THE
CONSUL
The
Consul is the official agent of a state within the territory of
another state. In addition to protecting and representing the interests
of the country and its citizens, the Consul must also foster the
development of commercial, political, cultural, academic, technological,
tourist and other relations between both nations. |
CONSULATE
FUNCTIONS
Any
Chilean citizen in a foreign country, residing or in transit within
the jurisdictions of the Chilean Consulates, has the right to receive
assistance and protection from them. However, consular assistance
and protection operate within a limited framework that Chileans
must be aware of when they travel abroad. For the above reasons
it is important that Chileans residing abroad register with the
Chilean Consulate. To do so, it is necessary to fill out a registration
form and present valid Chilean identification such as a passport
or identification card (carnet de identidad).
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Loss
or Theft of Passport
In
case of loss or theft of passport or identification card, consular
authorities can provide you with a save-conduct for returning to
Chile. However, the consulate will make inquires to confirm that
you are a Chilean citizen. You must first go to the nearest police
station and register the loss or theft of the document(s). You must
also obtain a written document from the police certifying that you
reported the loss or theft of the passport. Granting a save-conduct
or a passport is subject to a fee determined by the Arancel Consular
de Chile. The save-conduct must be returned to the Chilean immigration
authorities upon arrival in Chile.
Financial Difficulties
In case of financial difficulties, the Consul will advise you of
possible ways that you can receive the money you need. The Consul
can also inform you about local organizations that assist people
in trouble.
Detention or Incarceration
If you are arrested by the police or incarcerated, the Consul can
inform the local authorities that you are under Chile's consular
protection. If you agree, the Consul can also notify your family.
The Consul will request authorization from the local authorities
to visit you. In this way, the Consul will be informed of the reasons
for your detention or incarceration and will ensure that local laws
are respected. The Consul will propose the option of hiring an attorney
for your defense. The Chilean Consulates do not cover the costs
of legal services.
Illness
In the case of an illness, the Chilean Consulate will get in touch
with a physician and provide you (when possible) with a list of
specialists. The expenses incurred during your illness are your
responsibility.
Accident
In the case of a severe accident, the Chilean Consulate can notify
your family and advise them on the best measures for hospitalization
or repatriation. The expenses incurred are your sole responsibility.
Death
When a Chilean citizen dies abroad, the Chilean Consulate contacts
the family to inform and advise them on the legal formalities for
repatriation or exhumation of the body or ashes of the deceased.
The family, the employer or the insurance company must absorb all
expenses, including the autopsy. Arrangements are contracted with
local funeral companies.
Other Types of Difficulties
If you have specific difficulties with local authorities or citizens,
the Chilean Consulate can advise and provide you with useful information
about local administration, laws, attorneys, interpreter services,
etc. In some case the Consulate can intervene to assist with mediation.
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THE CONSULATES ARE NOT CAPACITATED
TO:
- repatriate
a Chilean citizen at the expense of the Chilean State, except
in case of extreme necessity, and under the commitment of reimbursement
of the total cost of the operation;
-
pay a fine, hotel bills, hospital, or any other expenses incurred
by a Chilean citizen;
advance money;
- provide
you immediately with a passport;
-
intervene legally to obtain your freedom if you are implicated
in a legal case or you have been accused of committing a crime;
- perform
the role of a travel agency, a bank or an insurance company; or
offer you official consular protection if you are a citizen of
the US.
Useful
Precautions
Before Traveling
- Make
sure you have a valid passport.
-
Obtain the necessary visas to travel to certain foreign countries.
Most of the time it is rarely possible to take care of documents
abroad, especially if you have the intention of studying or working
in a foreign country.
-
Consult with the Dirección General de Asuntos Consulares
y de Inmigración (Bandera 46, Santiago, Fono 688 0711)
about the Chilean Consulates in the countries you will be visiting.
-
Take care of necessary vaccinations.
Make sure to take insurance to protect yourself against possible
risks abroad.
Make sure you have the necessary funds, mainly travelers checks,
for unexpected expenses and to return to your country of permanent
residence.
Abroad
- It
is advisable to utilize security boxes, available in most hotels,
to secure your valuable objects, money, passport and returning
tickets. It is also advisable to make a photocopy of your passport
and keep it in a different place.
-
Obey the law. Regulations and laws vary from one country to another.
They can be very different from those applied in Chile and they
apply to both residents and tourists.
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