Studying in Chile: key information to make the best out of your experience

One of the most important things you’ll need to sort out is your visa, and for that —plus a few other procedures— you’ll need to have some documents ready. Here are the most common requirements for international students heading to Chile:

• You'll need to apply for the visa (called “Residencia Temporal Estudiante”) at the Chilean consulate in your home country, so make sure you sort this before you travel. This involves filling out a form and handing in some documents like the ones listed below. One really important thing to remember: you can’t enter Chile as a tourist and then switch to a student visa once you're there, it has to be done in advance.
• Once you arrive, you’ll have to register that Visa in the Civil and Identification Registry (Registro Civil e Identificación) and obtain the Chilean ID for foreigners. It’s mandatory to reserve an appointment within the first 30 days of arrival. With this ID, you’ll be assigned a National Single Role (Rol Único Nacional - RUN or RUT), a unique identification number that’s used for procedures including opening a bank account or signing up for a mobile plan.
• You’ll need a valid passport for the entire duration of your stay, and it’s a good idea to keep copies of it.
• You’ll need a registration certificate or an acceptance letter from a university in Chile.
• You’ll also need to provide documents proving you can financially support yourself for the whole exchange. This might be a scholarship certificate, bank statements, or a sworn declaration from someone else, for example.
• A criminal record certificate from your home country is required, and it must be apostilled or legalized by the Chilean consulate.
• Universities usually ask for at least a B2 level in Spanish, which you’ll need to prove with a certificate.
• You’ll also probably need to have international health insurance covering your whole stay if it’s 90 days or less. If your exchange is longer, the insurance should cover at least the first 90 days, and after that, you can join Chile’s public health system, Fonasa. This doesn’t apply to students from Spain or Chile who are already covered by the Spanish health system, thanks to a reciprocity agreement.

There are plenty of reasons why going on an exchange to this Latin American country is a good decision!

Chilean culture is an interesting mix of indigenous roots, Spanish traditions, and a very marked contemporary identity. Its streets breathe history, from the Mapuche people to European influences, and its festivals, art, and cuisine reflect that diversity. In addition, its music and literature (with authors such as Pablo Neruda or Gabriela Mistral) and local cinema are part of the cultural experience you can have as a student.

The language is another great reason to choose Chile if you're looking to improve your Spanish. Although the Chilean accent may seem fast and colloquial at first, it's a good opportunity to develop listening comprehension and speaking skills.

The warmth and kindness of its people also make studying in Chile special. Chileans tend to be friendly, welcoming, and willing to help. In addition, the student environment is usually inclusive and diverse, with many activities to integrate and make friendships that last a lifetime.

Another reason to choose this Latin country is that it has several universities recognised in Latin America and worldwide. Many of them offer exchange programs and agreements with foreign institutions. Some are among the best on the continent, especially in areas such as social sciences, engineering, medicine, and astronomy.

If you’re thinking of studying in Chile, get ready! There’s loads to do beyond just hitting the books. It’s a massive and varied country, with each region offering something totally different.

Up north, you can check out the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth, with otherworldly landscapes, geysers, salt flats and some of the best stargazing spots you’ll ever see. You can also visit cities like Arica and Iquique, where you’ll find warm beaches and cool Andean culture.

The central area’s perfect if you’re into city life. Santiago’s buzzing with lively neighbourhoods, museums, hills, and parks, while Valparaíso is all about street art, quirky staircases and stunning sea views. Plus, vineyards, the Andes, and the coast are all within easy reach.

Down south is the spot for nature lovers: lakes, volcanoes, forests and national parks in places like Araucanía, Los Lagos, and all the way down in Chilean Patagonia. If you’re the adventurous type, there’s hiking, kayaking, wildlife spotting, and even glacier exploring to keep you busy.

While you’re studying in Chile, don’t miss the opportunity to know the different features of their culture. Jump into traditional festivals like Fiestas Patrias, have a go at dancing the cueca, try local dishes (you’ve got to try a proper “empanada” or “pastel de choclo”) and dive into the city’s cultural scene with fairs, live music and theatre.