Neither the employee nor the employer can bother each other in any way because the labour law is very strict here. In every city there exists the Ministry of Labour where it is free to lodge a complain file. The inspectors check the complains and personally visit the work place to investigate into the lodged complain. If any irregularity is found, he imposes penalty.
The work visa of Chile should be caterorized into two types. First: The visa that can be obtained after coming to Chile with any other visa (tourist, business, student, etc.) Second: The visa that can be obtained before coming into Chile. This type of visa is a residence visa.
The former visa is a residence visa or residence permit. The processing steps are:
1. Make a work contract at a local notary office with an employer in Chile. The employer may be a person or a company owner. One can employ a foreigner for his personal household work also.
2. Collect documents like passport copy with Chilean existing visa, entry receipt, photos, etc. Note that while applying for residence visa, you must live in Chile legally. If you are living illegally or your visa is expired, you should contact intendencia office. They will check the visa and will fix up a fine payable to a local bank.
3. Fill up the residence permit application form. Available at Immigration website.
4. Go to immigration locally called migracion office. The officer will check the documents and receive the papers. They will upload the application into their visa system. After uploading you may check the visa status yourself by entering your vital data into consultation page online. Click Visa consultation page
The latter is a quite different process. In this case, you need to search a job in Chile. You may search online or by anyone who is living in Chile. Note that there are plenty of jobs but not all of them are published online. Only the big ones are found in the internet. The best way is to make the search by your relative in Chile.
When you find a suitable job, you should employ a local lawyer who will prepare the work contract. You need to send your passport copy because the contract will be prepared using your passport details. The prospective employer will sign but your signing place will remain empty. Then this incomplete contract should be sent to you in original by courier. After receiving this, you are required to go to any Chilean consulate to get it signed and legalised by the related officer. After the signing and legalization you may apply for a work visa at the same consulate. (The link is about the student visa information but also about the visa application process.) Click here Visa Application system
What jobs are available in Chile?
The available jobs should be classified into two groups. The professional or skilled work and the unskilled work. The professional jobs belong to advocate, doctor, IT specialist, trainer, marketing personal, nurse, engineer, architect, English teacher, tourist guide, travel related professional etc. Know how to validate or revalidate your professional diplomas and certificates. Click for info Revalidate foreign diplomas
Unskilled works belong to salesman, hotel work, cook, carpenter, painter, electrician, helper, driver, domestic worker, cleaner, security personal etc.
Chile is famous for Grape and apple plantation. There are lots of available works. Additionally, Chile has copper mines that require lot of workers. Note that there exist many related institutes that train the unskilled workers. Many odd jobs are available in the sea ports.
What about salary?
Chile practises a regulation about the minimum wage. Nobody can pay below the range. Right now this lowest wage or salary is 276,000 Chilean pesos ($409) effective Jan. 1, 2018. Check you updated information. Click here Ministry of Labour
The employer is responsible to pay the worker's monthly medical insurance, pension and tax. This applies to all kinds of works. Failure to pay the related payments timely will invite heavy fine even the termination of visa even if approved.
How can I help?
I am officially authorised to translate, interpret and handle any kind of legal documents within Chile. I can search jobs according to the need of any one. I can negotiate, look for lawyer and arrange work contract. I can also apply visa on behalf of the applicant. But for each case, I will need legal power of attorney specifying the work. I will offer official electronic receipt for all kinds of service.
If you require any explanation to any point mentioned above, feel free to contact me.
e-mail: buildfutureinchile@gmail.com, lamithila@gmail.com
Whatsapp: +56 9 8644 5624
Disclaimer:
The content of my articles is for informational purposes only. I am not expert nor do I claim to be. My articles are opinion based articles and should be taken as such. I will not be held liable for decisions users make based off the content of my articles. Please do your research before accepting any information as fact.
