NATURALIZATION
Numeral 3 of article 10 of the Political Constitution of the Republic states that foreigners who obtain a nationalization letter in accordance with the law are Chileans, a matter that is regulated in Supreme Decree No. 5.142, of 1960, of the Ministry of the Interior, as well as in articles 85 to 87 of Law 21,325.
In short, they will be able to access Chilean nationality:
- Foreigners who have reached 18 years of age, who have resided in the territory of the Republic for more than 5 years and who are holders of a permanent residence permit.
- The children of foreigners who have reached 14 years of age, have resided in the territory of the Republic for more than five years, have the authorization of those in charge of their personal care and have obtained a permanent residence permit.
- Qualified nationalization: it will be granted to permanent residents who prove 2 years of continuous residence in the national territory, and who have any of the following links with the Republic of Chile:
- Those who have the status of Chilean spouse, for at least 2 years and whose marriage is registered in Chile, provided that in the same period the provisions of article 133 of the Civil Code are complied with (that is, living in a common home)
- Relatives of Chileans by consanguinity up to and including the second degree and those adopted by Chileans.
- The child whose father or mother, having been Chilean, has lost Chilean nationality prior to the child's birth.