TEFL Certification for Chile Classrooms, Online and Flexible

Yes, for paid teaching. Chile's Servicio Nacional de Migraciones states that Permanencia Transitoria permit holders are not allowed to perform any paid activities. That permit allows a stay of up to 90 days, extendable once by 90 more. Paid work calls for a Residencia Temporal permit for lawful remunerated activities, which covers foreigners with an employer in Chile or a formal job offer from a Chilean person or entity that they accepted.

SERMIG asks for a passport valid for at least one year from the application date and, if you are over 18, a criminal record certificate from your country of origin or where you lived in the last five years, issued within 60 days. You also need a recent color photo on a white background, your employment contract and proof of your employer's liquidity to hire you. Foreign documents must be apostilled or legalized and uploaded as PDF files.

Generally not. SERMIG states that the Residencia Temporal permit for lawful remunerated activities must be requested from outside Chile through its Portal de Trámites Digitales, using a SERMIG account or ClaveÚnica. People already in Chile on a Permanencia Transitoria permit are not eligible to apply for residence unless they meet specific exceptions, such as a family bond with a Chilean or permanent resident, so plan your application early.

A permit based on an employment relationship lasts up to two years and can be extended for two more if you keep doing lawful paid work. With a formal job offer, SERMIG grants a 90 day permit, and you have 45 calendar days from entry to submit a notarized copy of your contract and proof of its electronic registration, which extends it for one year. If the contract does not materialize, the permit ends and you must leave Chile.

The 180 hour Government Regulated Level 5 TEFL Diploma, Ofqual reference 610/1572/6, suits most people heading to Chile. It is a recognized Level 5 qualification that employers can verify on the UK government register. The 120 hour Accredited Online TEFL Course is the starting option, and the 60 hour Level 5 Business English course adds a focused option if you plan to teach adults and working professionals in Chile.