Foreign professionals working in Chile often assume pension decisions can be made at the end of their professional working contract.
However, when it comes to AFP funds and Law 18.156, waiting can significantly reduce your options to withdraw your money. In practice, many professionals discover too late that they either qualify for AFP recovery—or that missing or incorrect documents make the process complex or impossible.
This article explains how Law 18.156 works, who qualifies, and why early evaluation and document preparation are critical.
What Is Law 18.156 in Chile?
Law 18.156 allows certain foreign professionals and technicians to recover pension contributions made to the Chilean AFP system, provided specific legal requirements are met.
This law applies when:
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The professional obtained a degree or technical qualification before starting work in Chile.
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The employee was already affiliated with a foreign social security system before and during the active working relation in Chile.
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That system covers:
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Illness
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Disability
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Retirement
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Death
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Chilean work contracts reflect the intention to remain affiliated with foreign social security.
AFP evaluates these cases strictly based on documents, not explanations.
AFP Fund Recovery Is Not Automatic
A common misconception is that AFP fund recovery works like a standard pension withdrawal. It does not.
Under Law 18.156, AFP decisions depend on:
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Exact dates (degree vs. employment start).
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Precise legal wording in certificates and contracts.
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Apostilles, legalisations, and official translations.
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Consistency across all submitted documents.
Many AFP rejections occur despite eligibility, simply due to formal or documentary issues.
Why Foreign Professionals Should Evaluate Law 18.156 Early
Evaluating Law 18.156 before leaving Chile allows professionals to:
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Confirm eligibility in advance.
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Identify missing or weak documentation.
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Correct work contract clauses while employment is still active.
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Obtain apostilles and translations without urgency.
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Avoid costly delays once abroad.
Once outside Chile, correcting documents often becomes slower, more expensive, and harder to coordinate.
Essential Documents for AFP Recovery Under Law 18.156
While each case is different, AFP typically requires:
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Professional or technical degree (legalised/apostilled).
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Foreign social security certificate with correct coverage wording.
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Chilean work contracts including the foreign social security clause.
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Valid identification.
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Power of Attorney (if local representation is needed in Chile).
Having these documents reviewed early significantly increases approval chances.
A Strategic Decision for Foreign Professionals in Chile
Law 18.156 should be treated as a strategic legal decision, not a last-minute option.
An early evaluation helps clarify:
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Whether AFP recovery is possible.
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When it should be initiated.
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What documentation risks exist.
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Whether corrections are required before submission.
How MEFE Consult Supports The Process
MEFE Consult assists foreign professionals by:
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Evaluating eligibility under Law 18.156.
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Reviewing documents against AFP criteria.
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Identifying rejection risks before submission.
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Representing clients in Chile.
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Supporting post-rejection remediation.
Early professional review often prevents issues that are difficult to resolve later.
Final Thought
If you are a foreign professional working—or having worked—in Chile, Law 18.156 is worth evaluating early.
Preparation provides flexibility, control, and better outcomes when the time comes to decide.
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