Peruvian Family Visa

Some family members of Peruvian nationals and foreigners with a resident status in Peru have the right to a family union and can apply for a family visa, the so-called "visa familiar residente". Depending on your relation, there are several sub-visa types.

Content overview

• Family visa types
• Legal background for a family visa application in Peru
  • Where to apply for a family visa
  • Important laws and regulations
• Requirements and documents for a family visa application in Peru
• Step-by-step guide to apply for a family visa in Peru
  • Before submitting your application
    
    • Translation of foreign documents
    • Interpol - Ficha de Canje
    • Paying the visa application fee
    • Last preparations
  • Submitting your visa application
    • Step 1: Access the Migraciones Agencia Digital
    • Step 2: Select the visa application procedure
    • Step 3: Choose the Migraciones office and generate your update code
    • Step 4: Upload required documents
    • Step 5: Review and confirm your personal information
    • Step 6: Application confirmation
  • After submitting your application
    • Biometric data appointment
    • Buzon Electronico
    • Approval of your family visa
    • Getting your carné (foreigner ID)
• Family visa Peru - FAQ for residents
• Other FAQs
  • Where to find / how to recover your verification code and the login data for your Buzon electronico?
  • Can I apply for a family visa if my stay as a tourist is expired?
  • Can I apply for a family visa if I don't have all required documents?

Family visa types in Peru

Depending on your relation to the Peruvian or foreigner with resident status, there are several family visa sub-types. Relatives who can apply for a family visa are:

• Spouses of Peruvian nationals (para el caso de casado/a peruana/o)
• Spouses of foreigners with resident status (para el caso de casado/a con extranjera/o residente en el país)
• Underaged children of Peruvians or foreigners with resident status (para el caso de hijos menores de edad de peruano/a o extranjero/a residente)
• Unmarried children (18 years to 28 years and dependent on their parents) of Peruvians or foreigners with resident status (para el caso de hijo/a mayor de edad)
• Adult children with disabilities (para el caso de hijos mayores de 18 años con discapacidad)
• Parents of Peruvians or foreigners with a resident status that don’t have a Peruvian nationality (para el caso de padres de peruano/a o extranjero/a residente) (*)

(*) Children born on Peruvian territory to not only Peruvian but as well foreign parents are considered Peruvians. They have the right to a Peruvian birth certificate, Peruvian DNI and a Peruvian passport. While for years foreign parents couldn't get a resident family visa through their underaged Peruvian-born child, this has changed with the introduction of the 2017 foreigner law and a different interpretation of the corresponding passage. Before the parents can apply for a resident family visa, the birth of the child has to be registered at Reniec and a Peruvian birth certificate and Peruvian DNI has to be issued. Be aware that unfortunately Migraciones seems to be a bit uncooperative since August 2021, and often gives foreign parents trouble when trying to apply for the family visa based on being a parents of an underaged Peruvian.

Legal background for a family visa application in Peru

Where to apply for a family visa

Officially, you can apply for a family visa if you are still outside Peru or if you are already in the country, for example, as a tourist.

However, while for decades Peruvian consulates abroad handled residence visa applications from giving information and handing out the right forms to fill in, to accepting the application and, if approved, issuing the residence visa, since August 2021, the Peruvian diplomatic missions abroad only handle tourist and business visa applications and refer foreigners, who want to apply for another temporary or residence visa, to Migraciones in Peru.

So, family members of a Peruvian national or foreigner with resident status in Peru, who can enter the country visa-free (so, who don’t have to apply for a “real” tourist visa at a Peruvian consulate), should come to Peru as a tourist and then change their immigration status - make a so called Cambio de calidad migratoria (as opposed to a Solicitud de calidad migratoria if you apply from outside Peru) - at Migraciones (on the Agencia Digital, the Migraciones online platform).

Those family members who cannot enter Peru visa-free (so, who must apply for a “real” tourist visa at a Peruvian consulate), officially must apply for residency from outside Peru; a complicated, lengthy, and sometimes frustrating process. We explain in detail how it’s done in our article “Peruvian residence visa application from abroad”.

Peruvian residence visa application from abroad

Peruvian Visa Types

Foreign nationals, who want to apply for a residence visa in Peru (for example because they are married to a Peruvian, found work in Peru, want to ...

Important laws and regulations

For foreigners planning to stay longer in Peru and to apply for a temporary or resident visa, the most important laws and regulations are the Decreto Legislativo 1350, the "old" Foreigner Law and the Decreto Legislativo 1582, the modification of the Foreigner Law, which both only stipulate general rules, as well as the Decreto Supremo 002-2021-IN from 2021 and the TUPA, which is updated yearly (last time August 2024). Helpful as well is to check out the Peruvian government website. All these documents are, of course, in Spanish.

While below under Requirements for a family visa application in Peru you find the necessary documents described in English, the official list of requirements (in Spanish) can be found, for example, in the Decreto Supremo 002-2021-IN on page 44, in article 89-B “Procedimiento administrativo de cambio de calidad migratoria por la de familiar residente” on page 44.

As the TUPA is always the more current official document, which contains slight changes compared to the Decreto Supremo, we recommend to use it when looking for the most current official information about the requirements in Spanish. You find the information for adult applicants on page 149 and for minor applicants on page 77.

Requirements for a family visa application in Peru

As the family visa has quite a number of sub-visa types, find below the general requirements to apply for a family visa, accurately to make the so-called "Cambio de calidad migratoria" (change of immigration status) in Peru.

Be aware that Migraciones has the right to request other and/or additional documents at any time.

Required documents to apply for a family visa include:

• Passport
• Clean criminal record check (Antecedentes policiales, penales y judiciales) from your home country or from the country where you legally lived (so with a resident visa) during the 5 years prior to coming to Peru (exception minors) (1) + (2) + (5)
• Official document that proves the family tie (please note: same-sex marriages/civil unions are not possible and not recognized in Peru)
  
  • if the applicant is married to a Peruvian or foreigner with resident status: marriage certificate (3) 
  • if the applicant is the child or parent of a Peruvian (but not Peruvian himself) or of a foreigner with resident status: birth certificate (4)
  • if the applicant is in a legal Peruvian relationship, a so-called "Union de hecho" with a Peruvian or foreigner with resident status: Sworn statement indicating the SUNARP registration
• Up-to-date DNI of the Peruvian family member with correct family address, correct marital status and no pending election fees or up-to-date carné de extranjería of the foreigner with resident status
• Interpol clearance - Ficha de canje internacional not older than 6 months (see below)
• Receipt for paid application fee (code Migraciones 07568; concept Cambio de calidad migratoria por la de familiar residente, S/ 161.40)
• "Recibo", so a water or electricity bill showing your address (doesn't have to be in your name)
• For unmarried adult children (up to 28 years) additionally: official certificate of being single (5) or sworn statement in which the applicant declares being unmarried in front of a Peruvian notary and enrollment certificate of a Peruvian educational institution
• For children with disabilities additionally: official certificate of being single (5) or sworn statement in which the applicant declares being unmarried in front of a Peruvian notary document proving a condition of permanent disability and the need for parent’s care (5)

Explanatory notes for the requirements:

First of all, be aware that documents have an "expiration" date in Peru. If not stated otherwise:

• Documents issued in Peru are usually only accepted when they were issued a maximum of 3 months prior to being submitted.
• Documents issued outside Peru are usually only accepted when they were issued not more than 6 months prior to being submitted.

(1) As we get many question about the “Antecedentes policiales, penales y judiciales” we dedicated a separate article to the topic where we explain in detail what kind of document you need, where you get it and what to watch out for when applying for it.

International document corresponding to the Antecedentes policiales, penales and judiciales in Peru

Legal Stuff

One of the requirements when applying for a resident visa in Peru or when changing your immigration status (for example, from a work visa to a perm...

(2) That's the official requirement. However, Migraciones always requests the criminal record check from your home country. And, if they are made aware of the fact that you lived in another country during the 5 years prior to coming to Peru, sometimes additionally a check from this country.

(3) marriage certificate

• If you were married in Peru at a municipality incorporated into the Reniec system: recent certified copy of your marriage certificate issued by Reniec (not older than 90 days)
• If you were married in Peru at a municpality not incorporated into the Reniec system: Some municipalities in Peru are still not incorporated into the Reniec system and, for example, marriages are registered only on municipal level. So, if you married in such a municipality you must request a certified (!) copy of the marriage certificate from the (provincial) municipality. Inform them that you need the copy for a residence visa application, so the right stamp is put on the certificate. Once you have the document, pay the Reniec fee of S/ 31 under code 02143 “Certificaciones” with concepto “Certificacion de firma” either on pagalo.pe or at any Banco de la Nacion branch. Make copies of the marriage certificate, the payment receipt and DNI, carné or passport. If you apply for your residence visa in Lima, you then must proceed to the Reniec office in Miraflores (Av. Diez Conseco 230) or to the Reniec office in Jesus Maria (Jr. Talara 130) to make the so-called 'Solicitud de Authenticacion de Firmas'. At Reniec you are handed a form which you must fill in and then just wait your turn in the “Certificaciones” line, hand in your documents (Certified copy of your marriage certificate, payment receipt, ID and copies and filled in form) and usually within a week or two you can pick up your marriage certificate with another stamp on it. Only now Migraciones will accept your marriage certificate and when you apply the marriage certificate can't be older than 90 days.
• If you were married abroad to a Peruvian and registered the marriage at a Peruvian consulate: certified copy of your marriage certificate issued by the Peruvian consulate (not older than 180 days). Once in Peru the marriage certificate must be legalized by the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (RREE) in Lima or their offices in the provinces . Already in Peru without a recent copy? At the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (RREE) in Lima, you can get certified copies of birth, marriage, and death certificates registered at a Peruvian consulate abroad.
• If you were married abroad to a Peruvian and didn't register the marriage at a Peruvian consulate: The Peruvian partner must first register the marriage with Reniec not more than 90 days after re-entering Peru. For that your foreign marriage certificate with Apostille or, if the country in which the document was issued didn't sign the Apostille Convention, legalized by a Peruvian consulate (not older than 6 months) is needed. Once in Peru, the foreign marriage certificate has to be translated into Spanish and in some cases legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Once the marriage is registered get a certified copy of your marriage certificate issued by Reniec for the visa application.
• If you were married to a foreigner abroad: marriage certificate with Apostille or, if the country in which the document was issued didn't sign the Apostille Convention, legalized by a Peruvian consulate (not older than 6 months). Once in Peru, the document has to be translated into Spanish and in some cases legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

(4) birth certificate

• If the applicant is the child of a foreigner with resident status: birth certificate of the child showing he/she is the son/daughter of the foreigner with resident status with Apostille or, if the country in which the document was issued didn't sign the Apostille Convention, legalized by a Peruvian consulate (not older than 6 months). Once in Peru, the document has to be translated into Spanish and in some cases legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• If you are the parent of a Peruvian and the birth was registered at a municipality incorporated into the Reniec system: recent certified copy of the birth certificate showing you as the parent issued by Reniec (not older than 90 days):
• If you are the parent of a Peruvian and the birth was registered at a municipality not incorporated into the Reniec system: some municipalities in Peru are still not incorporated into the Reniec system and, for example, birth are registered only on municipal level. So, if  the Peruvian part of the family was born in such a municipality you must request a certified (!) copy of the birth certificate showing you as the parent from the (provincial) municipality. Inform them that you need the copy for a residence visa application, so the right stamp is put on the certificate. Once you have the document, pay the Reniec fee of S/ 31 under code 02143 “Certificaciones” with concepto “Certificacion de firma” either on pagalo.pe or at any Banco de la Nacion branch. Make copies of the birth certificate, the payment receipt and DNI, carné or passport. If you apply for your residence visa in Lima, you then must proceed to the Reniec office in Miraflores (Av. Diez Conseco 230) or to the Reniec office in Jesus Maria (Jr. Talara 130) to make the so-called 'Solicitud de Authenticacion de Firmas'. At Reniec you are handed a form which you must fill in and then just wait your turn in the “Certificaciones” line, hand in your documents (Certified copy of the birth certificate, payment receipt, ID and copies and filled in form) and usually within a week or two you can pick up the birth certificate with another stamp on it. Only now Migraciones will accept your marriage certificate and when you apply the birth certificate can't be older than 90 days.
• If you are the parent of a foreigner with resident status in Peru: birth certificate of the foreigner with resident status in Peru showing you as the parent with Apostille or, if the country in which the document was issued didn't sign the Apostille Convention legalized by a Peruvian consulate (not older than 6 months). Once in Peru, the document has to be translated into Spanish and in some cases legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

(5) Any document required which was issued abroad

• All foreign documents (even so-called “international” certificates) need an Apostille or, if the country in which they were issued, didn't sign the Apostille Convention, have to be legalized by a Peruvian consulate abroad and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Peru. Once in Peru, the document has to be translated into Spanish and in some cases legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Applying for a family visa is a simple and straightforward process, but might be a little confusing here and there if you are not familiar with the process and the steps involved. Please see our walk-through below, which should enable you to start and finish this little endeavor on your own, as general guidance only as requirements and processes change quickly. At least basic Spanish skills are required to fill in forms and understand instructions.

Last steps before your family visa application in Peru

Hopefully, you brought all required documents from abroad, such as the criminal record check and - if applicable - your marriage or birth certificate, and so forth, already apostilled or legalized - see requirements and (3) / (4) / (5) above.

Translation of foreign documents

Once in Peru, all documents issued abroad that are in a foreign language must be translated into Spanish. Even though officially no longer required and a simple translation should be enough (see Decreto Legislativo 1272 about simplified administration procedures) we highly recommend to use a certified translator in Peru, a so-called traductor publico juramentado. You find lists of these government-approved translators on the Peruvian government website.  Just click under point 3 on the language of your original document and the list of translators for your language appears. You can as well use any other translator in Peru who can officially translate your document.

If your documents have an Apostille and were translated by one of the certified translators on the list according to the above mentioned Decreto Legislativo Migraciones should accept them without problems. However, most translators are still recommending an additional legalization of the translation by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RREE), as sometimes Migraciones doesn't apply the simplified administration procedures, rejects documents without the additional RREE legalization and explicitly asks the applicant to upload the apostilled and translated foreign documents this time with another legalization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RREE) in Lima or a RREE branch in the provinces.

So, if you want to skip the additional legalization by RREE, we highly recommend to keep an eye on your Migraciones electronic mailbox for notifications from Migraciones (see below).

If your documents aren't apostilled but legalized they must be legalized again after the translation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RREE) in Lima or a RREE branch in the provinces.

Interpol

And before you can even start the family visa application process, you first have to get the so-called “Ficha de Canje Internacional” from Interpol in Peru. Find a detailed description of how it’s done in our article “Interpol - Ficha de Canje Internacional”.

Interpol - Ficha de Canje Internacional

Legal Stuff

Before applying for any temporary or residence visa in Peru, all foreigners must first obtain the Ficha de Canje Internacional issued by Interpol. ...

Paying the application fee

Once you have the Ficha and all documents together, pay the fee of S/ 161.40 for the Migraciones administrative procedure “Cambio de Calidad Migratoria” under code 07568 with concepto "Familar de residente". As you already paid the Interpol fee, you know how the systems works, otherwise check again in our article "Paying administration charges and processing fees in Peru".

Paying administration charges and processing fees in Peru

Legal Stuff

All administrative charges, processing fees, and fines issued by Peruvian government agencies and public authorities must be paid through the Banco...

Last preparations

And last but not least, make PDFs from your passport (page with your personal data), and from all other required documents (max size per document 3MB).

Finally, the time has come to apply for your family visa. Be aware that in case you need to leave the country during the processing time of your family visa application you have to apply for a special travel permit (Permiso especial de viaje, officially as well called Autorización de estadía fuera del país) before you leave the country, otherwise your application is null and void.

Travel Permit (Permiso Especial de Viaje / Autorización de Estadía fuera del País )

Legal Stuff

Foreign nationals in Peru who have applied for a visa - more precisely, for a change of immigration status (cambio de calidad migratoria) - or a ch...

Submitting your visa application on the Agencia Digital

Now it’s finally time to submit your family visa application.

Before getting started, however, there are a few important things you should know about the Migraciones Agencia Digital, the online platform where the application must be submitted.

• First of all, the platform generally only works when accessed from within Peru.
• The Agencia Digital is available in Spanish only. While it may be tempting to use automatic translation tools in your browser, we recommend not using them, as they can sometimes cause display or system errors.
• To reduce technical problems when using the platform, it is also advisable to:
  • disable ad blockers
  • avoid incognito or private browsing modes
  • use a standard browser window

And even though we do our best to keep this guide as up to date as possible, the Agencia Digital is frequently updated and small changes to the process may occur. Therefore, please treat the following walk-through primarily as general guidance.

If you notice that something works differently than described here, you are very welcome to share your experience in the comments section below (visible after approval) or use the email button at the bottom of the page to send us a private message. Your feedback helps us keep this guide accurate and useful for others.

Step 1: Access the Migraciones Agencia Digital

Go to the Migraciones Agencia Digital and click on 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).
• Número de documento
  Enter your passport 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.

Important:
No matter which forms you fill out in Peru, always enter your personal data exactly as it appears in your passport. Even small differences can cause problems.

Step 2: Select the visa application procedure

You are now on the main page of the Agencia Digital.

• Either use the search bar, or
• In the left-hand menu, go to Cambio de calidad migratoria and select familiar residente
  • Casado con peruano o extranjero residente if you are married to a Peruvian or foreign resident 
  • Padres de peruano o extranjero residente if you are the parent of Peruvian or foreign resident
  • Hijo menor de edad for underage children.
  • Hijos adultos con dispacidad for adult children with disabilities

Click on the one that applies to continue.

Step 3: Choose the Migraciones office and generate your update code

You are now on the Cambio de calidad migratoria - Dependencia page.

Fill in the required fields:

• Seleccione la dependencia donde desee gestionar su trámite
  Select the Migraciones office that should handle your application (for example, Lima, a MAC center, Cusco, Arequipa).
• Ingrese código de actualización
  If you do not already have a current data update code, click the link “Obtenga aquí su código de actualización de datos” below the field.

A new tab opens, taking you to the Sistema de Actualización de Datos page.

Click the Sistema de actualización de datos button and fill in the requested fields:

• Tipo de documento
  Select pasaporte.
• Número de documento
  Enter your passport number.
• Nacionalidad
  Select your nationality (listed in Spanish).
• Sexo
  Select your gender.
• Fecha de nacimiento
  Enter your date of birth (dd/mm/yyyy).
• Captcha
  Complete the captcha.

Accept the sworn statement and click Continuar.

You will then be taken to a rather extensive questionnaire. Be aware that you only have a limited amount of time (usually 20 to 30 minutes) to complete all required fields. Once you start, you must finish within this time. If the time expires, all your progress is lost and you have to start again from the beginning.

The questions may appear somewhat unorganized or unusual. From time to time Migraciones changes the questionnaire, moving questions around, adding new ones, or removing others. Therefore, the description below should be seen as general guidance to give you an idea of what kind of information you may be asked to provide.

First, you will be asked to enter personal information, including:

• marital status
• country of residence
• country of birth
• whether you have any criminal, police, or judicial record
• your address in Peru (including department, province, district, road type, zone type, street name, and house number)
• your email address
• mobile phone number and landline number
• hair color and eye color
• height (in meters) and weight (in kilograms)

Next, you must provide the details of an emergency contact, including their passport number, name, mobile phone number, and email address.

The following section asks about personal aspects, such as whether you have a disability or illness and whether you require medical treatment.

After that, you will be asked questions about your immediate family situation. You must indicate whether you are single or have a partner. If you have a partner, you must enter their personal details, including:

• passport information (country issuing the passport, type of passport, passport number)
• name(s) and surname(s)
• gender
• date of birth
• whether your partner is currently in Peru with you

Once you have completed this section, click Guardar.

The next topic concerns your education and profession, including your highest school and academic degree, your profession and occupation, and whether you currently study or work in Peru.

You will then be asked about your living conditions, including the type of housing, since when you have lived there, how many people live in the household, and how many rooms the home has.

The last block of questions relates to financial information, for example whether you have taken out a loan in Peru or if you maintain a bank account in the country.

Once you have completed all questions, click Continuar.

That should be it. A pop-up window should then appear displaying your codigo de actualización. Copy this code.

Return to the original tab with your Cambio de calidad migratoria application, paste the code into the field, and click Siguiente.

Step 4: Upload required documents

In this step you must upload all required documents and, where requested, enter additional information. The Agencia Digital organizes the requirements into several tabs. Some tabs only require you to upload the corresponding document(s), while others also ask for additional information.

When uploading your documents, make sure that the file size does not exceed the maximum allowed size (usually 3 MB per document) and that the dcocuments are clear and easy to read.

Important for those wanting to verify the exact requirements:
If you only want to check or verify the current requirements, you can simply click through the different tabs. Once finished, leave the page without submitting anything.

To proceed with your application, click the small arrow next to each requirement. Depending on the document, additional fields may appear. Fill in the requested information and upload the corresponding PDF file.

Note
The fields described below correspond to a family visa application for adults, for example if you are married to a Peruvian. If you are applying for a minor, additional fields may need to be completed and different or additional documents, such as your passport or carné may have to be uploaded.

Pago por derecho de trámite (application fee)

Under Pago por derecho de trámite, you must enter the 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.

After entering the information, click Validar.

Ficha de Canje Interpol (Interpol clearance)

Under Ficha de canje Interpol, you must upload:

• the Ficha de Canje Internacional issued by Interpol in Peru, and
• the criminal record certificate with Apostille and Spanish translation.

Please note that both fields are mandatory, and you cannot continue unless both documents are uploaded.

Documento de vinculo

Under Documento de vinculo" you must upload the document proving your family tie (for example, your marriage certificate or birth certificate).

Documento de identificacion del conyuge

Under Documento de identificacion del conyuge, you must enter the DNI number of the Peruvian part of the family or the Carné number of the foreign resident you are related to.

Click on Validar.

Documento de Identificación del administrado

Under Documento de Identificación, select the document with which you entered Peru (in most cases pasaporte). You are then asked to fill in your passport number, the date of issue and the country of issue and upload a copy of the passport page with your photo and personal data.

Exceso de permanencia (overstay)

There is one final tab called Exceso de permanencia.

If you apply while your stay in Peru is still valid, this tab should already display a green check mark, and you can simply leave it as it is.

If, however, you apply after your stay as a tourist has expired, you should be able to open this tab and upload:

• a payment receipt for the overstay fine, and
• a sworn statement explaining the reasons for your overstay.

Once these two documents are uploaded, the check mark in front of the tab should turn green.

However, please be aware that officially you must be in Peru on a valid stay to apply for a Cambio de calidad migratoria. If your stay has already expired, your application will in most cases be denied, even if the system allows you to upload the documents and continue with your application.

So before relying on this option, please read our chapter Can I apply for a family visa when my stay as a tourist is expired?.

Final step

Once all required documents are uploaded, each tab should show a green check mark. Finally, accept the terms and conditions and click Siguiente to continue.

Step 5: Review and confirm your personal information

You are now shown a summary page with your personal details already filled in.

The only fields you can edit here are:

• your mobile phone number, and
• your email address (make sure an e-mail address is registered that you have unrestricted access to)

If everything is correct, click Guardar datos y generar trámite.

Please note
For whatever reasons, sometimes this page isn't displayed.

Step 6: Application confirmation

You are now taken to the Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria page. At first glance, you will only see a number displayed on the screen and a request to make an appointment to have your biometric data taken.

Do not continue yet.

First, save this number! It's your Numero de expediente (file number), which is sometimes also called Numero de tramite. The number usually consists of 2 letters (often an abbreviation of the Migraciones office where you applied; LM for Lima, for example; or CY for Chiclayo, etc.) and 9 digits.

Next, click on Descargar or Imprimir to download and/or print the complete Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria document before proceeding to the appointment page.

This document is the official confirmation that your application was successfully submitted, so make sure to keep it safe.

At the top right of the downloaded document, under the bar code, you will again find your Numero de expediente (file number). At the bottom of the first page, under the signature / fingerprint field, you usually find the Fecha de publicacion (application date) and the Codigo de verificación (verification code).

Additionally, at the bottom of the first page - or sometimes on a second page - you should also find your login data for your Migraciones electronic mailbox, the Buzon electronico (see below).

If you cannot find the verification code and/or the login data for the electronic mailbox on the Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria document, or if you missed downloading it, check below how to recover the login data and the verification code.

After submitting your visa application

After submitting your application, there are still a few steps to complete before receiving your residency and Carné de Extranjería. The following sections explain what happens next and what you should watch out for during the processing of your application.

Biometric data appointment

After your visa application, you will be asked to schedule an appointment to have your biometric data taken (photo, fingerprints, and signature). To make the appointment, you must enter a code. This code is your Número de expediente (also called Número de trámite).

Make an appointment

For a long time, getting an appointment in Lima was quite a challenge. Fortunately, biometric data can now also be registered at several MAC centers, not only at the Migraciones office. As a result, it is usually much easier to secure an appointment within a reasonable time. At the offices in the provinces appointments are usually readily availbale.

Nevertheless, we recommend using the provided link at the end of your application and scheduling the appointment immediately.

If you prefer to make the appointment later, you can return to the Agencia Digital and book it under Citas en Línea, subcategory Para registro de datos biométricos.

To schedule the appointment, simply enter your Número de expediente, choose a Migraciones office or MAC center, and select an available date. If everything works smoothly, your appointment is scheduled.

Download or print your appointment confirmation under the Constancia cita tab before clicking Finalizar.

As an additional tip: even though it is easy to overlook, next to the Constancia cita tab you will find another tab called Cargo trámite. This tab can be very useful if you missed to download the confirmation of your application or if the login details for the Buzón electrónico or the verification code are missing from your document. Simply click on the Cargo trámite tab to download the Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria document again. The downloaded version should now include both the verification code and the login details for your Buzón electrónico.

What to expect during your appointment

On the day of your appointment, arrive 15-30 minutes early at the Migraciones office / MAC center you selected when making the appointment.

You will only need your

• Passport, and
• printed (!) appointment confirmation

The procedure can vary slightly depending on the office. At the Migraciones office in Lima, for example, you usually receive a number and wait until you are called. At some MAC centers, however, you may first have to queue with other visitors at the check-in counter before being allowed to enter.

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 at the Migraciones office and MAC centers in Lima 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 your biometric data appointment, all you can do is regularly check your Buzon electronico and wait for a notification from Migraciones. You may receive a message informing you that a document you uploaded is not accepted, that additional documents are required, or that your visa has been approved.

Buzon Electronico

Buzon electronico

The Buzón electrónico is your personal Migraciones electronic mailbox, which you should check regularly for notifications from Migraciones. These notifications may include, for example, requests to upload missing or additional documents, or messages informing you about the approval or denial of your visa application.

You can access your Buzón

• by clicking the Buzón button at the top of the main page of the Agencia Digital, or
• by using this direct link.

Your username (usuario) and password (contraseña) can be found on the Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria, the confirmation document of your successfully submitted application (see Step 6 above). If the login information is not on the document or if you missed to download it, see the section below explaining how to recover the login data.

Please note that notifications sent through the Buzón electrónico are considered officially delivered. If you do not respond within the deadline stated in the message - which is often only five days - your application may be dismissed.

Therefore, if you receive a notification from Migraciones informing you that a document is missing, unreadable, incomplete, or not submitted in the required form (for example missing an Apostille or translation), you should react immediately.

If you already have the requested document, create a PDF file (maximum size 3 MB) and upload it through the Agencia Digital. This process, known as Subsanación, is explained in detail in our article Subsanacion - Submitting documents.

Subsanacion - Submitting documents

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During the internal review of any application submitted via the Migraciones Agencia Digital, Migraciones may determine that a required document is ...

If you don't yet have the requested document and cannot submit it within the deadline, you must still respond to the notification. In this case, you can request an extension of the deadline to submit the document later. This procedure is called Solicitud de ampliación de plazos and is explained in our article Extension of a Migraciones deadline.

Extension of a Migraciones deadline

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If Migraciones asks you to submit an additional document during the internal evaluation of an immigration-related application, you are usually give...

Approval of your visa

After submitting your application and completing the biometric data appointment, all you can do is wait for Migraciones to process your application.

The official processing time for resident visa applications is 30 business days. In practice, however, most applicants receive the approval notification in their Buzón electrónico within two to three months.

Nevertheless, it is important to check your Buzón electrónico regularly to make sure you do not miss any notifications, including the approval of your visa - if you are among the lucky ones within three or four weeks.

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.

If you haven’t received any notification after about four months, you may want to follow up with Migraciones. You can do this

• by calling the MAC hotline 1800, or
• by visiting the Migraciones office or MAC center you selected during your application (you may need an appointment), or
• by sending an email to infomac [@] pcm.gob.pe

asking about the status of your application.

Another option is to submit a so-called Solicitud de celeridad de trámite, which is a request for expedited processing.

Usually, however, after two to three months you will find a notification in your Buzón electrónico (the subject line is often something like Notificación trámite cambio de calidad) informing you that your visa has been approved.

Congratulations!

However, the process is not finished yet, as you still need to obtain your Carné de extranjería, your official Peruvian ID.

The first notification normally instructs you to wait for further instructions on how to pick up your carné. So once again, keep checking your Buzón electrónico and wait for a second notification from Migraciones (usually titled Notificación expedición del carné) informing you that your carné has been issued.

Officially, issuing the carné can take up to 30 business days, but according to reports from applicants the waiting time can range from a few days to about two months.

Getting your carné (foreigner ID)

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 MAC centers and Migraciones offices outside Lima may not require appointments for pickup.

If you urgently need your 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 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 you have a valid residency and carné, even if you don’t yet have the 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. 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 you have a valid residency and carné.

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!

To familiarize yourself with your Carné de extranjería, we highly recommend reading our glossary article Carné de Extranjería - Peru’s ID Card for foreigners.

Family visa Peru - FAQ for residents

The family visa (so the residence visa) is valid for one year, in case you are married to a Peruvian two years, and then has to be renewed. Our article "Residence visa extension" explains how it's done.

Residence visa extension in Peru

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In Peru, a residence visa - so, the permit that allows you to legally live in the country - is usually valid for only one (1) year and must then be...

The carné (so the Peruvian foreigner ID card) is usually valid for four years and then must be renewed. For more details, check out our article "Renewal of the carné".

Renewal of the Carné de Extranjería

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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 a...

Foreigners living in Peru on a family visa have to be in the country at least 183 days per year, otherwise they lose their resident status. In case you have to be outside Peru for longer, before leaving the country, apply for the Autorización de estadía fuera del país por 183 días, so you won't lose your residency.

If you are living in Peru on a family visa, you are allowed to work as an employee or independently.

If any information provided when applying for your family visa changes, Migraciones must be informed about it within 30 days. So, if you get a new passport, change your name, move to a new address, etc. you have to apply for a so-called "Actualización de datos". Be aware that, in some cases, a new carné has to be issued after the application is approved. The process is explained in our article “Update your information in the Migraciones database”.

Update your information in the Migraciones database

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If any personal information printed on your carné or registered in the Migraciones database changes, you must request an Actualización de datos (up...

Even though rarely enforced, if you as a foreigner living in Peru on a family visa want to leave the country for short or extended periods of time, for example, to go on holidays, you must present a tax form before being allowed to leave Peru. If you didn't have any earnings or other income in Peru, you must present the so-called “Declaración jurada de haber realizado actividades que no impliquen la generación de rentas de fuente peruana” at immigrations before you are allowed to leave. So, just download Formulario 1495, fill it in, sign it and, if you are asked for it, show it to the immigration officer when leaving Peru. If you, however, had any kind of income as a dependent worker in Peru, you must present the so-called "Certificado de Rentas y Retenciones" at immigrations before you are allowed to leave. This form is issued by your employer, who confirms that the income tax corresponding to your earnings was retained according to the Peruvian tax legislation. The physical form, Formulario 1492, is rarely used anymore. Instead, your employer or client has to enter his/her Sunat Virtual and fill in the Formulario Virtual 1692°, then print and sign it and give it to you. The form expires 30 days after it was filed with Sunat; so, you must leave Peru within these 30 days. If you work independently, receive an income from Peruvian sources and pay your income tax directly to Sunat, you have to fill in Formulario 1494 “Declaración jurada de haber pagado directamente el impuesto”, sign it, attach a receipt proving you paid your income tax and present it at immigrations before leaving.

Those having received the family visa through marriage with a Peruvian can get the Peruvian nationality, apply for a so-called Nacionalización por matrimonio, after having legally lived in Peru for at least two years.

If you don't want to get the Peruvian nationality or can't because your home country doesn't allow dual nationality, after three years of legal residency in Peru on a family visa, you can apply for a permanent resident visa - make a so-called Cambio de calidad migratoria a permanente residente (Familiar Residente); no more extensions and an indefinite residency (and the good thing for relatives of Peruvians or foreigners with a resident status, no proof of own income is necessary).

And finally, if you as a foreigner living in Peru on a family visa, are leaving Peru permanently, you have to cancel your residence visa. Once the application is approved, you have 15 days to exit the country.

Other FAQs

Where to find / how to recover your verification code and the login data for your Buzon electronico?

The verification code and the login data for the Buzon electronico are usually printed on the “Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria” document, which you hopefully downloaded after your application and before making an appointment to have your biometrical data taken (see above under 4^th page).

If you missed downloading the document or if the login data or the verification code isn’t printed on the document, which for unknown reasons sometimes happens, you can recover both when making an appointment to have the biometrical data taken. After having selected a free date and time for your appointment you get to a page where at the top you find two tabs: the “Constancia cita” tab (click on it to download and/or print the confirmation of your biometrical data appointment) and the “Cargo tramite” tab (click on it and you get the confirmation of your visa application including the verification code and your login data for the Buzon electronico).

And in case you already made your biometrical data appointment and cannot get back to the “Cargo tramite” tap, you can trick the system and make a new “fake” biometric data appointment. So, on the main page in the left menu click on “Citas en linea” and choose “Datos biometricos”. After generating a new “fake” biometric data appointment but before clicking on “Finalizar” you can download under “Cargo tramite” the original document with your login data for the Buzon electronico and your original verification code. Then just leave the page.

In case these options don’t work and you need your verification code, no way around getting in contact with Migraciones. If you however only need your login data for the Buzon electronico, there is one last easy option to recover it: Just enter the Agencia Digital and on the main page at the top click on the Buzon electronico button or use this direct link. Then click on "¿Olvidaste la contraseña?" and you get to the "Verificacion de Datos" page. Here enter your nationality, passport, passport number, last name(s), first name(s) and your birthdate. After submitting your information by clicking on Siguiente, you get an e-mail with the "usario" and a link to reset/create a password.

Can I apply for a family visa if my stay as a tourist is expired?

Officially, no. You have to be in Peru on a valid visa / stay, for example, as a tourist to apply for any temporary or residence visa, precisely to make the Cambio de calidad migratoria.

But during the visa application on the Migraciones online platform there is a tab labeled "Exceso de permanencia" (excess stay), which suggests that foreigners who overstayed their time as a tourist in Peru can still apply for a Cambio de calidad migratoria and just have to upload a payment receipt for their overstayed days and a sworn statement explaining the reason for their overstay.

While in November 2022 Migraciones informed us in writing that this tab does not apply when you change your immigration status from tourist (!) to rentista, at the beginning of 2023 one of our readers reported that someone at Migraciones suggested this option. So, he could apply for his residence visa while being in Peru on an expired stay as a tourist. He uploaded the payment receipt for his overstay fine and a brief explanation why he couldn't apply on time (criminal record check took many months), could finish his application and a couple of months later, Migraciones approved his visa.

Hearing this, we tried to find out more. A few other foreigners in the same situation confirmed that someone at Migraciones they spoke to suggested this option, but our search for any official confirmation in writing that you can apply for a residence visa while being in Peru on an expired stay as a tourist was in vain.

As Migraciones doesn't have an e-mail address anymore, where they answer such questions in writing, we called and first were told "No, you have to be in the country on a valid stay". Then when we asked the lady we were talking to more detailed questions, she seemingly quickly spoke to someone else, and then suddenly said "Yes, it is possible.", but she couldn't give us any further details. The whole call didn't really inspire confidence.

So, at the moment (April 2025) officially you still have to be in the country on a valid stay to apply and therefore we can't guarantee that it's possible to change your immigration status from tourist to family, if you are in Peru on an expired stay as a tourist.

We always recommend to not overstay and, in case you plan to apply for a residence visa but don't have all required documents yet, instead of overstaying suggest applying for your visa using a little trick. We explain how it's done below.

If for whatever reason you can't apply while your stay as a tourist is valid, it might be worth personally checking with Migraciones if you can apply despite being in the country on an expired stay before you leave the country and try to return to "renew" your stay as a tourist.

If you have any current information about this topic or would like to share your experience, please let us know either using the comment function at the end of this very long article or our contact form. Thank you!

Can I apply for a family visa if I don't have all the required documents?

Officially, no, you can't as on the Agencia Digital, the Migraciones online platform where you have to apply, the fields to upload the required documents are mandatory and you can't continue with and finish your application without having uploaded all documents.

But, even though we can't and won't recommend it, if your stay as a tourist is about to expire and you must apply until a certain date, depending on the document that you don't have yet, there might be a possibility to "cheat" the system. However, you should have a solid plan to get the document as required, because the time to present it is limited. And here, how it's done.

Follow the instructions of our Step-by-step guide to apply for a family visa in Peru until you are on the 2nd page of the family visa application. Here you must fill in some data and/or upload all for the family visa application necessary documents as PDF.

If you don't have, for example, your criminal record check: Under the Interpol tab, you must upload the Ficha de Canje from Interpol and the "Antecedentes" (criminal record check). Both fields are mandatory, and you cannot continue with and finish the application without having uploaded both documents. As you can't leave the field for the Antecedentes blank anymore, you must upload something in the Antecedentes field. One of our readers just uploaded the Ficha de Canje a second time, another reader wrote a letter explaining that he is waiting for his criminal record check from his home country and uploaded this letter instead of his background check. So, upload a "document" there that makes sense.

The same applies if, for example, you don't have your Ficha de Canje from Interpol, because you couldn't get an appointment in time. Instead of the Ficha upload, for example, a letter explaining your situation.

Or, if you don't have your Peruvian marriage certificate, because Reniec takes its time to register your foreign marriage. Just upload, for example your foreign marriage certificate, perhaps a copy of your Reniec tramite and a short explanation.

Or if you have the document, but not yet the Apostille or translation, you could upload the document as it is.

Then continue to upload all other required documents and finish the application process as described in our Step-by-step guide above.

On the 4th page of your family visa application you get the "Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria" with the "numero de expediente" (your file number), the "fecha de publicacion" (application date) and a "codigo de verificacion" (verification code) displayed on your screen. That's the confirmation of your successful application. You made it. As soon you have this confirmation, your time as a tourist stops and even if your stay as a tourist expires during the processing time of your visa application you won't have any problem.

Now, depending how quickly Migraciones reviews your application and documents, the following happens:

As you haven't uploaded all required documents or not in the form Migraciones requires, Migraciones will send you a notification (can be as quick as a few days after your application or a month, two or three later) requesting that you upload the document. Be aware that these notifications, which are send through the Buzon electronico, are considered officially delivered. Usually, Migraciones only gives you a short deadline of 5 days to upload the requested document. You must react to the notification, even if it's on the last day of the deadline they gave you (which might be wise to do if you still need more time), otherwise your application could be dismissed.

If you have the document in the correct form when you receive the notification, just upload it. How it's done is explained in our article “Subsanacion - Submitting documents”.

Subsanacion - Submitting documents

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During the internal review of any application submitted via the Migraciones Agencia Digital, Migraciones may determine that a required document is ...

If you still don't have the document at the end of the deadline Migraciones gave you, then you can apply for an extension of the deadline (max. 30 days). The process is called Ampliacion de plazos and explained in our article “Extensions of a Migraciones deadline”.

Extension of a Migraciones deadline

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If Migraciones asks you to submit an additional document during the internal evaluation of an immigration-related application, you are usually give...

In case you have the document ready before you hear from Migraciones you can upload it immediately on the Agencia Digital under Subsanacion. But we were told by others, who went through the process that they still got a notification later to upload the document again.

If you decide to go that route, check your Buzon regularly and, if necessary, react to any notification! And, while this "cheating" worked for many others, things might change and Migraciones could dismiss your application (which you could appeal). Anyway, be aware that it will definitely delay the approval of your visa by weeks or even months.

We from LimaEasy are not the Peruvian immigration authority Migraciones or a Peruvian consulate. All information is published to our best knowledge and should be seen as general guidance introducing you to Peruvian procedures. All information is subject to change, as regulations, requirements, and processes can change quickly without prior notice! Therefore, we recommend checking the current regulations with the nearest Peruvian consulate or, if you are already in Peru, with Migraciones!

And if you find something wrong on this page, please help us to keep this guide as up to date as possible and contact us either below with a comment or use our contact form. Thank you!