The Chilean government announced at an April 12, 2022 press conference, modifications to the Plan de Fronteras Protegidas (Plan for the Protection of Borders),1 which regulates entries and departures into/from Chile. An official regulation enacting these measures is expected shortly. (For prior coverage, see GMS Flash Alert 2022-38, February 22, 2022.)
The announced modifications are meant to ease health entry requirements into Chile considering the advanced state of vaccination within the general population and the current low health impact of the COVID-19 virus transmission in the country.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Relaxed health requirements for travel are aimed at benefiting companies with internationally mobile workforces. This measure is expected to have a positive impact on companies with expatriate populations in terms of future assignments inbound to or outbound from Chile.
Employees and their families who may have received offers for an international assignment to Chile may resume their plans for assignments and relocations to Chile without the need to comply with excessively stringent vaccination protocols prior to their travel.
Companies with a global presence and individuals operating across borders need to continue to be aware of the relevant risks associated with travel, large-crowd events, and conferences, as well as changed work arrangements resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Details
Starting April 14, entry requirements will be regulated based on three different alert levels, as determined by the Health Ministry depending on the severity of the health conditions the country is currently facing: Level 1 for less severe and Level 3 is the most severe.
Chile is currently on Alert Level 1, and there are no travel bans on this level. Furthermore:
1 The electronic sworn affidavit for entry purposes will continue to be mandatory through the official government webpages, Traveler’s Affidavit (https://mevacuno.gob.cl/) or https://c19.cl/. This declaration should be made within 48 hours prior to boarding.2
2 The international vaccine scheme approval will no longer be mandatory for travel purposes. However, those who have not completed this process will not have access to the Chilean mobility pass that allows entry to indoor areas (such as office premises and restaurants) within Chilean territory.
3 A negative PCR test will no longer be mandatory for travel purposes and it will only be recommended under Alert Level 1.
4 Non-resident foreign nationals will continue to be required to show proof of an international health insurance policy with a minimum coverage of USD 30,000 for COVID-19-related medical coverage and repatriation purposes in case of death.
5 Other sanitary/hygiene measures will remain in force. Therefore, random testing at the port of entry will remain in effect; as well as continued monitoring for travelers and close contacts with positive COVID-19 tests taken in Chile. Additionally, quarantine measures will be enforced for confirmed COVID-19 cases.
KPMG NOTE
Although Chile is currently on Alert Level 1 in the new Plan de Fronteras Protegidas (Plan for the Protection of Borders), if the current health scenario worsens, the country may change its status to Alert Level 2 or 3 in the future. Under those scenarios, travel restrictions from specific countries may be reinstated, as well as mandatory testing, vaccine scheme approval requirements, and special quarantine measures.
The Chilean Mobility Pass (Pase de Movilidad) will continue to be required when attending indoor areas, such as office premises. Therefore, even if the international vaccine scheme approval process will no longer be required for travel purposes, it is nonetheless recommended for work purposes in Chile.
FOOTNOTES
1 See the official government webpage (in Spanish) published in Chile’s Health Ministry’s site.
2 For instructions on how to complete the Traveler's Affadavit (in Spanish) through a YouTube video provided by the government of Chile, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiecJ21zKJw.
* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labor law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Chile.
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