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Study in Chile

Chile’s illustrious list of natural sights includes some of the finest on the planet, and the country has begun to establish itself as a study destination too. Chile’s universities, many of which are located in Santiago, the capital city, arguably include two of the most prestigious in the whole continent: the University of Chile and the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Many courses aimed at international students are available.

In total, there are around 25 state universities in Chile, plus a rising number of private institutions. Santiago enjoys rapidly improving transport infrastructure, lower crime rates than most South American capitals and a number of murals, museums and art galleries, not to mention remarkable architecture. Other popular student cities include Valdivia, Valparaíso and Concepión.

Employment rates are high for the region, with many skilled jobs available and English speakers sought by the growing number of multinational companies and local technology start-ups. The cost of living is fairly reasonable, and Chile has enjoyed relative political and economic stability in recent years.

There is no shortage of places to visit outside urban areas. Volcanoes, valleys, deserts, the Andes, unspoiled Pacific coastline, Patagonia and, further afield, Easter Island offer activities such as hiking, skiing, swimming, surfing and riding.

The climate is more typical of Mediterranean countries than South America, with mild winters, little rainfall and less humidity than much of Brazil and Argentina. Adorned with vineyards, Chile is one of the world’s 10 biggest wine producers and exporters. Well-known Chileans include Nobel Prize-winning poets Pablo Neruda and Gabriela Mistral, and sculptor Lily Garafulic.

Living

Living in Chile

Chile is a relatively affordable study destination and is an ideal choice for lovers of the outdoors, as well as being one of the safest and most prosperous nations in the region.

Living costs

Thanks to its strong economic growth, Chile is one of the more expensive countries in Latin America in terms of living costs, but also boasts of the highest standards of living in the region. Your exact costs will depend on your location, spending habits and lifestyle, but students generally need about US$700-1,100 each month, or at least US$8,400 per year. It’s important to note that international students legally cannot work while they study in Chile, so you can’t supplement your finances with part-time work after you’ve arrived. Capital city Santiago was ranked 58^th in the Affordability category of the latest QS Best Student Cities, putting it in the mid-range of the 100 cities featured. As with many countries, living costs are lower outside of big cities.

In terms of accommodation, students might live in university halls, rent privately, or live with a Chilean host family (this may be the most affordable option, at US$600 per month with all bills and food included, and will also be an ideal way to perfect your Spanish).

Here are some examples of typical living costs in Chile, according to Numbeo:

Meal in an inexpensive restaurant: US$8
Bottle of water: US$1
A liter of milk: US$1.20
Loaf of bread: US$0.95
One-way ticket on local transport: US$1
Monthly transport pass: US$47.50
Monthly gym fee: US$42
Clothing (a summer dress): US$37
Monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in a city center: US$343
Monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment outside a city center: US$274
Monthly internet bill: US$30

You’ll also need to budget for additional costs, such as health insurance and the application fee for your student visa, which will vary depending on your nationality.

Tuition fees in Chile

All universities in Chile, both public and private, set their own tuition fees. Fees have been rising in recent years, but are nonetheless lower than you’d find in study destinations such as the US, with private universities charging an average of US$5,500 per year. This is slightly higher in the capital, Santiago, where international undergraduate students pay US$6,300 on average. Courses such as medicine will cost more.

Your exact fees will vary depending on the number of courses and credit hours you take, but below are some examples at some of the top universities in Chile:

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile: US$1,200 a semester (US$2,400) a year. Each credit costs US$120.
Universidad de Concepción: US$5,000 a year
Universidad de Talca: US$5,000 a year

You will also need to pay a matriculation fee on enrollment – this is US$250 at the Universidad de Chile.

If you need to brush up on your Spanish language skills, many universities in Chile offer additional classes to do so. At Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, for example, Spanish courses cost US$150 per hour.

About

About Chile

Stretching from desert land to glaciers, from volcanoes to lush valleys, from dense forests to open plains, Chile is a country of extremes. Bound to attract international students with a taste for adventure and the great outdoors, it also has a rich cultural offering and is home to one of the strongest higher education systems in Latin America. Read on for more on what it’s like to study in Chile, and an overview of the country’s highest ranked universities.

On the map, Chile is easily located as Argentina’s much skinnier neighbor; what it lacks in breadth it more than makes up for in length, extending 4,270km along the western coast of South America. The majority of Chile’s population of 15 million is collected in just a handful of major cities, between which lie long stretches of uninhabited wilderness and vast lengths of deserted coastline. If it wasn’t for the backdrop of the snow-capped peaks of the Andes in the east, the capital city Santiago would seem a world away from Chile’s untamed wilderness. And although the city sometimes gets a bad press for its loud streets and haze of pollution, Santiago has a shed load of ambition, culture and quirkiness waiting to captivate international students and tourists alike.

Claiming the title of the ‘pais de poetas’, or ‘country of poets’, Chile adds a strong cultural offering to its natural landscape’s visual beauty. Among the country’s poets and literary stars are Nobel laureates Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda, as well as international bestsellers Isabel Allende and Roberto Bolano.

Capital and largest city is Santiago.
Spanish is the official language of Chile, but German, English and some native languages, including the Mapuche language Mapudungun, as well as Quechua, Aymara, and Rapa Nui, are also spoken in some parts.
The main religion practiced in Chile is Catholicism, although the church and state have been officially separate since 1925.
Currency is the Chilean peso (CLP).
Chile received independence from Spanish colonial rule in 1913

Institutes

Student VISA

Student visa for Chile

ALL STUDENTS MUST PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS TO APPLY FOR A VISA TO STUDY IN CHILE (SCHOOL/INSTITUTE/UNIVERSITY). THE INFORMATION BELOW APPLIES FOR ALL CITIZENSHIPS.

1.- A VALID PASSPORT

The passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of departure from Chile.

2.- ONE PASSPORT SIZE PHOTOGRAPH. A clear, recent picture with a white background.

3.- ENGLISH APPLICATION FORMS (pages attached to the e-mail)

The visa application form in English must be fully completed, AND TYPED. Not handwritten.

4.- CONFIRMATION LETTER FROM THE SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY IN CHILE

This letter of confirmation of enrolment in the academic institution has to detail your name, when will the lecture period start, for how long you will be enrolled, and the contact details of that institution.

5.- VISA REQUEST LETTER FROM THE AGENCY ARRANGING THE EXCHANGE (if applicable)

This letter must provide full name of the applicant, school that the applicant will attend in Chile, details of placement in Chile, name of the responsible person of the agency that Immigration Chile will contact to confirm information.

8.- A CONTAGIOUS DISEASES-CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE LETTER

This certificate must be signed by a registered medical practitioner and must be issued within 30 days prior to date of application. THE CERTIFICATE HAS TO CONFIRM THAT YOU ARE FREE FROM CONTAGIOUS DISEASES/ ILLNESSES THAT MAY AFFECT YOUR STAY IN CHILE".
No X-rays. This is just a regular medical check (blood, urine samples) to ensure you have no contagious diseases.

9.- POLICE CLEARANCE STATEMENT (Criminal Conviction History from The Ministry of Justice – New Zealand)

10.- ***IF YOU ARE UNDER 18 YEARS OLD*** PARENTAL TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION

This document is a statement made by the parents/custodian that will cover you to travel in and out of Chile for as long as your Student visa will be granted. Please contact the Consulate to get the form, and the instructions to sign and authenticate this document.

HOW TO APPLY FOR YOUR VISA:

– ONLINE APPLICATION : Click https://tramites.minrel.gov.cl/, Press the English flag, and then press VISA. Upload all listed documents.

– COURIERED APPLICATION: You can courier all the documents listed below to our office (including your passport). If you do not include your passport, include a SIMPLE (not notarized) color photocopy of it.

PROCESSING TIMES:

Visa process, after we make sure you didn't miss any document, and we forward your application to Immigration Chile, will take 15 to 20 working days. Any missing documentation will cause a delay in your visa process, and we cannot be held responsible for flight cancellations or delays as a result of missing information. PLEASE APPLY WITHIN 60 TO 30 DAYS PRIOR TO YOUR TRAVEL DATE.

VISA FEES:
The fees are paid ONLY once the visa is approved, not before.
We do not charge per application, and we do not charge in advance.

Do not include cheques, cash or payment orders.
Visa fees vary based on the applicant's citizenship.
Payment details will be e-mailed to you once our visa has been granted.

PLEASE NOTE:

– This is not an electronic visa, it is a stamped visa. When your visa is granted, you will have to courier your passport (if you didn´t courier it along with the documents, and then we will return the passport to you.

Additional information may be requested throughout the application process.

– Immigration Chile will check all your documents, this is called "Consultation process". This consultation process usually takes from 10 up to 20 working days.

Work permit

Working in Chile

It's increasingly difficult to obtain residence and work permits for Chile. Consequently, many foreigners do not bother to do so, but the most reputable employers will insist on the proper visa. If you need one, go to the Departamento de Extranjería.

In Santiago, many youth hostels offer work, an offer usually stated on their websites. It is not unusual for visiting travelers to work as English-language instructors in Santiago and other cities. In general, pay is hourly and full-time employment is hard to come by without a commitment to stay for some time.

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