For companies · Chile

Set up and operate in Chile, without relocating

One team, in English and Spanish, for everything your company needs to exist, invoice, hire and stay compliant in Chile.
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Founded by Yesid Castaño. Your matter is handled by the lawyers of Ulises Abogados in Santiago.
Who we work with

Companies that want to operate in Chile from abroad

Foreign companies opening a subsidiaryTo sell, import or provide services in Chile.
Distributors and manufacturersThat need to invoice locally and hire Chilean staff.
Founders and startupsThat need a Chilean company, a bank account and visas for the team.
Companies with people on the moveTechnicians on short visits or employees relocating to Chile.
What is hard to do from abroad

Forming the company is fast. Everything around it is not.

A tax ID for the parent company

Obtained for the foreign investor without traveling to Chile.

A resident legal representative

Someone who takes on tax and labor responsibility before the Chilean authorities while no one from your team lives in Chile.

A bank account with foreign ownership

Chilean banks review foreign parent companies in depth, and approval usually takes several weeks.

Contracts under Chilean law

Employment contracts, leases and, if you distribute brands, the extension of your distribution agreements to Chile.
What we handle

Nine fronts, one team

  1. Company formationA Chilean SpA with bylaws drafted for your structure, tax ID for the parent company, start of activities with the tax authority (SII) and municipal licence.
  2. Resident legal representativeUnder a limited power of attorney: no authority to borrow or encumber assets without your signature.
  3. Accounting and tax filingsMonthly VAT, books and payroll, and the annual income tax return.
  4. Business bank accountWe prepare the beneficial-ownership file the bank asks for and follow the application.
  5. Registered addressFor tax and commercial purposes, from day one.
  6. Office, showroom or warehouseWe coordinate the search with trusted real estate partners, and our lawyers review the lease before you sign.
  7. Distribution and commercial agreementsReview and extension to Chile of the agreements you already have with your brands.
  8. Trademark registrationProtection of your brand in Chile before the trademark office (INAPI).
  9. Your teamChilean employment contracts, work permits for visiting technicians and temporary residence for partners who travel often.
How it works

From first message to operating company

  1. Tell us about your projectA short form: your company, what you need in Chile and when.
  2. We write to youBy WhatsApp or email, to understand your case and answer first questions.
  3. Video callWith our corporate team, at a time that works for both sides.
  4. Written proposalA fixed fee per service. No hourly billing.
  5. Kick-offWe draft the powers of attorney for you to sign and apostille in your country, and take it from there.
Our timeline, in writing

You know what happens, and when, before you sign

Your proposal includes a timeline for each step. Company formation, tax ID and start of activities usually take a few weeks once your apostilled powers of attorney arrive in Santiago. Bank approval depends on the bank, so we tell you where your application stands at every step.
Why Ulises Abogados

The legal team that also handles your people

  • Immigration is our core practice. Visas for your partners and staff are handled by the same team that forms your company.
  • One point of contact for company, bank, accounting, contracts, visas and premises.
  • In English and Spanish, with lawyers in Santiago.
  • Chile and Colombia. Ulises Abogados also operates in Colombia, which helps companies with operations or parent companies there.
  • Member of the Colombian-Chilean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Cámara de Comercio e Industria Colombo Chilena) and of the Colombian-Chinese Chamber of Investment and Commerce (Cámara Colombo China de Inversión y Comercio).
Frequent questions

Before you start

Do we need to move someone to Chile?
No. The company operates through the resident legal representative. Residence for partners is optional and useful if they travel often.
Do our technicians need a visa for short visits?
They usually need a permit to work during the visit. We tell you which one applies to each person.
Does Chile offer tax benefits to foreign capital?
There is no special incentive regime, but VAT paid on imports is offset against VAT on sales, and Chile has double taxation treaties with many countries. We review your case in the proposal.
Can you help us in Colombia too?
Yes. Tell us in the form and our team in Colombia will contact you.

Ready to start?

Tell us about your project. We reply by WhatsApp or email.
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