Chile launches instant QR work verification for foreign residents Aug. 18

Chile's immigration authority replaced manual work status checks with an instant digital verification portal on Aug. 18.

Instant QR checks replace manual status paperwork

Foreign residents in Chile can now download a free Certificado de Habilitación Laboral with a verifiable QR code directly from the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (SERMIG) digital portal.

Previously, proving legal permission to work while waiting on pending residence renewals or initial permits meant relying on paper receipts that local companies struggled to verify. The PDF certificate pulls live records from the government database, letting employers scan the embedded code to confirm current labor authorization immediately.

Who qualifies for the digital certificate

The tool doesn't establish a new visa category; it certifies existing permissions. It covers three main groups:

• Residencia Temporal and Permanent Residence holders whose permits carry standard labor rights.

• Applicants aged 18 and older with an active Certificado de Residencia Temporal en Trámite.

• Short-stay visitors on Permanencia Transitoria who hold an approved special work permit.

Steps for remote workers and local hires

The procedure is 100% free and runs entirely through SERMIG's online system. While the certificate is optional under migration law, companies face heavy fines for unauthorized hiring.

Foreign professionals navigating Chile's residency rules who encounter employer hesitation during permit processing should generate the PDF through the portal to prevent contract delays. The system verifies the user's migration file instantly and delivers the official QR-coded document to their registered email.