Chile has introduced a free, online Work Authorisation Certificate to streamline employment checks for foreign nationals, part of its broader digitalisation of immigration services aimed at improving transparency and efficiency in the labour market.
Chile has introduced a digital Work Authorisation Certificate designed to make it easier for employers to check whether foreign nationals are legally permitted to work, as the country continues to modernise its immigration services. The Servicio Nacional de Migraciones, or SERMIG, says the Habilitación Laboral certificate can be issued online, accessed through its digital platform with ClaveÚnica or a registered account, and verified in real time using a QR code. According to local reports, the move comes amid pressure to curb informality in the labour market, with authorities having detected more than 232,000 cases of people working without valid permits over the past four years.
The certificate is free of charge and is intended to speed up hiring checks without removing the need for proper immigration approval. SERMIG says it confirms a foreign resident’s current authorisation to carry out paid work, but it does not replace residence approval, work permission or any other legal requirement. Employers are still expected to review the full immigration position before hiring, rather than relying solely on the digital document.
For companies, the main appeal is administrative efficiency. Instead of checking paper records and manually validating documents, human resources teams can scan the certificate’s QR code to confirm authenticity almost immediately. That is likely to be especially useful for sectors that regularly recruit international staff, including mining, healthcare, engineering, technology, renewable energy and specialist professional services.
The reform also fits into Chile’s broader shift towards digital public services. By moving work eligibility checks online, the authorities are aiming to reduce delays, cut paperwork and strengthen compliance at the point of hire. SERMIG has presented the tool as part of a wider effort to improve transparency in the labour market and make immigration oversight more effective without adding cost for applicants or employers.
Even so, the certificate does not alter Chile’s underlying immigration rules. Foreign nationals still need the correct legal status before starting work, and employers remain free to decide whether to hire them. The digital system may simplify verification, but it does not create new rights to work, extend tourist stays or loosen the country’s entry requirements for visitors.
For international businesses and mobility teams, the change is a practical one rather than a wholesale policy shift. It gives employers a faster way to verify eligibility, and it gives workers a clearer digital record of their status. But the message from SERMIG is simple: convenience is being added to the process, not substituted for compliance.
Source Reference Map
Inspired by headline at: [1]
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Verification / Sources
- https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/lp8w9zz7ymuf/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.radiogennesis.cl/2026/08/17/sermig-dispone-nuevo-certificado-de-habilitacion-laboral-para-acreditar-de-condicion-migratoria-para-trabajar/ – The Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (SERMIG) has introduced a new digital ‘Habilitación Laboral’ certificate, enabling foreign residents in Chile to quickly and officially verify their eligibility to engage in remunerated activities. Accessible through SERMIG’s digital platform using ClaveÚnica or a registered account, the service is free of charge. Employers can verify the certificate’s authenticity via a QR code, enhancing security and efficiency in the hiring process. This initiative aims to streamline immigration procedures and ensure compliance with Chile’s employment regulations. (radiogennesis.cl)
- https://www.latribuna.cl/economia/2026/08/15/sermig-implementa-nuevo-certificado-digital-para-acreditar-habilitacion-laboral-de-extranjeros-en-chile.html?amp=1 – SERMIG has launched a new digital ‘Habilitación Laboral’ certificate, a free online tool that allows foreign nationals to verify their legal authorization to work in Chile. This measure addresses the detection of over 232,000 individuals working without valid permits in the past four years. The certificate includes a QR code for employers to confirm its validity in real-time, aiming to reduce informality and ensure compliance with immigration laws. (latribuna.cl)
- https://www.buk.cl/blog/certificado-habilitacion-laboral-chile – The ‘Certificado de Habilitación Laboral’ is a free digital certificate issued by SERMIG, enabling foreign nationals to instantly verify their legal authorization to perform remunerated activities in Chile. Accessible through SERMIG’s digital platform using ClaveÚnica, the certificate includes a QR code for employers to validate its authenticity, enhancing transparency and efficiency in the hiring process. This initiative aims to modernize immigration governance and strengthen the transparency of the labour market. (buk.cl)
- https://holvoet.cl/disponen-nuevo-certificado-de-habilitacion-laboral-para-acreditar-condicion-migratoria/ – SERMIG has introduced a new digital ‘Habilitación Laboral’ certificate, allowing foreign residents in Chile to quickly and officially verify their eligibility to engage in remunerated activities. Accessible through SERMIG’s digital platform using ClaveÚnica or a registered account, the service is free of charge. Employers can verify the certificate’s authenticity via a QR code, enhancing security and efficiency in the hiring process. This initiative aims to streamline immigration procedures and ensure compliance with Chile’s employment regulations. (holvoet.cl)
- https://www.biobiochile.cl/noticias/nacional/chile/2026/08/15/migraciones-habilita-certificado-para-verificar-si-extranjeros-estan-autorizados-a-trabajar-en-chile.shtml – SERMIG has launched a new digital ‘Habilitación Laboral’ certificate, a free online tool that allows foreign nationals to verify their legal authorization to work in Chile. This measure addresses the detection of over 232,000 individuals working without valid permits in the past four years. The certificate includes a QR code for employers to confirm its validity in real-time, aiming to reduce informality and ensure compliance with immigration laws. (biobiochile.cl)
- https://www.miradiols.cl/2026/08/14/sermig-habilita-nuevo-certificado-digital-para-saber-si-una-persona-extranjera-puede-trabajar-legalmente-en-chile/ – SERMIG has introduced a new digital ‘Habilitación Laboral’ certificate, enabling foreign residents in Chile to quickly and officially verify their eligibility to engage in remunerated activities. Accessible through SERMIG’s digital platform using ClaveÚnica or a registered account, the service is free of charge. Employers can verify the certificate’s authenticity via a QR code, enhancing security and efficiency in the hiring process. This initiative aims to streamline immigration procedures and ensure compliance with Chile’s employment regulations. (miradiols.cl)
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score: 8
Notes: The news about Chile’s digital Work Authorisation Certificate was first reported on August 15, 2026, by La Tribuna. (latribuna.cl) The Travel and Tour World article was published on August 17, 2026, which is within a reasonable timeframe. However, the Travel and Tour World article appears to be a republished version of the La Tribuna article, as it shares similar content and sources. (radiogennesis.cl) This raises concerns about originality and potential recycling of content. Additionally, the Buk article, published on August 18, 2026, provides further details and analysis, indicating that the information is current and not recycled. (buk.cl)
Quotes check
Score: 7
Notes: The Travel and Tour World article includes direct quotes attributed to SERMIG and other sources. However, these quotes cannot be independently verified through the available sources. The Buk article provides additional context and analysis but does not include direct quotes from SERMIG or other officials. (buk.cl) The La Tribuna article, published on August 15, 2026, includes direct quotes from SERMIG officials, which can be cross-referenced with other sources. (latribuna.cl)
Source reliability
Score: 6
Notes: The Travel and Tour World article originates from a niche publication, which may not have the same editorial standards as major news organisations. The La Tribuna article is from a regional newspaper, which may have limited reach and resources. The Buk article is from a company blog, which may have a vested interest in the topic. The RadioGennesis article is from a local radio station’s website, which may not be a primary news source. The Holvoet article is from a law firm’s website, which may have a specific perspective. The Infomigra article is from an immigration-focused website, which may have a particular focus. The Edición Cero article is from a local news outlet, which may have limited reach. The BioBioChile article is from a national news outlet, which is more reliable. The ADN Radio article is from a national news outlet, which is more reliable. The Chileatiende page is from a government website, which is highly reliable.
Plausibility check
Score: 8
Notes: The claims about the digital Work Authorisation Certificate align with known efforts by SERMIG to modernise immigration services. The Buk article provides additional context and analysis, supporting the plausibility of the claims. (buk.cl) The La Tribuna article, published on August 15, 2026, includes direct quotes from SERMIG officials, which can be cross-referenced with other sources. (latribuna.cl)