USD100 for an on the spot, no questions asked, airport visa is a bargain.

Consider that to be TRULY reciprocal a US passport holder wishing to vist Chile should have to:

* Pay USD100 to the Embassy PLUS around USD20 handling fee to the one and only commercial agency authorised to process such visa (cannot apply direct to Embassy). Both fees non-refundable, even if application is rejected.
* Wait longer than a month, before leaving the US, for a personal interview at the Chilean Consulate.
* Present photos, payroll slips, proof of house ownership, car registration, letter of invitation to Chile if not paying for own ticket,...

Believe me, Viajero, I'm ashamed that my country has such procedures in place... I've written a letter to my congressmen about how unfair it is. As an expatriated citizen, I can't really imagine what else, as an individual, I can do to help alleviate the situation. Frankly, I'm all for abolishing all visa requirements, for all nations-- but this isn't really the right forum for that debate.

My question, however, was meant to be more practical than political. I can't figure out how a plane load of people could clear immigration and then re-board during the 45 minute stopover in PUQ; nor could I figure out how a plane carrying both domestic and international arriving passengers could arrive in the domestic terminal. If the flight arrives in the international terminal, then I suppose I could make the international-international connection without clearing immigration, and the domestic passengers would walk through immigration, much as SYD-MEL passengers do on flights numbered 399 and below.

One day, I will properly visit Chile, and I'll pay whatever visa fees they require. It's only fair. However, on this journey, as I won't actually be visiting the country, I was hoping to find out if I'd nonetheless be required clear their immigration. (I realize, of course, that US transit visas are just as much trouble as the other sorts. Again, Viajero I'm embarrassed by this-- but there's nothing more that I can do.)

I don't know, but I will be happy to find out for you (I'm in MAD right now).

What is your itinerary (just before/after Chile)?

First, I'm flying from Argentina (EZE) to Brazil (SSA) via SCL. This 90 minute International-International transit should (I hope) be no problem.

Then, I'll sail (literally) from Salvador de Bahia to Ushuaia, via Antarctica (an amazing trip, aboard a three-masted bark).

Later, I'll fly:

LA 996 USH - SCL
(2 hour 15 minute layover)
LA 801 x/SCL - AKL
QF 4003 x/AKL - WLG

Thanks for your help.

checkerboard

Gee, you *sailing* around Cape Horn and all you worry about is a -visa-?

Ok, I'll see what I can do; give me a day or two from monday.

Edited to add: I was lucky and got a very quick response from SCL. You don't pay the visa. Just go into the transit lounges at PUQ & PMC, which are before immigration, and that's it, easy. My contact in SCL added that for this to work well when you check-in at USH you should get your SCL-NZ boarding pass, and check your luggage right through, beyond SCL, of course.