South Korea Working Holiday for Chileans (2026)

Age when applying

The Chilean-passport program covers ages 18–34 when applying. Age alone is insufficient: also check residence, funds, health and visa history.

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Passport and residence

You must reside in Chile when applying. The embassy asks for passport validity of at least three months beyond the stay; general guidance says at least one year. Prepare a passport meeting both instructions and confirm your circumstances before applying.

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Korean for the visa

The instructions consulted do not list a mandatory Korean test. Schools and employers may require different levels. Language preparation can help, but a course guarantees neither employment nor a visa.

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Other requirements

Check the medical certificate, apostilled criminal-record certificate, activity plan and restriction on a previous Korean Working Holiday. Chile’s guidance excludes accompanying spouses, children and dependants under this scheme.

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Annual quota

Chile’s annual cap is 100. This is not a remaining-place count or confirmation of availability; check the official source before planning an application.

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Application dates

The page consulted describes reservations for the 2026 cycle. This research has not confirmed the next opening; those dates are not carried into 2027. Check the relevant cycle’s instructions and wait for reservation confirmation before buying flights or insurance.

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Visa cost

The embassy lists no visa fee for the Chilean scheme. Documents, apostilles, flights, insurance and courier costs are separate. Confirm the instructions before making payments.

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Decision timing

The embassy says processing may take up to four weeks after documents are received. This is not a guaranteed decision date; allow time for review and follow the instructions you receive to download the visa.

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How to prepare your application

1. Review the Chilean scheme and current instructions before choosing a date. Do not use another nationality’s requirements.
2. Prepare the e-Form, passport, activity plan, medical and apostilled criminal-record certificates, and funds, flights and insurance evidence. Check the full official list before submitting.
3. Check the reservation channel for the relevant cycle and wait for email confirmation. Chile’s guidance directs reservation requests to consulado_chile@mofa.or.kr, copying chile_c@mofa.go.kr; recheck the current instructions before sharing information. This site does not collect documents or book for you.
4. Submit documents at Alcántara 74, Las Condes. The guidance allows courier delivery for residents outside the Metropolitan Region, with a notarized passport copy. Confirm receipt arrangements and timing before sending.

A reservation is not a visa approval. Confirm the next step with the embassy before spending on flights or insurance.

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Length of stay

The embassy describes a stay of up to one year from entry. Separately check the entry deadline printed on your visa. For stays over three months, its guidance requires immigration registration within the first 90 days.

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Funds for your stay

Chile’s instructions ask for more than USD 3,000 plus return travel, in a current, sight or savings account; credit cards and credit lines do not qualify. General guidance uses KRW 3,000,000. Prepare against the Chile-specific amount and confirm evidence; the currencies are not treated as equivalent.

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Insurance throughout your stay

Chile’s checklist asks for at least six months from arrival and minimum cover of KRW 40,000,000 / USD 35,000. General guidance asks for cover throughout the stay. Plan full coverage and confirm coordination with National Health Insurance, which the embassy says applies from month seven. Wait for reservation confirmation before buying.

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Flights and return travel

The checklist asks for an outbound ticket and a return ticket or additional funds to buy the return journey. The embassy recommends buying flights and insurance only after the application reservation is confirmed. Follow Korea’s own sequence before spending.

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Work and weekly limit

Tourism is the main purpose and work is secondary. General guidance sets up to 25 hours a week. Chile’s row adds no employment-month limit, which does not remove the weekly limit or restricted occupations. Confirm the role’s conditions before accepting it.

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Korean or other study

The guide permits Korean courses at private academies or language schools. Chile’s row adds no study-month limit, within the authorized stay. This does not authorize a regular university degree; check a different visa for that purpose.

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Arrival formalities and conditions

1. Enter with the correct visa

   Obtain the visa for your stay and work before entry. Tourist visa exemption does not replace a Working Holiday visa.

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2. Register with immigration

   Apply for a Residence Card at the immigration office for your address within 90 days of arrival. Confirm the appointment and documents for your case there.

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3. Observe the work limit

   The guide states a maximum of 25 hours a week. The Canadian exception does not apply to Chilean passports; no limit in months does not mean unlimited weekly hours.

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4. Choose compatible study

   You can study Korean at private academies or language schools. A regular university degree requires checking the appropriate study visa.

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