What does the procedure consist of?

The "Carta de Nacionalización" is a way to obtain the Chilean nationality in accordance to the provisions of Art. 10 N° 3 of the Political Constitution of the Republic, which is materialized in an Exempt Decree signed by the Minister of the Ministro del Interior y Seguridad Pública, by order of the President of the Republic.

To whom is it addressed?

1. To those who have reached 18 years of age, have a Residencia Definitiva permit that remains valid, and have five years or more of residence in Chile (from the date the Residencia Temporal permit was of obtained, which gave rise to a valid Residencia Definitiva permit). Art.2 DL 5.142.

2. To the children of foreigners who have reached 14 years of age, are holders of Residencia Definitiva, have five years or more of residence in Chile from the date the Residencia Temporal permit was of obtained, which gave rise to a valid Residencia Definitiva permit), and that have a notarized authorization from their parents or from the person in charge of their personal care (must present legal document that certifies such care). Art.2 DL 5.142.

3. Nacionalización calificada Art.85 law N° 21.325: Those permanent residents who can prove two years of continuous residence within national territory (from the date the Residencia Temporal permit was of obtained, which gave rise to a valid Residencia Definitiva permit), and who have any of the following ties with the Republic of Chile:

Those who have the quality of spouse of a Chilean citizen for at least two years and whose marriage is registered in Chile, as long as the provisions of Article 133 of the Civil Code (living in a common household) are complied with during this same period.

The relatives of Chilean citizens by blood ties up to the second degree inclusive and those adopted by Chilean citizens as well.

The child whose father or mother, having been Chilean, had lost the Chilean nationality prior to the birth of the child.

Applications for the Carta de Nacionalización can be completed  at tramites.extranjeria.gob.cl, by logging in with ClaveÚnica or creating an account on the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones website.