Tourist Visa for Chile

After a long flight, you've finally arrived in Chile. After the usual wait at immigration control, you receive a stamp in your passport – and a small slip of paper with "PDI" printed on it, almost like a receipt. Many people leave it tucked away in their passport or with other documents. But beware: you’ll still need it!

This is the so-called “Tarjeta de Turismo” (Tourist Card), which certifies your authorization to stay in Chile as a tourist. It not only notes your entry date but also the deadline for your departure, which is a maximum of 90 days. PDI stands for Policía de Investigaciones de Chile, a type of investigative police force that is also responsible for border control.

The Tourist Card is not just proof of your legal stay in the country; it can also be important in other situations. For instance, many hotels will exempt you from the 19% VAT if you present this document and pay in US dollars or by credit card. Finally, the Tourist Card will be required when you leave the country. Therefore, you should keep it safe, ideally with your passport, and take a photo of it just in case.

If you do lose your Tourist Card, there is a solution: you can request a duplicate through the PDI’s online portal. Since this process is only available in Spanish, we’ve created a guide to help you. Here, we explain all the necessary steps to request a duplicate so that you can continue your trip worry-free. To access the guide, click here.

We wish you a wonderful time in Chile!