Thursday, January 6, 2011

Stop 1th : Chile

September 08, 2010

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:

In addition to its stunning natural beauty, the Republic of Chile has a large, educated middle class and a robust free-market economy. Santiago and other large cities have well-developed tourist facilities and services, although the quality of tourist facilities may vary outside major populated areas. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Chile for information about Chile's geography, history, economy, and government.

SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP) / EMBASSY LOCATION:

If you are going to live in or visit Chile, please take the time to tell our Embassy about your trip. If you check in, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. Here's the link to the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.
Local embassy information is available below and at the Department of State's list of embassies and consulates.
U.S. Embassy Santiago
Address: Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago
Telephone switchboard: 56-2-330-3000
Telephone from the United States: 011-56-2-330-3000
U.S. Department of State Emergency Assistance: 1-888-407-4747
Consular Section fax number: 56-2-330-3005
E-mail address for U.S. citizens: santiagoamcit@state.gov
Internet address for hours and general information: http://chile.usembassy.gov

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS:

U.S. citizens entering Chile must have a valid passport. U.S. citizens traveling to Chile for recreation, tourism, business, or academic conferences do not need to obtain a visa prior to their arrival to Chile. A Tourist Card will be issued for a stay of up to 90 days upon payment of a reciprocity fee, currently US$140. Currently, the fee is only charged at the Santiago International Airport. Payment can be made in U.S. currency or by credit card. An extension of stay for another 90 days is possible upon payment of an extension fee at the Chilean Immigration Office located at San Antonio 580, Santiago; telephone 56-2-5502469. The Tourist Card must be surrendered upon departure. Failure to submit this card upon departure may result in delays until a replacement is obtained. If lost or stolen, the tourist card must be replaced by the International Police at their nearest headquarters or at the international airport prior to departure.
Ensure that you have appropriate documentation to enter Chile. U.S. passports must be in good condition and valid for the period of stay. The U.S. Embassy cannot secure entry on your behalf if you arrive without a valid U.S. passport, with a passport that is damaged or mutilated, or if you arrive without a visa when one is required.
For up-to-date information on visa requirements, visit the website of the Embassy of Chile in Washington D.C. U.S. citizens, who intend to work, live, or study in Chile must apply in advance for a Chilean visa.
Chile imposes severe restrictions on the importation of agricultural products of animal or plant origin. Visit the Ministry of Agriculture website for current guidelines. When in doubt, declare all agricultural items, including fruit provided on incoming flights and packaged products. For further information regarding customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Chile.

ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR DUAL NATIONALS:

Dual nationals must enter and exit Chile using their Chilean passport, and they must enter and exit the United States using their U.S. passport. A naturalization certificate is not a valid travel document. Information about dual nationality can be found on our website.


ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR MINORS:

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, Chile requires that minors under the age of 18 meet specific requirements at entry/exit points. Unaccompanied minors must have a notarized letter of consent from their parents or legal guardians when they enter and leave Chile. The letter of consent must be authenticated by a Chilean consul at the nearest Chilean consulate in the United States. Minors traveling alone must also carry a birth certificate that shows both parents' names.
Minors entering and leaving Chile with only one parent need written authorization from the other parent. This authorization must be in Spanish and be authenticated at a Chilean embassy or consulate prior to departure from the United States. If the minor is resident in Chile, authorization may be notarized by a Chilean notary.
A letter of consent should include the following: 1) the full name(s) of the custodial and/or non-custodial parent(s) or legal guardians, 2) the full name of the child, 3) the child's date of birth, place of birth, passport number, and passport date of issuance, 4) full name and passport details of the person accompanying the minor, 5) dates of travel, including arrival and departure information, 6) address where the minor will reside in Chile, and 7) explicit authorization that a minor can travel alone or in the company of another person. The letter of consent must be notarized. It then needs to be authenticated by a Chilean consul in the United States, or, if in Chile, by a Chilean notary.
Parents, even when traveling together with the child, may be required to show evidence of their relationship to the child. Please carry an original birth certificate or a certified copy of the original.
The minor's tourist card is usually annotated to include the name(s) of the person(s) responsible for the minor. The minor is normally required to depart Chile in the company of the same responsible persons.
Find additional information at Travel.State.Gov regarding the prevention of international child abduction.

THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY:

The Republic of Chile is politically stable, and the potential for terrorist activity is low. Demonstrations are common on March 29, the Day of the Young Combatant, and September 11, the anniversary of the coup against the government of President Salvador Allende. Even demonstrations that are meant to be peaceful can become violent and unpredictable. Avoid them if possible. Be alert and aware of your surroundings and pay attention to the local news media.
Protest and anarchist groups are known to place small explosive devices at ATMs and other Chilean government/business locations, which have thus far resulted in few or no injuries. However, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are increasingly being placed in high-traffic pedestrian areas. A larger explosive device detonated in a major international hotel in Santiago in November, 2009 resulting in broken glass and several injuries. U.S. citizens have not been targeted in these attacks. Be alert and aware of your surroundings and any suspicious packages.
Visitors to Easter Island may encounter rare, non-violent demonstrations. Such demonstrations have caused minor disruption at the airport and closure of some government facilities. Demonstrations may result in minor inconveniences and occasional delays.
Stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
There is nobody better at protecting you than yourself. Take some time before travel to improve your personal security-things are not the same everywhere as they are in the United States. Here are some useful tips for traveling safely abroad.

CRIME:

Most foreigners visit Chile without incident. Nevertheless, street crime is a problem, especially in Santiago and Valparaiso. As in any large city, be cautious and aware of your surroundings. Be alert for pick-pocketing, purse and camera snatching, and thefts from backpacks and rental cars. Crimes are common in major tourist destinations, in hotel lobbies and restaurants, internet cafes, at bus and subway stations, and in cruise ship ports. Criminals usually work in groups and employ a variety of ruses to distract and victimize unsuspecting visitors. A few taxi drivers engage in currency switching and overcharge with altered taxi meters. Drivers should keep car doors locked at all times and valuables out of sight as there have been reports of thieves entering cars or breaking windows of cars stopped at traffic lights in different areas in Santiago.

Your passport is a valuable document. Report the loss or theft of a U.S. passport to the police and the US Embassy immediately. Secure your passport and other valuables in a hotel safe, and carry a photocopy of your passport for identification purposes. Leave copies of your passport and important documents with family members in case of emergency. For information about measures you can take to protect yourself overseas, see our pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.

Counterfeit and pirated goods may sometimes be available in Chile, and transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing such goods back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. More information on this serious problem is available on the in the intellectual property section of the U.S. Department of Justice website.

INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME:

If you or someone you know are the victims of a crime in Chile, report to the local police and contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. The Embassy staff can assist you in finding appropriate medical care, contacting family members or friends and explaining how funds can be transferred. If your passport is stolen we can help you replace it. Although the investigation and prosecution of crimes are solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney, if needed.

The local equivalents to the “911” emergency lines in Chile follow an ABC-123 plan:

131 - Ambulancia / Ambulance
132 - Bomberos / Fire Department
133 - Carabineros / Police Department

Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

CRIMINAL PENALTIES:

While in a Chile, you are subject to Chile's laws and regulations. Chilean laws may differ significantly from those in the United States. You may not have the same protections available to you as under U.S. law, and penalties for breaking the law can also be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Chile's laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Chile are strict, and convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. Persons engaging in sexual conduct with children and using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country may be prosecuted in the United States. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.
If you are arrested or detained, you have the right to contact the U.S. Embassy. The U.S. Embassy cannot intervene in legal proceedings.
 
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:

Chile lies in an active seismic zone and is prone to major earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. Several of the strongest earthquakes in history have occurred in Chile. Prepare yourself for a natural disaster by consulting the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Chile's Oficina Nacional de Emergencia (ONEMI).
Minefields are found in Chile's northern border region with Peru and Bolivia and around the southern border with Argentina in Patagonia. Minefields are generally marked, but markers may have shifted or may not be visible. Follow clearly identified roads and trails when traveling in minefield areas. Border crossings should only be made at authorized locations. Consult with park or other local officials concerning minefields and other hazards.

Chile is a popular destination for outdoor and adventure sports. Despite the best efforts of local authorities, assisting persons lost or injured in isolated and wilderness areas can be problematic. Before you go, learn about local hazards and weather conditions. Obtain information about parks and wilderness areas from the Chilean Forestry Service and mountain climbing from the Federacion de Andinismo de Chile and weather forecasts from the Chilean Meteorological Service. Report missing or injured persons immediately to the police. Inform park rangers, police, or other local authorities of your itinerary.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION:

Santiago has two main private hospitals that are accredited by a US hospital organization and meet US standards: Clinica Alemana and Clinica Las Condes. Both have international patient departments and experience with some international insurance. Medical care in Chile is generally good, though it may not meet U.S. standards in remote areas. Major hospitals accept credit cards, but many doctors and hospitals in Chile expect immediate payment in cash. Prescriptions written by local doctors and over-the-counter medicines are widely available.
Air pollution is a major source of health concern in Santiago, resulting in severe bronchial ailments affecting infants, small children and the elderly. The most severe air pollution occurs during the winter (May through August).
The ozone layer is especially thin at the bottom of the world. Take precautions to protect yourself from ultraviolet radiation.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions can be found on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.

MEDICAL INSURANCE:

You can't assume your insurance will go with you when you travel. It's very important to find out BEFORE you leave. You need to ask your insurance company two questions:
  • Does my policy apply when I'm out of the U.S.?
  • Will it cover emergencies like a trip to a foreign hospital or an evacuation?
In many places, doctors and hospitals still expect payment in cash at the time of service. Your regular U.S. health insurance may not cover doctors' and hospital visits in other countries. If your policy doesn't go with you when you travel, it's a very good idea to take out another one for your trip. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS:

While in Chile, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States:
  • Right-hand turns are prohibited at red lights unless otherwise posted;
  • Major highways in and around Santiago collect tolls through use of an electronic transmitter (available at www.concesiones.cl );
  • Secondary and mountain roads may be poorly maintained, poorly lit, and may lack guardrails;
  • Many drivers do not signal lane changes and rarely yield to merging traffic,
  • Many drivers exceed posted speed limits, do not maintain safe distances, and do not observe posted road signs;
  • Major arteries in Santiago may switch directions during morning and evening rush hours;
  • Drivers must carry sufficient Chilean pesos to pay frequent highway tolls.
Chile has modern infrastructure. Taxis and public transportation are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. Agree to a taxi fare before embarking. To use the public bus system in Santiago you need to obtain the prepaid “Bip” card. This card can also be used when traveling on the Santiago subway.
Driving under the influence of alcohol in Chile is severely punished, and can result in incarceration.

Visitors must have an international driver's permit and their US driver's license to drive legally in Chile. The international driver's license must be obtained in the United States before traveling to Chile. Although car rental firms may rent to customers with only a U.S. driver's license, the police may fine foreigners for driving without a valid international permit.

For more information, please refer to our Road Safety page and the website of Chile's national tourist office at www.sernatur.cl .

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT:

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) assessed Chile's Civil Aviation Authority. FAA determined that Chile is in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA's safety assessment page.

CHILDREN'S ISSUES:

Please see our Office of Children's Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.

This replaces the Country Specific Information dated August 20, 2008 to update all sections.

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