Right after Brazil and Argentina, Peru is the biggest country in South America. While Machu Pichu is probably the most well-known destination for people travelling to Peru, Peru is so much more than Machu Pichu. The floating islands of Puno, UNESCO world heritage city of Cusco, Nazca lines, the Amazon rain forests, and the architectural wonders of Incas are only a few of them.
If you are visiting Peru or planning to work or retire in Peru, you must accustom yourself with the Peru visa application process.
In this article, we will cover who needs a visa for Peru, the visa types, extension of Peru visa, overstay and all other relevant details.
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Do You Need a Visa to Travel to Peru?
As a country that’s hugely popular with backpackers, this is a question that gets asked a lot of times: do I need a visa to visit Peru or not. Citizens of many countries can enter Peru visa-free, by receiving a Peru TAM card at Peruvian immigration and an entry stamp. However, citizens of many countries need to apply for a tourist visa for Peru in a Peruvian embassy.
As per, Peru visa policy, here are the countries that need a visa can enter Peru visa-free. If your country is not listed, then you need a visa to enter Peru.
| EU Citizens | Andorra | Antigua and Barbuda |
| Argentina (ID) | Australia | Bahamas |
| Barbados | Belarus | Belize |
| Bolivia(ID) | Brazil(ID) | Brunei |
| Canada(B) | Chile(ID) | Colombia(ID) |
| Costa Rica | Dominica | Dominican Republic |
| Ecuador(ID) | Fiji | Grenada |
| Guatemala | Guayana | Honduras |
| Hong Kong | Iceland(B) | Indonesia (B) |
| Israel | Jamaica | Japan(B) |
| Kiribati | Liechtenstein(B) | Malaysia(B) |
| Marshall Islands | Mexico(B) | Micronesia |
| Moldova | Monaco | Montenegro |
| Nauru | New Zealand | North Macedonia |
| Norway(B) | Palau | Panama |
| Papua New Guinea | Paraguay(ID) | Philippines(B) |
| Russia(B) | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Saint Lucia |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Samoa | San Marino |
| Serbia | Singapore(B) | Solomon Islands |
| South Africa | South Korea(B) | Suriname |
| Switzerland(B) | Taiwan | Thailand(B) |
| Tonga | Trinidad and Tobago | Turkey |
| Tuvalu | Ukraine | United Kingdom |
| United States | Uruguay(ID) | Vatican City |
ID: Citizens of countries that can enter peru with an ID card
B: Nationals who don’t need a business visa for peru to conduct business
Who Can Enter Peru with an ID Card and no Passport?
Citizens of Mercosur countries can enter Peru with an ID card.
| Argentina | Bolivia | Brazil |
| Chile | Colombia | Ecuador |
| Paraguay | Uruguay |
Peru Visa-free with Green Card or Visas or Residency from Third Countries
Citizens of India and China can enter Peru visa-free for a maximum of 180 days during a six-month period if they hold
- a valid green card or permanent residence permit from the US.
- a valid permanent residence permit issued by Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, or a Schengen member.
- a visa with a validity of minimum six months from Unites States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, or any Schengen country.
| India | China |
Peru Visa Sample : What Does Peru Visa Look like?
Peru Visa Types
Peru visas can be either temporary visas or resident visas.
Temporary Visas
1. Peru Vistor Visa
Citizens of countries who want to visit Peru for tourism, sightseeing etc, can apply for a Peru tourist visa through an embassy of Peru, if they belong a country whose citizens need a visa for Peru.
2. Peru Business Visa
Foreign nationals who want to conduct business in Peru should apply Peru business visa, unless the country of origin of the citizen has an agreement with the Peruvian government to allow travel to Peru without a business visa for this purpose.
Here are the countries whose citizens don’t need a business visa for Peru to conduct business in Peru.
Americas
Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico
Europe
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
Asia
Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand
3. Peru Student Visa
Foreign nationals wanting to study in Peru or doing an internship, can apply for a Peru student visa through an university or institution recognized by DIGEMIN (General Directorate of Migrations and Naturalization).
4. Artist Visas for Peru
Foreigners who carry out artistic, cultural, sports, or other similar activities can apply for a Peru artist visa to come and perform in Peru. In case a foreigner carries out any such activities without possessing the artist visa for Peru, he/she will be penalized.
5. Peru Religious Visa
Priests or missionaries who want to stay in Peru to perform missionary or religious work can apply for a Peru religious visa. This has to be authorized from the General Directorate of Migrations and Naturalization – DIGEMIN, after which it can be issued from the Peruvian embassy where you are applying for the visa.
6. Peru Visa for Journalists
This type of visa is issued to who wish to work as a film producer, journalist or reporters in Peru. EU citizens of the following countries don’t need a journalist visa for Peru, although they still need to apply for the authorization for bringing equipment into Peru.
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
7. Diplomatic Visas for Peru
Foreign diplomats who will be staying in Peru on official missions, can obtain a diplomatic visa.
Resident Visas
1. Peru Work Visa
For foreigners wanting to work in Peru legally, General Directorate of Immigration and Naturalization (DIGEMIN) issues the Peru work visa. The employment contract for your job would have to be for at least one year for this.
2. Peru Professional Worker Visa
Foreigners can apply for a visa for independent professionals or Peru professional visa, to work as a freelancer while living in Peru. This gives you the right to work in Peru as a freelancer, while not being employed under a contract.
3. Peru Investor Visa
Foreign investors who can invest $ 30,000 dollars in an existing Peruvian company or establish a company in Peru themselves with a capital exceeding $30,000 can apply for a Peru investor visa. An investor visa for Peru is valid for one year, and can be extended further. It doesn’t give you the right to work in Peru.
4. Peru Family Resident Visa
Peru family resident visa can be issued to foreigners who are related to a Peruvian citizen by birth or marriage or adoption. It can be issued to foreign nationals who are
- married to a Peruvian citizen.
- married to a foreigner who has a resident visa for Peru.
- minor children of a Peruvian or resident foreigner.
- parents of a Peruvian citizen or resident foreigner.
5. Peru Retirement Visa
Foreign nationals who can prove a minimum monthly income of $ 1000 dollars, can apply for a Peruvian retirement visa. Working is prohibited if you have this visa.
Peru Visa Application Process
Many people wonder if they can apply for Peru visa online. However Peru visa application process is not online yet. Here is the step-by-step process to apply Peru visa.
1. Choose the Peru visa type as per your purpose
Make sure that you are choosing the right type of visa when applying for a Peru visa. As the requirements are different for every visa, it’s important to decide on the purpose of your presence in Peru and apply for the requisite visa.
2. Find out the nearest Peruvian Embassy in Your Country
Is there a Peruvian embassy in your country? Peru has many embassies worldwide. Check if there is a Peruvian embassy from where you are applying the visa, here.
You can call or email them to ask about the visa you are applying for and the timings before proceeding with the visa application for Peru.
3. Come up with the Documents Required for Peru Visa
The list of documents for a Peru visa will vary a little from one country to another. Make sure to contact the embassy of Peru in this regard. You might also need to provide some documents that are translated to Spanish depending on your visa type and the embassy instructions.
4. Submit the Documents and Application at Peru Embassy
Once you have the required documents, you can submit them at the embassy of Peru along with your Peru visa application form and other documents.
5. Attend the Interview
Although not always, some embassies might ask you to come down for an interview when you apply visa for Peru. This might happen when you submit the documents. During the interview, a consular officer, who would ask you some questions about your intended trip, employment, and other details.
6. Pay the Peru Visa Fees
Once your interview is done, you would be required to pay the Peru visa fees. It’s very common for Peruvian embassies to ask you to pay only when the visa is approved so that you don’t lose your money. The payment can be done directly in the embassy or in a bank account of the embassy, depending on the country it’s in.
7. Receive the Peru Visa Stamp
You will receive the Peru visa sticker in your passport from the embassy once you have paid the visa fees and it’s approved.
Peru Visa Requirements
The visa requirements for Peru will vary depending on the country you are applying from, your employment status, the purpose of your visa and many other factors.
Here are the general requirements for Peru Visa.
- Peru Visa Application Form
DGC 005 visa application forms duly filled and signed. You can download it from the website of the Peruvian embassy or you can get it from the embassy in person. - Peru Visa Photo Requirements
Recent passport-size color pics (4.3 X 3.5 cm) with white background. The face size should cover between 70% – 80% of the photograph. - A Valid Passport
Passport with a minimum validity of six months after expected date of arrival to Peru. - Travel Itinerary for Visa
Roundtrip flight tickets or reservations from the country you are applying from. - Proof of Accommodation for Visa
You must show proof of hotel or hostel reservations in Peru, or proof of a tour package that you have bought. - Financial Solvency
Personal Bank Statement of the applicant for the last 3 months, credit card statements to prove that you can sponsor your trip. Your balance must be more than $1500 for the last 3 months.
If Employed
- Salary slips, for the last six months.
- No-objection letter written and signed by your employer. The letter must have information on the purpose of your trip, the time you have been working with them, the period of your stay in the letterhead of the employer. Please make sure that the letter includes your passport number.
- The most recent income tax return.
If a Student
- A letter from your school confirming your studies.
If your trip is sponsored
- Letter of guarantee from your Sponsor in Peru attesting that he or she will be responsible to bear some or all costs of boarding and lodging of the applicant, or repatriation if needed.
- A valid Id- Peruvian DNI, Passport or any other valid national identification document belonging to the Sponsor.
- Proof of financial solvency of the sponsor- bank statements, fixed deposit.
Peru Visa Fees
The visa fees for Peru are one of the lowest all over the world.
| Peru Visa Type | Peru Visa Cost in USD |
| Tourist visa | $30 |
| Business visa | $30 |
| Student visa | $15 |
| Journalist visa | $0 |
| Religious visa | $0 |
| Artist visa | $50 |
| Official/Diplomatic visa | $0 |
| Resident visa | $80 |
Peru Visa Processing Time
The usual Peru tourist visa processing time is 4-5 business days although depending on your application type, it can go up to 10 business days. And if you are applying from a country that you are not a citizen or permanent resident of, it might be even longer.
Some other visas that need prior authroization from the DIGEMIN of Peru (General Directorate of Migrations and Naturalization), might take 30 business days or more.
What is Tarjeta Andina Peru or Peru TAM?
When entering Peru, you will receive the Peru TAM or Tarjeta Andina Peru. It’s nothing but an entry/exit card with an entry stamp. Make sure to keep it safe and present it when you leave Peru.
Peru Visa Extension
There are two ways to extend Peru visa stay for tourism if you entered Peru with just a Peru TAM/ entry stamp, and without a sticker visa. Peru tourist stay can be extended for up to 90 days and up to the maximum allowed 183 days within a 365 days period.
1. Extend Peru visa online
Extending the Peru visa online is easier and faster. You can pay the extension fees online and upload the documents needed for the extension in the official website of Peru immigration. And then you would receive the email with the extension.
2. Extend Peru visa in an immigration office
Sometimes, the website to extend the Peru visa acts up or doesn’t accept your data. In these situations, you can extend the Peru visa by visiting a Peruvian immigration office and paying the fees at the bank. Also, EU citizens often face issues while extending the visa for Peru online, and can often do it successfully in the immigration office.
Peru Visa Overstay Fines
Peru is known to be liberal when it comes to visa overstay, unlike its neighbors such as Ecuador or Colombia. If you overstay your Peru visa you will be needed to pay a penalty of 0.1% of the Unidad Impositiva Tributaria (UIT). The UIT for 2020 is S/ 4,300, according to the official SUNAT website.
So for 2020, the daily overstay fine in Peru is S/ 4.30 or US$1.25 for each day you’ve overstayed. This must be paid in cash while exiting from Peru. Ensure that you have the right amount of money as you leave, or you could find yourself having problems.
You should avoid it by any means, but in most cases, don’t worry too much if you have.
Peru Visa for Indians: Do Indians Need a Visa for Peru?
Indian citizens need a visa for Peru, no matter what the purpose of their trip is. But if you possess a valid US Green card or permanent residence permit from Canada, Australia, Schengen countries, Singapore or a visa from these countries for 6 months validity, you can enter Peru visa-free.
Peruvian embassy in New Delhi, India caters to all visa applications from Indians as well as for citizens of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives.
Do US Citizens Need a Visa for Peru
A tourist visa in not needed for US citizens travelling to Peru for sightseeing or vacationing. However, if the purpose of your travel is business or to study or anything other than tourism, then you need to apply for a visa for Peru before you travel.
Along with the Peruvian embassy in Washington DC, Peru has consulates and diplomatic representations in 13 locations such as San Fran Cisco, Atlanta, Chicago, Denver etc.
Does Peru need a Yellow Fever Certificate for Visa?
No, travellers don’t need to hold a valid yellow fever certificate when applying for Peru visa or when entering Peru.