Business Customs

In general terms, Chileans are characterized by being supportive, welcoming, and friendly. They also tend to be formal in their business dealings.

Chileans welcome the opportunity to meet in person with U.S. business visitors. Following a first or second meeting, it is common that Chileans may invite the U.S. visitor for dinner at their home and meet to meet their family. Chileans often vacation during the summer months of January and February; therefore, it is necessary to confirm in advance when planning to travel for business during those months. Business travelers should also be cognizant of scheduling meetings during longer school breaks is in mid-July and in mid-September.

U.S. business representatives will find that business practices in Chile and the United States are very similar. The Chilean business day is usually 9:00 a.m.to 6:00 p.m. Lunch breaks are usually around 1:00 p.m. Two-hour business lunches are common and may extend if necessary. U.S. companies should expect to travel to potential partner or distributor business locations for meetings. Although social occasions do not always begin at the indicated time, business meetings start at the agreed time. The capital city of Santiago, like many large cities, often faces traffic congestion, and additional time is often needed to navigate the congestion. Most Chilean businesspeople are well-educated professionals who travel internationally. However, not all speak English, and foreigners will often find the ability to speak Spanish very useful, if not an absolute must. Product marketing or company promotional literature in Spanish is an important marketing tool, regardless of whether the company information can be found in the web. Business cards are often exchanged at the beginning of a meeting or during a reception, though exchanging WhatsApp contact details, instead, is increasingly common. Company-branded souvenirs, office items such as pens, or USB drives are gifts that are commonly exchanged as a token of appreciation from the visitor or host. Virtual meetings have become very common and Chilean businesspeople are open to having an introductory virtual meeting to discuss potential business before the U.S. company representatives travel to Chile. After the introductory virtual meeting, however, in-person meetings are preferred and often necessary to potential business forward.

Appearance is an important part of Chilean business, and formal business attire is appropriate for meetings. Attire for business receptions varies from formal to business casual.

Travel Advisory

The State Department most recent Travel Advisory for Chile was updated in January 2025. Visitors are advised to refer to the State Department’s website for the latest information on traveling to Chile and to review the U.S. Department of State’s Overseas Security Advisory Council’s (OSAC) country security report for Chile.

All U.S.-incorporated organizations with operations outside the United States (corporations large and small, non-profit, academic, and faith-based institutions of any size) are encouraged to join OSAC. The OSAC Chile Country Chapter is one of the best ways for U.S. businesses to stay ahead of security challenges while operating in Chile. Membership connects companies directly with the U.S. Embassy’s Regional Security Office (RSO) and a trusted network of private-sector peers, ensuring they receive timely updates, actionable intelligence, and practical tools to keep their people and operations safe. Active participation gives businesses a distinct competitive edge, helping them anticipate risks, strengthen resilience, and demonstrate a strong commitment to duty of care for their employees. U.S. companies can sign-up at www.osac.gov and once registered, companies are immediately plugged into the Embassy’s security ecosystem, gaining unparalleled access to valuable briefings, alerts, and collaboration opportunities.

Travelers should consider enrolling in the Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts. The U.S. Embassy in Chile lists all travel advisories and links to emergency services on its website. Travelers are encouraged to only use official airport taxis or hotel-arranged transportation when arriving in Chile and traveling from the airport to their hotels. Ride-sharing applications, taxis, or hotel-arranged transportation may be used when traveling from your hotel to return to the airport.

Visa requirements

U.S. citizens entering Chile must have a valid passport in good condition, valid for the period of your stay. U.S. citizens traveling to Chile on a tourist passport for recreation, tourism, business, or academic conferences do not need to obtain a visa prior to their arrival in Chile. Foreign tourists must also be able to demonstrate that they have at least $46 per day to cover expenses. Upon arrival in Chile, Chilean immigration will issue a Tourist Card for a stay of up to 90 days. Tourist status can be extended stay for an additional 90 days by paying a $100 extension fee at the Chilean Immigration Office. The Tourist Card must be presented and surrendered upon departure. Failure to submit this card upon departure may result in delays until a replacement is obtained. If lost or stolen, the Tourist Card must be replaced by the International Police (website is in Spanish only) at their nearest headquarters or at the international airport prior to departure.

If you have stayed in Chile for more than the allowed time, you will not be allowed to leave the country without paying a fine. This fine cannot be paid at the airport or border crossings, so you must pay it before attempting to depart Chile. To pay the fine prior to your departure, you should go to the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones website and report your illegal status in the following link (Declaración de infracción y cálculo de multa). Upon doing this, you will be informed how much the fine will be, and, once you pay it online, you will have 10 days to depart the country. The fine can be paid with Mastercard and Visa cards issued in Chile or abroad. The following three documents will be sent to your email, and you will have to print and present them to Immigration (PDI at the airport):

• Notificación Inicio de Procedimiento Sancionatorio

• Comprobante de Pago

• Aplica Sanción Pecuniaria a Extranjero que Indica (Resolución)

If you attempt to depart Chile without paying the fine, Immigration will deny your departure until the fine is fully paid online. U.S. citizens who intend to work, live, or study in Chile long-term must apply in advance for a Chilean visa. You can inquire with the closest Chilean Consulate for further information.

The Government of Chile requires U.S. Government travelers on official business to enter the country with a diplomatic or official passport and a valid Chilean visa. Visas must be obtained at a Chilean Embassy or Consulate before traveling to or through Chile. Official travelers attempting entry on tourist passports will be denied entry, detained, and returned to the point of origin at personal expense. U.S. Government officials should only use their tourist passports to enter Chile while here on personal tourism.

Ensure that you have appropriate documentation to enter Chile. The U.S. Embassy cannot secure entry on your behalf if you arrive without a valid U.S. passport, with a passport that is damaged or mutilated, or if you arrive without a visa when one is required.

For up-to-date information on Chilean visa requirements, visit the website of the Embassy of Chile in Washington, D.C.

U.S. Companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States are advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following link(s): State Department Visa Website

Currency

Chile’s currency is the Chilean peso (CLP). Bank notes are in denominations of 1,000; 2,000; 5,000; and 20,000. Coins are in denominations of 10, 50, 100, and 500.

Foreign currency may be exchanged at the airport, banks, most hotels, and foreign exchange agencies in large Chilean cities. A passport or Chilean identification is required when exchanging travelers’ checks and is often required when exchanging large sums of cash. Rates vary by location and banks charge a commission.

Use of credit cards is very common in Santiago, and they can be used almost everywhere instead of cash. If you’re planning on visiting small towns, however, it is advisable to carry at least some cash in smaller denominations. There are also many ATM machines available throughout the city and country, although access may be limited in smaller cities. Additionally, if you are traveling during a long weekend or the holiday season, it is advisable to withdraw cash early, as the ATMs may run out of money and will not be refilled until after the holiday. Due to the heavy use of credit and debit cards, businesses may often not be able to make change for larger denomination bills.

If you are driving, you may need cash for tolls. Some rental car companies will have some toll road coverage in Santiago, but very few do elsewhere.

Some hotels offer currency exchange at favorable rates. Hotels are also a potential source of information for the closest casa de cambio (currency exchange) with the best rates. There are many casas de cambio within the country, and one is usually located inside each shopping mall.

Telecommunications/Electronics

Chile’s capital, Santiago, has a well-developed telecommunications infrastructure. Domestic and international calls work well, and rates are generally competitive. There are also several mobile operators present, including Entel, Movistar, Claro, WOM, and Virgin. Visitors are advised to check with their U.S. carrier to see if their phone can make international calls from Chile. E-SIMS may also be purchased prior to arrival and activated once in Chile. If you will remain in Chile for more than 30 days, you must register your mobile phone with the Chilean emergency notification system, or it will stop working. Purchasing a mobile phone SIM card on the local market may be difficult due to recently changed personal identification requirements. WhatsApp is a commonly used mobile messaging application, and most business partners will expect that you have it installed on your phone. It is also commonly used by hotels and restaurants to communicate with clients about reservation information.

Wi-Fi “hot spots” are common in Santiago. In rural parts of Chile, the telecommunications infrastructure is less reliable. While many areas in the far north and south have little to no cell service, internet connection remains available in most small villages and towns in these regions. It is advisable to check with the hotel or local individuals about data and cell phone reliability and availability in the area where you plan to travel.

Chile’s standard voltage is 220 Volts with a frequency of 50 Hz. You will need a voltage converter to use U.S. appliances. The power sockets are either a circle with holes for two rounded prongs (Type C, used in continental Europe) or a panel with a vertical line of holes for three prongs (Type L, used in Italy).

Transportation

Chile is well connected via air service to the United States and countries throughout Latin America. In Chile, the primary point of entry is the Santiago International Airport, located approximately 18 miles from Santiago’s Las Condes neighborhood where many business headquarters are located.

Travel between Chile and the United States is robust, and flights between the two countries are often fully booked. Airlines that fly between Chile and the United States include American Airlines Delta and United Airlines offering non-stop flights between Santiago and Miami, Dallas, Atlanta and Houston. However, some flights operate on a seasonal-based schedule with less frequent flights during Chilean fall and winter (roughly May to October).

Domestic air service within Chile is well developed and offered primarily by LATAM, Sky Airlines, and Jet Smart. Given the local geographic distances between cities, fights between Santiago and most cities in Chile are frequent.

The rail system is less developed but there is a central train line that runs between Santiago and Chillan. As for public transportation, the city of Santiago has a vast subway network. The fare for the subway and public buses can be paid using a ‘BIP’ card or smart phone application (available to those with Chilean IDs) that must be recharged with funds in subway stations and other ‘top-up’ outlets. Ride-share services are available in the main cities of the country, and in recent years shared bikes and scooters have also proliferated.

Primary roads in Chile are good. The main highways are toll roads and are in good condition. Toll roads within the Santiago Metropolitan Region are paid electronically. Increasing amounts of toll roads outside the metropolitan region may be paid electronically but some toll roads continue to only accept cash payments. Secondary roads, especially outside of Santiago, are sometimes in poor condition. Gravel and dirt roads are common in rural areas.

The Santiago Metropolitan Region is broken up into various communities (comuna) of which Las Condes and Vitacura are often primary business locations for larger companies.

Language

Spanish is the official language of Chile, and business meetings are most often conducted in Spanish. Among the business community, there exists varying levels of English language capability. To operate in Chile, U.S. businesspeople should speak Spanish or identify a local partner who can speak both English and Spanish. Interpreters are advised for business meetings. Outside of Santiago, business travelers may encounter fewer English speakers. Companies should plan to provide information about their products and services in Spanish.

Health

Chile has both public and private healthcare service providers. Some of the private clinics in Santiago are well equipped and operate at the level of service providers in the United States and Europe. Clinical Alemana is accredited by the Joint Commission International. Travelers to Chile are advised to check with their health insurance providers to determine coverage levels in Chile. For more information on medical issues in Chile, refer to the Health section of the Department of State’s Chile International Travel Information.

Local Time, Business Hours, and Holidays

Chile, located in the Southern Hemisphere, experiences seasons that are opposite to those in the United States. Consequently, when the United States observes daylight savings time, Chile adheres to standard time. Chile’s geographical location in the southern hemisphere means that it observes daylight savings time during its summer months (the northern hemisphere’s winter). As a result, during the northern summer, Chile shares the same time zone as Eastern Daylight Time. However, during the northern winter, Chile is two hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. For a brief period in the transitional weeks between fall and spring, Chile is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard (or Daylight) Time.

Following is a list of holidays observed by the U.S. Embassy in Chile in 2026. The Embassy will be closed to the public on these dates. Businesses may also be closed on public Chilean holidays noted below.

There are six Chilean holidays that occur on weekends: Easter Saturday (April 4), National Day of Indigenous Peoples (June 21), Assumption Day (August 15), Army Day (September 19), the National Day of Evangelical and Protestant Churches (October 31), and All Saints Day (November 1). The government of Chile may announce that these holidays will be observed on weekdays and businesses may be closed.