Chilean bureaucracy often annoys immigrants from common law countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. The Chilean law system is based on the continental law similar to most European countries — it takes a different approach to private and public legal processes.
Keep in mind these facts for legal safety:
RUN is the unique national ID number for every Chilean and temporary or permanent resident. It never changes, and it functions as your ID in all local information systems. RUN always looks like XX.XXX.XXX-Y and can end with a "K" instead of a digit. Chileans almost never say "RUN" and always use "RUT" instead.
RUT is the unique tax number, which is the same as RUN for most people. It is possible to receive a temporary RUT from the tax agency (SII — Servicio de Impuestos Internos) when you do not have your national ID and RUN, but need to participate in a legal process.
National ID card, often called a "carnet". Issued by the civil registry (Registro Civil) in about a month after receiving a visa or permanent residency.
"Titular" is the key person doing something for himself and his "dependientes." For example, during the immigration process "titular" will be a head of a family while other family members would be the "dependientes."
A sworn declaration verified by a notary. For example, for a visa application the "titular" must write a statement that he or she will pay all the expenses for their "dependientes".
A police record that includes both crimes and family violence records. Required for all immigration applications.
A police record that shows all entry and exit events since the last visa or residency. Required when applying for visas, residency, or citizenship.
The process of signing an agreement in front of a notary. Can be "private" (for example, a rental agreement) or "public" — stored in state archives (for example, a real estate purchase agreement).
Unit of account — inflation-adjusted unit that is used for real estate deals and secured loans instead of Chilean peso.
Monthly and yearly units used to calculate taxes and fines.
An invoice for goods, includes 19% of the value-added tax (IVA).
An invoice for services of a self-employed professional, free from the value-added tax (IVA).
A non-standardized document about payment of salary issued by employers. It states final salary after adding and subtracting various bonuses, taxes, insurances, etc.
Private pension funds, minimal monthly contributions are 10% of salary.
Taxes on income from capital gains: company profits, rentals, investments — 25–27%.
Taxes on income from labor with a progressive scale from 0% (under about CL$644,341 per month in 2018) to 15,57% (above CL$5,727,480). See the full scale.