Updated by RGB Avocats © – Peruvian Attorneys-at-Law
One of the most intimidating steps of getting a Carné de Extranjeria (Peruvian Resident card for Foreigners) is the part where you have to visit INTERPOL. But the truth is, this is actually one of the easiest steps, and surprisingly, most people have found the people in the INTERPOL office to be friendly and helpful. The following directions are written out as the procedure for Americans, but it’s fairly similar for everyone – the main difference being non-Americans don’t need an FBI check.
The INTERPOL office can be found in Av. Manuel Olguin s/n block 6th (comisaria de Monterrico). The building can be difficult to pick out if you aren’t familiar with the area.
There are a couple steps you’ll want to take care of before you go to the INTERPOL office. First, you’ll need to pay the corresponding fee of PEN 80.50 at the Banco de la Nacion. Tell the teller at the bank you need to pay the fee for Banking Code #8141, it will automatically pull up in their system.
After you’ve paid the receipt you will have to visit INTERPOL’s website and schedule an appointment with the entity; otherwise you will have to bring additional documents, corresponding to the migratory category you are applying to in order to be allowed inside: (i) in the case of workers, you will have to bring a copy of your contract, approved by the Ministry of Labor; (ii) in case of Relatives of Residents, you will have to bring the corresponding marriage of birth certificates, duly apostilled or legalized in the Peruvian Consulate and certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Peru.
You will also have to submit photocopies of the picture page of your passport and the page with your most recent entry stamp into Peru.
You’ll need to have a ‘Giro sobre el exterior’ for the amount of USD$18.00, made out to ‘The Treasury of the USA’. This is basically an international cashier’s check. You can get this at Banco de Credito or Scotiabank, both a couple blocks away from the INTERPOL office. There is a USD$12.00 fee.
You’ll also need to bring a manila envelope, office size. There is a shop a couple blocks away from the office where you can buy one.
It should be noted that INTERPOL works in a “First come first served” basis, so the earlier you get there the better. The procedure is taken care of by large groups at a time, so in case you are left to wait for extended periods of time, remain patient: more than likely you didn’t make it into the previous group and will have to wait until they are done.
Once you are allowed into the premises and taken into the room where the procedure takes place, INTERPOL authorities will take your passport and have you fill out some simple forms – a “Solicitud del Interesado”. You’ll need your height and weight in meters and kilos, and an address in the US. They take a multitude of fingerprints, check your teeth, and are generally very amiable about it all.
You’ll need two passport size photos, although in case you forget them do not worry as INTERPOL also takes these pictures at the premises..
After you’ve filled out all the paperwork and they have it all organized, they’ll give you the envelope to take to Serpost and mail. There is a Serpost office about 3 blocks away. This envelope is for US citizens, and goes to the FBI in Virginia. At this time, the cost for sending it registered mail can be in between PEN 14.50 and 28.50, depending on the weight of the envelope.
Nowadays the INTERPOL – International Exchange File is issued on the same day, however we recommend that you check both your name and passport number on it before walking away, because type-os and errors are not uncommon, and must be amended on the same day, lest you have to redo the procedure again.
The FBI check does take longer. The results will come be sent to your address here in Peru. According to INTERPOL, the FBI check has nothing to do with getting your carné, and that you can do that once the International Exchange File has been issued However, if anything ‘bad’ comes up with the FBI check, your records will be flagged, and you’ll be detained next time you try to leave the country.
