Move to Lima, Peru. The routes, mapped.
9 visa routes into Peru, each with its real required-document list, pulled live from the Nomad knowledge graph. Start a plan and we sequence the right one for your situation.
United States to Peru: the money facts
Treaty coverage, double-tax exposure, and what setup actually costs, so you know the financial shape of the move before you commit.
How you can legally move to Peru
9 visa routes into Peru, every route the knowledge graph maps, unranked. The numbers that decide the route: income floor, timeline, filing costs, and who comes with you.
| Route | Income floor | Timeline | Costs | Family & work | About & documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Familiar Residente (Family Unit Visa) | Varies | 2 yearsRenewable | Varies | A family reunification residence permit for spouses, children, or parents of Peruvian citizens or foreign residents, renewable and valid for up to two years. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Peru Ficha de Canje Internacional (INTERPOL Clearance), FBI Background Check ·a, Marriage Certificate (Apostilled) ·a, Birth Certificate (Apostilled) ·a Official source | |
| Formación Residente (Student Visa) | Varies | 1 yearRenewable | Varies | A renewable student residence permit for those enrolled at a recognized Peruvian university, institute, or training organization, or completing an unpaid internship. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Peru Ficha de Canje Internacional (INTERPOL Clearance) Official source | |
| Inversionista Residente (Investor Visa) | Varies | 1 yearRenewable | Varies | Family ok | A one-year renewable resident status for investors who place PEN 500,000 into a Peruvian company and commit to creating five jobs for Peruvian citizens. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Peru Ficha de Canje Internacional (INTERPOL Clearance), FBI Background Check ·a Official source |
| Peru Digital Nomad Visa (Visa de Nómada Digital — NOT YET OPERATIONAL) | Varies | 1 yearRenewable | Varies | Remote work ok | A legislated but not yet operational residence category for remote workers serving only foreign employers or clients from Peru for up to 365 days, extendable. Official source |
| Trabajador Residente (Resident Worker Visa) | Varies | 1 yearRenewable | Varies | Family ok | An employer-sponsored residence permit for foreign workers hired under a Peruvian fixed-term contract, valid for one year and renewable while the contract is active. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Peru Ficha de Canje Internacional (INTERPOL Clearance), FBI Background Check ·a Official source |
| Rentista Residente (Independent Means / Retirement Visa) | $1,000/mo | VariesRenewable | $16 fee$800 all-in | Family ok | A Peruvian resident visa for people with at least USD 1,000 per month in permanent passive income, such as pensions or lifetime annuities, with dependents also eligible. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Peru Ficha de Canje Internacional (INTERPOL Clearance), FBI Background Check ·a, SSA Benefit Verification / Award Letter (Apostilled) ·a, Hague Apostille (US) Official source |
| Visa-Free Tourist Entry (US Citizens) | Varies | 6 months | Varies | A fee-free, no-visa tourist entry allowing US citizens up to 183 days in Peru, commonly used as a bridge status before applying for residence. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity) Official source | |
| Residente Permanente (Permanent Residence) | Varies | VariesRenewable | Varies | Remote work ok, Family ok | Permanent residence permit for foreigners who have held three consecutive years of legal residence in Peru, granting indefinite stay and unrestricted work rights. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Peru Ficha de Canje Internacional (INTERPOL Clearance), Peru Certificado de Antecedentes Penales Official source |
| Peruvian Citizenship by Naturalization | Varies | Varies | Varies | Remote work ok | Peruvian citizenship route for legal residents, currently requiring 2 years of continuous residence under existing law, with a new 5-year general requirement pending once implementing regulations publish. Documents: Peru Carné de Extranjería (CE), Peru Certificado de Antecedentes Penales, Peru Ficha de Canje Internacional (INTERPOL Clearance) Official source |
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Which route is right for you?
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