Peruvian Religious Visa

Priests and pastors, members of religious orders, missionaries and other individuals who wish to stay in Peru to perform religious or pastoral work can apply for a religious resident visa, officially called religioso residente.

This visa allows its holder to perform pastoral and missionary activities such as religious service, community work, and care in fields like health, education, and social assistance. However, it does not allow you to work in Peru or receive remuneration for any kind of professional activity. If necessary, you may apply for a separate work permit.

And before we continue ...

Applying for a residence visa in Peru can feel confusing and overwhelming at first. Requirements, procedures, and the different authorities involved are not always easy to understand, especially for foreigners navigating the process for the first time.

The religious visa application involves several steps and requires careful preparation of documents both from abroad and in Peru. 

This guide explains the entire process step by step - from the legal background and document preparation to submitting your visa application, receiving your residence approval, and obtaining your carné de extranjería. With the detailed explanations and practical instructions provided here, you are able to prepare and submit your application on your own. We also explain important rules and practical aspects of living in Peru on a religious visa.

Table of contents

• Legal background for a religious visa application in Peru
  • Where to apply for a religious visa
  • Important laws and regulations
• Requirements and documents to apply for a religious visa in Peru
• Step-by-step guide to apply for a religious 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 visa
    • Getting your carné (foreigner ID)
• Religious visa Peru - FAQs for residents
  • How long is a religious resident visa valid?
  • How long is the carné de extranjería valid?
  • How long can I stay outside Peru without losing my residency?
  • Can I work in Peru on a religious visa?
  • What happens if my registered information changes?
  • What do I need when leaving Peru temporarily?
  • Can I change from a religious visa to another visa type in Peru?
  • When can I apply for permanent residency in Peru?
  • When can I apply for Peruvian citizenship?
  • What should I do if I leave Peru permanently?
• Special situations and practical tips
  • How to find or recover your verification code and Buzón electrónico login data
  • Can I apply for a religious visa if my stay as a tourist is expired?
  • Can I apply for a religious visa if I don't have all required documents?

Legal background for a religious visa application in Peru

Where to apply for a religious visa

Officially, you can apply for a religious visa either from outside Peru or while already in the country, for example while staying as a tourist.

However, the practical situation has changed in recent years. For decades, Peruvian consulates abroad handled residence visa applications entirely, from providing information and issuing application forms to receiving the application and, if approved, granting the residence visa.

Since August 2021, however, Peruvian diplomatic missions abroad generally only handle tourist and business visa applications. Foreigners who wish to apply for a residence visa are now usually referred to Migraciones in Peru.

This means that foreigners who can enter Peru visa-free (in other words, those who do not need to apply for a tourist visa at a Peruvian consulate) typically travel to Peru as tourists and then apply for a change of immigration status, known as Cambio de calidad migratoria, at Migraciones. This is different from a “Solicitud de calidad migratoria,” which is the procedure used when applying for residency from outside Peru.

Foreign nationals who cannot enter Peru visa-free (meaning they must apply for a tourist visa at a Peruvian consulate before traveling) are officially required to apply for their residence visa from outside Peru. In practice, this process can be more complicated, lengthy, and sometimes frustrating.

If you fall into this category, we explain the process in detail in our separate guide on the 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 in Peru long-term and apply for a resident visa, several laws and regulations form the legal basis of the immigration system.

The most important ones are Decreto Legislativo N° 1350, Peru’s “old” Foreigner Law, and Decreto Legislativo N° 1582, which introduced modifications to this law. Both mainly establish the general framework for immigration matters. More detailed regulations can be found in Decreto Supremo 002-2021-IN, published in 2021, as well as in the TUPA (Texto Único de Procedimientos Administrativos) of Migraciones, which is usually updated every year.

Helpful information can also be found on the official Peruvian government website. However, keep in mind that all these documents are published in Spanish.

While in the section Requirements for a religious visa application in Peru below we explain the required documents in English, the official list of requirements can be found, for example, in Decreto Supremo 002-2021-IN, page 38, article 84-B “Procedimiento administrativo de cambio de calidad migratoria a religioso residente.”

Since the TUPA is the most current official document and may contain small updates compared to the Decreto Supremo, we recommend checking it as well when looking for the latest official information in Spanish. In the current version, the relevant section can be found on page 153.

Requirements and documents to apply for a religious visa in Peru

Below you find the official requirements and documents needed to apply for a religious resident visa in Peru - more precisely to complete the procedure called Cambio de calidad migratoria a religioso residente (change of immigration status to religious resident).

Please note that Migraciones reserves the right to request additional documents at any time during the evaluation of your application.

Required documents

• Passport
• Clean criminal record (Antecedentes policiales, penales y judiciales) (1) + (2) + (3)
  
• Request issued by the religious organization or congregation recognized by the Peruvian Ministry of Justice and Human Rights where the applicant will carry out his or her activities in Peru. The request must be signed by the legal representative of the religious entity and must include the applicant’s name(s) and surname(s) as well as the period he or she intends to stay in Peru. (1)
• Sworn statement from the legal representative of the religious organization or congregation confirming the details of the official registration of the entity and his or her power of representation, or an official document confirming these powers. (1)
• Interpol clearance - Ficha de canje internacional not older than 6 months (see below)
• Receipt for the paid application fee
  • Authority: Migraciones
  • Code: 07568 - Cambio de calidad migratoria
  • Concept: Cambio de calidad migratoria a religioso residente
  • Fee: S/ 161.40 (2026)

Explanatory notes

(1) Validity period (“expiration date”) of documents in Peru

Something many foreigners don’t expect: in Peru, official documents are often only accepted for a limited time after issuance. Unless stated otherwise:

• Documents issued in Peru are usually accepted only if issued within the last 3 months.
• Documents issued abroad are usually accepted only if issued within the last 6 months.

(2) Criminal record check

As we receive many questions about the criminal record certificates required for visa applications in Peru (“Antecedentes policiales, penales y judiciales”), we dedicated a separate article to this topic where we explain in detail which document you need, where to obtain 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...

(3) Foreign document rules in Peru

Any foreign document presented in Peru must meet specific formal requirements.

• Apostille or legalization
  Foreign documents must either:
  • carry an Apostille (if the issuing country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention), or
  • be legalized (if the country is not part of the Convention) through a Peruvian consulate abroad and then the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Translation into Spanish
  If a foreign document is not entirely in Spanish, it must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator in Peru (see below).

Step-by-step guide to apply for a religious visa in Peru

Applying for a religious visa in Peru is generally a straightforward process. However, if you are unfamiliar with the procedures and the different steps involved, the whole process can feel confusing and overwhelming at first.

The following step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process and is intended to help you prepare and complete the application on your own. Please keep in mind that it serves as general guidance only, as procedures and requirements may change at any time. Also note that at least basic Spanish skills are necessary to fill out forms and understand instructions during the application process.

Before submitting your visa application

Before you can submit your religious visa application through the Migraciones Agencia Digital, there are a few important preparations to complete. Some required documents must be obtained in your home country, others have to be issued or processed in Peru.

In addition, foreign documents need to be apostilled or legalized (often only possible in the country where they were issued) and translated into Spanish in Peru, and you must complete the Interpol clearance procedure (Ficha de Canje). You will also have to pay the visa application fee and prepare digital copies of all required documents for upload.

The following sections explain these preparatory steps so you can complete everything in advance and submit your visa application without unnecessary delays.

Translation of foreign documents

Once in Peru, all documents issued abroad that are written in a foreign language must be translated into Spanish.

Officially, since the introduction of Decreto Legislativo 1272, which simplified administrative procedures in Peru, a simple translation should be sufficient. In theory, this means you can use any registered translator in Peru.

However, in practice it is still recommended to use a certified translator in Peru, preferably a traductor público juramentado (sworn public translator), as their translations are generally accepted by Peruvian authorities without any issues.

Lists of these government-approved translators - unfortunately most of them are located in Lima only - can be found on the Peruvian government website. Under point 3, simply select the language of your original document and the corresponding list of certified translators will appear.

Another option is checking with the Colegio de Traductores del Perú or simply doing a Google search for registered translators in Peru.

For less common languages, the Peruvian government also lists traductores especiales, translators authorized to translate so-called “special languages” into Spanish. In the text just click Directorio de traductores especiales and select the language of your original document.

If your documents carry an Apostille and are translated by a certified translators, Migraciones should accept them without problems under the rules of the simplified administrative procedures. Nevertheless, many translators still recommend an additional legalization of the translation by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RREE). The reason is that Migraciones does not always apply the simplified procedures consistently. In some cases, documents without the additional legalization have been rejected, and applicants were asked to upload the apostilled and translated documents again - this time with an additional legalization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RREE) in Lima or at one of its regional offices.

If you decide to skip this additional legalization step, we strongly recommend keeping a close eye on your Migraciones electronic mailbox for any notifications requesting additional authentication (see below).

If your documents are not apostilled but legalized, they must always be authenticated again after translation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RREE) in Lima or at one of its regional offices.

Interpol - Ficha de Canje Internacional

Before you can even begin the religious visa application process, you must also obtain the Ficha de Canje Internacional issued by Interpol in Peru. This clearance confirms that you are not internationally wanted and is a mandatory requirement for nearly all temporary and residence visa applications in Peru. 

As the procedure involves several steps and a visit to an Interpol office in Peru, we explain the process in detail in our separate guide: “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

As with all administrative procedures in Peru, before you can submit your application, you must first pay the corresponding fee.

Payment can be made either:

• in person at any Banco de la Nación branch, or
• online via pagalo.pe (from a computer or via the pagalo.pe app on a smartphone or tablet)

Detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to register on pagalo.pe, how to make the payment, and what to watch out for can be found 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...

For the religious resident visa application, you need:

• Authority: Migraciones
• Code: 07568 - Cambio de calidad migratoria
• Concepto: Cambio de calidad migratoria religioso residente
• Fee: S/ 161.40 (2026)

Once the payment is completed, keep the receipt safe. You will need it when submitting your application.

Last preparations

Most importantly, obtain the official request letter and the sworn statement from the religious organization or congregation in Peru that is supporting your visa application.

Next, prepare digital copies of your documents. Create clear PDF files of your passport (the page with your personal data) as well as of all other required documents. Migraciones currently allows a maximum file size of 3 MB per document, so make sure your scans are readable but not too large.

Once everything is prepared, you are ready to start your religious visa application.

One more important point:
If you need to leave Peru while your visa application is being processed, you must first apply for a special travel permit, the Permiso Especial de Viaje (also called Autorización de estadía fuera del país). Leaving the country without this authorization automatically cancels your pending visa application.

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 religious 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 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 religioso residente

Click on it 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.

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.

Documento de Identificación (ID document)

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.

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.

Documents from the religious entity

Under the next tabs, upload the request letter from the religious organization or congregation and the sworn statement from the legal representative of the religious entity.

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 religious visa when my stay as a tourist is expired? below.

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 the section 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 visit

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

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: Application confirmation 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.

Religious visa Peru - FAQs for residents

If you live in Peru on a religious resident visa, there are a few important rules and obligations you should be aware of. The following questions and answers explain the most important aspects of maintaining your residency, traveling abroad, working, and dealing with Migraciones.

How long is the religious resident visa valid?

The religious resident visa - the permit that allows you to legally live in Peru - is usually valid for one year. After this period, it must be extended to maintain your legal resident status.

Our article “Residence visa extension” explains the extension process in detail.

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...

How long is the carné de extranjería valid?

The Carné de Extranjería, the physical Peruvian ID card issued to foreign residents, is usually valid for four years. After that, it must be renewed.

For more information, see 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...

How long can I stay outside Peru without losing my residency?

Foreigners living in Peru on a religious visa cannot stay outside the country for more than 183 days within a 365-day period, otherwise their resident status may be canceled.

If you need to stay abroad for longer, you must apply for the Autorización de estadía fuera del país por 183 días before leaving Peru. With this authorization, you will not lose your residency status.

Can I work in Peru on a religious visa?

Foreigners living in Peru on a religious visa are generally not allowed to work or receive remuneration for professional activities in Peru.

However, it is possible to apply for a special work authorization, the Permiso de trabajo extraordinario. This authorization allows visa holders to work and earn income in specific sectors such as health and education.

What should I do if my personal information changes?

If any information provided during your visa application changes, Migraciones must be informed within 30 days.

This includes, for example:

• receiving a new passport
• changing your address
• other relevant personal information

To report such changes, you must apply for an Actualización de datos (update of registered information). In some cases, a new Carné de extranjería may be issued after the update is approved.

Our article “Update your information in the Migraciones database” explains the process in detail.

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...

What documents do I need when leaving Peru temporarily?

When leaving Peru temporarily, you must present your passport and valid Carné.

In addition, foreigners living in Peru on a religious visa without a work authorization are usually required to present the Declaración jurada de haber realizado actividades que no impliquen la generación de rentas de fuente peruana before being allowed to leave the country.

To do this:

• Download Formulario 1495,
• Fill in and sign the form
• Present it to the immigration officer when leaving Peru

Although this requirement is not always strictly enforced, it is still part of the official regulations.

If you have a special work authorization and received income in Peru, you must instead present a Certificado de Rentas y Retenciones.This document is issued by your employer, confirming that the corresponding income tax has been withheld according to Peruvian tax law.

Today, the physical form Formulario 1492 is rarely used. Instead, the employer must:

• log into the Sunat Virtual
• complete Formulario Virtual 1692
• print and sign the document and provide it to the employee

The certificate is valid for 30 days after being filed with SUNAT, meaning you must leave Peru within those 30 days.

Can I change from a religious visa to another visa type in Peru?

Yes. Foreigners living in Peru on a religious resident visa can apply for a Cambio de calidad migratoria to another residence visa category if they meet the requirements.

For example, it may be possible to change to:

• a work visa (trabajador residente)
• a family visa (familiar residente)
• or permanent residency after meeting the required residency period.

The process is done through the Migraciones Agencia Digital and requires submitting all documents corresponding to the new visa category.

Before applying, make sure that you meet the specific requirements of the new visa type, as the documentation and conditions may differ.

When can I apply for permanent residency in Peru?

After three years of legal residency in Peru on a religious resident visa, you can apply for permanent residency.

This process is called Cambio de calidad migratoria a permanente residente (religioso residente). Once approved, you receive indefinite residency and no longer need to extend your visa each year.

When can I apply for Peruvian citizenship?

Religious visa holders can currently apply for Peruvian citizenship by naturalization after two years of legal residency in Peru.

However, a new nationality law approved in August 2025 increases the required residency period to five years. The law is not yet in force, but it may become applicable in the near future.

What should I do if I leave Peru permanently?

If you plan to leave Peru permanently, you must cancel your residence visa with Migraciones.

After the cancellation is approved, you will receive an Orden de salida, which gives you 15 days to leave the country.

Special situations and practical tips

While the application process usually runs smoothly if you follow the steps above, some applicants encounter special situations or technical issues during the process. The following sections explain common edge cases and practical solutions that may help if something doesn’t go as expected.

How to find or recover your verification code and Buzón electrónico login data

1. On the Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria document

The verification code and the login details for your Buzón electrónico are usually printed on the Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria document. This is the confirmation document of your successfully submitted application, which you should have downloaded after submitting your application and before making the appointment for your biometric data registration (see Step 6 - Application confirmation).

2. On the Biometric data appointment page

If you missed to download this document or if the verification code or the login details are not printed on it - which for unknown reasons sometimes happens - you can usually recover both when making your biometric data appointment.

After selecting a date and time for your appointment, you will be taken to a page that shows two tabs at the top:

• Constancia cita
  Click here to download or print the confirmation of your biometric data appointment.
• Cargo trámite
  Click this tab to download the confirmation of your visa application, which should include your verification code and the login data for your Buzón electrónico.

If you already scheduled your biometric appointment and cannot return to the Cargo trámite tab, there is another workaround. You can create a new “dummy” biometric data appointment to access the document again.

To do this:

• Go to the Agencia Digital.
• In the left menu click Citas en línea and select Datos biométricos.
• Create a new appointment by selecting a date and time

You will be taken to a page that shows the Constancia cita and the Cargo tramite tab at the top.

• Click Cargo trámite
• Download the original Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria document containing your verification code and Buzón electrónico login data.
• Leave the page without confirming the appointment; so do not click Finalizar, just leave the page.

3. Other options

If none of these options work and you need the verification code, you will have to contact Migraciones.

However, if you only need the login details for your Buzón electrónico, there is one last easy way to recover them.

Go to the Agencia Digital and click the Buzón electrónico button at the top of the page (or use the direct link). Then click “¿Olvidaste la contraseña?” to access the Verificación de datos page.

Enter the following information:

• your nationality
• passport 
• passport number
• last name(s)
• first name(s)
• date of birth

After submitting the form by clicking Siguiente, you will receive an email containing your username (usuario) and a link allowing you to create or reset your password.

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

Officially, no. To apply for a Cambio de calidad migratoria (change of immigration status) in Peru, you must be in the country on a valid stay, for example as a tourist.

However, during the application process on the Migraciones Agencia Digital, there is a tab labeled Exceso de permanencia (overstay). This tab suggests that foreigners who have overstayed their authorized stay may still be able to apply for a Cambio de calidad migratoria by uploading:

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

In 2022, Migraciones informed us that this tab does not apply to the Cambio de calidad migratoria process from tourist to a residence visa and that applicants must be in Peru on a valid stay when applying for a residence visa.

However, in 2023, there were reports of cases where Migraciones staff explicitly suggested this option to foreigners who had already overstayed their tourist stay but still wanted to apply for a residence visa. In some of these cases, the applicants uploaded the required documents - including the payment receipt for the overstay and an explanation - and their visa applications were later approved.

Over the past few years, we have contacted Migraciones several times regarding this issue and received contradictory answers, ranging from “No, you must be in the country on a valid stay” to “Yes, it may be possible.”

That being said, according to the official rules, you must be in Peru on a valid stay when applying for a Cambio de calidad migratoria from tourist to a residence visa. Even if the system allows you to upload all required documents and submit the application, in most cases the application will likely be denied. Therefore, you should not rely on this option.

We always recommend avoiding overstaying your authorized stay in Peru. If you plan to apply for a residence visa but are still missing some of the required documents, it is usually better to submit your application before your tourist stay expires using a small workaround. We explain this option in the next section below.

If, for any reason, you cannot submit your application while your tourist stay is still valid, it may be worth personally checking with Migraciones to see if there is any possibility of applying later despite the overstay before leaving the country and attempting to return to Peru to renew your tourist stay.

If you have recent information about this topic or would like to share your experience, please let us know using the comment section at the end of this article or through our contact form.

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

Officially, no. On the Agencia Digital, the Migraciones online platform where you must submit your application, the fields for uploading the required documents are mandatory. You normally cannot continue with or complete your application unless all required documents are uploaded.

However, even though we cannot and do not recommend it, there may be situations where your tourist stay is about to expire and you must submit your visa application before a certain date. In such cases, and depending on which document is missing, it may be possible to temporarily upload another document in its place to complete the application.

If you choose this option, you should already have a solid plan to obtain the missing document quickly, because the time you will later get to submit it is usually very limited.

How this workaround works

Follow the instructions in our step-by-step application guide above until you reach Step 4, where you must enter information and upload all required documents as PDF files.

If you are missing a document, you cannot leave the upload field empty. Instead, you must upload something that explains the situation.

For example:

• Missing criminal record certificate
  Under the Interpol tab, you must upload the Ficha de Canje from Interpol and your criminal record certificate (Antecedentes). Both fields are mandatory.
  If you don’t yet have your criminal record certificate, you could upload:
  • the Ficha de Canje a second time, or
  • a signed letter explaining that you are still waiting for the document from your home country.
• Missing Ficha de Canje from Interpol
  If you couldn’t get an Interpol appointment in time, you could upload:
  • a letter explaining the situation, and
  • your appointment confirmation with Interpol.
• Missing Apostille or translation
  If you already have the document but not yet the Apostille or official translation, you could temporarily upload the document in its current form.

After uploading the placeholder document, continue the process and complete your application as described in the guide above.

Confirmation of your application

In Step 6 of the application process, you can download the Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria document. It contains:

• your Número de expediente (file number)
• the Fecha de publicación (application date)
• the Código de verificación

This document confirms that your application was successfully submitted. Once you receive this confirmation, your tourist stay is effectively paused, meaning that even if your tourist stay expires while your visa application is being processed, you won’t have any problems related to overstaying.

What happens next

Because the required document was not submitted correctly or was missing, Migraciones will eventually send you a notification requesting the document.

This notification may arrive:

• within a few days, or
• several weeks or even months later, depending on when your application is reviewed.

The notification will be sent to your Buzón electrónico and is considered officially delivered. In most cases, Migraciones gives you only five days to upload the requested document.

You must respond to the notification within the deadline, even if it is on the last day. If you fail to respond, your application may be dismissed.

If you already have the document

If you have obtained the requested document in the correct form, simply upload it through the Agencia Digital.

This process, known as Subsanación, is explained in our article Subsanación - 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

If you are unable to obtain the document within the given deadline, you can apply for an extension of the deadline (up to 30 additional days). This procedure is called Ampliación de plazos.

You can learn more about this process 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...

Should you upload the document before receiving the notification?

If you receive the missing document before hearing from Migraciones, you technically can upload it immediately through the Subsanación option in the Agencia Digital.

However, several applicants reported that they still received a notification later requesting the same document again. For this reason, it is usually better to wait until you receive the official request.

Important

If you decide to use this workaround, check your Buzón electrónico regularly and respond immediately to any notification from Migraciones.

While this method has worked for many applicants in the past, procedures may change, and Migraciones could still reject the application (which could then be appealed). In addition, submitting documents later will almost certainly delay the approval of your visa, sometimes by several weeks or even months.

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!