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Permit to sign contracts (PEFC- Permiso especial para firmar contratos) in Peru

Permit to sign contracts (Permiso especial para firmar contratos) in Peru

Tourists need a special authorization to sign legally binding documents

If foreign visitors, who are in Peru as a tourist, or temporary visa holders who haven't applied for a CTM, need to sign a legally binding document (such as a work contract, sworn statement, rental contract, car purchase, marriage license, apartment purchase, etc.) they must apply for a special permit, the so-called “Permiso especial para firmar contratos” or also known as "Permiso especial para suscribir documentos", before signing the document.

So, if you sign a contract or document when being in the country as a tourist and don't have the special permit, officially the contract is null and void, can be contested and, if you have to present it at a Peruvian authority, usually is not accepted 

While for years the Permit to sign contracts had to be applied for in person at any Migraciones office in Peru, in January 2018 the application process was simplified and now the application can be easily done online.

Be aware that you can only apply for the Permit to sign contracts when you are in the country legally, so your tourist (or other temporary) visa / authorization to enter and stay as a tourist in Peru must be valid.

 

Requirements for the Permit to sign contracts

  • Form PA - Autorizaciones y Permisos
  • Passport
  • Be in the country on a valid tourist (other temporary) visa/stay as a tourist

Please note: Since October 22, 2023, the procedure is free of charge.

 

How to apply for the Permit to sign contracts

Open the Migraciones Agencia Virtual and click on Entrar. On the next page, select "Extranjero". Then choose in the drop-down menu the document with which you entered Peru (most probably passport), enter your passport number, your birthdate, nationality, the date you entered Peru and the captcha. Click on Verificar.

Now you are on the main page of the Agencia Digital. Here you can either use the search field or find in the menu on the left under "Permisos" the subpoint "Para firmar contratos". Click on it.

Now just fill in required fields and upload the form. Click on the little arrows next to each requirement, and certain fields appear depending on the requirement.

After entering the requested info click on Validar.

At the end of the process you get the confirmation of your application with the file number (no. de expediente) and date of application. Download this document and/or print it; keep it safe.

Within 5 business days, the Permit to sign contracts is sent to your e-mail address.

The special Permit to sign contracts is valid for a maximum of 30 days.

 
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  • This commment is unpublished.
    Hernan · 16/03/2024
    Hi Eva, 

    Thanks for the article. It's incredibly informative. 

    I will be traveling to Peru in approximately 30 days to purchase an apartment in Lima and will be submitting a request for the "Permiso Especial para Firmar Contratos" when I arrive. I have a question with regard to the length of time required to receive the permiso. On the migraciones website, and in other resources I've found online, it states a maximum of 5 business day. I spoke with the real estate agent who is assisting me with the purchase and he stated that I should be able to get the permiso on the same day I apply for it. He mentioned that he's helped many foreigners purchase property in Lima and that he's seen these foreigners obtain the permiso either on the same day or next day. Have you seen this ever be the case? 

    Thank you

    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 16/03/2024
      @Hernan
      Hello Hernan,

      honestly, I'm always a bit worried when a real estate agent, lawyer or someone helping with administrative procedures, so-called tramitadores, in Peru state or promise that something can be/is done on the same day, latest the next. Yes, it can happen, yes I've seen it, but it's not the norm.

      Especially when Migraciones is involved, no-one can guarantee that something is done on day x or by day y.

      If you apply for the permit to sign contracts the Migraciones regulations state that this procedure should be done within a maximum of 5 business days. But that doesn't mean you get it after a week. If Migraciones is busy it might take 6 or 7 business days; on the other hand if you are lucky you get it in a day or two. Usually, the processing time is around 3 to 4 days.

      Good luck with your apartment purchase.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    B · 21/01/2024
    Hi Eva,

    I am in the process of applying for a temporary student visa. Do I need the approval to sign in order to complete the two required declaración jurada forms?

    Thanks,
    B
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 21/01/2024
      @B
      Hello B,

      yes, even though rarely done by foreigners, who apply for a visa in Peru, officially you need the permit to sign contracts to sign your sworn statements.

      To avoid any problems during the evaluation and approval process of your temporary student visa application I would get the permit. It's done in no time and free of charge.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Pati Silva · 05/11/2023
    Hi
    I tried paying for the Permiso para firmar contratos on Pagalo.pe (Banco de la Nacion) under code 07562 but the drop down under "concept" only gives me the options:
    Autorizacion de estadia fuera del pais por trescientos sesenta dias
    Autorizacion de estadia fuera del pais por ciento ochenta dias
    Permiso de Tierra
    Permiso de Trabajo extraordinario
    Regularizacion de movimiento migratorio
    (see screenshot attached)

    I can't find "Permiso especial para suscribir documentos"

    Any thoughts?

    PS: I am using a chromebook
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 05/11/2023
      @Pati Silva
      Hello Pati,

      since the end of October, 2023 the application for the Permit to sign contracts is free of charge. While the payment receipt is still on the official requirement list, pagalo.pe already deleted it.

      Anyway, when you apply for the permit an the Agencia Digital, you shouldn't need the payment anymore. I just updated the article this morning. But as it usually takes a few hours until the updated article is displayed everywhere, you might still see the "old" version of it. So, if you refresh the page, you should see the updated article.

      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Pati · 05/11/2023
      @Sunflower Thanks so much for your prompt response. Super helpful and great news 
  • This commment is unpublished.
    jenny · 11/04/2023
    Hello! 
    I've recently received my Carnet de Extranjería as married to a Peruvian, and now I am looking to sign a work contract. Am I legally able to sign this, or do I need permission to sign contracts? 
    I thought that I needed to apply for a Permiso para firmar contratos in the Agencia Digital, but when I fill in the first page, I get the error message "El tramite no se puede concluir debido a que no cuenta con la calidad migratoria temporal válida." I definitely do have valid migration status! I received a renewed CE 4 months ago. Perhaps I just don't need this permission? I'm not clear what is required of me. Thanks for your help!
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 12/04/2023
      @jenny
      Hello Jenny,

      You have a valid residence visa and a carné de extranjería which allows you to sign contracts. You do not need a permission to sign contracts.

      This is only necessary for foreigners who are in Peru as a tourist or on a temporary visa without having a carné temporal migratorio.

      So, you are absolutely fine to sign the contract. Nothing you have to do.

      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      jenny · 14/04/2023
      @Sunflower Thank you so much for clarifying! I couldn't find that information anywhere, this website always is so helpful. thanks for doing what you do!
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 14/04/2023
      @jenny
      Always happy to help.

      Good luck with your new job.

      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Max · 23/03/2023
    Hello, thank you for the article!  I am filling up the form: https://agenciavirtual.migraciones.gob.pe/agencia-virtual/identidad and it has the  field "último movimiento migratorio de entrada". What is it? 
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 23/03/2023
      @Max
      Hallo Max,

      it's the date you (last) entered Peru.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Frank Eriksen · 10/02/2023
    Hello! I tried now to get that "Permit to sign contracts".. But on the https://agenciavirtual.migraciones.gob.pe/ sites, its stops with "Error: El ciudano tiene un permiso vigente a la fecha" I have tried many times filling the blanks, but its ends with the same result. I don't understand much. Unfortunately my spanish is poor and i need help. Do you know what is the problem here? 

    Best regard
    Frank
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 10/02/2023
      @Frank Eriksen
      Hello Frank,

      that's strange. The message says "Error: the citizens has a current permit."

      So, not sure, what's going on and where the problem is. Therefore, a few questions. You are a foreigner? And you applied for a residence visa that is still in process? So, you submitted all your documents, but still don't have the approval and your carné? And you entered the Agencia with your personal details?

      If so, did you apply for a travel permit before? Is this still valid?

      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Frank Eriksen · 15/03/2023
      @Sunflower First will i apologize for the long time it took me to answer back (forget) I am still looking for a residence. I have no carne, i entered with my personal details si. I have never applied before. Thanks for your answer! :)
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 16/03/2023
      @Frank Eriksen
      Hello Frank,


      I'm confused. What are you trying to do? Do you need the permit to sign contracts or do you want to apply for a residence visa?

      For the residence visa application you don't need the permit to sign contracts. So what do you need it for? And are you still getting the same error message? If so, did you enter the country as a tourist or perhaps as a business traveler?  To find out you can check your entry stamp. If there is a "NEG" before the number of days you got, then you entered as a business traveler. Or check under this Migraciones link which data about you is registered. If you entered as a business traveler then you already have the permit to sign contacts.

      Other option why it doesn't work: if you are using a translation program, VPN or ad blocker these can cause errors, so switch them off. Clear your cache or use another browser and try again.

      To help you, I really need more clear information what you are trying to accomplish.

      Greetings
      Eva


    • This commment is unpublished.
      Frank Eriksen · 23/03/2023
      @Sunflower No need the permit to sign contracts, to search for residence. That's great! I must have misunderstood. Thanks again for the help!

      Best regards
      Frank
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Jose · 07/07/2022
    Hi,

    Im in Peru on a tourist visa with the hopes of working temporarily (2-3 months) in Lima. 

    I read that I need to apply for the permit to sign work contracts. Is that all I would need to do in order work temporarily in Peru or is there a longer process? Would I need to apply for a temporary work visa?

    Appreciate the help, the process can be overwhelming
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 07/07/2022
      @Jose Hello Jose,

      As I already answered your other comments (see my reply to your comment on our work visa and paying administrative charges article) in detail, here only in short:

      - You are not allowed to work for a Peruvian company and receive any kind a renumeration when you are in Peru as a tourist! To legally work in Peru as a foreigner you need a temporary or resident works visa, a permit to work (only available for students), or another resident visa allowing work.

      - If you want to sign a work contract, first you have to apply for the Permit to sign contracts (see this article for more details).

      - The work contract must be approved by the Peruvian Labor Ministry (see my reply to your comment on the work visa article)

      - Other documents are needed for the temporal work visa application (see my reply to your comment on the work visa article)

      - Preparation of all documents might take a few weeks, the processing time of your visa at least a few weeks up to many months (see my reply to your comment on the work visa article)

      Considering the time necessary to prepare all needed documents, apply for the temporary work visa and then get it approved, and the time you want to work (only two or three months) in Peru, it’s not worth the effort.

      In my personal opinion, you even might have a hard time getting everything together before your tourist visa expires, and this has to be still valid to be able to apply for the temporary work visa.

      Sorry.

      Greetings
      Eva

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