PDI, or Policia de Investigaciones de Chile, is Chile’s civilian police force responsible for investigative and specialized law enforcement duties. They play a crucial role in maintaining public safety and conducting criminal investigations across the country. The PDI is known for its commitment to upholding the law and ensuring the security of Chilean citizens.
Officially know as the “Tarjeta de Turismo” or “Tourist Card” and is typically provided to travelers from visa-exempt countries. The Tourist Card allows tourists to stay in Chile for up to 90 days. https://www.pdichile.cl/tr%C3%A1mites-online/duplicado-de-tarjeta-de-turismo
When you arrive in Chile and make your way through immigration, you will receive a small sheet of paper which is your PDI Tourist Card. Typically, the immigration officials will ask you about your plans while you are visiting Chile, and based on my recent experience in Santiago, Chile’s International Airport, the immigration officials will ask you for your arriving airline flight number. Once you receive your PDI receipt/tourist card, DO NOT trash this small piece of paper and most importantly, DO NOT lose this important document. When you return to the airport to leave Chile, you must return this piece of paper to immigration officials in Chile before you will be permitted to leave.
Another important reason to keep your PDI ticket readily available is that you will be asked to present your PDI slip upon checking into your hotel and/or ship in Chile.
If your PDI Tourist Card piece of paper gets lost or stolen, you will experience a delay at the airport as you will be forced to fill out new paperwork and possibly pay a fine of US $100.00. If you need to obtain a new PDI Tourist Card, you may obtain a new one online (Spanish only website), or you will need to apply for a new Tourist Card in-person at a special police unit (Jefatura Nacional de Migracion y Policia Internacional) in Santiago, Chile or at the nearest office of the Police Investigations Service outside of Santiago.
Therefore, when traveling to Chile, please remember to keep your PDI Tourist Card safe and secure to avoid complications and delays when trying to leave.
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