Loyola University Chicago

These instructions are taken from representatives of the Consulado General de Chile, Chicago Office.

Students participating in Loyola's Universidad Alberto Hurtado study abroad program in Chile are required by the Chilean government to obtain a student visa in order to enter the country.

The following information explains how to obtain a student visa from the Chicago office of the Chilean consulate, since that office is the one most used by Loyola students.   

STEP 1: Determine whether you will use the Chicago office or a different Chilean consular office for processing your visa.

There are several Chilean consular offices throughout the U.S. The consular office you can or should use is based upon where two of the required documents will be issued:

• Heath Certificate
• HIV Test Report

If both of these documents are issued in one of the following states (or a combination of the states), then you must use the Chicago office to process your visa:

States Under Chicago Office Jurisdiction

• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• South Dakota
• Wisconsin

If either of those documents is issued in a state other than those listed above, then you cannot use the Chicago office to process your visa. Instead, you should use a different office that has jurisdiction over that state (see below).

Keep in mind that even if your permanent address is in a state not listed above, you may still use the Chicago office if the two above-mentioned documents are issued within the states shown above.  Also, in this case, on your visa application form, under "current address" you should be sure to write your school address in Chicago instead of your permanent address.

Below are the other Chilean consulates and honorary consulates in the U.S.  NOTE: Some of the offices listed below may not issue student visas.  Contact the consulate to find out.  Contact information can be found at http://www.chile-usa.org/consular.htm.

• Boston, MA
• Honolulu, HI
• Houston, TX
• Las Vegas, NV
• Los Angeles, CA
• Miami, FL
• New York, NY
• Philadelphia, PA
• San Francisco, CA
• San Juan, PR
• Seattle, WA
• Utah
• Washington, D.C.

The Chicago-based Chilean consular office as well as other Chilean consular offices throughout the U.S. require that you visit the office in person to pick up your visa. When they are finished processing your visa, the office will contact you to set up this appointment.

The Chicago office generally states that they take about 3–4 weeks to process visas, although they do not guarantee any particular time frame.  Your goal should be to submit all complete visa application documents to the consular office at least four weeks before you leave for Chile. If you use a U.S. consular office other than Chicago for your visa processing, contact that office to check on processing times.

Leaving for holiday break?
If you use the Chicago office for visa processing and plan to leave Chicago during the holiday break, plan to have the visa appointment before you leave for break. In that case, you should submit all visa application documents to the consulate at least four weeks (preferrably longer) before leaving Chicago. Alternatively, you may not mind returning to Chicago for your visa appointment sometime later in December.

Please consider carefully your own situation and the timeline for getting your visa processed. Allow yourself plenty of time to collect all the required documents.

STEP 2:  Begin collecting your documents.

If you plan to use the Chicago office, please continue reading.  If you plan to use another consular office in the U.S., please contact that office. Document requirements may vary slightly between the different consulate offices. 

_____ Visa Application Form (must be typed, not hand-written):
You may obtain one from Loyola’s Office for International Programs or fill out and print the online version (PDF).  If your permanent address is not in one of the states under the Chicago office jurisdiction, be sure to write your local Chicago address under "current address" instead of your permanent address.

_____ Passport: Signed by you and valid beyond the duration of the study abroad program, with at least two whole pages available in the back. You must send the original passport, not a photocopy.

_____ Health Certificate: A letter issued by a doctor in one of the States Under Chicago Office Jurisdiction (see above), attesting to your state of health, printed on the letterhead of the issuing hospital or clinic, including address and telephone number.  Must be issued within 30 days of applying for your visa.  (Note: Loyola's Wellness Center does not provide such certificates, but will refer refer you to local doctors who do. Contact OIP for the doctors' contact information.)

_____ HIV Test Report: Issued by a health department, laboratory or private doctor in one of the States Under Chicago Office Jurisdiction (see above), printed on their letterhead, issued within 30 days of applying for your visa. (Note: Loyola's periodic HIV testing by the Board of Health cannot be used for this requirement because they do not give students printed results on letterhead. Contact OIP to find out which agencies/doctors past Chile program participants have used.)

_____ Police Certificate:  Police certificate printed on police letterhead issued by the authorities stating that you have no records nationwide.  The way the consulate requires you to meet this requirement is by ordering an FBI Identification Record for yourself.  Note: Over the phone, the FBI has stated that this process generally can take up to 6 weeks.  Visit the FBI Identification Record Request page for instructions on ordering this report.  This document must be issued within 90 days of when you apply for your visa. 

_____ Three Passport-size Photographs: 2x2 color photographs, all three the same.  Must be taken within 30 days of applying for your visa.

_____ Admission Letter from Universidad Alberto Hurtado: This is a letter of your acceptance issued on UAH letterhead.  These are sent directly from Chile to OIP. OIP will contact you when yours arrives.

_____ Proof of Financial Solvency: A notarized letter from your parents (or other sponsors) stating that they will provide financially for you during your stay abroad. Must be issued within 30 days of applying for your visa. Note: usually, your bank can perform notary services.

_____ $131 Money Order: as a reciprocity fee for U.S. citizens, payable to "Consulado General de Chile."

STEP 3: Submit the documents to the Chicago Chilean consulate:

Consulado General de Chile
875 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 3352 (The John Hancock Center)
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312.654.8780, 312.654.8946 or 312.654.8114

Submit the documents in person to the consulate or use express mail.  You should submit the documents at least one month, preferrably longer, prior to your departure date for Chile (or at least one month prior to leaving the Chicago area, if you do not wish to return to Chicago later for your visa appointment.)

It is your responsibility to make sure that all documents are submitted correctly and in a timely manner. Please do not hesitate to contact the consulate directly if you have any questions about the requirements.

STEP 4: Appear in person for you visa appointment.

Once the consulate processes your application, they will contact you to set up an appointment to appear in person. You will need to visit in person in order to sign and fingerprint your visa. The appointment takes approximately one hour, and you will be given your visa at that time.

Updated January 2008