Chile visa application - bizarre

[RooFlyer]

I have submitted my application. It lodged successfully, but no request for payment was made. Has anyone else paid?

Just after I submitted the application, my travel agent sent me the Silversea guest copy of the booking, which showed a nil balance owing and the hotel reservation on the second page. Too late now, I think, to add it on.

They don't ask for payment until processing - which won't be done until November, for us .

I'm not too concerned - I don't get the impression they are looking to refuse anyone and when I spoke to the consulate they were at least personable and contactable! I'm goin g to call in early November and ask for prompt processing then, "as cruise requires it ..."

We just returned. The applications are processed in time so if you apply very early they probably do not process them until two weeks before departure.

I was told the month prior, but no doubt flexible!!

 

[Lat34]

They don't ask for payment until processing - which won't be done until November, for us .

I'm not too concerned - I don't get the impression they are looking to refuse anyone and when I spoke to the consulate they were at least personable and contactable! I'm goin g to call in early November and ask for prompt processing then, "as cruise requires it ..."



I was told the month prior, but no doubt flexible!!

This is an overview of our visa application process from mid-November 2022 for Silversea cruise departing Peuerto Williams in Feb 2023.
My visa approval came through on 12 Dec22; called the Sydney Consulate on 14 Dec as Mr Lat34 application lodged the same time was still showing On Hold. Consulate asked when we needed the visa and told them departing Australia mid-January due other travels before reaching Chile. Mr Lat34 visa approval received 6 Jan23 - with visa approval you also receive a payment instructions email and subsequently a paper visa for you to print.

Visa requirements had only recently changed in Aug 2022 so hopefully it's a bit more streamlined now. We applied for multi-entry as we also travelled to Argentina, Brazil and had planned Peru but later changed when Machu Picchu closed due to political unrest.

 

[muppet]

I wonder how many people lose their flights with this last-minute visa system …. i find it unnecessarily stressful.

 

[RooFlyer]

I wonder how many people lose their flights with this last-minute visa system …. i find it unnecessarily stressful.

it’s especially galling when you consider we didn’t need visas until recently and just had to front up to pay the reciprocity fee on arrival.

 

[muppet]

Well I’m travelling to SCL tomorrow and still no visa issued…

I called two weeks ago, took down my details … nothing changed.
Called this morning, took down my details … nothing again.

En espera. Very stressful.

 

[Port Power]

Well I’m travelling to SCL tomorrow and still no visa issued…

I called two weeks ago, took down my details … nothing changed.
Called this morning, took down my details … nothing again.

En espera. Very stressful.

Please let us know what happens on your arrival. But….will you be allowed on the flight? Good luck!

 

[muppet]

Please let us know what happens on your arrival. But….will you be allowed on the flight? Good luck!

I’m going to buy a connection to Buenos Aires so I’ll just be transiting. At least I’ll be on the right continent while I try to sort out a visa.

 

[Port Power]

I’m going to buy a connection to Buenos Aires so I’ll just be transiting. At least I’ll be on the right continent while I try to sort out a visa.

I leave for Europe on Sunday and don’t come back to Australia before flying to Antarctica.

 

[danturner]

Hi all, been following this thread as am heading on a cruise in Feb 24 that passes through chile for 8 hours on one of the stops. The lady at the embassy advised I only need a 72 hour visa although I read on the consulado website that this does not allow you out of the airport? Can anyone confirm that a 72 hour visa allows you into the country. For us this will be via sea. Cheers

 

[anchew]

Hi all, been following this thread as am heading on a cruise in Feb 24 that passes through chile for 8 hours on one of the stops. The lady at the embassy advised I only need a 72 hour visa although I read on the consulado website that this does not allow you out of the airport? Can anyone confirm that a 72 hour visa allows you into the country. For us this will be via sea. Cheers

Yes, can confirm that a 72 hour visa allows you into the country. I did that recently and spent 3 nights in Santiago

 

[danturner]

Yes, can confirm that a 72 hour visa allows you into the country. I did that recently and spent 3 nights in Santiago

Legend thanks heaps!

 

[Lat34]

I’m going to buy a connection to Buenos Aires so I’ll just be transiting. At least I’ll be on the right continent while I try to sort out a visa.

Hi, just wondering how things are going for you in (hopefully) South America @muppet

 

[muppet]

Hi, just wondering how things are going for you in (hopefully) South America @muppet

Please let us know what happens on your arrival. But….will you be allowed on the flight? Good luck!

Thanks!

As it turns out my visa was issued at about 8pm on the night before my flight. I was sent a request for visa payment of $190 at 5:30pm which I responded to instantly with proof and a few hours later the visa arrived.

Very stressful day wondering what would happen - like what if my application was missing details??

Check-in definitely wanted proof of visa and because I had one I can’t report back if having an onward flight booked would have worked.

Glad that saga is over. Enjoying the cervezas now.

 

[Lat34]

Hi team,

two great sailing mates are onboard Silver Endeavour 28 Jan to 12 Feb 2024 for fly/ cruise Antarctica. Usual pre & post cruise accommodation at Mandarin Oriental Santiago.

Have outlined our Chile visa experience from this time last year plus most recent info from this thread to assist/ convince one mate in particular that he needs to start the visa process sooner rather than his (usual) last minute dash! He thought he could just pay the reciprocity fee on arrival "like last time".

Appreciate if @RooFlyer @Port Power @muppet (and any others) could provide a brief timeline eg

Date visa required
Date Application submitted
Date/s follow-up with Consulate (if required)
Date Visa issued

Thanks in advance

 

[RooFlyer]

Multiple-entry visa required 16 Dec (transiting SCL on the 13th)

Visa application made mid August (my TA said to apply as early as possible). Status 'on hold'

In September called Melbourne consulate and told 'on hold' is normal and visas aren't processed until the month prior to need (not at a month prior, during the month prior).

I'll be calling next week to follow-up

 

[muppet]

Date visa required - 7 November flight
Date Application submitted - 1 October
Date/s follow-up with Consulate (if required) - two weeks before, Friday before and the morning of the 6th - every time told the same thing that it will get done dont worry.
Date Visa issued - 8:00pm 6 November

 

[JoRob]

Hi team,

two great sailing mates are onboard Silver Endeavour 28 Jan to 12 Feb 2024 for fly/ cruise Antarctica. Usual pre & post cruise accommodation at Mandarin Oriental Santiago.

Have outlined our Chile visa experience from this time last year plus most recent info from this thread to assist/ convince one mate in particular that he needs to start the visa process sooner rather than his (usual) last minute dash! He thought he could just pay the reciprocity fee on arrival "like last time".

Appreciate if @RooFlyer @Port Power @muppet (and any others) could provide a brief timeline eg

Date visa required
Date Application submitted
Date/s follow-up with Consulate (if required)
Date Visa issued

Thanks in advance

Hi,
I have been trying all day to complete the online multiple entry visa and hit a roadblock when I get to the page wanting contact details for someone resident in Chile. We are tourists. What are we supposed to put in these mandatory fields when we know no one in Chile? Have tried to ring the Sydney Consulate but no joy..just an answering machine. Any advice from those who have successfully submitted would be appreciated. Frustrated!!

 

[Pushka]

Hi,
I have been trying all day to complete the online multiple entry visa and hit a roadblock when I get to the page wanting contact details for someone resident in Chile. We are tourists. What are we supposed to put in these mandatory fields when we know no one in Chile? Have tried to ring the Sydney Consulate but no joy..just an answering machine. Any advice from those who have successfully submitted would be appreciated. Frustrated!!

Can you use the office in Chile for the cruise line? Or the Port Agent contact details?

 

[Lat34]

Hi,
I have been trying all day to complete the online multiple entry visa and hit a roadblock when I get to the page wanting contact details for someone resident in Chile. We are tourists. What are we supposed to put in these mandatory fields when we know no one in Chile? Have tried to ring the Sydney Consulate but no joy..just an answering machine. Any advice from those who have successfully submitted would be appreciated. Frustrated!!

@Pushka suggestion would work.

12 months ago when this was all starting, our travel agent created a "service voucher" that listed our first night hotel in Santiago.



On the completed Visa application form it looked like this and was acceptable:

 

[RooFlyer]

Hi,
I have been trying all day to complete the online multiple entry visa and hit a roadblock when I get to the page wanting contact details for someone resident in Chile. We are tourists. What are we supposed to put in these mandatory fields when we know no one in Chile? Have tried to ring the Sydney Consulate but no joy..just an answering machine. Any advice from those who have successfully submitted would be appreciated. Frustrated!!

Welcome to AFF @JoRob . I got my B&B in Chile to send me a special e-mail noting my reservation, and giving the address and contact details of the B&B (could be a hotel).