U.S. citizens do not need a visa to visit Peru. They are admitted for a period set by the immigration officer on arrival, within an annual limit, and that covers tourism and most business visits. Consular visa work in the United States is therefore about longer stays and third-country nationals.
Quick facts
Categories run from tourist and business to worker, student, family reunion, religious and investor, and several of them require prior approval from the immigration authority in Lima before the consulate can issue anything.
Fees breakdown
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Consular visa | Consular tariff by category | Not refundable if refused |
| Immigration authority fees in Peru | Charged separately | For residence cards and changes of status |
| Apostille of supporting documents | $3–$25 per document | Secretary of State |
| Translation into Spanish | Per page | Certified translator |
| Criminal background check | Federal or state fee | Apostilled, for residence categories |
Residence is completed inside Peru: the consular visa authorises entry, and the foreigner card is issued there within the deadline that follows arrival.
How to apply
- Check whether your nationality needs a visa at all for a short visit.
- Identify the category and whether it needs prior authorisation from the immigration authority in Peru.
- Gather the category evidence and have U.S. documents apostilled and translated.
- Book an appointment at the consulate covering your address and submit the file.
- Pay the tariff and wait for the decision.
- Enter Peru within the visa’s validity and complete the residence formalities there.
Required documents
- Passport valid for the whole stay with blank pages.
- Completed application and photographs.
- Proof of lawful residence in the United States for third-country nationals.
- Criminal background check, apostilled, for residence categories.
- Evidence of funds and of the purpose of travel.
- Employment contract, enrolment letter or family documents as the category requires.
Where to apply
At the consulate whose district covers your U.S. address. Consulates do not accept files from outside their jurisdiction.
Consulate General of Peru
View details →BostonConsulate General of Peru
View details →ChicagoConsulate General of Peru in Chicago
View details →Coral GablesConsulate General of Peru
View details →DallasConsulate General of Peru in Dallas
View details →DenverConsulate General of Peru
View details →HartfordConsulado General del Peru en Hartford
View details →HonoluluConsulate General of Peru
View details →HoustonConsulate of Peru
View details →Lake Forest ParkConsulate of Peru
View details →Los AngelesConsulate General of Peru
View details →New YorkConsulate General of Peru in New York
View details →PatersonConsulado General del Perú en Paterson
View details →San FranciscoConsulate General of Peru in San Francisco
View details →St LouisConsulado del Peru en Saint Louis
View details →TampaConsulado del Peru en Tampa
View details →WashingtonConsulate General of Peru in Washington DC
View details →WashingtonEmbassy of Peru
View details →Additional notes
Days are counted annually
Visitors are admitted within an annual limit rather than per trip. Frequent long stays attract scrutiny at the border.
Changing status inside Peru
Some categories can be changed after arrival and others cannot. Getting the right visa before travelling is usually cheaper than fixing it there.
Documents go stale
Background checks and civil certificates are expected to be recent, so order them in the right sequence.
Register on arrival
Residence categories require registration with the immigration authority and issuance of the foreigner card within a short window after entry.