PassportSouth Africa

Chile: do South Africans need a visa?

South Africans don't need a visa for Chile. You can stay up to 90 days per visit, and you can apply to extend.

Visa-free per the GSA ('No visas are required by South African passport holders for a stay of 90 days for tourism, business or to attend a conference') and Wikipedia's SA requirements table. Chile's own nationality-by-nationality answer (consulado.gob.cl selector) could not be read automatically.53

Before you travel

Purpose of visit

Tourism, business visits and conferences (GSA). Paid work needs a visa.3

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Passport validity

GSA: 6 months' validity and 4 blank pages. FCDO: valid beyond departure.43

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

How to apply

No visa needed. Present your passport. The PDI issues a tourist card (keep it until exit).43

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Where South Africans apply

Not needed for tourism. Other visas: Embassy of Chile in Pretoria (chile.gob.cl/sudafrica) via serviciosconsulares.cl.

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Travel insurance

Not published by official sources

Return or onward ticket

GSA lists a return air ticket.3

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Proof of funds

SERMIG: visitors must be able to show lawful means of support during the stay. No amount published.1

Confirmed on an official government source

Accommodation or invitation

Easter Island (Rapa Nui): an entry form, return ticket and SERNATUR-registered accommodation or invitation letter are required (FCDO). GSA also mentions an invitation letter for business.43

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

Chile: no yellow fever certificate requirement and no vaccination recommendation (WHO). South Africa's own rule on return: Chile is NOT on South Africa's yellow fever risk list, so no certificate is needed when flying straight home. You do need one if you transit more than 12 hours in, or travel via, a risk country (for example Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina or Paraguay).67

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Arrival forms

PDI tourist card issued on arrival. A combined customs/SAG agricultural sworn declaration is required (do not bring undeclared food).4

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Extending your stay and overstaying

The tourist stay can be extended through SERMIG. Fee and terms are not captured.1

Confirmed on an official government source

Transit

Not published by official sources

Travelling with children

FCDO: a child travelling with one parent needs notarised authorisation from the other parent plus an original birth certificate.4

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Sources

Official

The destination's own government

  1. 1Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile): tourists serviciomigraciones.cl

Other government

Official advice from other governments

  1. 4UK FCDO gov.uk
  2. 6World Health Organization, International Travel and Health country list cdn.who.int
  3. 7DIRCO (South African High Commission, Canberra) dirco.gov.za

Reference

Used to find official sources, never the final word

  1. 5Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org

Commercial

Visa agencies, law firms and travel companies

  1. 3The GSA (SA visa service), Chile guide thegsa.co.za

Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book.