Research and Teach
in Northern Chile
Welcome to Universidad Católica del Norte. Here you will find the essential practical information to make your stay in Antofagasta or Coquimbo an unforgettable experience.
Arrival GuideInternationalization Opportunities
Live the international experience on your campus: languages, culture, and global learning.
Collaboration Opportunities
UCN fosters the integration of advanced global human capital in its classrooms and laboratories.
Visiting Professor
Semester stays for joint teaching and research at sponsoring faculties.
Postdoctoral Stays
Positions funded by ANID projects or internal funds for early-career researchers.
Talks and Seminars
One-off participation in high-level academic events organized by the university.
"International collaboration is the engine of innovation in the world's driest desert."
Fulbright Specialist
Bring an international American expert for 4 to 6 weeks to carry out academic activities at UCN.
Key Benefits
- 1Flights and stipend covered by Fulbright (US$200/day).
- 2Accommodation and meals covered by UCN.
- 3Stay of 4 to 6 weeks.
Program Details
Stay of 4–6 weeks (must be completed within 6 months of award).
Fulbright covers flights, stipend (US$200/day) and insurance.
UCN (Faculty) covers accommodation and meals (approx. $2,000,000 CLP).
Institutional application via DRI.
Step by Step: Your Mobility at UCN
Official procedural guide based on the movilidad-academica.ucn.cl portal for visiting faculty.
1. Contact the Host Unit
1. Contact the Host Unit
Reach out to the UCN Faculty or Department hosting your stay. Define the type of activity: teaching, joint research, or seminar.
2. Request a Letter of Invitation
2. Request a Letter of Invitation
Ask the DRI to issue the official Letter of Invitation at least 2 months in advance. It is required to process your visa.
3. Complete the Mobility Form
3. Complete the Mobility Form
Download and fill out the UCN Academic Mobility Unique Form. Attach your CV, activity schedule, and work proposal.
4. Process Your Visa
4. Process Your Visa
Temporary Stay (up to 90 days, unpaid) or Temporary Residence (with contract). Apply at serviciomigraciones.cl.
5. Prepare Your Arrival
5. Prepare Your Arrival
Confirm accommodation, international health insurance, Eduroam access, and UCN university ID before arriving in Chile.
6. Post-Mobility Report
6. Post-Mobility Report
When your stay ends, complete the UCN Post-Mobility Report and send it to movilidad.academica@ucn.cl.
Incoming academic mobility
Stays
Activities carried out by faculty from another institution at UCN premises for a defined period.
UCN Research Infrastructure
Specialized laboratories, centers, and institutes in northern Chile, available for international scientific collaboration.
Mining, Geology & Heritage
- IIAM: Institute of Archaeological Research and R.P. Gustavo Le Paige S.J. Museum.
- Faculty of Engineering and Geological Sciences Laboratories.
- Geometallurgy and Extractive Metallurgy Research Units.
Astronomy & Exact Sciences
- IA: Institute of Astronomy.
- Physics, Optics and Astronomy Laboratories.
- Advanced Observation Centers (in partnership with international observatories).
Energy, Water & Sustainability
- CIAES: Research Center in Architecture, Energy and Sustainability.
- Center for Technological Research on Water and Sustainability in the Desert.
- Solar Energy and Lithium Laboratories.
- Civil Engineering Energy Laboratories.
Marine Sciences & Biotechnology
- CIDTA: Research and Technological Development Center on Algae and Other Biological Resources.
- ESMOI: Millennium Nucleus in Ecology and Sustainable Management of Oceanic Islands.
- Biotechnology Center.
- BioMarker Lab.
- Central Marine Cultures Laboratory.
- Marine Biology and Aquaculture Laboratories.
Technology & Innovation
- Center for Innovation in Artificial Intelligence.
- Information Technology Laboratories.
- Computing and Informatics Laboratories.
Services & Central Analysis
- MAINI: Microscopy and Image Analysis Center.
- LSA: Analytical Services Laboratory (Accredited for water, soil and mining analysis).
- Microbiology Laboratories.
Research with International Reach
UCN in Web of Science — 2021 to 2025
2,908
WoS Publications
2021–2025
≈74%
International Collaboration
annual average
#1
Chile WoS Ranking
every year
Publications per year
641
2021
589
2022
527
2023
560
2024
591*
2025
Excel with 2,900+ WoS publications · DRI UCN format
Arrival Guide
Everything you need to know before and during your arrival at our campuses.
Visas and Migration
Critical information on temporary residence visas for faculty and work permits. Process your visa before traveling.
Accommodation
We do not have our own university residences, but we share recommended hostels and boarding houses.
Cost of living
Rough monthly estimate: housing, food, and local transport (~USD 700–900 total).
Campus life
Eduroam Wi‑Fi, libraries, health and sports services once you are on board.
Recommended accommodation
Reference options for short stays in Antofagasta (referral list, Casa Central) and for the Coquimbo campus (Guayacán).
Antofagasta
Coquimbo — Guayacán campus
Official recommended lodging list (PDF) — Coquimbo campus
Boarding house
From ~USD 300/month (indicative)
Guide for visiting faculty, researchers, and professionals.
Temporary stay (90 days)
Short stays / UnpaidFor faculty and visitors who do not receive remuneration in Chile.
Temporary Residence (Faculty, Researchers and Post-Docs)
Contracts / Long stayPeople engaged in lawful paid activities | SERMIG
Temporary Residence Permit for foreigners with a contract, services agreement, or who have accepted a formal job offer in Chile. Foreign nationals who wish to establish themselves in the country for a limited period to carry out lawful paid activities may apply.
Subordination or dependency relationship
With an employer that has a domicile or branch in Chile.
Valid: Valid for up to 2 years, renewable for an additional 2 years successively.
Formal job offer
Issued by a Chilean natural or legal person and formally accepted by the applicant.
Valid: If the analysis is favourable, a 90-day Temporary Residence Permit is granted. Once in the country, you have 45 days to submit the final contract, granting a 1-year extension.
Chilean faculty visiting UCN
Incoming stay from another Chilean institution (teaching, research, or outreach) at the Antofagasta or Coquimbo campus.
If you belong to another Chilean university or professional institute and will carry out time-bound activities at UCN, coordinate with the host faculty or unit and register your mobility using the official rules and forms. UCN’s academic mobility desk centralizes guidance and documentation.
Who is this for?
- Faculty or researchers from Chilean institutions invited by a UCN faculty, institute, school, or department.
- Incoming stays, short internships, or other academic activities that do not lead to a UCN degree.
National visitors vs international visitors
Mobility between Chilean institutions does not involve a Chilean entry visa. It does require a clear agreement with the host unit, institutional forms, and—when applicable—backing from your home institution and insurance as set out in current policy. If you are coming from abroad, use the arrival guide, visas, and housing sections on this same page.
Recommended flow
Agreement with the host UCN unit
Set dates, campus (Antofagasta or Coquimbo), type of activity (teaching, joint research, lecture, etc.), and the local academic lead.
Review the UCN Academic Mobility portal
You will find the regulations, the specific procedure, the Unique Mobility Form, the official travel form when it applies, and the Post-Mobility Report.
Complete forms and attachments
Attach your CV, activity plan, and home-institution backing as requested by the host unit and the mobility desk.
Insurance and campus access conditions
Check the portal for the UCN personal accident policy or any other documents required for your stay.
Close the mobility
At the end of your stay, send the Post-Mobility Report to movilidad.academica@ucn.cl for institutional records.
Common documents and records
- UCN Unique Academic Mobility Form.
- Official travel / commission-of-services form when applicable under your home institution and current rules.
- Formal backing from your home university (letter or official email).
- Post-Mobility Report when the stay ends.
Insurance and forms
Updated templates and the UCN personal accident policy are published on the official portal; always check the current version before signing or submitting documents.
Need a Letter of Invitation?
To process your visa, you will need an official letter issued by the DRI. Contact us at least 2 months before your arrival.
Academic calendar & calls
Plan your year with key mobility dates and international activities.
March 2026
March 2026
Start of the First Academic Semester and welcome for international students.
April - May 2026
April - May 2026
Opening of Student Mobility Calls (Second Semester). Santander Scholarship and DRI Scholarships.
July 2026
July 2026
End of First Semester and "Atacama Immersion" program.
August 2026
August 2026
Start of the Second Academic Semester.
Other Internationalization Opportunities
Services available for your profile
Languages (PIE)
6 languages: English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish
International Organizations
Academic networks and cooperation organizations
TOEFL Certification
Official TOEFL iBT testing center • Preparation and exam
American Corner UCN
Live activities and open calls (Fulbright, Technovation, etc.) • Free access
Atacama Immersion
Short programs 10 days - 6 weeks • Astronomy, Geology, etc.
Internationalization at Home
COIL, EMI, Mirror Classes and international methodologies