Every way into Peru.

For foreign nationals visiting Peru for recreational or similar purposes. Nationals of most Latin American and European countries, plus the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and many others, are visa-exempt for tourism; nationals of countries that require a visa must apply at a Peruvian consular office (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) at least 15 calendar days before travel. The maximum stay is up to 183 calendar days, with no extension, whether in a single continuous visit or multiple consecutive visits within 12 months from issuance; the actual authorised stay is set by the migration officer on entry. Tourists may not perform paid work. Submitting the application does not guarantee approval — each case is assessed individually by the Peruvian consul, who may request additional documents. Entry is recorded digitally via the Tarjeta Andina de Migracion (TAM); passports are no longer physically stamped since 2023.

Processing time

15 days

Max stay

183 days

Validity

365 days

For foreign nationals travelling temporarily to Peru for business activities that do not involve actual labour or gainful local employment — establishing business contacts, exploring opportunities, attending meetings, and signing contracts or agreements. Nationals of visa-exempt countries enter as business travellers (declaring the business purpose on arrival); nationals of countries that require a visa apply for a business visa at a Peruvian consulate before travel. The business migratory category permits the listed activities but not subordinate or remunerated work for a Peruvian employer, for which a worker status is required. Stay is generally up to 183 days within a 12-month period as set by the migration authority. Entry is recorded via the digital TAM.

Processing time

15 days

Max stay

183 days

Validity

365 days

For foreign nationals who will undertake studies in Peru in recognised modalities: basic education, technical-productive education, higher-education institutes/schools (IES/EES), university education (undergraduate and postgraduate), professional internships and other state-recognised study modalities. Enrolment must be at a Peruvian-state-recognised institution and the programme must last one year or more. Applicants submit a sworn declaration of economic solvency for the duration of the status (for minors, signed by a parent or guardian). Foreign-issued documents must be apostilled or legalised and translated into Spanish by a certified translator. Granted by MIGRACIONES online; residence valid 365 days, renewable for the study period. Government fee S/ 58.80 (code 07567, via Pagalo.pe or Banco de la Nacion), 30-business-day decision window. Whether issued as temporary or resident depends on supporting documents and authority discretion.

• Study: Authorised for the enrolled programme at the recognised institution.

Government fee

PEN 58.80

Processing time

30 days

Validity

365 days

For foreign nationals who will carry out lucrative activities in a subordinate or independent manner for the public or private sector under a Peruvian work contract, administrative relationship, or services contract. The contract must be approved by the labour authority and state a term of one year or more; if the term is under a year or includes a probation period, the application is evaluated as temporary worker status instead. The hiring company must be active and registered ('activo y habido') with the tax authority (SUNAT). Granted by the National Superintendence of Migration (MIGRACIONES) online; the residence permit (carnet de extranjeria) is valid for 365 days and is renewable. The government fee is S/ 58.80 (code 07567), paid at Banco de la Nacion, with a 30-business-day decision window. After 3 consecutive years of residence the holder may apply to change to permanent resident status; naturalisation eligibility is governed separately by Law 32421.

• Work: Authorised to work for the contracting employer in subordinate or independent form.
• Study: May study; primary purpose remains work.
• Residency after 3 years
• Family: Family members apply separately under Familiar Residente status.

Government fee

PEN 58.80

Processing time

30 days

Validity

365 days

For foreign nationals performing lucrative activities (dependent or independent) in the public or private sector under a work contract or administrative relationship that is short-term or includes a probation period. The period of permanence is 183 days, accumulable within a 365-day window. The work contract must be approved by the labour authority and be no more than 30 business days old; the contracting entity must be active and registered with SUNAT. Granted by MIGRACIONES online; the procedure is personal and does not admit a proxy. Government fee is S/ 22.20 (code 07568), with a 30-business-day decision window. This is a temporary status and does not by itself lead to permanent residence, though a later change to resident worker status is possible if a qualifying one-year contract is obtained. An International Exchange Form (Interpol) issued within the last 6 months is required.

• Work: Authorised to work for the contracting entity for the contract term.

Government fee

PEN 22.20

Processing time

30 days

Max stay

183 days

Validity

183 days

For foreign nationals commissioned by a highly specialised international corporation to perform tasks in Peru such as repair or maintenance of technically complex machinery, systems or mechanisms, or corporate audits and international certifications. The assignment must last one year or more and be evidenced by a services/technical-cooperation contract between the foreign corporation and the Peruvian entity receiving the service, plus an individual designation document. Crucially, the holder cannot perform remunerated or lucrative self-employed activities in Peru and receives no Peruvian-source income: remuneration and expenses are paid by the foreign corporation, with no dependency relationship with the Peruvian company. Granted by MIGRACIONES online; residence valid 365 days, renewable. Government fee is S/ 58.80 (code 07567), 30-business-day decision window.

• Family: Family members apply separately under Familiar Residente status.

Government fee

PEN 58.80

Processing time

30 days

Validity

365 days

For foreign nationals who establish, develop or manage one or more lawful investments under Peruvian law. The investment must be at least S/ 500,000 (the threshold set in current migration regulations; raised in recent years from a former USD 30,000 floor) and must be made by international transfer in a single disbursement through a bank/financial entity supervised by the Superintendence of Banking and Insurance (SBS). For new companies, the public deed of incorporation (less than 3 months old) is required; for capital increases in existing companies, the public deed of capital increase plus the company's last annual income-tax return showing it operated in the prior fiscal year, and the operating-licence number. To hire foreign workers the investor must comply with Legislative Decree 689. Granted by MIGRACIONES online; residence valid 365 days, renewable; change to permanent resident status possible after 3 consecutive years. Government fee S/ 57.60 (code 07567), 30-business-day decision window.

• Work: May manage and draw income as manager/director of the invested company, subject to labour and tax rules.
• Study: May study while holding investor status.
• Residency after 3 years
• Family: Family members apply separately under Familiar Residente status.

Government fee

PEN 57.60

Processing time

30 days

Validity

365 days

Min. investment

PEN 500,000

For foreign nationals who receive a retirement pension or permanent income from a Peruvian or foreign source and wish to reside in Peru without working locally. For foreign-source income, the applicant must prove a permanent net income of at least US$ 1,000 per month, supported by a sworn declaration that the funds enter Peru through an SBS-supervised bank/financial entity; for Peruvian-source income, proof of the monthly permanent income is required. Whether the status is granted as temporary or resident depends on the supporting documents and the migration authority's discretion. Granted by MIGRACIONES online; the resident permit is valid 365 days and renewable, and in practice provides a stable long-term residence route for retirees. Government fee S/ 58.80 (code 07567), 30-business-day decision window. The min_income_cents value reflects US$ 1,000/month expressed in USD minor units as an income reference; the gov fee itself is charged in PEN.

• Study: May study while residing as a rentista.
• Residency: Provides ongoing renewable residence; rentista is not among the categories listed for the 3-year permanent-resident change, but supports long-term residence and naturalisation eligibility under Law 32421.
• Family: Dependants apply separately under Familiar Residente status.

Government fee

PEN 58.80

Processing time

30 days

Validity

365 days

Min. income / month

PEN 1,000

For foreign nationals with a proven family tie to a Peruvian national, or to a foreign national legally resident in Peru, under Article 38 of Legislative Decree 1350. Eligible relatives include spouses, de-facto/registered partners (union de hecho registered with SUNARP), unmarried children up to age 28 in technical/higher studies, and unmarried adult children with proven disability, among others. This status permits the holder to enter and remain in Peru and to carry out lucrative activities in a dependent or independent manner. The period of permanence is up to 2 years for family members of Peruvian nationals and 1 year for family members of foreign residents, renewable. Granted by MIGRACIONES online; the initial application fee is S/ 58.80 (code 07567); a change of status from within Peru costs S/ 162.50 (code 07568). 30-business-day decision window.

• Work: May carry out lucrative activities in dependent or independent form.
• Study: May study while holding family resident status.
• Residency after 3 years
• Family: This status is itself the family-reunification route; each relative applies on their own tie.

Government fee

PEN 58.80

Processing time

30 days

Validity

730 days

Adults (18+) legally resident in Peru may apply to MIGRACIONES for Peruvian nationality by naturalisation. Under the prior Law 26574 the residence requirement was 2 consecutive years, and the MIGRACIONES procedure page still references this while transition rules apply. The new Nationality Law 32421, published on 15 August 2025, raises the requirement to 5 consecutive years of legal residence and adds proof of annual lawful income of at least 10 UIT (roughly S/ 53,500 in 2025), formally taxed in Peru, plus an evaluation of Spanish/indigenous-language proficiency and knowledge of Peruvian history, geography, the Constitution and civics; marriage-based naturalisation now requires 4 years of continuous marriage, and qualified athletes keep a 2-year route. Law 32421 takes full effect once regulated (within 180 days of publication). Applicants must pass an evaluation exam and present a clean record. Government fee S/ 301.50 per the current TUPA; the formerly charged S/ 530.60 fee was struck down by INDECOPI.

• Work: Naturalised citizens have full rights to live and work in Peru.
• Study: Full study rights as a citizen.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Minor children of a naturalised parent may acquire nationality; spouses qualify after 4 years of marriage under Law 32421.

Government fee

PEN 301.50

For foreign nationals with expertise in science, technology and innovation, or in highly specialised education projects, who are accredited as researchers through CONCYTEC (the National Council of Science, Technology and Technological Innovation). This status authorises any income-generating activity, dependent or independent, in the public or private sector. The applicant needs a CONCYTEC-issued document certifying researcher status and a letter from a public or private institution stating the activities to be carried out in Peru for a period of one year or more, signed by the legal representative and indicating the active SUNAT (RUC) registration. Granted by MIGRACIONES online; residence valid 365 days, renewable; change to permanent resident status possible after 3 consecutive years. Government fee S/ 58.80 (code 07567), 30-business-day decision window.

• Work: Authorised for any income-generating activity, dependent or independent, in public or private sector.
• Study: May carry out research and related study activities.
• Residency after 3 years
• Family: Family members apply separately under Familiar Residente status.

Government fee

PEN 58.80

Processing time

30 days

Validity

365 days

For foreign nationals belonging to a religious institution recognised by the Peruvian state, to carry out religious or pastoral activities in an organisation or congregation registered or recognised by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights or the Peruvian state. The status does not by itself authorise remunerated or lucrative work; complementary activities (education, health, etc.) are allowed, and any paid work requires a separate extraordinary work permit from MIGRACIONES. Requires a request from the recognised religious entity, signed by its legal representative, stating the applicant's name and duration of stay, plus a sworn declaration of the representative's authority. Granted by MIGRACIONES online; residence valid 365 days, renewable; change to permanent resident status possible after 3 consecutive years. Government fee S/ 58.80 (code 07567), 30-business-day decision window.

• Study: May carry out educational activities complementary to pastoral work.
• Residency after 3 years
• Family: Family members apply separately under Familiar Residente status.

Government fee

PEN 58.80

Processing time

30 days

Validity

365 days

Under the Mercosur Residence Agreement, nationals of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia can obtain residence in Peru based on nationality alone, without a job offer or investment. Temporary Mercosur residence is granted for 2 years and allows study and lawful lucrative activities in the public and private sectors. Before the temporary residence expires, the holder may apply (within the 90 days prior to expiry) to change to permanent Mercosur residence, evidencing lawful means of subsistence (recent payslips, fee receipts, work contract or annual tax return). The change-of-status procedure is personal (no proxy) and costs S/ 161.40 (code 07568) at Banco de la Nacion, with a 30-business-day decision window. This is the simplest residence route for eligible South American nationals.

• Work: Authorised to study and carry out lawful lucrative activities in public and private sectors.
• Study: Study is expressly permitted.
• Residency after 2 years
• Family: Family members of the Mercosur national may also obtain residence under the agreement.

Government fee

PEN 161.40

Processing time

30 days

Validity

730 days

For foreign nationals who have legally resided in Peru for 3 consecutive years as a worker, investor, researcher or member of a religious community, allowing a change to permanent resident status through the MIGRACIONES digital agency. During the 3-year qualifying period the applicant must not have been absent from Peru for more than 183 consecutive calendar days within any 365-day window, unless granted an authorised stay-abroad permit. The procedure may be carried out personally or, following INDECOPI Resolution 0628-2024, through a proxy. Applicants must present a valid International Exchange Form (Interpol) and a clean criminal record. Permanent residence removes the need for annual renewal of the migratory status (the physical carnet de extranjeria is still periodically renewed) and consolidates long-term settlement; naturalisation is a separate process governed by Law 32421.

• Work: Permanent residents may live and work in Peru without annual status renewal.
• Study: May study freely.
• Residency after 3 years
• Family: Family members hold their own status (Familiar Residente) and may also become permanent.

Processing time

30 days