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When your Peruvian residence visa is approved, you receive a Carné de Extranjería, Peru’s foreigner ID card. While many residents assume the card and their residence visa expire at the same time, this is usually not the case. In fact, the carné and the residence visa have separate expiration dates.
Residence visas typically need to be extended every one or two years, while the physical carné card itself is normally valid for several years before it must be renewed.
Since the introduction of the Migraciones online platform, renewing your carné has become a straightforward procedure. In this guide, we explain what to pay attention to, which requirements apply, and how to complete the renewal step by step.
Table of contents
- General information about the carné and the residence visa
- Requirements for the renewal of the carné
- Step-by-step guide to renewing your carné
General information about the carné and the residence visa
Many foreigners legally living in Peru are unaware that there is a crucial difference between the expiration of their carné (the ID card) and the expiration of their residence visa (the actual permit allowing them to live in the country).
When receiving their carné for the first time, people often look at the date labeled Caducidad and assume this is the date until which they are allowed to stay in Peru, completely overlooking the Vencimiento de Residencia.
To avoid confusion, we highly recommend reading our glossary article Carné de Extranjería. In short:
In short:
Vencimiento de Residencia refers to the expiration of your residence visa.
- A residence visa is usually valid for one year.
- An exception applies to family visas based on marriage to a Peruvian citizen, which are normally valid for two years.
The procedure for extending your residence visa is explained in our article Residence visa extension.
Residence visa extension in Peru
Caducidad, on the other hand, refers to the expiration of the card itself, not your residence permit.
The carné is typically valid:
- 4 years for most residents
- 3 years for minors
- 5 years for permanent residents
After this period, the card must be renewed.
While the expiration date is printed on the card, you can also verify it online under this direct link or in the Agencia Digital under Consultas en Línea, subpoint Carné.
You can apply for the renewal of your carné up to 30 days before the card expires, and doing so on time is strongly recommended. Applying late can result in fines of 1% of one UIT per month (S/ 55 in 2026) for each month of delay.
Also note that renewal can only be done while you are physically in Peru.
Finally, your residence visa must still be valid when you renew your carné. Therefore, in most cases you should first extend your residence visa and then immediately renew your carné once the extension is approved.
Requirements for the renewal of the carné
To apply for the renewal of your carné, you need:
- Receipt for paid application fee
- Authority: Migraciones
- Code: 07561 - Formulario F-SPE-001
- Concepto: Renovación de carné de extranjería
- Fee: S/ 20.10 (2026)
- Carné with an expiration date within the next 30 days
- Valid residence visa
Step-by-step guide to renewing your carné
Before submitting your application
First, pay the administrative fee of S/ 20.10 (2026) for the Migraciones procedure Renovación de carné de extranjería under code 07561.
Payment can be made either online via págalo.pe, or in person at any Banco de la Nación branch.
As you have likely already paid Migraciones fees before, you’ll be familiar with the process. If not, you can find detailed instructions in our article “Paying administration charges and processing fees in Peru.”
After payment, keep the receipt at hand as you will need the information during the application.
Step 1: Access the Migraciones Agencia Digital
Go to the Migraciones Agencia Digital and click Entrar.
On the next page, select Extranjero and fill in the following fields:
- Documento
Select the document you used to enter Peru or that is registered with Migraciones (usually pasaporte or carné). - Número de documento
Enter your passport number or CE number. - Fecha de nacimiento
Enter your date of birth. - Nacionalidad
Select your nationality. Country names are listed in Spanish (for example, EE. UU. for the United States, Alemania for Germany). - Último movimiento migratorio de entrada
Enter the date you last entered Peru. - Código captcha
Complete the captcha.
Click Verificar.
Step 2: Select the renewal procedure
On the main page of the Agencia Digital:
- Use the search bar, or
- Select Renovación de carné de extranjería from the left menu.
Click to proceed.
Step 3: Choose the Migraciones office
You are now on the Renovación de carné - Dependencia page.
Choose the Migraciones office handling your application (Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, etc.) under Seleccione la dependencia donde desee gestionar su trámite
Continue to the next step.
Step 4: Upload required documents
Here you must enter required information and upload the necessary documents as PDFs.
If you only wish to check current requirements, you can browse the tabs and leave without submitting.
To continue, open each requirement tab and upload the requested documents.
Under “Pago por derecho de trámite”, you must enter information from your payment receipt:
- Número de recibo
This corresponds to the secuencia de pago on the págalo receipt. - Código de verificación
This is the código de control on the págalo receipt. - Fecha de recibo
This is the fecha de operación on the págalo receipt.
Click Validar after entering the data.
Under Documento de Identificación, you usually only upload a PDF copy of your current carné.
Once all required tabs show a green check mark, accept the terms and click Siguiente.
Step 5: Review your information
You are now shown a summary page with:
- your personal data on the left
- your carné information on the right
No changes can be made here.
However, below you can enter a new passport number under Documento de Viaje. So, if your passport number has changed since your old carné was issued, just fill in the new number here saving you from completing a separate procedure.
And further down you are informed that in case other personal data has changed, such as your address, you must apply for a “Actualización de datos”.
Step 6: Confirmation of your application
You will now see the Renovación de carné document displayed on your screen. This document confirms that your application for the carné renewal was successfully submitted.
Download and/or print the confirmation and keep it safe.
After submitting your application
After submitting the application, all you can do is wait. The official processing time for approving your application is five business days. In practice, however, most applicants receive the notification in their Buzón Electrónico within two to four weeks.
Check your Buzón electrónico regularly to make sure you don’t miss any notification.
You can also check the status of your application:
- in the Agencia Digital under Historial de trámites, or
- on the Migraciones website under Consulta de estado de trámite.
Getting your new carné
Once your application is approved, Migraciones sends you a notification in your Buzón Electrónico confirming approval and instructing you to book an appointment for biometric registration.
Appointments can be scheduled in the Agencia Digital under Citas en Línea, subpoint registro de datos biométricos.
Print your appointment confirmation!
Biometric data appointment
On the day of your biometric data appointment, arrive at the Migraciones office 15-30 minutes before your appointment, bringing:
- passport
- printed appointment confirmation.
At the Lima Migraciones office you will receive a number and wait until called. When it's your turn proceed to the counter, where staff will:
- record your signature
- take fingerprints
- take your biometric photo
Avoid wearing white, pastel or very light-colored clothing, as Migraciones may reject photos where clothing blends into the background. Dark or strong colors are recommended.
Processing times vary. Some applicants have a smooth and quick experience finishing within 30 minutes, while others report waiting one to three hours. So, plan accordingly.
At the Migraciones offices outside Lima, the whole process is usually quick and painless.
After the appointment, staff may inform you how long card production takes, but it is best to regularly check your Buzón Electrónico for the notification confirming the expedición del carné (Notificación de expedición del carné). Officially this can take up to 30 business days, but reports range from a few days to two months.
Picking up your new carné
Once notified that your carné is ready, log in to the Agencia Digital and book a pickup appointment under:
- Citas en Línea, subpoint recojo de documentos.
Download and print the appointment confirmation.
Note: Some Migraciones offices outside Lima may not require appointments for pickup.
If you urgently need your updated carné:
Especially in Lima, getting an appointment to pick up your carné can sometimes turn into a real test of patience. Slots are often fully booked, and availability can appear and disappear quickly. Unfortunately, there is no shortcut here - your only option is to keep checking the system again and again: later the same day, the next day, or a few days later. Persistence usually pays off.
If, for whatever reason, you urgently need proof of your updated carné but can’t secure an appointment to collect the physical card, there is a practical workaround. You can download a document from the Agencia Digital confirming that your carné is valid and already reflects your updated personal data, even if you don’t yet have the new card in hand.
To do this, log in to the Agencia Digital and, on the main page, go to the left-hand menu. Under “Constancias” select Carné de Extranjería. A page will open showing the data printed on your carné, including the recent updates. At the bottom of the page, confirm the statement “Estos son los datos con los cuales se emitirá su constancia…” by ticking the small box and then click Siguiente.
You will then see the “Constancia de Emisión de Carné de Extranjería” on your screen. Download it and, if necessary, print it. While it doesn’t replace the physical card, it serves as official proof that your carné is valid and issued with your correct personal information.
To collect your carné, be on time and bring:
- passport
- printed appointment confirmation (if applicable)
Staff will direct you to the collection counter where your new card is handed over.
Congrats! You made it and are set for the next years.
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 immigration 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!
