Expenses before you get Grant

It takes couple of weeks before you get first installment of grant money, once you arrive.

So, be prepared for the following expenses.

Before you fly to Chile

• Visa Fees — Usually slightly above Rs.10000 per person
• Flight tickets
• Visiting Delhi for Visa
• Once you arrive here, have some money for accommodation and food
• Get US Dollars for exchange and not Chilean Pesos (CLP) when coming to Chile. You can exchange here for better price
• You will be assigned a Landing buddy who might assist you with accommodation. If you don’t get it in time, do book a hotel or AirBnB (AirBnB expenses are not accountable for claims) and look for accommodation when you land
• Learn Spanish — it is kind of must outside Start-Up Chile premises — duolingo and bussu apps are good start.

When you arrive at Santiago Airport (SCL)

• Consulate gives you 2 copies of document, which you need to present at the port of entry. Do make sure you keep it handy when you land
• Declare eatables packed or not, as vegetable produce in the form you get in your flight.
• From Airport look for TransVIP cabs soon after you collect your baggage

Accommodation

• Accommodation here costs around CLP 250000 — CLP 360000 ( Approx Rs.25000–Rs.30000) for single room to single bedroom apartment. For double bed room expect anywhere between CLP 500000 —CLP 650000
• Centro is where Start-Up Chile offices and Monjitas CoWork are there

Food

• Expect around 1500 CLP for sandwich/burger to 3500 CLP for a good meal. Not many Indian restaurants, but some are good
• Vegetarians few options are there. Chicken (Pollo — pronounced Poyyo) is very common.

Commute

• There are buses and Metro. Get bip card which costs around CLP 5000 and load additional amount as needed
• Uber, Easy Taxi and Cabify are three options here for cabs

Expect close to Rs.3,00,000 worth expenses before you get first installment