Urgent - made a huge mistake with Chile visa

[SYD]

I seriously have to question how much the Chilean Government even looks at all of the documentation that AU citizens upload. I suspect it is all a facade to put AU citizens through what CL citizens have to do. I suspect it all goes in the bin basically.

If you want to prove a point, just stick with the reciprocity fee at SCL. Simple.

I don’t believe it’s possible to board a flight from Oz now without the visa?

Maybe different if flying in from elsewhere. But yes, the application process is daft AND there’s 10% surcharge on top of the Reciprocity fee…

 

[vivieninAus]

Well that turned out to be a storm in a teacup. No need to have pulled my hair out about it after all.

We were first in line at the consulate, walk in take a seat for a moment. Then when it’s my turn, I briefly explain I’m there about a visa and let them know I made an application yesterday for travel on Monday. They take my passport for 10 mins or so then come back, take my payment and the visa is in my inbox within 30 minutes. They do quickly admonish me and let me know it usually takes 10 days, I wholeheartedly agree then leave while counting my lucky stars.

Still would not recommend the stress and panic caused by this scenario so to anyone reading this, make sure you don’t forget your Chile visas and apply well ahead of time.

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.

Oh no! My boyfriend just visited to embassy but they said they can't do anything to make it faster. We are flying thus Thursday and just applied yesterday.....

 

[RooFlyer]

Oh no! My boyfriend just visited to embassy but they said they can't do anything to make it faster. We are flying thus Thursday and just applied yesterday.....

Welcome to AFF.

Did you mean the embassy in Canberra? I don’t think they issue visas. I think even Canberrans are is supposed to go via the Sydney Consulate. I suggest you may have to hightail it over there.

 

[Han98]

cough!
I’m in Western Australia and just realised I have a similar issue - except my flight is booked for the 25th of October so I have 2 weeks. There’s no consulate in WA does anyone have any feedback for dealing with this over the phone?

 

[RooFlyer]

cough!
I’m in Western Australia and just realised I have a similar issue - except my flight is booked for the 25th of October so I have 2 weeks. There’s no consulate in WA does anyone have any feedback for dealing with this over the phone?

Welcome to AFF @Han98 ; sorry about the circumstances. DFAT reckons there is a Chilean consulate in Perth

Foreign Embassies and Consulates in Australia - Protocol

protocol.dfat.gov.au

But if that's closed, the problem I found with the Melbourne consulate that they hardly ever pick up the phone, or return messages.

But in any event, lodge on-line today and go from there.

 

[Fifa]

I received my e-visa today after submitting it via the Sydney consulate exactly 15 days ago

 

[Han98]

Welcome to AFF @Han98 ; sorry about the circumstances. DFAT reckons there is a Chilean consulate in Perth

Foreign Embassies and Consulates in Australia - Protocol

protocol.dfat.gov.au

But if that's closed, the problem I found with the Melbourne consulate that they hardly ever pick up the phone, or return messages.

But in any event, lodge on-line today and go from there.

Thanks for your response Rooflyer,
Unfortunately the WA one is only an honorary consulate and has no part in the visa process. I applied for a visa online yesterday and phoned both the Sydney and Melbourne consulates today but neither answer the phones so hoping they’ll call me back.

 

[Han98]

I received my e-visa today after submitting it via the Sydney consulate exactly 15 days ago

Ah thanks comforting - thanks Fifa much appreciated!

 

[Fifa]

Ah thanks comforting - thanks Fifa much appreciated!

My travel date to Chile is 13 November so hopefully yours is expedited as it is sooner. Good luck!

 

[RooFlyer]

@Han98 , even though you have applied via Sydney, which is operationally much more efficient and reliable than Melbourne, I suggest you should make contingency plans to go east if the visa hasn't appeared by say the 23rd and the consulate isn't answering the phone. Did Sydney return your original call?

 

[Port Power]

Thanks for your response Rooflyer,
Unfortunately the WA one is only an honorary consulate and has no part in the visa process. I applied for a visa online yesterday and phoned both the Sydney and Melbourne consulates today but neither answer the phones so hoping they’ll call me back.

I lodged my application with Sydney this afternoon, although I am not flying out until January. From a recent post on the other thread, two weeks to receive the visa seems spot on. One week until you receive the email requesting payment, then another week for the visa to be issued.

Remember to print it and take with you. Having the visa in hand is often easier than having the digital version. (Unless you don’t receive it until you’re in the air!)

 

[Port Power]

Yesterday I received the email advising application is successful and use (this reference) for payment. Allow 5 days for processing. As I will not be in Chilean ports until February 10th - 24th, I will pay on December 12th.

I rang the Consulate today and they do not close down over Christmas. The phone was answered immediately.