Embajada de Australia
Chile
Ecuador

COVID19 FAQ: Consular, Passport and Notarial Services

 

Last update: 26.03.2021

 

NOTICE:

To meet the requirement for COVID-19 safe work practices, we provide passport and notarial services by prior appointment. Spaces are limited so to request yours, email [email protected].

If you require emergency passport services or urgent consular services, please mark your email as “EMERGENCY” in the email subject line to assist us to prioritise queries.

  • For consular emergencies, you can call the 24/7 Consular Emergency Centre in Australia (+61 2 6261 3305).
  • For any other matter, please contact [email protected].

Due to ongoing health measures in parts of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, our ability to provide consular, passport and notarial services may be restricted. 

 

 

For the latest information related to:

  • The Australian Government news and updates – please click here.
  • Smartraveller’s COVID-19 updates, click here.
  • The Department of Health’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for travellers, click here.
  • The Department of Home Affairs’ COVID-19 and the border, click here.

 

How do I subscribe to DFAT’s list of Australians overseas affected by COVID19 wanting to return?

 

What is the situation about flights to return to Australia?

  • Presently, Qantas and Latam are not operating regular direct flights from South America to Australia. However, commercial flights through the US and the Middle East are in place.  From the US, airlines such as American Airlines, Delta and United Airlines fly from California to Sydney. Qatar Airways connects Sao Paulo, Brazil with Sydney via London-Doha.
  • From Chile, there are flights to the US and Brazil. From Ecuador, there are flights to the US but not to Brazil.
  • xTravel, a New Zealander travel operator, and LatamCargo, may have future charter flights directly connecting South America with Australia via Santiago de Chile. These are commercial flights managed by xTravel, not the Embassy. Contact the company at https://xtravel.co.nz, [email protected], +64 3 442 9815 if you would like to be in their registry (NOTE: this is a xTravel registry, separate and not connected with the official DFAT’s registry).
  • Though at present there are no plans for further facilitated direct flights from South America, consider subscribing to DFAT’s list, as flights may occur with little notice.
  • NOTE: The UK requires travellers from certain countries who are not on its travel corridor list to self-isolate on entry into the UK for 14 days. If you are travelling through the UK, refer to this link for more information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-corridors
  • Entering into Australia is limited to Australians, Permanent Resident of Australia, and few highly restricted exemptions. For more information, visit: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/coming-australia

 

When are the repatriation humanitarian flights occurring?

  • The Government continues to work with airlines and other key partners on planning for additional facilitated commercial flights to countries where vulnerable Australians have told us they wish to return.
  • The number of flights is subject to the amount of quarantine capacity provided by states and territories. There is currently large demand from Australians stranded overseas to return.
  • Though at present there are no plans for further facilitated direct flights from South America, consider subscribing to DFAT’s list, as flights may occur with little notice.

 

My repatriation flight goes through Chile, what do I need?

  • If you remain inside the transit zone of Santiago’s airport:
    • You would not need an e-visa. Also, you would not need a negative result for a COVID-19  PCR test, a travel insurance covering COVID-19 while in Chile, nor an e-affidavit.
    • You need to arrange your luggage to be sent all the way to Australia. If you need to collect your luggage in Santiago, you will need to go through International Police, thus not be considered in transit (an e-visa would then be required).
  • If you want/need to leave the airport:
    • You need an e-visa. Apply here: https://tramites.minrel.gov.cl/Solicitudes/visa.aspx
      • Because of COVID-19, response time takes more than 10 days. Consider that in your planning.
    • You also need:
      • Proof of a negative result for a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding the last flight to Chile. If several connecting flights are taken, consider the last one that takes you into Chile.
      • Travel insurance covering COVID-19 in Chile for a minimum of USD 30,000
      • Complete an e-affidavit (https://www.c19.cl/) 48 hours before  boarding the last flight into Chile. You need to upload proof of the negative result for the COVID-19 PCR test, and proof of insurance covering COVID-19.
      • Go directly from the airport to your hotel and from the hotel to the airport. You have to remain at the hotel during the entire time.
    • You would probably require a new PCR test to meet the 72-hour limit to enter Australia.

 

How do I get a visa to enter Chile?

 

I lost the proof of my first visa or tourist card and cannot leave Chile, what do I do?

 

Because of COVID-19 I overstayed my tourist visa, what do I do?

  • Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the Australian Embassy cannot advocate in migration and visa issues of other countries on behalf of its citizens.  Valid visa remains the responsibility of individual citizens, even in current world-wide circumstances brought on by the pandemic.
    • Chile: You can apply for a visa extension only once. You may have to pay the overstay fee if you would be staying longer. Advice provided by the Chilean Migration Department to foreign Embassies in Chile and the Chilean Migration Department’s FAQ does not indicate possibility of fee waivers, which may be considered on individual merits. You may also be eligible to apply for a Temporary Visa, which allows staying one year and performing any legal activity, or a Permit to Work as Tourist (subject to work contract).
    • Ecuador: The Ecuadorian Government informed that from 12 December 2020, tourists overstaying their visas will had 30 days either to leave the country without paying a fine, or to apply for a temporary visa instead.  To reserve an appointment for residence visa renewals and other services in Quito email: [email protected].  For more information: call +593 (2) 3993 200 ext. 23007 and 23015 or +593 (2) 3933 520.

 

Which are the quarantine conditions in Australia?

  • Individual states and territories have introduced their own quarantine arrangements and costs. Most states are offering payment plans, fee reductions and/or fee waivers for those experiencing financial hardship. You may have to contribute to the cost of quarantine.

o   NSW: https://www.nsw.gov.au/…/what-you-can-and-cant-d…/quarantine

o   QLD: https://www.qld.gov.au/…/coronavirus-covid-19/pr…/quarantine

o   WA: https://www.wa.gov.au/…/depa…/covid-19-coronavirus-travel-wa

o   VIC: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/information-overseas-travellers…

o   NT: https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/sta…/quarantine/quarantine-fee

o   SA: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/restric…/travel-restrictions…

o   ACT: https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/stay-safe-and-healthy/quarantine-and-isolation

o   TAS: https://coronavirus.tas.gov.au/keeping-yourself-…/quarantine

 

I am experiencing financial hardship due to COVID19 travel restrictions, what can I do?

  • You may consider exploring the following options of financial support for Australians overseas:

 

How do I have access to information and resources to Australia’s social services (i.e. pension, health, child support)?

  • Services Australia is the institution responsible to provide social services for Australians and legal residents. Information for individuals is accessible here (the Spanish version here). There is a “Contact us” page in their website.
    • For your pension-related queries/requirements, please engage directly with Centrelink.
    • For health-related topics, you need to contact Medicare.
    • If you need something related to child support payments, engage Child Support.

 

How do I renew/obtain my Australian passport?

 

Which notarial services are provided by the Embassy?

  • Appointments for notarial services are requested by emailing [email protected], and only take place on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9am to 12.30pm.
  • Our services include: Apostille original official Australian documents (it may be possible to apostille the signature of an Australian Notary Public in private documents); certify copies of Australian documents (or documents to be used in Australia); and witness the signature of documents to be used in Australia.

 

 

Should you have a consular emergency please call the Australian Government’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 within Australia (local call cost), or the +61 2 6261 3305 from outside Australia, SMS at +61 421 269 080.

 

Please visit the Services for Australians Overseas section for more information and Smartraveller, the Australian Government\'s travel advisory and consular information service for travel advisories and information to assist you while travelling overseas.

 

Disclosure:

Personal information provided to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is protected by law, including the Privacy Act 1988. We may collect, use and disclose your personal information, including to overseas recipients where we reasonably believe it is necessary, to provide you with consular assistance. Important information about the privacy of your personal information is contained in our Consular Privacy Collection Statement, which you should read and understand.  Copies of the Statement are available at https://www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/corporate/privacy/Pages/privacy or by requesting a copy from the Department.