How to study in Chile as a foreign student?

Chilean educational institutions are the most prestigious learning centers in entire Latin and central America. That´s why lots of foreign students jump to Chile every year to build their future. But the admission system of Chilean universities is different from the admission system of other Latin American and European  universities.

Country based students group:

As a foreign student you must fall into any group out of 2 groups. First group is composed of countries that have educational convention with Chile. The countries are Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Spain, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Germany, France and Israel. Click for info Countries with Chile Education convention

Second group include countries that donot have any educational convention with Chile. For example, students from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal belong to second group. Let´s confine my article on the second group. Unlike group 1, diplomas and certificates (both academic and professional) from second group countries are NOT recognized in Chile.

So, how to get certificates recognized?

Chile has a special revalidating system of academic and professional certificates obtained from second group of countries. This very process is done at University of Chile.

Once this process is done successfully, a student is allowed to study in Chile. Even professionals like nurses, advocates and doctors can continue their respective professions in Chile legally.

What is the process?

STEP:1

Foreign students from 2nd group should collect the following documents.

1. Legalized or apostiled original Diplomas or  certificates.

(Legalization process for Bangladeshi students: The Diplomas and certificates should be legalized from Education and Foreign Ministry in Bangladesh and then from Bangladesh Embassy in New Delhi. Finally they should be legalized from Chile Embassy in New Delhi.)

2. Official transcripts indicating details of marks obtained at various areas of study, duration of study, credits. Legalized or apostiled.

3. Original study plan. Legalized or apostiled.

4. Study program. (prospective student should contact the University of Chile)

5. Curriculum Vitae

6. Photocopy of passport

7. Professional certificates. Legalized or apostiled. (e.g., doctors, nurses, lawyers)

8. Application form for revalidation. Available with the university.

While applying, the student must indicate his/her name, grades and country name.

Here it must be mentioned that this revalidation process is only for students who have already finished their Bachelor Degrees (both Pass and Honours) in their home country.

STEP:2

After sending the above documents to the University by e-mail, a student has to wait for 15 days for an answer. The authority will fix up a date for an interview with the student. The interview will take place at University of Chile, Santiago. During the interview, the student must produce all original documents (legalized or apostiled). The fee untill the interview is 2 UTM (approximately USD 150).

If the student is unable to attend the interview physically, he/she may appoint any third party who is legally residing in Chile on his/her behalf. In this case third party must possess a power of attorney, duly legalized by Chilean consulate or apostiled. Third party must carry all original documents of the student for presentation during the interview.

STEP:3

After the successful interview, the competent authority will take 60 days to study, verify and assess all the submitted documents. The fee of this step is 3 UTM (approximately USD 220).

STEP:4

After successful finishing of this process, the university will issue a revalidation certificate. The fee of the certificate is approximately USD100.

With this certificate the student is authorised for admisssion at a Chilean University as a regular student.

Now how to get admission at a Chilean Universitity?

There are lots of public and private universities in Chile. Every university has lots of careers. Among the careers, the notables are Arts, Science, Commerce, visual Arts, Music, Computing, Architecture, Engineering, performing Arts, Medicine, Nursing, Law, etc. For local students, there is an entrance exam which is called PSU. For foreign students this exam is often relaxed. After successful admission, the concerned university will issue an offer letter indicating details of the course. This letter is very important for a student visa.

How to join the class at Chile?

After obtaining the offer letter from a Chilen university, the student should immediately apply for a student resident visa at Chilean Consulate in New Delhi (for Indian and Bangladeshi students) Click for student Visa info Student Visa. It will take at least 15 days to get the visa done. With the student resident visa, the student may travel to Chile with a one way ticket. After arriving in Chile, the student must apply for a Chilean ID card (carnet). Failure to collect this ID card will result in being penalised. In the ID card, there is a Chilean unique RUT number. This RUT number is extremely important for residing in Chile. Student Resident Visa info after arrival in Chile

How can I assist during the whole process?

As a registered translator and interpreter, I am authorised to handle the entire process in Chile (authorised to deal with official files). My company is officially registered with Chilean Impuestos Internos SII (Tax Office) Impuestos Internos. I will provide electronic receipt for any of my services. But I will require legalized or apostiled power of attorney. I may represent the interview on behalf of the student.

Sincerely,
Amar Chand Nath,
Iquique, Chile.

For any clarification, more information or service,
I can be reached at my e-mail: lamithila@gmail.com
Whatsapp: +56 9 5083 4643
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5RuE9c39rY   Chile Visa basic info