While during the height of the Corona pandemic Peruvian immigration officers didn't stamp passports when entering the country, since May 2022 all foreigners entering as a tourist get an entry stamp indicating how long they can stay. If the number of days the officer gave you is illegable or you want official info there are other ways to check how many days you can stay in Peru.
According to the foreigner law (Decreto Legislativo 1350), tourists who can travel visa-free to Peru can stay 183 days in a 365-day period. However, this doesn’t mean you get the complete 183 days when you enter the country.
Based on a publication issued by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RREE) in 2019, most foreign nationals are allowed to stay in Peru as a tourist for up to 90 days in a 180-day period for touristic, recreational or health purposes (no contradiction with the foreigner law as two times 90 days in two consecutive 180-day periods correspond to the half year in a year allowed by the foreigner law); a few can stay up to 90 days in a 365-day period and a handful up to 180 days in a 365-day period for touristic, recreational or health purposes.
And Peruvian immigration officers seem to follow the RREE rule. Over the past year, no foreign tourist who can enter Peru visa-free was given the full 183 days. The new rule for everyone seems to be 90 days in a 180-day period, even for those who, according to RREE, are allowed to stay longer. So, when you enter, in most cases you get three months and then have to stay out of Peru at least three months before re-entering the country.
Note: The 180-day period isn't per half year from January to June or July to December, as the 365 days period isn't per calendar year from January to December but calculated from your day of first entry.
If you want to check how many days you are allowed to stay in Peru as a tourist, please have a look at our PDF "Visas for Peru by country and allowed length of stay" at the end of this article. This PDF is an English translation of the original published the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs which can be found here.
How many days did I get when entering Peru?
For decades, it wasn’t a problem to know how many days you got when coming to Peru. Already on the plane (or at the border) you had to fill in a small white card called TAM, which additionally to your passport was stamped by immigrations at the point of entry and the number of days written on it.
Tarjeta Andina de Migracion (TAM) - Andean Immigration Card. This card had to be filled in when arriving in Peru; the upper part (here on the left) stayed with immigrations, the bottom part (on the right) was given back to the visitor stamped and with the allowed days written on it; upon departure, it had to be returned to immigrations.
A few years back, however, Peru abolished the use of this printed form and implemented the so-called TAM virtual for entries at Jorge Chávez International Airport (for international travelers) and at seaports. Then, only your passport was stamped and the number of days you were allowed to stay scribbled on the stamp.
As part of Corona hygiene measures, stamping of passports was eliminated in 2020 and your entry, the number of days you got and your departure was automatically registered and nothing more than an entry in the Migraciones database.
TAM virtual today
And while the old paper TAM isn't back, in May 2022, Peruvian immigration officers started stamping passports again, making it easy to find out how many days you were given when you entered.
However, if the writing is indecipherable or the stamp is smeared, and you want to confirm the number of days you got or just check which personal data is registered, or, if for whatever reason, you need to prove when you entered or left the country, you just have to retrieve your Tam virtual - however, this seems, as so many other things in Peru, sometimes easier said than done.
Option 1: Entry stamp
If you just want to check when you entered Peru and how many days you were given, just flick through the pages of your passport and see if you find the entry stamp.
Peruvian entry stamp 2022
In the middle, you see the date you entered Peru; above the number of days you were given and below the immigration control post where you entered.
If you can't find your entry stamp or want more or official info, you have to check your TAM virtual (see below option 2 to 5).
Option 2: Migraciones website
Checking your TAM virtual and getting the confirmation of how many days you got was easily and quickly done on the Migraciones website for many years. When the new Migraciones online platform, the Agencia Digital, was introduced in 2020, this option didn’t work anymore and you had to check there (see option 3 and 5).
However, now the “old” Migraciones website seems to work again for checking how many days the immigration officer gave you when you entered. So, best try this option first.
Enter the Migraciones website under Consultas en Linea TAM Virtual. In the drop-down list choose your travel document, in most cases this will be the passport (pasaporte) and enter the passport number.
Check on the Migraciones website how many days the immigration officer gave you when you entered the country.
Afterwards, choose in the drop-down list your nationality; be aware that the names are in Spanish, so you won’t find, for example United States or US, but have to look for EE.UU (Estados Unidos); or no sign of Germany, so select Alemania, etc.
Then just enter the day you entered Peru and the captcha. Click on “Verificar” and you should immediately get your entry in the Migraciones database showing your personal data, the day you came to Peru and the number of days you were given when you entered.
If you want to have confirmation when you left the country, enter the date of your departure and additionally check the box “TAM virtual de salida”.
If an error message pops up or nothing happens, switch off a VPN or language translation program you might be using, reload the page and try again. Still nothing? Clear your cache and / or use another browser; Chrome and Firefox worked fine when we tried it just recently.
Still nothing? Try option 3.
Option 3: Migraciones Agencia Digital
In 2020, the Agencia Digital was introduced and checking the TAM virtual and getting information on how many days you were given was supposed to be done only through the new Agencia.
So, if the “old” Migraciones website option as described above doesn’t work, open the Agencia Digital, choose “Extranjero” (foreigner), fill in required personal data (passport and number, birthdate, nationality (names are in Spanish), date of entry) and the captcha and then click on “Verificar”. On the next page you find on the left the point "Consultas en linea"; click on it and choose "TAM virtual". Then select "personal" and enter your personal data (passport and number, date of entry and “entrada” as requested. Click on “Siguiente”.
Check on the Migraciones online platform how many days the immigration officer gave you when you entered the country.
Now the system is supposed to show you a page with your personal data, the day you entered, and the time you are allowed to stay. However, while this worked perfectly for a few weeks after the online platform was introduced, now most times no information is spit out and your screen remains blank.
Option 4: Get in contact with Migraciones
If you had no luck with option 1, 2 and 3, you can either send an e-mail to consultastamvirtual @ migraciones.gob.pe or use the chat function (right bottom corner) on the Agencia Digital.
Option 5: Official duplicate of the TAM virtual
If for whatever reason you need or want a copy of your official Migraciones TAM virtual which shows your personal data, the border you entered, your day of entry and the time you were given when you entered, you can request it through the Agencia Digital.
First pay the fee of S/ 14.40 for the Migraciones administrative procedure under code 07561 - Formulario F-SPE-001, concepto: "Duplicado de Tarjeta Andina de Migración (TAM)" on pagalo.pe or at any Banco de la Nacion branch / ATM.
You can find detailed explanations about how to pay, what you have to do and be aware of and how to register and find your way around the online payment platform pagalo.pe in our article "Paying administration charges and processing fees in Peru".
Then enter the Agencia Digital, choose if you are Peruvian or foreigner and fill in required fields (passport (CE or DNI) and number, birthdate, nationality and your last entry into Peru). On the next page, click on "Mesa de Partes" at the top. Check "persona natural" and enter an e-mail address and cellphone number. Accept the terms & conditions and click "Siguiente".
Request an official copy of your TAM virtual on the Migraciones online platform
In the drop-down list under "Tipo de solicitud" choose "Nuevos trámites TUPA" and the "Subtipo": "Duplicado de Tarjeta Andina de Migración (TAM)" as well as the Migraciones office. Then download the form, fill it in and below upload it together with your payment receipt. Click on "Registrar".
Within 24h Migraciones processes your request, and you can then download your TAM virtual on the Agencia Digital.
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Visas for Peru by country and allowed length of stay - October 2021
Hello, I've found some very useful information on this page. But one question: who can I call to double check to amount of time I am able to stay in Peru. I also remember being told 6 months (it's been 4 already), so the 90 days thing is new to me. I would like to double check with the relevant authorities. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you
I'm a little bit confused. This page is dedicated to explain in detail which options you have to find out how many days you were given.
Speaking to someone in person or on the phone (in charge is Migraciones) isn't a good option to double check anything, as unfortunately, answers aren't always accurate and sometimes quite "creative". Better choose an option, where you get something in writing. So, best work your way through above mentioned options.
The easiest, quickest and at the moment most successful way to find out how many days you got is above described "Option 1: Migraciones website". How you do it, is explained above.
If this doesn't work, try "Option 2: Migraciones Agencia Digital". Here as well, explanation above.
Still no luck, then use "Option 3: Get in contact with Migraciones". Contact details can be found above.
I wrote to the Peruvian consulate in Washington DC and my husband called the Puruvian consulate in DC. They told us that US citizens get 183 days in Perú on tourist visa. On the phone call with my husband, the lady he spoke with said that if we ask the officer for 183 days, it depends on his/her discretion. Could it be that they possibly mistaken? You're very helpful website and the migrations site for Peru seem to suggest otherwise.
Interesting response from the Peruvian consulate; they should know better.
According to the Peruvian Foreigner Law from 2017, Decreto Legislativo 1350, foreigners in general can stay in Peru for a maximum of 183 cumulative days in a 365-day period for touristic purposes (see page 60, article 29.1h); that’s correct. As well correct that it’s always at the discretion of the immigration officer if he or she lets you enter the country at all and how many days he/she gives you. You have no right to get the full 183 or 90 days.
However, what the lady from the Peruvian consulate might have forgotten to mention is that already in 2019, the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RREE) eliminated the general 183 days for most nationalities. Already since then US and many, many other nationals who can travel visa-free to Peru now are mostly only allowed to stay up to 90 days in a 183-day period (see Requerimientos y exoneracion de visas para ciudadanos extranjeros, page 1 under America del Norte, Estados Unidos).
And while in 2019 and the beginning of 2020 (before the borders were closed due to Covid), this new rule was handled quite relaxed and lots of foreign travelers still got their 183 days when entering the country or could extend if they didn’t, since August 2021 immigration officers at the airport (the land borders only opened a few weeks ago, so not sure how strict they are there at the moment) seem to give travelers as standard only 90 days according to above mentioned list from the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Visitors who, according to the RREE list, are still allowed 183 days reported that even they only got 90 days.
So, yes, while you can try to ask for 183 days, don’t be surprised to only get the 90 days allowed for US passport holders.
@Sunflower Eva and any other authors of this page–just want to say a big thank you. You always have up to date information, clearly communicated, in a relatively chaotic place. I really appreciate it!
Thank you so much for taking the time to write to me. It's always great to hear that the information we provide here is helpful.
Yes, the overall bureaucratic situation in Peru is different than what we might be used from home. Additionally things change quickly and no-one seems to bother informing anyone in a timely manner. We really try our best to have the most up-to-date info here on LimaEasy, which is a challenge and, to be honest, only possible with the help of our great readers.
Hi, I have overstayed in Peru, and paid the amount of months I overstayed when I left the country for Costa Rica. I am now planning to return to Peru. I heard somewhere I might not be able to enter as I have stayed more than 180 days in a year.. Is this true? Would you be able to clarify to me if I would be able to enter Peru again 4 weeks after. I left with my situation? Thank you so much! <3
most nationalities are only allowed to stay in Peru as a tourist for 90 days in a 180-day period. This means three months in Peru and at least 3 months out of Peru. That's the current regulation according to the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
If you try to re-enter Peru before your 180-day period is over or shortly after you left having paid months in overstay fees (hopefully you weren't additionally sanctioned with an entry ban), two things can happen: either the immigration officer you have to face doesn't bother and just let you in giving you another 90 days or is doing his/her job by the book, might give you a hard time (so be prepared for some discussion) and only allows you to return to Peru for a few days (I heard anything between 7 and 30 days; I never heard of anyone who was refused to enter).
So, nobody can guarantee you that you are allowed to enter again and for how long you can stay. As everywhere around the globe, it's at the discretion of the immigration officer.
Thank you so much for this post. I stayed in Peru for the entire Pandemic (1 year and a half) then left Peru in 4 September 2021, when it was announced we would start having to pay fines. I paid by 3 week overstay fine, and returned late November. Ive now almost stayed 90 days again and I'm wondering if i leave the country, when is the earliest i can return?
according to the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you can stay 90 days in a 180-day period; so 3 months in Peru, 3 months out of Peru. If you entered Peru at the end of November 2021 and they gave you another 90 days, then you could stay until the end of February. Your 180-day period ends by end of May, when you could enter again with no problems. That's the legal situation.
If you try to return to Peru earlier than end of May you can be lucky and the immigration officer just gives you another 90 days. Or he / she is doing her job by the book, gives you a scolding and may only allow you another few days (anything between 7 and 30 days; I never heard of anyone being denied to enter).
Unfortunately the state department website still says tourist visas are for 183 days for US nationals, although your document says 90 and it seems more likely that you guys know what you're talking about.
I understand that proof of onward travel can be required in order to receive a tourist visa - would you happen to know how frequently Migraciones asks to see this for US nationals arriving for tourism? If my return ticket is outside of the 90 day window (by just a couple days), is this likely to be a problem?
Yes, it's unfortunately 90 days in a 180-day period for US citizens.
And yes, one requirement to enter Peru visa-free as a tourist, so without having to apply for a "real" tourist visa at a Peruvian consulate before coming to the country, is to have proof of return or onward travel. However, Peruvian immigration usually never checks the return or onward ticket of visitors when entering. It is the airlines flying you to Peru who request to see it when checking in for your flight to Peru.
If your return flight is just a couple of days outside the 90 days, you shouldn't have any problems. When entering Peru you could, showing your return ticket, ask to get, for example, 92 or 94 days, but I doubt you are successful and personally I would let sleeping dogs lie. At the moment, overstaying your time in Peru for a few days doesn't have any consequences. However, when leaving the country you might be asked to pay an overstay fee of S/ 4.60 per day you overstayed. After payment you are free to leave without any further reprisals.
@Sunflower Thanks so much for the information Eva! I think I'll follow your advice to let sleeping dogs lie and just won't bring any of it up unless I'm asked, S/ 4.60 per day for a couple days is no big deal.
5 Comments![How many days did I get when I entered Peru (on the left the TAM virtual and on the right the old" TAM)](https://www.limaeasy.com/media/reviews/photos/thumbnail/1500x500s/d2/49/ff/tam-virtual-and-tam-peru-84-1642619899.jpg "How many days did I get when I entered Peru (on the left the TAM virtual and on the right the old" TAM)")
· 18/03/2022@Nick Hello Nick,
