Visa Information Service

The Visa Information Service, based on similar models operating today in more than 46 countries across Latin America, Europe and Asia, provides timely and accurate information to the public about different categories of visas, the requirements an applicant must fulfill to apply for a visa and the visa application process.

--Frequently Asked Questions
--The New Nonimmigrant Visa Application Process

The Visa Information Service benefits applicants by:

·        Providing more comprehensive and targeted visa information;

·        Allowing applicants to pose specific questions to live customer service representatives;

·        Charging lower scheduling/passport delivery costs than under the current system;

·        Providing more flexibility in appointments, including easier cancellation and rescheduling;

·        Reducing paperwork in the appointment scheduling process; and

·        Giving applicants better information about the documentation required at their appointments

Visa applicants must use the Visa Information Service to schedule interview appointments.  Applicants should refer to the Visa Information Service, as well as the Embassy website, to answer their questions about visa procedures, requirements and specific visa applications.  The Embassy will no longer respond to email inquires about visas matters.

Visa Information Service - Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  How will the service benefit me?

A:  The service provides access to Spanish and English speaking operators who will provide extensive information on visa requirements and application procedures for both non-immigrant and immigrant visas.  These operators will not only give general information about the visa process, but will also answer specific questions from the applicant. Listening carefully to the information provided will help you save time when applying for a visa by ensuring that you complete the proper forms and bring the required information to your appointment.  For many applicants, particularly those applying in family groups, the Visa Information Service is a cheaper method of scheduling visa appointments than the previous system. 

Q:  How do I call the Visa Information Service?

A:  Applicants can reach the Visa Information Service by calling from Chile: 188-800-420057 or 1230 020 1764 for callers using Entel's network and from the United States: (1) 888-850-5472. Operators are available from 8 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday, except on Chilean holidays.  To access the service, applicants will need to use a pre-paid Personal Identification Number (PIN). Callers can purchase this number for $14 USD or the peso equivalent at any office of Chilexpress or by calling the Visa Information Service with a credit card (Visa or MasterCard).

Q:  How do I use the PIN?

A:  Applicants who purchase a PIN will be given a 12 digit number (please verify that your PIN has 12 digits before leaving Chilexpress).  You can use your PIN to make multiple calls to the Visa Information Service up to a total call time of eight minutes.  Your PIN is valid for one year from purchase. 

Q:  Do each of my family members need a separate PIN to schedule their appointments?

A:  No, you may use your eight minutes of call time to schedule an appointment for yourself and up to four additional family members.  These family members must be immediate relatives living in your household.  For instance, you can use your PIN to schedule appointments for parents, children and siblings who live with you, but not for cousins or aunts and uncles. 

Q: If I had a previous U.S. visa, do I still need to call the Visa Information Service?

A:  Yes, the Visa Information Service is the only method for making interview appointments at the Embassy.  Both first-time visa applicants and those who had prior visas must make an appointment. 

Q:   If I might qualify for an exemption from the personal appearance requirement, should I still call the Visa Information Service?

A:  Certain visa applicants who are under 14 or over 79 years of age do not have to come to the Embassy for a personal interview.  If you think you might qualify, please call the Visa Information Service.  The operators will give you more information about the requirements and will tell you how to submit your application and supporting documents. 

Q:  Should I call the Visa Information Service for information about U.S. passports and other services for American citizens?

A:  The Visa Information Service only provides information about non-immigrant and immigrant visas.  Please check the Embassy website or call (56-2) 232-2600 for detailed information about consular services for American citizens.

Q: Can I still email or fax the Embassy for Visa Information?

A: The Visa Information Service is the primary source of information about obtaining U.S. visas in Chile. The Visa Information Services allows applicants to schedule interview appointments and to ask questions of live customer service representatives about different categories of visas and the visa application process.  The U.S. Embassy website remains an important source of general information about visas. 

Q:  What are the next steps after I make my visa appointment?

A:  The Visa Information Service operators will give you detailed information about the entire visa application process.  This includes paying the US$131 visa application fee and assembling the application package which you will bring with you and present on your scheduled interview date.

The New Nonimmigrant Visa Process for Applicants

1.  Schedule the Interview

• The only authorized method to schedule an interview for a nonimmigrant visa is by calling the Visa Information Service. Please call from Chile 188-800-420057 or 1230 020 1764 for callers using Entel's network, and from the United States (1) 888-850-5472. Spanish and English speaking operators are available from 8 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday, except on Chilean holidays.
  
  
• Applicants must use a “PIN” to access the service.  A PIN may be purchased at any Chilexpress office for the peso equivalent of US$14.  Applicants may also purchase their PIN for US$14 by calling the Visa Information Service with a credit card (Visa or MasterCard only). Please note: applicants may find it convenient to pay for both the PIN and the MRV fee at the same time at their local Chilexpress office.
  
  
• Applicants should have pen and paper handy when they call the Visa Information Service, to note down the date and time of their interview and other relevant information.
  
  
• An individual PIN may be used to schedule appointment for the applicant and up to four immediate family members (spouses, parents, children) living in the same household.
  
  
• Those applicants who might qualify for an exemption from the interview requirement (children under 14 and adults over 79 years of age) should still call the Visa Information Service.  Operators will determine if the applicant qualifies for the exemption and instruct them how to proceed.
  
  
• Each PIN can be used to make multiple calls to the Visa Information Service, for up to 8 minutes of total call time.
  
  
• Applicants can use their PIN not only to schedule their appointments, but also to seek information about different categories of visas and visa requirements.  Operators will fully explain the next steps in the application process.

2.  Pay the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) Fee

• All applicants must pay a nonimmigrant visa processing fee of US$131 at any office of Chilexpress (fee increased from US$100 to US$131 on January 1, 2008).
  
  
• At Chilexpress, applicants will be given a receipt which serves as proof of payment of the MRV fee.  Applicants must retain this receipt and present it at their scheduled Embassy appointment in order to proceed with the interview.  The receipts are non-refundable – applicants should take care not to lose their receipts.

3.  Assemble the Application Package

• Operators at the Visa Information Service will explain to applicants what supporting documentation they must bring with them to their interview.
  
  
• Applicants must fill out the DS-156 Visa Application Form electronically and print all three pages, including the bar code.  Applicants will bring this form, any additional required forms, and supporting documentation with them to the Embassy on the day of their scheduled appointment.
  
  
• Applicants MUST NOT SEND their application forms and supporting documentation to the Embassy prior to their interview date.

4.  Present themselves at the Embassy for the Personal Interview

• Applicants will present themselves at the Embassy, with their application package, at their scheduled interview date/time.
  
  
• Applicants who are unable to make their scheduled appointment must call the Visa Information Service to cancel and reschedule.

5.  If the Visa is Approved, Arrange for Delivery of Applicant's Passport/Visa

• Applicants who do not qualify for a visa will be given back their passport after their interview.
  
  
• Applicants with approved visas will be instructed to arrange for delivery of their passport through DHL after the visa is printed and affixed therein (usually within two to three working days).
   
  
  A DHL representative is present at the Embassy.
  
   
• Applicants may chose to have their passports delivered to their home or business address, or, for “express service,” may decide to pick up their passports at a local DHL office.  The regular passport delivery charges are: 6.500 CHP for delivery within Santiago, 9.500 CHP for delivery outside Santiago and 19.500 CHP for same-day expedited delivery within Santiago. Families whose visas are approved the same day and who are sending their passports to the same address need only pay one delivery charge.