To use a phone purchased outside Chile with a Chilean SIM card, you must register the device’s IMEI through an authorized certification company. Registration is not required if you only use international roaming, Wi-Fi or, in most cases, a travel eSIM operating through roaming.

Foreign visitors can apply using a passport. A Chilean RUT is not required for the IMEI registration itself.

If your documents are ready, you can start your IMEI registration online or learn more about RegistroDeIMEI.cl.

Quick answer: Chile gives foreign visitors up to 120 days from their entry into the country to apply for registration. However, an unregistered phone may be blocked 30 days after it first connects to a Chilean mobile network with a local SIM. Register before the 30-day network grace period expires to avoid losing service.

Do I need to register my foreign phone in Chile?

It depends on how you plan to connect.

How you will use the phone	Is IMEI registration normally required?
Chilean physical SIM card	Yes
Chilean eSIM issued by a local operator	Yes
SIM from your home country using international roaming	No
Wi-Fi only	No
Travel eSIM operating through international roaming	Normally no, but confirm with the eSIM provider
Phone purchased formally in Chile	The seller should have registered it
Tablet, smartwatch, GPS or modem using a Chilean SIM	Yes, through a different device-registration procedure

The official Multibanda portal states that personal phones used only with international roaming or Wi-Fi do not require Administrative Registration.

Important 2026 update: the SIM and the phone require different registrations

As of August 20, 2026, Chile requires prepaid mobile numbers to be linked to a verified identity. This is separate from registering the phone’s IMEI.

A foreign visitor using a Chilean prepaid SIM may therefore encounter two processes:

1. Prepaid SIM identity verification: completed with the Chilean mobile operator when activating or recharging the line.
2. IMEI Administrative Registration: completed through an authorized certification company to register the foreign phone.

The operator may ask for a name, address and passport or identity-document number when activating the prepaid SIM.

Registering the SIM does not automatically register the phone. Registering the IMEI does not replace the operator’s identity-verification process.

What is IMEI registration in Chile?

IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It is a 15-digit code used to identify a phone or another device when it connects to a mobile network.

Chile maintains a centralized device database under its Multibanda/SAE system. A personal phone purchased abroad must be added to this database if it will use a SIM card issued by a Chilean mobile operator.

For personal foreign phones, this procedure is formally known as Administrative Registration or Inscripción Administrativa.

It is commonly called “homologation” in everyday language, but registration and homologation are not exactly the same:

Term	Meaning
IMEI	The identification number assigned to the device or SIM slot
Administrative Registration	The process used to add an eligible personal foreign phone to Chile’s centralized database
Homologation	Technical verification of a device model’s compatibility with Chilean network bands and the SAE emergency-alert system
Carrier unlocking	Removing a restriction that limits the phone to one mobile operator
SIM registration	Linking a Chilean mobile number to the identity of its user

Administrative Registration does not guarantee that the phone supports every Chilean frequency band or receives all SAE emergency alerts.

How long can I use a foreign phone in Chile?

The official rules describe two different time limits:

• A foreign visitor has up to 120 days from entering Chile to apply for registration.
• An unregistered phone may be blocked 30 days after its first use with a Chilean SIM card.

These limits are not the same.

The 120-day period relates to the documents used to demonstrate a foreign visitor’s entry into Chile. The 30-day period is the practical network grace period before an unregistered IMEI may lose access to Chilean mobile networks.

For this reason, you should register the phone before completing 30 days of local network use.

If the phone has already been blocked for lack of registration, it may still be registered later, provided that the device and documents meet the requirements.

What documents do foreigners need?

The specific documents may vary according to how the phone entered Chile.

Foreign visitors will generally need:

• A passport or another valid identity document.
• The phone’s IMEI number.
• A screenshot or photograph showing the IMEI.
• Proof of entry into Chile.
• Travel documentation, when requested.
• A purchase receipt or invoice, when available.
• The phone’s brand and exact model.
• Contact information and email address.

Proof of entry into Chile

Depending on the case, acceptable evidence may include:

• Passport entry stamp.
• Immigration or PDI entry certificate.
• Flight ticket or boarding pass.
• Bus ticket or another document showing entry into Chile.
• An official immigration document identifying the traveler and entry date.

Proof of purchase

If the phone was bought from an international online store, the certification company may request a receipt, invoice or order document that:

• Identifies the purchaser.
• Identifies the phone.
• Shows that it was purchased abroad.
• Is consistent with the applicant’s information.

Documents and images must be complete and legible.

How to find your phone’s IMEI

Dial:

*#06#

The phone should display one or more 15-digit IMEI numbers.

You may also find the IMEI in:

• iPhone: Settings → General → About
• Android: Settings → About phone
• The original box.
• The SIM tray.
• A label attached to the device.

Take a clear screenshot or photograph. Do not crop out information needed to identify the phone.

What if my phone has two IMEI numbers?

Dual-SIM phones and many eSIM-compatible devices have two IMEI numbers:

• IMEI 1
• IMEI 2

Include both numbers in the registration request when the form allows it. If only one IMEI is registered, one physical SIM slot or eSIM profile may remain unable to access the network.

Learn more in our guide about phones with two IMEIs when one is blocked.

How to register a foreign phone in Chile

Step 1: make sure the phone is carrier-unlocked

IMEI registration does not remove a carrier lock imposed in another country.

Before traveling, ask your original mobile provider whether the phone:

• Is fully paid.
• Is unlocked for international use.
• Can accept SIM cards from other operators.
• Has no active loss or theft report.

If the phone displays messages such as “SIM not supported,” “Network locked” or “Invalid SIM,” contact the original carrier.

Step 2: verify network compatibility

Registration allows an eligible device to be recognized by Chilean networks, but it cannot add frequency bands that the hardware does not support.

Check the exact model number—not only the commercial name—against the supported technologies and bands of the Chilean operator you want to use.

Two phones with the same commercial name may have different regional versions.

Step 3: obtain every IMEI

Dial *#06# and save a screenshot of every IMEI shown.

Confirm that the numbers match the device, SIM tray or original packaging. A mismatch may require additional review.

Step 4: gather your documents

Prepare:

• Passport or identity document.
• Proof of entry into Chile.
• Purchase document, if applicable.
• IMEI screenshot.
• Brand and exact model.
• Email and contact information.

Files should be readable and should not have essential information covered or cut off.

Step 5: apply through an authorized certification company

SUBTEL oversees the system, but it does not normally process individual Administrative Registration applications directly.

The application must be submitted through:

• An authorized certification company.
• A registration channel made available by a Chilean mobile operator.

RegistroDeIMEI.cl is operated through MBservices Certificaciones SpA, listed in the official Multibanda register as certification company code 112.

You can submit your registration request online.

Step 6: keep the application number

After submitting the form, save:

• Application or request number.
• Confirmation email.
• Copies of uploaded documents.
• Payment receipt, if applicable.
• Any response sent by the certification company.

This information will be necessary if you need to correct a document or check the application status.

Step 7: wait for the review

Authorized certification companies must review whether:

• The applicant can be identified.
• The phone was obtained or brought from abroad.
• The IMEI corresponds to the device.
• The submitted documents are valid.
• The phone has another restriction that prevents registration.

The official procedure establishes a response time of up to 24 business hours for a complete Administrative Registration application.

This is the review and response time. It should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every application will be approved or that mobile service will become available immediately.

Step 8: restart and test the phone

After receiving confirmation that the IMEI was added to the centralized database:

1. Wait approximately one or two hours.
2. Turn the phone off.
3. Reinsert or reactivate the Chilean SIM.
4. Restart the phone.
5. Test calls, SMS and mobile data.

If the IMEI is registered but the phone still has no service, contact the operator that issued the SIM.

Can I register my phone before arriving in Chile?

The Multibanda system allows the process to be started online. However, the applicant must provide the documents required for their specific situation.

Foreign visitors normally need evidence connected to their trip or entry into Chile. If you have not yet entered the country, ask the selected certification company which travel documents it can accept before submitting the application.

Is foreign-phone registration free?

Chile’s official Multibanda information provides for one free personal-phone registration per individual per year.

However, the free-registration obligation is subject to conditions and annual limits for each certification company. A selected company may have already reached its free-registration quota.

Fees may also apply when:

• Registering more than one phone.
• Registering another type of connected device.
• Requesting additional assistance.
• The application falls outside the free-registration conditions.

Check the price and eligibility conditions before submitting or paying.

Do tourists need a Chilean RUT?

A Chilean RUT is not required for the IMEI Administrative Registration of a foreign visitor. A passport or another accepted identity document can be used.

Since August 20, 2026, the mobile operator must also verify the identity associated with a Chilean prepaid number. SUBTEL indicates that this verification may use a passport for foreign users.

The SIM seller or mobile operator—not the IMEI certification company—performs the prepaid-line identity verification.

What if I only use international roaming?

You do not need to register your personal phone if it will only use:

• A foreign SIM through international roaming.
• Wi-Fi.

A travel eSIM often operates through an international roaming agreement rather than as a Chilean local SIM. In that case, IMEI registration is normally unnecessary. Confirm this with your eSIM provider because technical arrangements differ.

What if my foreign phone has already been blocked?

A phone blocked only because it was not registered can still be submitted for Administrative Registration.

Registration will not remove:

• A theft or loss report.
• A carrier restriction from another country.
• A duplicated or altered IMEI.
• An unpaid device-financing restriction.
• Apple Activation Lock.
• Google Factory Reset Protection.
• A hardware or antenna failure.

If you do not know the cause, read our guide explaining whether a phone blocked by IMEI can be unblocked.

Why does my phone still have no service after registration?

Possible causes include:

• The mobile database has not finished updating.
• Only one of two IMEI numbers was registered.
• The SIM has not been activated.
• Prepaid identity verification is incomplete.
• The APN is incorrect.
• The phone is carrier-locked.
• The model does not support the required bands.
• The IMEI is blocked for another reason.
• The SIM is damaged.
• There is no coverage in the area.

Try the SIM in another compatible device. If it works, ask the operator to review the registered phone. If it does not work, the problem may be related to the SIM or line.

Our Spanish troubleshooting guide explains what to check when a phone displays “No service” or “Network unavailable”.

Frequently asked questions

How do I activate a phone from the USA in Chile?

Make sure the phone is carrier-unlocked and compatible with Chilean networks. If you intend to use a Chilean SIM or local eSIM, register every IMEI through an authorized certification company.

Can I use my US, Canadian, Australian or European phone in Chile?

Usually, yes, provided that it is carrier-unlocked, supports the relevant frequency bands and its IMEI is registered when using a Chilean SIM.

Compatibility depends on the exact model number, not only the brand or country.

Can I use a Chilean SIM for 30 days without registering?

An unregistered foreign phone may initially connect to a Chilean network, but it can be blocked 30 days after its first local network use. Do not treat that period as a guarantee. Register before the deadline to avoid interruption.

Can I register a phone after the 30-day period?

Yes. A phone blocked only for lack of registration can still be registered if the device and documents meet the requirements.

Do I need to register an international travel eSIM?

Normally not if it operates through international roaming. If the eSIM provides a local Chilean mobile profile, ask the provider whether IMEI registration is required.

Is IMEI registration the same as unlocking my phone?

No. IMEI registration adds an eligible foreign phone to Chile’s centralized database. Carrier unlocking removes a restriction imposed by the original operator.

Does registration guarantee 4G or 5G access?

No. Network access depends on the phone model, supported bands, operator coverage, plan and SIM. Registration cannot change the device’s technical capabilities.

Does registration guarantee SAE emergency alerts?

No. Administrative Registration does not certify that a foreign phone supports Chile’s SAE emergency-alert system.

Can I register a stolen or blacklisted phone?

No legitimate registration process can erase a theft report or turn an altered IMEI into a valid one. Contact the owner, seller or operator that generated the restriction.

Register your foreign phone online

If you want to use a phone purchased outside Chile with a Chilean SIM, you can complete the process online through RegistroDeIMEI.cl.

RegistroDeIMEI.cl operates through MBservices Certificaciones SpA, an authorized certification company listed by Multibanda/SUBTEL under company code 112.

• Learn about RegistroDeIMEI.cl
• Start your IMEI registration
• Read the complete Spanish IMEI registration guide
• Read this information in Spanish

 

 

Este Post tiene una versión en Español