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Any Chilean citizen in a foreign country, residing or in transit within the jurisdictions of the Chilean Consulates, has the right to receive assistance and protection from them. However, consular assistance and protection operate within a limited framework that Chileans must be aware of when they travel abroad. For the above reasons it is important that Chileans residing abroad register with the Chilean Consulate. To do so, it is necessary to fill out a registration form and present valid Chilean identification such as a passport or identification card (carnet de identidad). If assistance is required, the consulates can intervene in the following situations:

Loss or Theft of Passport
In case of loss or theft of passport or identification card, consular authorities can provide you with a save-conduct for returning to Chile. However, the consulate will make inquires to confirm that you are a Chilean citizen. You must first go to the nearest police station and register the loss or theft of the document(s). You must also obtain a written document from the police certifying that you reported the loss or theft of the passport. Granting a save-conduct or a passport is subject to a fee determined by the Arancel Consular de Chile. The save-conduct must be returned to the Chilean immigration authorities upon arrival in Chile.

Financial Difficulties
In case of financial difficulties, the Consul will advise you of possible ways that you can receive the money you need. The Consul can also inform you about local organizations that assist people in trouble.

Detention or Incarceration
If you are arrested by the police or incarcerated, the Consul can inform the local authorities that you are under Chile's consular protection. If you agree, the Consul can also notify your family. The Consul will request authorization from the local authorities to visit you. In this way, the Consul will be informed of the reasons for your detention or incarceration and will ensure that local laws are respected. The Consul will propose the option of hiring an attorney for your defense. The Chilean Consulates do not cover the costs of legal services.

Illness
In the case of an illness, the Chilean Consulate will get in touch with a physician and provide you (when possible) with a list of specialists. The expenses incurred during your illness are your responsibility.

Accident
In the case of a severe accident, the Chilean Consulate can notify your family and advise them on the best measures for hospitalization or repatriation. The expenses incurred are your sole responsibility.

Death
When a Chilean citizen dies abroad, the Chilean Consulate contacts the family to inform and advise them on the legal formalities for repatriation or exhumation of the body or ashes of the deceased. The family, the employer or the insurance company must absorb all expenses, including the autopsy. Arrangements are contracted with local funeral companies.

Other Types of Difficulties
If you have specific difficulties with local authorities or citizens, the Chilean Consulate can advise and provide you with useful information about local administration, laws, attorneys, interpreter services, etc. In some case the Consulate can intervene to assist with mediation.

THE CONSULATES ARE NOT CAPACITATED TO:

repatriate a Chilean citizen at the expense of the Chilean State, except in case of extreme necessity, and under the commitment of reimbursement of the total cost of the operation;
pay a fine, hotel bills, hospital, or any other expenses incurred by a Chilean citizen;
advance money;
provide you immediately with a passport;
intervene legally to obtain your freedom if you are implicated in a legal case or you have been accused of committing a crime;
perform the role of a travel agency, a bank or an insurance company; or
offer you official consular protection if you are a citizen of the US.

Useful Precautions

Before Traveling

Make sure you have a valid passport.
Obtain the necessary visas to travel to certain foreign countries. Most of the time it is rarely possible to take care of documents abroad, especially if you have the intention of studying or working in a foreign country.
Consult with the Dirección General de Asuntos Consulares y de Inmigración (Bandera 46, Santiago, Fono 688 0711) about the Chilean Consulates in the countries you will be visiting.
Take care of necessary vaccinations.
Make sure to take insurance to protect yourself against possible risks abroad.
Make sure you have the necessary funds, mainly travelers checks, for unexpected expenses and to return to your country of permanent residence.

Abroad

It is advisable to utilize security boxes, available in most hotels, to secure your valuable objects, money, passport and returning tickets. It is also advisable to make a photocopy of your passport and keep it in a different place.
Obey the law. Regulations and laws vary from one country to another. They can be very different from those applied in Chile and they apply to both residents and tourists.

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