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- Chile - Consular Information Sheet
- September 2, 1994
-
- Country Description: Chile has a stable government and a strong economy.
- Civil disorder is rare. Facilities for tourism vary according to price and
- area.
-
- Entry Requirements: A passport is required. U.S. citizens do not need a
- visa for a three-month stay. However, those considering scientific,
- technical or mountaineering activities in areas classified as frontier areas
- are required to obtain authorization from the Chilean government. Requests
- for authorization must be presented to Chilean authorities at least 90 days
- prior to the beginning of the expedition. The portions of Antarctica
- claimed by Chile are exempt from these pre-approval requirements. For
- current information concerning entry and customs requirements for Chile,
- travelers can contact the Chilean Embassy at 1732 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.,
- Washington, D.C. 20036; tel: (202) 785-1746 or the nearest consulate in Los
- Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, New York, Houston, or Chicago.
-
- Medical Facilities: Medical care is good but may not meet U.S. standards.
- Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health
- services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United
- States. Supplemental medical insurance, which includes specific overseas
- coverage, is highly recommended. In-country medical evacuation from
- outlying areas to Santiago costs $2000 (U.S.) or more. Cost for
- international evacuations begin at about $10,000 (U.S.). For travelers to
- the Antarctic, additional insurance to cover the cost of air evacuation
- specifically from that remote region is strongly recommended. In the event
- of illness, injury or even death, the cost of evacuation from the Antarctic
- region to Santiago can exceed $10,000 (U.S.). This is in addition to the
- evacuation costs indicated above. For additional health information
- travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control's international
- travelers' hotline at (404) 332-4559.
-
- Crime Information: In Santiago and other large cities, thieves thrive on
- rush hour crowding on the street and aboard public transportation. Persons
- wearing expensive looking jewelry or carrying luggage or cameras are
- particular targets. Walking in the downtown area after dark, or on weekends
- in the late afternoon, even in the well-traveled areas, is considered risky.
-
- The loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad should be reported immediately
- to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Useful
- information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while
- traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe
- Trip Abroad," which is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
- Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Also available from the
- same address is the Department of State's publication, "Tips for Travelers
- to Central and South America."
-
- Terrorist Activities: Specific terrorist groups have conducted sporadic
- bombings and other violent acts against business facilities and institutions
- identified with the United States.
-
- Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in
- which they are traveling. Penalties in Chile for possession and trafficking
- in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail
- sentences and fines.
-
- Adoptions: The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy can provide updated
- information on Chilean adoption procedures and on immigrant visa matters
- related to adoptions. Consular officers are not authorized to act as agents
- on behalf of Americans seeking to adopt Chilean children. Additional
- information is available by writing the Office of Citizens Consular
- Services, CA/OCS/CCS, Room 4817, Department of State, Washington, D.C.
- 20520, or by telephoning (202) 647-3712.
-
- Civil Aviation Oversight: In March 1992, the U.S. Federal Aviation
- Administration assessed Chile's civil aviation authority as in compliance
- with international aviation safety oversight standards for Chilean carriers
- operating to and from the U.S. The same level of safety oversight would
- typically be applied to operations to other destinations. For further
- information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation at 1-800-
- 322-7873.
-
- Embassy Location/Registration: Americans who register with the Consular
- Section of the U.S. Embassy at 2800 Andres Bello, Vitacura, Santiago;
- telephone (562) 232-2600, can obtain updated information on travel and
- security within Chile.
-
- No. 94-183
-
- This replaces the Consular Information Sheet of May 2, 1994 to add
- information on aviation oversight.
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