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[kevo3]

I am traveling to Chile in November and I live in America but I have an Irish Citizenship and an EU passport along with my american passport. I know that if you are an american you are charged 131$ as an entry fee when you land in the Santiago airport. My question is will they charge me if i just use my EU passport? I'll just use that passport and say i've been living in america for a few years going to school if they ask. Has anyone had any experience with this issue?

[starlagurl]

I haven't been to Chile but I got this from Wikitravel:

Citizens of four countries must pay a "reciprocity fee" of varying amounts. The fee is USD 131 for American citizens, USD 132 for Canadian citizens, USD 56 for Australian citizens, and USD 15 for Mexican citizens. This fee is equivalent to the amount that country requires for entry visas from Chilean citizens. The fee is only for tourists entering by plane, and the one-time charge is good for the life of your passport. US citizens should have crisp $20 bills or a credit card to pay the $131 fee. Citizens of other countries, such as the UK, do not have to pay a fee.

[mmbcross]

For goodness sake don't say anything! Just show your EU/Irish passport and don't say anything. Only if they ask (which they probably won't) tell them you are a resident in the United States (not a citizen).

I had the same situation going to Brazil. US citizens require a visa in reciprocity to visit Brazil, EU citizens do not, so I just show my British passport, and Bob's your uncle, Fanny's your aunt...no problem.

The advantages of dual citizenship! You can also visit Cuba through the Bahamas or Mexico, and no one will be the wiser.

By the way...make sure your EU passport is still valid!

[kevo3]

Thats what I thought and was planning on doing.... just keeping my mouth shut and pretend to not understand any spanish and just show them that one. Thank you though for confirming that it is possible. My Eu passport is definitely still valid. Thanks again

[jeremystravels]

I haven't been to Chile but I got this from Wikitravel:

Citizens of four countries must pay a "reciprocity fee" of varying amounts. The fee is USD 131 for American citizens, USD 132 for Canadian citizens, USD 56 for Australian citizens, and USD 15 for Mexican citizens. This fee is equivalent to the amount that country requires for entry visas from Chilean citizens. The fee is only for tourists entering by plane, and the one-time charge is good for the life of your passport. US citizens should have crisp $20 bills or a credit card to pay the $131 fee. Citizens of other countries, such as the UK, do not have to pay a fee.

Only entering by plane? What if you do a land border crossing. I thought the reciprocity fee was assessed at all entry points that offer visa on arrival

[kevo3]

Yea, everything was fine. No questions asked at all. I just gave them the EU passport and they stamped it and I was on my way. It was kind of funny I saw both lines (immigration and reciprocity) and i asked a women where i had to go and she pointed to the line to pay the fee and I flashed my red EU passport and she turned and pointed to the other line. it felt great having that extra bit of cash!

[starlagurl]

Hehehe! Good for you! It's a little sneaky, but still playing by the rules.

[mmbcross]

Thanks for updating us on your experience. Glad you were able to make it without paying the tax. Now we are eagerly awaiting your travel blog.
Enjoy beautiful Chile...