1.5% of Chileans who entered the United States under the Visa Waiver Program stayed beyond the permitted period, the lowest figure in six years and 35% less than the previous year. Chile's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced it on Saturday 17 October 2026, based on a report by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to Emol and El Dínamo.
The figure matters because the overstay rate is one of the criteria the United States uses to decide whether a country stays in the program. "Visa-free travel to the United States is an enormous benefit enjoyed by 350,000 Chileans a year," said Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna.
Chile's Visa Waiver figures
| Item | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Chileans who overstayed | 1.5% | DHS report cited by the Foreign Ministry, 17 Oct 2026 |
| Year-on-year change | -35% | Foreign Ministry |
| Historical level | The lowest in six years | Foreign Ministry |
| Chileans using the program | About 350,000 a year | Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna |
| Maximum stay allowed | 90 days, for tourism or business | Visa Waiver Program |
| Chile in the program | Since 2014; the only Latin American country | Foreign Ministry and Ladevi |
The government did not give the exact fiscal year of the DHS report. El Dínamo places it in fiscal year 2025 and adds that, even after the drop, Chile remains among the countries with the highest rate in the program. A previous rate of around 2.3% can be inferred from the 35% fall, but it was not published by the Foreign Ministry.
Why Visa Waiver overstays have fallen
The Foreign Ministry credits the improvement to control mechanisms and joint work with the Interior Ministry, the Civil Registry, the PDI (investigative police) and Carabineros. According to Ladevi, the effort is linked to the July 2023 commitment to strengthen traveller information sharing with DHS, after months of uncertainty over crimes committed by Chileans who had used the program.
"Keeping it requires commitment and responsibility," said the foreign minister, who asked travellers to respect immigration rules. The program has never been suspended for Chile, but it has been under review in recent years.
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See advertising optionsHow the Visa Waiver and ESTA work
| Requirement | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Passport | A valid Chilean electronic passport |
| ESTA authorisation | Applied for online before travelling on the official site esta.cbp.dhs.gov; valid for two years or until the passport expires |
| ESTA cost | About US$40 per person after the 2025 increase (industry sources cite US$40.27 and an adjustment to US$40.62 from 16 Oct 2026) |
| Purpose of travel | Tourism or business; it does not allow work or study |
| Stay | Up to 90 days per entry, with no extension possible |
Sources: Chilean Foreign Ministry and CBP. The ESTA fee is adjusted periodically and we did not confirm it with a US government source: check it on the official ESTA site and beware of intermediary sites that charge more.
What not to do with the Visa Waiver
- Do not exceed 90 days: anyone who overstays loses the right to use the program and will need a visa in the future.
- Do not work: the Visa Waiver does not authorise employment, not even informal work.
- Do not use unofficial sites: ESTA is processed only on the CBP portal; other sites charge commissions.
- Answer truthfully: leaving out information on the form can lead to being refused entry.
- Check your connection: if you have a layover in the United States on the way to another country, you also need ESTA. For direct flights from Santiago, see the new summer air routes.
Frequently asked questions
Does Chile keep the Visa Waiver?
Yes. Chile has been in the program since 2014, and the new DHS report shows the lowest overstay rate in six years: 1.5%.
How long can I stay in the United States with the Visa Waiver?
Up to 90 days per entry, for tourism or business. It cannot be extended.
Do I need ESTA if I am only connecting in the United States?
Yes. Every traveller in the program who passes through a US airport, even in transit, needs an approved ESTA authorisation.
