The Chilean Constitution guarantees the right to citizenship in certain cases.

Citizenship is granted at birth to those persons born in Chile unless they are descendants of foreigners who reside in Chile in the service of their government or transient foreigners. These children who do not automatically receive citizenship at birth may apply for it as adults.

Citizenship on application is granted for the following group of persons:

• children of a Chilean father or mother, born in a foreign country
• foreigners who obtain a certificate of nationalization in accordance with the law
• persons who obtain special favor of nationalization by law

Obtaining Chilean nationality may take a long time. Therefore, in cases where the nationality application is aimed at a residency in the country, it may be advisable to apply for a Residencia Temporal  at the same time.