Argentine footballer from Cobreloa on foreign residency law: "I had to leave every 90 days."

Argentine midfielder Facundo Velazco, currently with Cobreloa, has shed light on the complex immigration regulations faced by foreign players in Chilean football. Velazco, who has resided in Chile since 2025 after joining San Marcos de Arica, revealed the stringent requirements of the country's foreign residency law.

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I had to leave every 90 days with my family or I would be fined.

"I had to leave every 90 days with my family or I would be fined," Velazco told En La Línea Deportes, describing the constant need to exit and re-enter Chile to maintain his legal status. This was not the only hurdle he encountered. Salary payments also presented significant difficulties, with cash or check being the primary methods for the initial months of his stay.

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I was only able to open a bank account last month and receive my salary through it.

"I was only able to open a bank account last month and receive my salary through it. The first few months here, everything was paid in cash or by check, and it becomes more complicated to receive or send money. You have to be alert all the time," he explained. Despite these administrative and financial challenges, Velazco managed to secure a two-year tourist visa.

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You have to be alert all the time.

He expressed a strong desire to continue his career in Chile, stating, "I hope to stay for a long time because I am very comfortable here." Velazco acknowledged missing his homeland but emphasized the welcoming environment he has found at his club and in the country, even while being far from his family. He also commended the actions of the players' union, Sifup, which has met with immigration authorities to seek solutions for these issues affecting foreign players.

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I hope to stay for a long time because I am very comfortable here.