Can I work in Chile as an expat?

Get your resume and suitcase ready, because we’re going to tell you what it’s like to work in Chile, one of the safest countries in Latin America and one that offers one of the highest minimum wages in the region. We’ll also go over the benefits of working there and what you need to qualify and settle in as a worker in the country.

We’ll also walk you through the types of jobs and positions you can aim for as a foreign professional in Chile. To round out the guide, we’ll take a look at the general salary levels in the country, as well as the most common ways to start your job search and find the role you’re looking for.

Advantages of working in Chile

Before choosing Chile as your place to work, it’s important to understand the specific advantages the country offers to foreign workers. So we’ll start this guide by looking at the benefits of joining Chile’s workforce.

• One of the highest minimum wages in South America: Chile has the second-highest minimum wage in South America, at around $539 per month, which helps cover basic living expenses more comfortably compared to many other countries in the region.
• Ideal environment for remote work: Connectivity is one of the country’s major advantages, thanks to a strong fiber-optic infrastructure and widespread 5G technology that make remote work and digital operations easy across the country.
• Stable quality of life: The country also offers one of the highest standards of living in Latin America, with most of its population having access to services and a relatively stable economy.
• Job security guaranteed by employers: Workers have their rights protected, including up to 15 days of paid vacation per year, a current 42-hour workweek that will gradually be reduced to 40 hours by 2028, as well as maternity and paternity leave.
• Safety: The country is considered one of the safest in South America, with generally low crime rates compared to many other nations in the region.

Requirements for working in Chile

This is a key step to make sure you can access job opportunities in Chile, since having experience and strong academic qualifications alone isn’t enough. You also need to understand how to legally enter the country and work in your field or at any company. That’s why we’ve gathered the most important requirements below:

• Visas or permits: Chile offers a 2-year Temporary Residence permit that allows you to live and work in the country, a Seasonal Worker permit valid for up to 6 months, and a Work Authorization for tourists in special cases for up to 90 days. You can also apply for a 1-year Working Holiday visa.
• Employment contract: Some visas require you to have a job offer before entering the country, meaning you must already have an official, signed employment contract in place.
• Obtaining Chilean documents: Once you arrive in the country, you’ll need to apply for your RUN (Rol Único Nacional) at the Civil Registry Service within the first 30 days. With this ID number, you’ll be able to receive your salary, open bank accounts, and even sign up for private health insurance.
• Language: In most workplaces, Spanish is the main language used. However, in fields like tech, business, and exports, English is often needed to work effectively.
• Personal documents: You must have a valid passport in good condition, an apostilled criminal record, and apostilled academic transcripts.

Tips for starting a job in Chile

When you start working in Chile, it’s easy to overlook a few things because you’re focused on immigration paperwork and getting used to a new country, so it’s normal to feel a bit disoriented. In this guide, we’ll give you some practical tips to help you stay on track.

• Verify your academic credentials: If you work in fields like medicine or law, it’s essential to get your degree and professional licenses officially recognized by the University of Chile as soon as possible, since the process can take some time.
• Review your employment rights and responsibilities in Chile: Understanding how the Chilean labor system works helps you stay within local regulations, so you can both protect your rights and meet your responsibilities.
• Networking helps you find job leads: Building connections is one of the most effective and easiest ways to find a job in Chile. Since it’s generally a welcoming country for foreigners, networking tends to come naturally.
• Internet connection: Finding a job in Chile is much easier if you have internet on your phone. Holafly can help with that by offering plans with unlimited data or 25 GB per month. You can use them in over 160 international destinations and even share your data with other devices. You can also set up a Chile eSIM with unlimited data, which is a practical solution for your first days in the country until you’re able to get a local mobile plan.

Types of jobs in Chile for foreigners

Chile has certain jobs where there isn’t enough local workforce or the required level of skills to keep growing. Because of this, the following sectors have opened up to foreign workers:

• Technology and services: Major tech companies have a strong presence in Chile, creating opportunities for roles like full-stack developers, systems engineers, data architects, and even cybersecurity specialists. These companies also support businesses across Latin America, so customer service roles are quite common as well.
• Mining and energy: Chile is well known worldwide for its mining industry, which goes beyond local labor and often looks for international professionals in fields like mining engineering, geology, and sustainability. This helps the sector keep evolving while bringing in fresh expertise from abroad.
• Medicine: Chile’s healthcare system still faces shortages, especially when it comes to specialists in areas outside major cities. As a result, doctors, radiology technicians, anesthesiologists, and nurses from abroad can find opportunities working in rural areas as well as in private clinics across the country.
• Agriculture and export logistics: As one of South America’s leading food exporters, Chile needs skilled professionals to keep its supply chains running smoothly to markets like China, Europe, and the United States. Because of this, it often brings in foreign talent with expertise in agronomy, logistics engineering, and international trade.

The most in-demand jobs in Chile for foreign workers

There are also specific roles where Chilean and international companies based in the country tend to hire more foreign workers. Here’s a closer look at them:

• E-commerce and digital marketing specialists: As a regional tech hub, Chile has a strong demand for UX/UI designers, SEO and SEM specialists, and growth hackers to build effective business growth strategies, especially within startups.
• Financial analysts: AI now plays a key role in banking operations, so Chilean banks are constantly looking to improve its use in fintech, investment portfolio management, and financial regulation. Companies in the country highly value professionals with experience in this field, especially those from international and European banks.
• Engineers and experts in renewable energy: Chile is in the middle of shifting from coal-based energy to non-conventional renewable sources, which is driving demand for professionals such as electrical engineers with strong expertise in energy storage, especially lithium battery technology.

Salaries and cost of living in Chile

In Chile, salaries for operational workers vary by sector, though not by much. It’s important to know that they generally start at the national minimum wage, which is $539 per month.

In commercial roles like sales or shelf stockers, monthly salaries usually range from about $560 to $630. In other areas such as security, hospitality, or even mining transport, pay can start around $485 plus bonuses and go up to about $1,500 per month, depending on your experience and skills.

On the other hand, professional roles come with higher salary ranges. In particular, those in medicine, technology, or executive-level business positions can earn between $1,300 and $3,600 gross per month.

While salaries in Chile are high compared to much of Latin America, the cost of living is also higher than in many other countries in the region. It’s important to consider whether the pay offered by companies actually meets your needs and expectations.

For example, for a single person, renting a small apartment in a safe area can cost between $500 and $750 per month. On top of that, basic utilities like water, electricity, and gas usually add at least another $70 on average.

Food costs are usually around $200 to $300, depending on your lifestyle. On top of that, you’ll need to factor in personal expenses like transportation, mobile phone service, and leisure activities, which can add roughly another $300 to your monthly budget.

Where can I find job opportunities in Chile?

Job searching in Chile is now mostly done through digital platforms. It’s a good idea to understand how each one works so you can tailor your profile to what companies are looking for. Below, we’ve listed the main websites and apps you can use to find jobs in Chile.

• Computrabajo: It’s one of the most popular platforms for people applying to operational or technical jobs, as it’s a reliable and secure place to store your personal information.
• Trabajando.com: It’s a platform mainly used by university students looking for everything from internships to their first job opportunities in order to gain experience with established companies.
• Get on Board: For programmers, UX/UI designers, and other tech and digital professionals, this platform offers direct and full job listings.
• National Job Bank: This is the government job board, where both professionals and operational workers can find opportunities in Chile’s public sector.
• Chiletrabajos: A well-known job portal specializing in technical service positions in rural areas.
• Vortex or Jobs for Miners: These are platforms that focus specifically on mining jobs, especially in northern Chile.
• LinkedIn: Professionals and specialists most widely use this platform to build their visibility, connect with recruiters and peers, and find job opportunities.
• Laborum: It’s the largest job search portal in Chile. You can apply for both operational and professional roles, filtering opportunities based on your salary preferences.

Frequently asked questions about working in Chile

Plans that may interest you

eSIM Portugal

Paula Henderson

Spanish-English Translator

Hi! I'm a Spanish-English translator working with Holafly, helping bring travel content to life for curious travelers. As a digital nomad with a passion for exploring, I'm always adding new spots to my bucket list. If you love to travel like me, stick around because you're in the right place to find inspiration for your next trip! ✈️🌍

Read full bio

Related reading