All international students are required to apply for a student visa to do an MBA in Chile. You will need to provide a valid passport, proof of enrolment, a medical certificate, and a police clearance certificate among other documents. A student visa is valid for a period of 12 months, and you are responsible for filing for renewal before your visa expires. The visa application fee ranges from US$50-150, depending on the country you’re from.

In an attempt to attract and retain highly-educated foreign nationals and skilled workers, the government of Chile offers a Temporary International Orientation Visa for anyone who has earned a postgraduate degree from an accredited Chilean university and would like to work in Chile. However, there is a cap of 300 visas granted annually. The visa is valid for one year, after which visa holders may apply for permanent residence in Chile.

It can be difficult to open a bank account in Chile as a non-resident. However, some universities have partnerships with banks to offer special international student bank accounts. The best banking option as a foreign national is to contact your home bank and check if they have an international branch or partner bank in Chile. International banks such as BBVA, Banco Santander, Rabobank, and Scotiabank, have a presence in Chile. Fees for ATMs, international transfers, and general banking, vary from bank to bank.

Chile is a leader in affordable public healthcare in Latin America, offering a form of universal healthcare. As an international student, you are eligible for public healthcare in Chile. However, it is recommended to take out private health insurance to gain access to multilingual staff, newer and cleaner facilities, and shorter waiting times. Because of the added benefits, around 20% of the population of Chile has private health insurance.

While the public healthcare system focuses on primary healthcare, such as disease treatment and prevention as well as the promotion of health and wellness. The private healthcare system, on the other hand, focuses on more specialized services.

Most universities in Chile do not offer on-campus accommodation, but it is always a good idea to check as many universities can also help you in your search for off-campus housing. It is advisable to begin looking for accommodation in Chile well in advance, as Chile also has one of the most expensive rental prices in Latin America. You can expect to pay around US$250-300 for a private bedroom in a shared apartment. However, rental prices will vary greatly depending on the house, city, and neighborhood.

You can also choose to live with a Chilean host family to immerse yourself in the local culture and experience traditional Chilean friendliness and hospitality.

Chile has a reliable and modern public transport system. Santiago and Valparaíso have efficient metro systems, while buses and trains connect all major cities and towns. Prices for public transport are also low; fares run from CLP670 (US$0.81) in off-peak hours to CLP800 (US$0.96) in peak hours. Student fares are around CLP230 (US$0.27).

The most popular form of travel between cities is by bus. Several bus companies, such as Turbus and Pullman Bus, offer efficient, clean, and comfortable services, with air-conditioning, comfortable seats, and amenities like onboard screens and meal services.

The Big Mac Index was invented by The Economist in 1986 as an informal way of measuring the purchasing power parity (PPP) between two currencies. The price of a Big Mac in Chile is CLP3,100 (equivalent to US$3.75, EUR€3.49, and JP¥476). For US$50, you can buy 13 Big Macs.

While the cost of living varies per location, it remains quite affordable to live and study in Chile. International students should budget a minimum of CLP500,000 (US$600) per month, excluding rent. Larger cities like Santiago, Valparaíso, Concepción, and Puente Alto, will be more pricey.