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

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 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
• Receipt for paid application fee (code Migraciones 07562; concept Permiso especial para suscribir documentos, S/.15.80 in 2023)
• Be in the country on a valid tourist (other temporary) visa /authorization to enter and stay as a tourist

How to apply for the Permit to sign contracts

To apply for the permit, first pay the fee of S/ 15.80 for the Migraciones administrative procedure "Formulario PA-Autoriz./Permisos y control migratorio" under code 07562 with "Concepto": "Permiso especial para suscribir documentos" at any Banco de la Nacion branch / ATM or on pagalo.pe.

You can find detailed information about how to pay, what you have to do and be aware of, how to register on the online payment platform and how to find the correct fee you have to pay, in our article "Paying administration charges and processing fees in Peru".

Paying administration charges and processing fees in Peru

Legal Stuff

All administration charges, processing fees and fines government agencies, public authorities and entities levy in Peru have to be paid at the Banc...

Then open the Migraciones Agencia Virtual. Choose "Extranjero" and enter the data requested. Enter your personal data exactly as in your passport. On the next page in the menu on the left you find under "permisos" the point "para firmar contratos". Click on it.

Then just follow the steps as indicated; nothing you can do wrong. Always check that all personal data you entered (or was automatically filled in) is 100% correct.

At one point, you end up on a page where all requirements are listed. Click on the little arrows next to each requirement, and certain fields appear depending on the requirement. Just fill in the fields as requested and upload the corresponding document (for example, PDF of your passport (page with your personal data and page with the entry stamp); PDF of your bank receipt; PDF of the filled in and signed application form). Under “Pago por derecho de tramite” you are asked to enter certain information of the bank receipt. If you don't know where to find the requested bank information on your receipt, click on the question mark.

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.