Finding a job and working legally in Peru

Peru is a beautiful country, the economy is booming, employment opportunities are everywhere, and living expenses are low - easy-peasy, right? At least that’s the impression some articles about emigrating to Peru and working here like to give.

Sorry to burst the bubble, but reality is usually more complex.

Sorry to burst the bubble, the reality unfortunately is anything like this, 

Yes, Peru is an amazing country with many opportunities. However, even before Covid, Peru was never an ideal immigration destination for people seeking stable employment with a strong income, especially if they need to support a family. Over the years there have been improvements, and besides Latin Americans, more North Americans, Europeans, and Asians are coming to work in Peru. Still, uncertainties remain, and Peru’s economic and political future is not always predictable.

Table of Contents

• Where in Peru are the jobs
• Legal background when looking for a job in Per
• How to find work in Peru
• What jobs are in demand in Peru
• Applying for a job in Peru
• Work contract

Where in Peru are the jobs

If you are considering a permanent move to Peru, there are a few realities to keep in mind.

Working in Peru often means longer hours, lower pay, and fewer benefits than you may be used to.

Living costs in smaller cities and rural areas are certainly lower than in North America or Europe. However, jobs for foreigners are scarce (with some exceptions in the mining sector), wages are often very low, and infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, shopping options, and cultural offerings may be limited.

Most people who need to earn a living as employees head to larger cities or tourist hubs like Cusco, Arequipa, Trujillo, Chiclayo, or especially Lima. With over 10 million inhabitants, Lima is Peru’s financial, economic, and cultural center.

While infrastructure in these cities can compare well in parts with North America or Europe, wages remain significantly lower. At the same time, living costs - particularly in safe and comfortable neighborhoods - can easily reach first-world levels.

Legal background when looking for a job in Peru

Even if you are highly qualified and speak Spanish (which is a major advantage), finding employment is rarely easy.

Tourists are not allowed to work or receive payment for professional activities in Peru. To work legally, you need a work visa (or another resident visa allowing you to work, such as a family visa). The most common and successful route is being hired by a Peruvian company that sponsors your visa.

However, regulations for employing foreigners are strict. By law, a Peruvian company may employ only up to 20% foreign staff, and these employees together may not receive more than 30% of the company’s total payroll. Companies must also fully disclose financial and payroll information to SUNAT and Migraciones.

Because of this, many employers hesitate to hire foreigners without residency and work permission. They can usually find qualified Peruvians willing to work for lower salaries and with less administrative hassle. 

Note:
Foreigners married to a Peruvian who already hold a Peruvian family visa, as well as foreigners with permanente residente status, are considered “exonerated workers.” Certain employment regulations therefore do not apply to them. Similar exemptions also apply to employees from Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador and Spain.

Another option is to work in Peru as an independent service provider. Since 2017, the country offers a “trabajador independiente” (independent worker visa). This allows freelancers to work legally, but you must provide services to a Peruvian company under a service contract valid for at least 12 months. You find more info in our Work Visa article.

Peruvian Work Visa

Peruvian Visa Types

Foreigners who have a valid and legally signed work contract with a Peruvian company that was approved by the Peruvian Labor Ministry or who have a...

Another route is establishing a Peruvian company and employing yourself as general manager. This requires a Peruvian partner holding a small share. Professional legal advice and support is strongly recommended.

Note:
Even though internet availability, reliability, and speed in Peru aren’t always ideal, working remotely can provide an income that comfortably supports a life here - often earning you significantly more than a local position with a Peruvian company would. However, remote work by itself does not grant you residency in Peru. Back in November 2023, a new Foreigner Law was published that, for the first time, introduced the concept of a resident visa for digital nomads, remote workers, and freelancers. Unfortunately, the corresponding administrative regulations have still not been issued, so the visa isn’t available yet. We remain hopeful that this will change soon. You can find more details in our article “Peruvian Digital Nomad Visa.”

Peruvian Digital Nomad Visa

Peruvian Visa Types

On November 14, 2023, a modification of the Foreigner Law, Decreto Legislativo 1582, was published, introducing a resident visa for digital nomads,...

How to find work in Peru

Starting your job search while still in your home country is the safest approach. It offers financial security and allows you to arrive with a visa and income from day one.

Finding work in Peru from abroad

The ideal scenario is working for a foreign company that transfers or hires you for a role in Peru. Salaries and benefits are often closer to home-country standards and may include relocation support, housing, insurance, or school fees.

These opportunities are rare and usually reserved for senior positions or government assignments.

So, to explore the Peruvian job market and find work, use professional networks LinkedIn and job portals such as Indeed Peru, CompuTrabajo Peru, Addeco Peru, Laborum Peru, Trabajando Peru, Jobomas Peru, Devex, Aptitus, Bolsa Laboral Lima.

Another option is to check out international companies with Peruvian branches, which often list openings on their websites. And the Chamber of Commerce of your home country in Peru can also have useful contacts. 

Last but not least, the hospitality and tourism sectors have largely recovered and can offer opportunities for qualified candidates.

Finding work when already in Peru

Most people who plan to move to Peru and work here first enter the country as tourists and then try to find a job locally. However, as mentioned earlier, it isn’t an easy undertaking to simply arrive in Peru and secure employment within the limited time you are allowed to stay as a visitor. For this reason, it is highly advisable to have sufficient funds to support yourself for an extended period while you are job hunting. And just in case things don’t work out as planned, it’s wise to either keep a return ticket on hand or set aside enough money so you can purchase a flight back home at any time.

A good starting point for a job search in Peru is networking. Many positions are never advertised online or in newspapers but are filled through word of mouth. Knowing people who know the right people and making yourself and your skills known still plays a very important role in the Peruvian job market.

The expat community in Peru, which you can easily find through a simple online search or on social media, is generally welcoming and supportive. Their websites and social media pages sometimes even feature job postings or leads that you might not find elsewhere.

Many vacancies are also still published in traditional print media. Each Sunday, El Comercio, Peru’s oldest and largest daily newspaper, features an extensive job section in its Aptitus supplement. While Aptitus is also available online, not every listing from the print edition makes it to the website, so the physical newspaper can still be worth checking.

Online job portals such as Indeed Peru, CompuTrabajo Peru, Adecco Peru, Laborum Peru, Trabajando Peru, Jobomas Peru, Aptitus, and Bolsa Laboral Lima can be helpful for identifying openings and companies in your field. Still, if possible, visiting a company in person can sometimes be more effective, as e-mails and online applications are often overlooked or left unanswered.

What jobs are in demand in Peru?

This changes with economic conditions. Competition is strong, and many positions are filled locally.

Anyway, be aware that most administrative positions and lower-level jobs are typically filled by locals who are willing to work for a fraction of what you might consider fair pay. This is simply the reality of the local labor market. However, if you bring special qualifications — for example, fluency in a foreign language that is genuinely needed or valuable for a company — your chances can improve and you might get lucky.

Even though there is demand in certain professions, working in regulated fields such as medicine, law, or parts of architecture usually requires having your qualifications officially validated and your degrees and certifications recognized in Peru. This process can be costly, time-consuming, and unfortunately not always successful, so it’s important to research the requirements in advance.

In the expanding mining, hydro-energy, and oil production and processing sectors, lower-level positions are often filled by locally trained staff, while key expert roles are typically staffed by foreign specialists sent from abroad. If you apply locally for these industries, be aware that salaries are often very low compared to international standards, job sites are frequently in remote areas, and both working and living conditions may differ greatly from what you are used to.

Before the pandemic, the hospitality and tourism sector in Peru was booming. The sector is nearly back to pre-pandemic levels, and if this positive trend continues, professionals in tourism and hospitality - as well as newcomers with transferable skills - may find realistic opportunities.

Qualified technical professionals are also in demand, especially in engineering and IT-related fields. Still, even in these areas, you should generally expect salaries and benefits to be below what comparable positions would offer in North America or Europe.

Over the past two decades, numerous call centers (sales, customer service, and support) have opened in Lima and several other Peruvian cities. They often seek foreigners with strong foreign-language skills. However, not all of them are willing to sponsor work visas, and some may prefer to employ foreigners informally, without a proper contract or legal protections - something you should approach with caution.

Foreign language teachers, particularly English tutors, are consistently sought after. In almost every city in Peru, language institutes hire native English speakers year-round, sometimes even without formal teaching qualifications. That said, these institutes rarely assist with work visas, meaning many teachers end up working without a contract, legal security, health insurance, or employment benefits.

On the other hand, most international schools and universities are keen to hire qualified language teachers. They usually offer more stable conditions, pay comparatively decent wages, and often sponsor work visas for foreign staff. Be prepared to demonstrate your qualifications with a TEFL or TESOL certificate or other relevant diplomas and degrees. Since the academic year in Peru typically starts in March, the best time to apply is between December and February, although midyear openings (June or July) do occasionally arise.

Applying for a job in Peru

Usually, the job offer states how and where to apply. So, as anywhere in the world, if a position interests you and you meet the requirements, just go for it and submit your application.

To prove your professional competence and qualifications, it is advisable to bring at least your highest degree or title. This document usually needs an Apostille - or legalization by a Peruvian consulate and later by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RREE) - and must then be translated by an official translator in Peru. Other work-related certificates or diplomas can be helpful as well, but they normally don’t require an Apostille.

If you are still abroad, you might be at a slight disadvantage compared to local applicants. However, modern technology has long reached Peru, and applying by e-mail is common. Interviews via WhatsApp, Zoom, or similar platforms are also regularly conducted.

Quite a few companies request a police clearance certificate, either national and/or international. If you are already a resident in Peru you can find detailed information on how to obtain a Peruvian one in our article “Police Clearance Certificate and Criminal Background Check in Peru.”

Peruvian Police Clearance Certificate and Criminal Background Check

Legal Stuff

Foreigners who live or have lived in Peru, as well as Peruvians, are often required to present a police clearance certificate or criminal backgroun...

It is also not unusual for companies in Peru to organize an “application day.” In this case, all interested candidates are invited to appear in person with their application documents at a specific office or even a conference room in a hotel on a set date. Be prepared for long lines and many other applicants competing for the same position.

Even when job offers ask you to send your CV and documents by e-mail, be prepared for the possibility of never hearing back. This doesn’t automatically mean they are not interested. Sometimes e-mails are overlooked, filtered out, or simply remain unanswered. If you want to be sure your application was received, it can help to follow up with a polite phone call to confirm receipt.

If you are eventually invited to an interview with the person in charge, it’s wise-  at an appropriate moment - to clarify your immigration status and whether you would require a work visa. This avoids misunderstandings later on and shows professionalism.

Work contract

You received a job offer? Congratulations!

Before (!!!) signing your work contract (or any other legally binding document) in Peru, while you are in the country as a tourist, you must first obtain a permission to sign contracts. Without this permit, the contract is considered void and won’t be accepted by the Labor Ministry for approval. The good news is that the permit can be requested quickly and easily online. Our article “Permit to sign contracts” explains the process step by step.

Permit to sign contracts in Peru

Legal Stuff

Foreign nationals who are in Peru as tourists or hold another temporary immigration status are not allowed to sign legally binding documents unless...

If, however, you entered Peru on a business status, you don’t need this additional permit, as the authorization to sign contracts is already included in that immigration category.

And if you sign a work contract with a Peruvian company while still abroad, make sure the contract is legalized by a Peruvian consulate before traveling to Peru. If the contract is not in Spanish, it must be translated by an official translator in Peru.

Once you have a signed and valid contract, you’ve completed the first major step toward living and working legally in Peru. After that comes the famous red tape - with the ultimate goal of obtaining your work visa.

Peruvian Work Visa

Peruvian Visa Types

Foreigners who have a valid and legally signed work contract with a Peruvian company that was approved by the Peruvian Labor Ministry or who have a...

Note:
Under Peruvian law, you are not allowed to start working until your work visa has been officially approved.

Please note: LimaEasy is not a Peruvian government agency, public authority, or law firm. The information provided is based on our best knowledge and is intended as general guidance to help you understand Peruvian regulations and procedures. Regulations, requirements, and administrative practices may change at any time and without prior notice, so we recommend verifying current details with the relevant authorities before acting on this information.

And last but not least: If you notice any inaccuracies or outdated information on this page, please help us keep this guide up to date by leaving a comment below or contacting us via our contact form. Thank you for your support!