Peru wants you to stay (legally)
Since 2023, Peru has a specific visa for remote workers. If you earn in dollars/euros and work from your laptop, this visa is your best option for staying longer than 183 days without doing border runs to Ecuador.
Requirements
1. Minimum income: Prove income of at least $2,500 USD per month (or equivalent) from sources outside Peru 2. Health insurance: Valid coverage in Peru for the entire stay 3. Criminal background check: Clean record from your home country (apostilled) 4. Passport: Valid with at least 6 months remaining 5. Proof of remote work: Employer letter, freelance contract, or bank statements showing regular income
Step-by-step process
Step 1: Gather your documents
- Bank statements from the last 3-6 months
- Work contract or client letters
- International health insurance (World Nomads, SafetyWing, or a local one like Rímac/Pacífico)
- Apostilled criminal background check
Step 2: Apply at Migraciones
- You can start the process online at the Migraciones website or in person at their office in Breña, Lima
- Application form + digitized documents
- Fee: approximately S/. 100-200 (~$25-50 USD)
Step 3: Wait for approval
- Estimated time: 15-30 business days
- You'll be notified by email
- If approved, you go to Migraciones to pick up your carné de extranjería (foreigner ID)
Step 4: Get your Carné de Extranjería
- This is your official ID in Peru
- With it you can open a bank account, hire services, and move around without issues
- Additional cost: S/. 50-100
Duration and renewal
- The visa lasts 1 year
- It's renewable by presenting updated documentation
- If your situation changes (you get a local job, for example), you can switch migration categories
Tips from people who already have it
- Start the process before your 183 tourist days expire. Don't wait until the last minute.
- SafetyWing is the most popular insurance among nomads in LIC. It covers the essentials and is affordable (~$45 USD/month).
- Bank statements are key. If you're a freelancer, make sure they show regular income, not just one big deposit.
- Apostilling from your home country can take time. If you're planning to come to Lima, start this process before you travel.
Alternatives if you don't qualify
- Extended tourist visa: Some consulates grant up to 183 days. Leaving and returning resets the counter, but Migraciones is starting to question frequent border runs.
- Student visa: If you enroll in a Spanish course or university program, you can get a student visa.
- Investor visa: If you plan to open a business in Peru with minimum investment.
What's next?
You've got the visa, you're legal in Lima. Now you need friends, activities, and a reason to leave your apartment that isn't going to the corner store.
Lima International Community has football, parties, trips, and events every week. 300+ people who are in the same situation as you. Just show up.