Peruvian Visa Requirements

The information on this article should be correct as of March, 2019.

When traveling or relocating to Peru, you should keep in mind that, just like in any other country, visa requirements vary according with your travel plans. Whether you are planning to visit the country as a tourist, or are thinking about coming here to work, it is important that you know what kind of visa you will need. After you have a clear idea of which visa is best for you, you can go over the information provided in this article to find out which are the requirements for each type of visa.

Tourist Visa

Tourist visas are usually obtained in the airport upon arrival in Peru or at Peruvian border crossings. In most cases, tourist visas are granted for a maximum length of one hundred and eighty-three (183) days in the country per consecutive 365 day period (Legal base: subparagraph h) of article 29 of Legislative Decree No. 1350). Note that the amount of days you get depends, in part, on your travel plans, and is up to the discretion of the migrations agent.

Requirements:

• Valid passport with a minimum of six (6) months validity.
• You might also be asked to present your round trip ticket to Peru (physical ticket, electronic ticket or reservation).

Depending on your country of origin, you might have to request a tourist visa at the Peruvian Consulate in your country before coming to Peru, check out this list for more information.

It is altogether possible that you may be given less than 183 days upon entry. In fact, 90 days is the most common length of time. If this is the case, and you need to extend your stay, you can apply to extend your visa online for an additional period (up to the maximum). Prior to this, you will need to pay S./11.70 to the Banco de la Nación, or  at the bank itself, or using their online app pagalo.pe.

Keep in mind that tourist visas are for recreational or similar purposes. This migratory status does not admit the purpose of immigration, permanent residence or the pursuit of remunerated activities. However, you can enter the country with a tourist visa and change your migratory status once in the country.  

Tourists who overstay their visa need to pay a fine of S./4.20 per day overstayed.

Temporary and Resident Visas

 General Requirements

• Form F-007 – Free (download here)
• Receipt from Banco de la Nación for payment of fee for the right to request a visa (S/. 107.50). Payment can be made at any Banco de la Nación – code 1857, or online at www.pagalo.pe.
• A legible copy of passport or valid travel document. The beneficiary of the visa must be in regular migration status.

Note:

• In cases in which there are bilateral or multilateral agreements between Peru and other States or international organizations, the payment of fees will be subject to the indications in the agreement.
• In all cases in which the documents are written in a foreign (non-Spanish) language, they must be translated to Spanish by an official (certified by the Peruvian government) translator.
• If the procedure is performed by a third party,  the applicant must submit a notarized letter of authorization (Power of Attorney). If the power is granted abroad, it must be legalized by the Peruvian Consulate and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or apostilled.

Worker Visa 

• All the general requirements (listed above).
• Photocopy of work contract that has been approved by the Ministry of Labor, and  legalized by a notary or authenticated by the Federatario de Migraciones (immigration office notary), with the exception of cases outlined in Legislative Decree N° 689, and Supreme Decree N° 023-2001-TR, its regulations and amendments.
• The RUC (tax number) of the contracting company must be registered and active at the time of requesting the visa.
• If the contract was signed abroad, it must be legalized by the Peruvian Consulate and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or apostilled.
• The presentation of the contract must not be later than 30 days after having been approved by the Ministry of Labor.
• A Ficha de Canje Internacional (An international criminal record check) issued by the INTERPOL.
• The temporary worker visa is granted for one hundred and eighty-three (183) days, accumulated over a period of three hundred and sixty five (365) days. Extensions can be applied for the same period.
• The resident worker visa is granted for a period of three hundred and sixty five (365) days, renewable for the same period. In cases where the contract establishes probation periods, a temporary visa will be granted until the completion of that period.

Note: In the case of a contract signed in Peru, the applicant must have a valid immigration status or have a special permission to sign contracts.

(Designated Workers) Workers for a Foreign Company Visa

• All the general requirements (listed above).
• Photocopy, that has been approved by the Ministry of Labor, and legalized by a notary or authenticated by the federatario de migraciones (immigration office notary), of the service contract between the foreign company and the Peruvian natural or juridical person or company receiving the service. If signed abroad, the contract should be legalized by the Peruvian Consulate and Ministry of foreign Affairs or apostilled.
• Appointment document issued by the company abroad, individually for each worker, legalized by the Peruvian Consulate and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or apostilled, indicating name, passport number, and specialty of the beneficiary and the duration of service in the country.
  • The document should state that wages, allowances and/or any other form of remuneration, will be covered by the foreign company and the beneficiary will not have a dependent relationship with the national company.
  • Letter from the Peruvian company receiving the service, indicating the type of activity and location where it will receive the service, and that the work performed by the beneficiary is highly specialized and there are currently no personnel available in the country.
• The temporary visa is granted for one hundred and eighty-three (183) days, accumulated over a period of three hundred and sixty five (365) days. Extensions can be applied for the same period.
• The resident visa is granted for a period of three hundred and sixty five (365) days, renewable for the same period.

Student Visa 

• All the general requirements (listed above).
• Document of registration issued by a study center officially recognized by the Ministry of Education or the National Superintendency of Higher Education (SUNEDU),  mentioning the type of study and duration.
  • In case of professional practices, must present a letter of accreditation issued by the university or foreign school of higher studies indicating the time and place where they will perform their practices, duly legalized by the Peruvian Consulate and certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or apostilled.
• Demonstrate financial solvency from abroad that accredits or guarantees payment of the costs of education and living expenses.
  • In the case of foreign children of Peruvian parents and foreign residents in the country, financial solvency can come from national sources.
  • In case of minors unaccompanied by at least one parent, they must present notarial or consular document certifying guardianship or appointment of proxy, and an authenticated copy of filiation duly legalized or apostilled.
• The temporary student visa can be granted for up to ninety (90) days renewable. The resident student visa is issued for (01) year renewable.

Religious Resident Visa

• All the general requirements (listed above).
• Application of the congregation, ecclesiastical authority or religious association to which the beneficiary will be effectively integrated, signed by the legal representative, indicating names and surnames of the beneficiary and the time he/she will remain in the country.
• In the case of Catholic priests, the application must be countersigned by the Bishop of the Diocese. If presented in Lima, an endorsement by the Directorate of Religious Affairs of the Ministry of Justice will also be needed.
• Members of Non-Catholic Religious Associations: application of religious association recognized by the Peruvian State to which the beneficiary will be effectively integrated, signed by the legal representative, indicating names and surnames of the beneficiary and the time he/she will remain in the country, endorsed by the Directorate of Inter-Religious (non-Catholic) Affairs of the Ministry of Justice.

• Religious visas are granted for a period of three hundred and sixty five (365) days, renewable for the same period.

Note: Residents with a religious visa can only carry out activities related to health and education unless otherwise authorized.

Artist Visa 

• All the general requirements (listed above).
• A copy of the art contract that is either legalized by a notary or authenticated by the federatario de migraciones (immigration office notary) prior to entering the country and presented to the SUNAT (Peruvian tax authorities) and the Ministry of Labor.
• A copy that is either legalized by a notary or authenticated by the federatario de migraciones (immigration office notary) of the Inter-Union Pass issued by the Peruvian union that brings together artists of the specialty or genre cultivated by the foreign artist.
• List of the artists presented by the legal representative of the contracting firm.
• Existing powers of the artist’s representative and contractor registered in the SUNARP.
• Note: The temporary visa can be granted for up to ninety (90) days renewable. The resident visa is issued for one (01) year renewable.

Independent Investor

• All the general requirements (listed above).
• Photocopy, either legalized by a notary or authenticated by the Federatario de Migraciones (immigration office notary), of the affidavit of the firm’s inscription in the Public Registry which certifies that the interested party has a capital of S/.500,000.00 (approx. US $150,000.00), which has been paid in cash and in one act.
• Prove that the money invested comes from abroad and that was declared to SUNAT upon entering the country (declaración jurada de equipaje), or documents related to inter-bank transactions or other money transfer modalities done from abroad to the name of the foreign investor and/or Peruvian company to which the foreign investor is a partner.
• Commitment letter for the creation of at least five (05) employment positions for Peruvians, within a period no longer than one year. This will be an indispensable requirement for extending residence in the country.
• In the case of a company that has recently been formed, evidence of market research, or in the case of a working company, its business plan for a period of two years, including the creation of five (05) employment positions within a period no longer than two years.

Note: The foreign person cannot sustain investment through the transfer of shares (Art. 86.2  DS 007-2017-IN REGULATION OF LEGISLATIVE DECREE 1350).

Other requirements:

• The beneficiary must have qualifying immigration status or a special permission to sign contracts at the moment of signing the constitution of the company, or acquiring the shares.
• In cases where an immigration status change has been requested by a foreign resident to become an investor, the money/capital could come from a certified national source.
• The foreign person may only act as manager or director of the company, and must comply with all labor regulations or tax obligations that might apply.
• The company must have workers on payroll.
• Independent investor visas are granted for a period of three hundred and sixty five (365) days, renewable for the same period.

“Rentistas” – Persons with a Foreign Source of Income

• All the general requirements (listed above).
• Affidavit of no criminal, court and police records, nationally and internationally.
• Photocopy, either legalized by a notary or authenticated by the Federatario de Migraciones (immigration office notary), of original document of the country from which the income comes from, stating that the applicant receives a permanent net income of no less than one thousand ($1,000) US dollars. The document must be legalized by the Peruvian consulate and endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or apostilled.
• In case of income coming from a domestic source, document evidencing the perception of said income by the beneficiary.
• In case of income coming from a foreign source, an affidavit declaring that the money entered the country through a financial institution.

Note:

• Rentiers are prohibited from performing paid or lucrative activities.
• Foreigners with resident visas as rentiers “Rentistas”, are permitted indefinite stay in Peru.
• Besides all general requirements, rentiers should also present evidence of an additional income of five hundred US dollars ($500.00) per family member or dependent.

Family Resident Visa

For ancestors, children (under 18, unmarried daughters, and disabled children over 18) and spouse.

General requirements

• Form F-007 – Free (download here).
• Receipt from Banco de la Nación for payment of fee for the right to request a visa (S/. 107.50). Payment can be made at any Banco de la Nación – code 1857.
• A legible copy of passport or valid travel document. The beneficiary of the visa must be in regular migration status.

Note:

• Family resident visas are granted for up to two (02) years for the families of Peruvians and one (01) year for the families of foreign residents.
• In all cases in which the documents are written in a foreign (non-Spanish) language, they must be translated to Spanish by an official (certified by the Peruvian government) translator.
• If the procedure is performed by a third party,  the applicant must submit a notarized letter of authorization (Power of Attorney). If the power is granted abroad, it must be legalized by the Peruvian Consulate and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or apostilled.

A) Ancestors of Peruvians and Foreign Residents

• All the general requirements (listed above).
• Copy of the national identity card of the Peruvian citizen or Carné de Extranjería of the foreign resident.
• Birth certificate from country of origin that is legalized by the Peruvian Consulate and endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Relations or apostilled, and which demonstrates relationship with the beneficiary.

B) Children under 18 Years Old of Peruvians and Foreign Residents

• All the general requirements (listed above).
• A legible copy of passport or travel document valid for at least six (06) months.
• Birth certificate or record or analogous document from country of birth that has been legalized by the Peruvian Consulate and endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Relations or apostilled.
• Copy of the national identity card of the Peruvian citizen or Carné de Extranjería of the foreign resident.

C) Disabled Children over 18 Years Old

• All the general requirements (listed above).
• A legible copy of passport or travel document valid for at least six (06) months.
• Birth certificate from country of birth that has been legalized by the Peruvian Consulate and endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Relations or apostilled.
• Copy of the national identity card of the Peruvian citizen or Carné de Extranjería of the foreign resident.
• Legal document that demonstrates the condition or disability that makes it impossible for the applicant to care for himself.
• Certificate of single status or analogous document from applicant’s country of origin, legalized by the Peruvian Consulate and endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Relations. In cases where single children 18 years or older cannot express their will, the legal guardian should do it on his/her behalf.

D) Unmarried Female Children older than 18 and younger than 28 years old

• All the general requirements (listed above).
• Birth certificate from country of birth that has legalized by the Peruvian Consulate and endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Relations or apostilled.
• Certificate of single status or analogous document from applicant’s country of origin, legalized by the Peruvian Consulate and endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Relations or apostilled.
• Copy of the national identity card of peruvian parent or legal guardian. For foreigners, copy of Carné de Extranjería.
• Document of registration issued by a study center officially recognized by the Ministry of Education or the National Superintendency of Higher Education (SUNEDU),  mentioning the type of study and duration.

E) Married to Peruvian

• All the general requirements (listed above).
• Original marriage certificate or license inscribed in the respective civil registries of the Peruvian National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (RENIEC) and, in the case of marriages outside Peru, legalized by the Peruvian Consulate and endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Relations or apostilled.
• A legible copy of valid DNI of peruvian spouse.

F) Married to a Foreign Resident in Peru

• All the general requirements (listed above).
• Original marriage certificate or license inscribed in the respective civil registries of the Peruvian National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (RENIEC), if the marriage was in Peru, or in the case the marriage was outside Peru, a marriage certificate or license or analogous document from applicant’s country of origin, legalized by the Peruvian Consulate and endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Relations or apostilled. In case of common-law marriage, must submit an affidavit declaring that the marriage was registered before the SUNARP, make sure to indicate the registration number.
• A legible copy of Carné de Extranjería of foreign resident.

Source: Peruvian Immigration Office website – https://www.migraciones.gob.pe/.

Translation by expatperu.com and www.al-ingles.com.

This translated version cannot be copied or republished in whole or in part without written consent from expatperu.com.

Please note that the information in this article is offered only as a general introduction to Peruvian immigration regulations and not as an exhaustive guide to the intricacies of immigration law. Immigration regulations change frequently and it is therefore essential that you do your own research rather than merely relying on this guide. Expat Peru cannot be responsible for any problems that may result from failing to do so.

We’d like to hear from you. Share any recent experience obtaining your Peruvian visa in our forum topic Visas for Peru