From 1 May 2019, all Permanent Residence applications must be submitted online though the Department of Foreign Affairs’ website, except for foreign nationals from Brazil, China, Cuba, Haiti and Peru, whom must present their application in person at ‘Chile Atiende’ (the multi-function public administration service) offices.
In addition, as of 1 May 2019, it is also mandatory to all foreign nationals to submit a Criminal Record Certificate and / or Judicial Background Certificate with their Permanent Residence application.
This should make these procedures more user-friendly, as foreign nationals will no longer need to send all the paperwork required by courier.