While during the height of the Corona pandemic Peru eliminated the stamping of passports when entering the country, in May 2022 the entry stamp was re-introduced just to be eliminated again at the end of May 2023 for those entering Peru on international flights. And, unfortunately, this time it seems for good as there are already plans to successively stop stamping at land borders as well; however, right now you still should get an entry stamp when crossing into Peru at a land border.
Today, your entry and the number of days you got (and when you leave your departure) is just automatically registered and nothing more than an entry in the Migraciones database. Once again, tourist and business travelers don't have anything in writing on how long they are allowed to stay.
As you don't get an entry stamp anymore, your only options to find out how long you can be in Peru as a tourist or as a business traveler is to ask the immigration officer and, if you want to have a confirmation "in writing" or need proof when you entered or left the country, to check online. As many things in Peru that's sometimes easier said than done, but hopefully this article will help.
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, which is updated occasionally, 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; 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.
Since August 2021, no foreign tourist who can enter Peru visa-free was given the full 183 days. The new rule for everyone seems to be up to 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.
However, it’s always at the discretion of the immigration officer how many days you are allowed to stay in the country. You are not entitled to get the full 90 days per half year or the full 183 days per year. And depending on the immigration officer and your situation you might (or not) be allowed to re-enter the country before your 180-day period is over, if you haven't stayed the full 183 days.
Additionally, on November 14, 2023 a new Foreigner Law (Decreto Legislativo 1582) was published confirming that foreign tourists can stay in Peru for 183 accumulated days in a 365-day period; so, half a year within one year. However, It further describes that in case foreign tourists don't get the full 183 days when they enter, an extension can be granted until the 183 days are reached, unless international agreements or conventions determine a shorter period or don't allow extensions.
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 whats the maximum 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 by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs which can be found here.
How many days did I get when entering Peru?
TAM - Tarjeta Andina de Migracion
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(Tarjeta Andina de Migracion), 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.
TAM virtual
A few years back, however, Peru abolished the use of this printed form and implemented a virtual card, the so-called TAM virtual for entries at Jorge Chávez International Airport (for international travelers) and at seaports, later at land borders. Your entry was (and to this day still is) automatically registered in the Migraciones database and additionally your passport was stamped and the number of days you were allowed to stay scribbled on the stamp.
Elimination of entry 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 only automatically registered in the Migraciones database. Lots of foreigners didn't have a clue how many days they were allowed to stay. And as the system wasn't properly prepared, retrieving the TAM virtual was a nightmare for some foreigners.
This ended when in May 2022, Peruvian immigration officers started stamping passports again. And while the old paper TAM wasn't back, on the entry stamp the immigrations officer would write the number of days the foreigner was allowed to be in Peru as a tourist.
Peruvian entry stamp 2022-2023 showing the date you entered Peru, above the number of days you were given and below the immigration control post where you entered.
But to follow the example of other countries worldwide, who already have elimated the entry stamp, Peru decided that starting May 29, 2023 to once again stop stamping passports. Now we are back that foreigners don't have anything in writing about the number of days they are allowed to stay in the country.
So, if 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 have to check your Tam virtual.
How to check your TAM virtual
Option 1: Migraciones website
Checking your TAM virtual and getting the confirmation of how many days you got usually is easily and quickly done on the Migraciones website.
Enter the Migraciones website under Consultas en Linea TAM Virtual or scan above QR code. In the drop-down list choose your travel document, in most cases this will be the passport (pasaporte) and enter the passport number.
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.
Check on the Migraciones website how many days the immigration officer gave you when you entered the country.
Then just enter the day you entered Peru and the captcha. Click on “Verificar”.
You now should immediately get your TAM virtual showing:
your personal details registered
the point of entry
the day you entered (Fecha de ingreso)
the number of days you are allowed to stay (Tiempo de permanencia).
Printout of a Peruvian TAM virtual
If an error message pops up or nothing happens, switch off a VPN, language translation program, ad blocker or incognito mode 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? No way around our "Option 2: Get in contact with Migraciones" to check with them if you were registered correctly when you entered the country.
If for whatever reason you need a confirmation when you left Peru, on the first page enter the date of your departure and additionally check the box “TAM virtual de salida”.
Option 2: Get in contact with Migraciones
If you get an error message or aren't shown your entry in the Migraciones database, you can either send an e-mail to consultastamvirtual @ migraciones.gob.pe, which hopefully is answered, or use the chat function (right bottom corner) on the Agencia Digital, which surely is the best and quickest option.
However, be aware that waiting times to be connected can be long, the system sometimes "hangs" and you might be disconnected without any reasons and have to start again. But, if you are lucky you might be connected within 10 or 20 minutes and then have anything clarified in a few minutes. Best start a video conference early, shortly after they open around 08.15 am to 08.30 am or later in the evening (they are available until 10.00pm), then your chances to be connected quickly are high.
So, just enter the Agencia Digital and click on entrar. On the next page, select "Extranjero". Then choose in the drop-down menu passport and enter your passport number. Complete the other fields (birth date, nationality, last time you entered Peru and the Captcha) and click on Verificar. Now you are on the main page of the Agencia Digtal. Depending on your device, you usually find the video conference icon on the bottom right corner.
Migraciones video call icon
Just click on it and you get a ticket with a number and the approximate waiting time. Then good luck. If your approximate waiting time is longer than 30 minutes, best close your ticket and try again, as often after having waited half an hour or so your ticket is canceled and you are disconnected.
Anyway, as soon as it's your turn and you accept the video chat, a new window opens and you are connected. It might take a few minutes until you hear and see someone. Do not close the window or refresh the page at this point, otherwise all the waiting was for nothing. Just wait. Usually, the Migraciones staff is friendly and tries their best to help knowledgeably and quickly.
Option 3: 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
yes, bureaucratic stuff is always confusing, especially in countries like Peru.
While having the physical TAM card or an entry stamp in your passport surely is easier, checking your TAM virtual is usually a simple process.
So, in case you just want to know how many days you got when you entered Peru and aren't interested in the explanation about the background just skip the first chapters in this article and directly go to "How to check your TAM virtual" subpoint Option 1: Migraciones website, where the process is explained in detail.
So, in short, go to the Migraciones website under Consultas en Linea TAM Virtual, enter your personal data and in seconds you get your TAM virtual displayed on the screen. Under "Fecha de ingreso" you find the date you entered the country and below that under "Tiempo de permanencia" the number of days you are allowed to stay in Peru as a tourist.
If you have any further questions, just give me a shout.
Hello, If i have 5 days left this year 2023 on a tourist 90 day stay in Peru but entered Peru on December 31, 2023. Is that count towards the 90 day stay of what year 2023 or 2024?
Peru doesn't count in calendar years, but in 180-day and 365-day periods.
Most foreign nationals, who can visit Peru visa-free, can stay 90 days in a 180-day period and a total of 183 days in a 365-day period.
The 180-day period isn't per half year from January to June or July to December and the 365-day period isn't per calendar year from January to December but calculated from your first entry.
So, how many days you can still spend depends on when you entered Peru and how many days you already spend.
Hi. Lots of info here which is really helpful. What's confusing is I read on the UK government website that "If you enter Peru without an immigration entry stamp through any land border, you may still be able to enter Peru with no problems, but once in, you will not be able to leave Peru until you have obtained a new entry stamp. That is required by law." So in order to leave i need an entry stamp? How do I obtain that?
honestly, what you quoted from the UK government website doesn't make any sense to me, but might be taken out of context; or the current entry processes/recent changes weren't updated.
Anyway, at the end of May 2023 stamping of passports was eliminated for those entering Peru on international flights at Jorge Chavez International Airport (Lima), Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport (Arequipa), Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport (Cusco), Capitán FAP José A. Quiñones Airport (Chiclayo) and Capitán FAP Carlos Martínez de Pinillos Airport (Trujillo). Even though there are plans to successively stop stamping at land borders as well, right now you still should get an entry stamp when crossing into Peru at a land border.
If your passport wasn't stamped when you entered the country at a land border, you should immediately check your TAM virtual as described above.
If you get an entry displayed with your correct information you should be fine and shouldn't have a problem leaving the country.
If you, however, get an error message and can't access your TAM virtual, it's possible that your entry into the country wasn't registered correctly at the border. Only then, you have a problem and might be denied to leave the country. You should get in contact with Migraciones immediately and most probably first have to get this mess sorted out and only then are allowed to leave Peru.
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.
9 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)")
· 21/10/2023@AntonioHello Antonio,yes, bureaucratic stuff is always confusing, especially in countries like Peru.While having the physical TAM card or an entry stamp in your passport surely is easier, checking your TAM virtual is usually a simple process.So, in case you just want to know how many days you got when you entered Peru and aren't interested in the explanation about the background just skip the first chapters in this article and directly go to "How to check your TAM virtual" subpoint Option 1: Migraciones website, where the process is explained in detail.So, in short, go to the Migraciones website under Consultas en Linea TAM Virtual, enter your personal data and in seconds you get your TAM virtual displayed on the screen. Under "Fecha de ingreso" you find the date you entered the country and below that under "Tiempo de permanencia" the number of days you are allowed to stay in Peru as a tourist.If you have any further questions, just give me a shout.GreetingsEva
