Do US citizens need a visa to visit Peru?

No. US citizens can enter Peru visa-free for up to 183 days. You receive an entry stamp at the airport with no advance application needed. The immigration officer determines the exact number of days granted — usually 90 or 183. Carry proof of onward travel and sufficient funds.

What is the minimum income required for Peru's Digital Nomad Visa?

The Digital Nomad Visa requires proof of at least $2,500 USD per month in remote income from non-Peruvian sources. Bank statements, employment contracts, or client letters are accepted as proof. The visa is valid for up to 1 year and is renewable from within Peru.

How does the Rentista Visa work for retirees?

The Rentista Visa requires just $1,000/month in passive income (pension, annuity, investments). It's of indefinite validity, includes dependents ($500/mo each), and leads to permanent residency after 3 years. You must spend at least 183 days/year in Peru and the income must flow through a Peruvian bank.

How long does it take to get permanent residency in Peru?

The standard path requires 3 continuous years of legal residency under qualifying visa categories (Rentista, Work, Investor). You must spend at least 183 days/year in Peru. Citizenship is available after just 2 years of legal residence with Spanish proficiency — one of the fastest naturalization paths in the Americas.

Can I open a bank account in Peru on a tourist visa?

It's very difficult. Most Peruvian banks (BCP, BBVA, Interbank, Scotiabank) require a Carné de Extranjería, which is only issued to visa holders. On a tourist stamp, use Wise or Revolut for transfers and carry USD cash to exchange at casas de cambio. Some digital wallets like Yape may work with a passport in limited cases.

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🇵🇪 Peru

Visa & Residency

Peru offers one of Latin America's most accessible immigration frameworks — generous visa-free tourist entry for most nationalities, a Digital Nomad Visa since 2022, and a low-threshold Rentista Visa that leads to permanent residency in just 3 years..

Up to 183 days

Tourist Visa-Free Stay

US, EU, UK, Canada — no visa required

$2,500/mo

Digital Nomad Visa Income

1-year renewable, foreign-source income

$1,000/mo

Rentista Visa Income

Indefinite validity, passive income

~PEN 500,000

Investor Visa Minimum

~$135,000 USD in Peruvian company/project

3 years

Permanent Residency

Continuous legal residency required

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🍽️Lima 🏔️Cusco

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Overview

Key Takeaways

US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders receive a stamp on arrival — no advance visa or appointment required
Minimum income requirement: $2,500 USD per month — proven via bank statements, contracts, or employer letters
Minimum income requirement: $1,000 USD per month in passive income (pension, annuity, royalties, dividends, rental income)
Inversionista (Investor) Visa: minimum investment of PEN 500,000 (~$135,000 USD) in a Peruvian company or project
Use an immigration lawyer for Rentista and Investor visa applications — fees are $300–800 but save significant headaches

Tourist Entry: Visa-Free for Most Western Nationalities

Citizens of the US, Canada, UK, EU member states, Australia, and many other countries can enter Peru visa-free for up to 183 days — one of the most generous tourist stays in Latin America.

US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders receive a stamp on arrival — no advance visa or appointment required
Maximum stay: up to 183 days per entry, determined by the immigration officer at the border (typically 90 or 183 days granted)
Extensions are handled at Migraciones offices in Lima or major cities — request before your stamp expires
Air ticket out of Peru is technically required but enforcement varies; having proof of onward travel is recommended
Overstaying results in fines of approximately $1.50 per day and potential difficulties on future entry
Peru does not allow 'border runs' as a long-term strategy — officers may grant shorter stays if patterns suggest abuse

Digital Nomad Visa (2022)

Peru's Digital Nomad Visa, launched in 2022, is designed for remote workers and freelancers earning income from outside Peru. It offers a straightforward path to legal long-term residence while working remotely.

Minimum income requirement: $2,500 USD per month — proven via bank statements, contracts, or employer letters
Duration: up to 1 year, renewable from within Peru
Allows remote work for non-Peruvian employers and clients — does NOT permit local employment
Application via Migraciones (migraciones.gob.pe) with supporting documents: passport, income proof, health insurance, criminal background check
Processing time: approximately 30 business days; apostilled documents may be required
Does not automatically count toward permanent residency — verify current rules with an immigration lawyer
Cost: processing fees approximately $50–100 USD depending on documentation requirements

Rentista Visa (Independent Means / Retirement)

The Rentista Visa is Peru's most popular long-term visa for expats with passive income — requiring only $1,000/month, it offers indefinite validity and a clear path to permanent residency and citizenship.

Minimum income requirement: $1,000 USD per month in passive income (pension, annuity, royalties, dividends, rental income)
Additional $500/month per dependent (spouse, children under 25)
Income must be received by a Peruvian financial institution recognized by the government
Visa is of indefinite validity — no annual renewal required as long as income continues
Must spend at least 183 days per year in Peru to maintain residency status
Path to permanent residency: 3 years of continuous legal residence
Path to citizenship: 2 years of legal residence + Spanish proficiency — one of the fastest in Latin America
Holders may NOT take up local paid employment — passive income and remote foreign work only

Investor & Work Visas

Peru offers investor visas for those willing to commit capital, and work visas for those with Peruvian job offers. Both are viable paths depending on your circumstances.

Inversionista (Investor) Visa: minimum investment of PEN 500,000 (~$135,000 USD) in a Peruvian company or project
Investor visa grants temporary residency for 1 year, renewable annually, leading to permanent residency after qualifying period
Work Visa (Trabajador): requires a job offer from a Peruvian employer who sponsors the application
Employer must demonstrate compliance with Peru's foreign worker quota — maximum 20% of employees can be foreign nationals
Work visa is initially temporary (1 year), renewable, and counts toward permanent residency
Freelancing for Peruvian clients without a work visa is not legally permitted — use the DN Visa for foreign-client work
Starting a business: foreigners can form a Peruvian SAC (Sociedad Anónima Cerrada) with 100% foreign ownership — minimum 2 shareholders

Practical Visa Tips & Common Pitfalls

Navigating Peru's immigration system is manageable with preparation. Here are the most important practical considerations for expats.

Use an immigration lawyer for Rentista and Investor visa applications — fees are $300–800 but save significant headaches
Migraciones website (migraciones.gob.pe) can be slow — check expat Facebook groups for current processing times and requirements
Health insurance is required for most visa types — private international or Peruvian policy accepted
Criminal background check (antecedentes penales) from your home country must be apostilled and translated into Spanish
Carné de Extranjería (foreign ID card) is issued after visa approval — required for banking, contracts, and daily administrative tasks
Peru recognizes dual citizenship — you do not need to renounce your existing citizenship to naturalize
The 183-day residency requirement is strictly enforced — plan your travel carefully to avoid losing your visa status

FAQs