Visa Types — Peru

Peru Visa Categories for Immigration

*Note: Peru's immigration system is governed by Legislative Decree No. 1350 and its regulations. Immigration rules, fees, and processing times change periodically. Always verify current details with Peru's Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones (National Superintendence of Migrations) or a Peruvian consulate before making decisions.*

Rentista Visa (Independent Means Visa)

Who it's for: Foreigners who can support themselves through foreign passive income (pensions, investments, rental income) without working in Peru.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Proof of stable, permanent foreign income of at least approximately $1,000/month (some sources cite higher thresholds around $1,000–$36,000/year depending on interpretation; verify current minimum)
• Income must come from abroad (pensions, dividends, rental income, etc.)
• Bank statements/certification showing income for the last 12 months
• Clean criminal record certificate (apostilled)
• Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
• Health certificate in some cases

Processing Time: Typically 30–60 business days once documents are submitted to Migraciones

Cost:

• Visa application fee: approx. S/ 200–400 (~$54–$108)
• Foreigner ID card (Carné de Extranjería): approx. S/ 189.60 (~$51)
• Additional consular/apostille costs vary by home country

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Work Visa (Visa de Trabajador Residente)

Who it's for: Foreigners with a job offer/contract from a Peru-registered company.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Signed employment contract with a Peruvian company, registered with the Ministry of Labor
• Employer must justify hiring a foreigner (typically limited to 20% of total workforce and 30% of payroll, per Peruvian labor law, with some exceptions)
• Academic/professional qualifications relevant to the position
• Clean criminal record (apostilled, from country of residence in last 5 years)
• Valid passport
• Sponsoring company must be legally registered and in good standing with Peruvian tax authority (SUNAT)

Processing Time: 30–45 business days (after contract approval by Ministry of Labor, which itself can take 2–4 weeks)

Cost:

• Ministry of Labor contract approval fee: approx. S/ 44.30 (~$12)
• Visa fee: approx. S/ 200–400 (~$54–$108)
• Foreigner ID card: approx. S/ 189.60 (~$51)

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Investor Visa (Visa de Inversionista)

Who it's for: Foreigners making a qualifying investment in a Peruvian business or economic activity.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Minimum investment of approximately $25,000–$30,000 (verify current threshold; historically around 5 UIT tax units, but can vary)
• Business plan showing investment will generate economic activity/employment in Peru
• Registration of investment with Peruvian authorities (e.g., Public Registry, SUNAT)
• Proof of legal source of investment funds
• Clean criminal record
• Valid passport

Processing Time: 45–60 business days (including business registration and document verification)

Cost:

• Visa application fee: approx. S/ 200–400 (~$54–$108)
• Foreigner ID card: approx. S/ 189.60 (~$51)
• Additional legal/notary fees for business registration (variable, often $500–$2,000+)

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Family Unity Visa (Visa por Unidad Familiar)

Who it's for: Spouses, children, and dependent parents of Peruvian citizens or foreign residents holding valid Peruvian residency.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Proof of family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, apostilled and translated if issued abroad)
• Sponsor must hold valid Peruvian citizenship or residency status
• Sponsor must demonstrate ability to support dependent (in some cases)
• Clean criminal record for applicants over 18
• Valid passport

Processing Time: 30–45 business days

Cost:

• Visa fee: approx. S/ 200–400 (~$54–$108)
• Foreigner ID card: approx. S/ 189.60 (~$51)
• Document legalization/translation costs vary

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Student Visa (Visa de Estudiante)

Who it's for: Foreigners enrolled in accredited Peruvian educational institutions (universities, language schools, technical institutes).

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Acceptance letter from a Peruvian educational institution registered with Ministry of Education
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover stay (varies by institution/consulate)
• Clean criminal record (for adult students)
• Valid passport
• Health insurance coverage recommended/required by some institutions

Processing Time: 30 business days

Cost:

• Visa fee: approx. S/ 200–400 (~$54–$108)
• Foreigner ID card: approx. S/ 189.60 (~$51)

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Special Resident Visa / Retirement (often processed under Rentista category)

Who it's for: Retirees living on foreign pension income; in Peru this typically falls under the Rentista Visa above rather than a separate "retiree" category.

Key Eligibility Requirements: Same as Rentista Visa (see above) — proof of stable pension/passive income from abroad.

Processing Time: 30–60 business days

Cost: Same as Rentista Visa fees above

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Immigrant Visa / Permanent Residence (Residencia Permanente)

Who it's for: Foreigners who have held temporary residency for at least 3 consecutive years and wish to obtain permanent resident status.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Minimum 3 years of continuous legal residency in Peru under a qualifying visa category (rentista, work, investor, family, etc.)
• No extended absences from Peru during residency period (specific rules apply)
• Clean criminal and immigration record in Peru
• Valid passport and current Carné de Extranjería

Processing Time: 30–45 business days

Cost:

• Application fee: approx. S/ 200–400 (~$54–$108)
• Foreigner ID card renewal: approx. S/ 189.60 (~$51)

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Diplomatic, Official, and Special Visas

Who it's for: Diplomats, government officials, international organization staff, and their families.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Diplomatic note or official government/international organization credential
• Valid diplomatic or official passport
• Assignment to Peru confirmed by home government or international body

Processing Time: Case-by-case, often expedited (1–2 weeks)

Cost: Typically fee-exempt under diplomatic reciprocity agreements

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Important Notes

• Exchange rate used: Approximately S/ 3.70–3.75 per $1 USD (verify current rate, as PEN/USD fluctuates)
• Carné de Extranjería (Foreigner ID Card): Required for nearly all long-term visa holders and typically costs around S/ 189.60 regardless of visa type
• Apostille/Legalization: Most foreign documents (criminal records, marriage/birth certificates) require apostille under the Hague Convention or consular legalization if from a non-Hague country
• Processing times can extend significantly (2–4 months) depending on Migraciones' backlog and completeness of documentation
• All fees and requirements should be verified directly with Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones (migraciones.gob.pe) or the nearest Peruvian consulate, as amounts in Peruvian Soles are periodically updated based on UIT (Unidad Impositiva Tributaria) tax unit adjustments

More about immigrating to Peru