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Peruvian Retirement Visa

Peruvian Retirement Visa

A Guide to Peruvian Visas

Part 7

Foreigners, who receive a state or private pension including social security pension, government pension, employment related pension, union pension, disability pension, etc., so lifetime annuities, other lifelong benefits or a permanent income for the rest of their life from royalties or dividends of at least US$ 1000 per month or the equivalent in any other currency can apply for a permanent residency in Peru called Rentista visa.

Be aware that rental income, income generated from remote / freelance work, capital gains, interests, etc. are not considered permanent income. To fulfill the requirement you must prove that you receive at least US$ 1000 per month "indefinitely", so for the rest of your life.

Additionally, you should know that you are not allowed to work or receive a remuneration for any kind of professional activity in Peru when living in the country on a retirement visa.

Content overview

 

Legal background for a retirement visa application in Peru

Where to apply for a retirement visa

Officially, you can apply for a retirement 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 a residence visa, to Migraciones in Peru.

So, foreigners, 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.

Those foreigners, 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 residence visa application from abroad

Peruvian Visa Types
Foreign nationals who can travel to Peru visa-free, enter Peru as a tourist and then apply for their residence visa at Migraciones in Peru. However...

Important laws and regulations

For foreigners planning to stay longer in Peru and to apply for a resident visa, the most important laws and regulations are the Decreto Legislativo 1582, which is the current foreigner law and only stipulates general rules, the Decreto Supremo 002-2021-IN from 2021 and the TUPA (last updated October 22, 2023). 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 retirement 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 46 in article 92-B “Procedimiento administrativo de cambio de calidad migratoria rentista residente”. 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 on page 184, which is page 187 of the PDF.

 

Requirements for a retirement visa application in Peru

Below you find the requirements to apply for a retirement visa, accurately to make a so-called "Cambio de calidad migratoria" (change of immigration status) in Peru.

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

Required documents to apply for a retirement visa include:

  • Passport
  • Antecedentes policiales, penales y judiciales (Police clearance certificate, criminal record and judicial matters check) 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 showing that you don't have a record (*) + (**) + (***)
  • Letter / confirmation from your pension fund or social security stating that you receive a monthly income of at least US$ 1000 or the equivalent in any other currency. (***) + (****)
  • Interpol clearance - Ficha de canje internacional not older than 6 months (see below)
  • Sworn statement stating that your pension enters Peru through the banking system (*****)
  • Receipt for paid application fee (code Migraciones 07568; concept Cambio de calidad migratoria rentista residente, S/.161.40 since October 22, 2023)
  • "Recibo" (so a water or electricity bill proving your address; doesn't have to be in your name)
  • Form PA - Cambio de Calidad Migratoria (automatically filled in during application)

Explanatory notes for the requirements:

(*) 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

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

Legal Stuff
One of the requirements to apply for a resident visa in Peru or to change your visa type, for example from a work visa to a permanent resident visa...

(**) 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.

(***) All foreign documents 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. Once in Peru, the document has to be translated into Spanish and in some cases legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

(****) Before (!!!) leaving your home country request the document from your pension fund or social security and get it apostilled if your country signed the Apostille Convention; otherwise, it has to be legalized by different authorities in your home country and the Peruvian consulate. The problem with both processes is that the letter needs an official signature to be apostilled or legalized. As most pension statements are generated automatically, they are usually not signed. So, it might be quite a mission in your home country to get it signed. US nationals, who get social security payments, can request a signed benefit verification letter for Apostille or authentication purposes from the US Social Security Administration.

(*****) With this sworn statement, you don't affirm that your pension payments are directly deposited into a Peruvian bank account, but that the money you need to live in Peru is "legally brought" into the country using official channels. So, you won't have any problem, for example, withdrawing funds from a foreign account using an ATM or having your pension deposited in an account in your home country and then transferring it to a Peruvian account (which you only get when you have your carné).

Applying for a retirement 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 step-by-step guide 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 retirement visa application in Peru

Hopefully, you brought the letter from your pension fund or social security as well as the criminal record check already apostilled or legalized - see requirements and (*), (**), (***) and (****) 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.

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

But we are not ready yet. Before you can even start your retirement 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

Interpol - Ficha de Canje Internacional

Legal Stuff
All foreigners must present the "Ficha de Canje Internacional" to Migraciones when changing their immigration status, for example, from a temporary...

Paying the application fee

Once you have the Ficha and all documents together, pay the fee of S/ 162.50 for the Migraciones administrative procedure “Cambio de Calidad Migratoria” under code 07568 with concepto "Rentista 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

Paying administration charges and processing fees in Peru

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

Last preparations

And last but not least, download the sworn statement and fill it in. Then 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 retirement visa. Be aware that in case you need to leave the country during the processing time of your retirement 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 )

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

Legal Stuff
Foreigners in Peru who applied for a visa - to be precise who applied for a change of their immigration status (cambio de calidad migratoria) or a ...

 

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

One remark before we start: The Agencia Digital, the online platform where you have to submit your application, is in Spanish only. We highly recommend to not using a translation program which automatically translates the page from Spanish to your preferred language to avoid system errors. And to avoid further system errors, we highly recommend to not using a VPN and switching off any ad blockers you might use.

Migraciones Agencia Digital

Once you have done all the preparation work, open the Migraciones Agencia Digital and click on Entrar.

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

No matter which forms you fill out in Peru, always enter your personal data exactly (!!!) as in your passport!

Now you are on the main page of the Agencia Digital. Here you can either use the search field or find in the menu on the left under “Cambio de calidad migratoria” the point "Rentista Residente". Click on it and proceed to the next page.

1st page of the retirement visa application

Here, you first have to select the Migraciones branch which should handle your application (for example, Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, …). In the second field, you must enter a “data update code” which you most probably don’t have. Below this field is a quite small link.

Click on it and you are re-directed to the Sistema de Actualizacion de Datos page. Choose Option 2. On the next page fill in your nationality, select the document with which you entered Peru (most probably passport), enter your passport number, and your birth date, select your gender and enter the captcha; you can leave the field with the "preinscription code" blank. Then you get to a quite extensive questionnaire.

Data update questionnaire

Be aware that you only have 1 hour to complete the questionnaire and as the system doesn’t save your information, even though there is an option to save, once you started you must finish it within an hour otherwise all your progress is gone, and you have to start from scratch. The questions are quite unorganized and partly a bit strange, so to give you an idea what questions you have to answer and might need to prepare for here an overview:

In the first two categories, you have to fill in your personal data including full name (as in your passport!), document with which you entered Peru, document number, gender, marital status, country of birth, if you have a criminal, police or judicial record, if you are pregnant.

The third category asks for your address in Peru, your e-mail address, cell phone number and landline phone number. Here you must upload a “recibo”, so a water or electricity bill to prove that you live at that address. The recibo doesn't have to be in your name, just must show the correct address.

Then you are asked for the information of an emergency contact, including ID, name and e-mail of your emergency contact. This is followed by questions about your employment situation and where you were born (continent, country, town).

In the next category, you have to enter your hair and eye color, height in meters, weight in kilograms, religion, marital status, date of marriage, vaccinations and if you have a disability or disease. You are then asked if you arrived in Peru alone or if someone was accompanying you. If so, you must enter the personal data (passport number, name, last name, birthdate) of that person. Now you are asked if you have lived in other countries previously and in which country before coming to Peru, when you last entered Peru, how you came to Peru (plane, bus, car).

The last questions check your living conditions (are you living in a house, number of rooms, accommodation connected to water, sewage, electricity, and internet), ask for some financial info (if you have a bank account in Peru; if you have taken out a loan in Peru; if you have a bank account in another country; if you hold shares in a company in Peru) and want to know if you have a car and a driver’s license in Peru or other country.

As soon as you have completed the last page of the questionnaire, the system accepts all your answers and sends the data update code to your e-mail.

You made it!

Back to the 1st page of the retirement visa application

Now fill in the data update code and click on Siguente.

2nd page of the retirement visa application

Here you must fill in some data and/or upload all for the retirement visa application necessary documents as PDF (max size per document 3MB).

Those who just want to verify the requirements or double check if the requirements have changed can do so on this page. Then just click through the tabs but do not upload any documents and do not click on Siguente; once you finished just leave the page.

To continue with your retirement visa application, click on the little arrows next to each requirement, and certain fields appear depending on the requirement. Just fill in the fields as requested and upload the corresponding document.

Under “Pago por derecho de tramite” you are asked to enter certain information of the bank receipt:

  • numero de recibo (number of the receipt) which is the "secuencia de pago" on the pagalo receipt
  • codigo de verficación (verification code) which is the "codigo control" on the pagalo receipt
  • fecha de recibo (date) which is the "fecha de operación" on the pagalo receipt.

If you don't know where to find the requested bank information on your receipt, click on the question mark.

Under the Documento de Identificación tab, select the document with which you entered Peru (in most cases passport), fill in required data and upload a copy.

Under the Interpol tab, you must upload the Ficha de Canje from Interpol and the criminal record check you brought from home. Be aware that both fields are mandatory, and you can’t continue without having uploaded both documents.

Under the next tab, you must upload the letter from your pension fund and below the sworn statement.

There is one last tab “Exceso de permanencia” (excess stay). If you apply when your stay in Peru is still valid, this tab has already a green check in front of it and you just leave it as it is.

If you, however, apply when your stay as a tourist is expired, open the tab and you should be able to upload the payment receipt for your overstayed days and a sworn statement explaining the reasons for their overstay. Once these two documents are uploaded the check in front of the tab should turn green. Before counting on this option please read our chapter Can I apply for a retirement visa when my stay as a tourist is expired? below.

Once you filled in all required fields and uploaded all your documents, there should be a green check in front of each tab. Click on Siguente.

3rd page of the retirement visa application

You then get to a page showing the fields of the Form PA - Cambio de Calidad Migratoria already filled in with your personal data. The only fields you can change here are your cell phone number and your e-mail address. If everything is correct, click on “Guardar datos y generar tramite” (Save data and generate procedure).

4th page of the retirement visa application

You now get the "Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria" displayed on your screen. That's the confirmation of your successful application. Download and/or print the form and keep it safe (if downloading isn't possible, make a screenshot of the complete page, don't miss the second page)!!!

At the top right of the document under the bar code you find your Numero de expediente (file number), which sometimes is also called Numero de tramite. It consists of 2 letters (usually some abbreviation of the Migraciones office where you applied; LM for Lima, for example; or CY for Chiclayo, etc.) and 9 numbers. At the bottom of the first page, under the signature / fingerprint field, the Fecha de publicacion (application date) and a Codigo de verificacion (verification code) are shown.

If you later want to check the status of your application online, which can be done here or if you, for example, want to apply for a travel permit to leave the country while the approval of your application is still in process, you will need these numbers / codes.

Additionally, at the bottom of the first page you as well find your login data for the Migraciones electronic mailbox (see below).

If you didn't print or save the page when you had the chance during your application, retrieving your file number is usually simple as it's the code you see on your screen when you are asked to make an appointment for your biometric data (see below). But getting the verification code can be a mission as you must get in contact with Migraciones.

Please note: a few of our readers commented that they couldn’t find the verification code and/or the login data for the electronic mailbox on the Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria. However, once they made the appointment for the biometric data they were able to download the Formulario PA - Cambio de calidad migratoria, which contained the verification code and the login data. So, if the Reigistro page wasn't displayed or if you can’t find the information on the Registro page, probably check as well the Formulario, which you hopefully downloaded as well, before trying to get in contact with Migraciones.

 

Biometric data appointment

Following the confirmation of your visa application you are asked to make an appointment for having your biometric data (photo, fingerprints, signature) taken with a provided code. This code is your numero de expediente (file number).

As waiting times sometimes can be long, especially in Lima, we suggest following provided link and make the appointment immediately. If you want to make it at a later time, you can enter the Agencia Digital and make an appointment under "Citas en Linea", subpoint "para registro de datos biometricos".

On the day of your biometric data appointment, be at the Migraciones office you selected when making the appointment 15 - 30 minutes before your appointment with your documents. Usually you will only need your printed (!) appointment and passport, but to be prepared for any unforeseen events you may want to take the folder with all other documents with you.

At the door you just have to show your printed appointment and passport. At the Lima Migraciones office you get a ticket with a number on it. Then just join the line and wait until your number is shown on the screen. When it's your turn proceed to the counter where you have to sign on a signature pad, you are digitally fingerprinted and a biometric photo is taken.

Do not wear a white shirt or a top in light or pastel color! Migraciones might refuse to take your photo. Best wear a simple black shirt or something in a dark or strong color.

There were times when the process at the Migraciones office in Lima was quick and astonishingly well organized and you were done in less than half an hour. However, over the past few months some foreigners reported that their appointment time wasn't respected and they had to wait for anything between one and three hours until they made it to the counter where the process was quick and smooth. So, plan accordingly. At the Migraciones offices in the provinces, the whole process is usually quick and painless.

After your biometric data appointment, all you can do is check your Buzon electronico regularly and wait until you get a notification from Migraciones either telling you that they aren't happy with a document you uploaded or that a document is missing or that your visa is approved.

 

Buzon Electronico

The Buzon Electronico is your personal Migraciones electronic mailbox which you should check regularly for notifications from Migraciones (for example, request to upload missing or additional documents, approval or denial of your visa application, etc.).

You can access your Buzon by clicking on the "Buzon" button on the top of the main page of the Agencia Digital or by using this direct link. The username (usario) and password (contraseña) is on the "Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria", the confirmation of your successful application (see above under 4th page).

Be aware that notifications sent via the buzon are considered "officially delivered". If you don't react to a deadline Migraciones usually gives in these notifications (in most cases only 5 days), your application can be dismissed. So, if you get a notication from Migraciones informing you that you haven’t uploaded a required document, that an uploaded document isn’t to their liking or they want an additional document, don’t waste any time.

If you have the document, make a PDF of it (max size 3MB) and upload it on the Agencia Digital. How this so-called Subsanación is done, is explained in our article “Subsanacion - Submitting documents”.

Subsanacion - Submitting documents

Subsanacion - Submitting documents

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During the internal evaluation and approval process of any application on the Agencia Digital, Migraciones may discover that you haven’t uploaded a...

If you don’t have the document yet and won’t be able to submit it within the deadline, you still have to react and can apply for an extension of time to hand in the document later. The process is called “Solicitud de ampliación de plazos” and explained in our article "Extension of a Migraciones deadline".

Extension of a Migraciones deadline

Extension of a Migraciones deadline

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During the internal evaluation and approval process of your visa application (Cambio de calidad migratoria) or of the application for the extension...

 

Approval of your retirement visa

Officially the processing time of residence visa applications is 30 business days. However, according to feedback we got from our readers, it usually takes around two to three months until you get a notification from Migraciones in your Buzon with the official resolution that your visa was approved.

Nevertheless, check your Buzon regularly as you might belong to the lucky ones that get their approval within three or four weeks after application. On the other hand, in case you haven't heard anything from Migraciones 4 months after your application, you should check with them what's going on.

 

Getting your carné (foreigner ID)

After 2 or 3 months (sometimes, if you are lucky, already after few weeks, or if Migraciones is busy, after only 4 months or so) you get a notification in your Buzon electronico informing you about the approval of your visa.

Usually, this first notification states to wait for further instructions on how to pick up your carné. So, once again check your Buzon regularly and wait for a second notification from Migraciones informing you about the "expedición de carné".

Officially Migraciones has another 30 business days counted from the approval of the visa to send this notification. However, some of our readers shared that they had to wait only a couple of days, others three or four weeks, and a few even 2 months. Either way as soon as you got the official notification that your carné is ready, get going. 

Enter the Agencia Digital. On the main page in the left menu under "Citas en linea", subpoint "para recojo de documentos" make an appointment to pick up your carné. Once again, download and print the confirmation and keep it safe.

Be aware that at some Migraciones offices in the provinces no appointment is needed.

On the day of your appointment, be at the Migraciones office you selected 15-30 minutes before your appointment.To pick up your carné you just need your passport and your printed appointment. Migraciones personal will point you in the right direction where you are handed your carné.

Congratulations! You made it!

To familiarize yourself with your carné we highly recommend to read our glossary article Carné de Extranjería - Peru’s ID Card for foreigners.

 

Things you should know living in Peru on a retirement visa

The retirement visa (so the residence permit) has an indefinite validity and does not have to be extended. However, be aware that the carné (so, the foreigner ID card) is usually only valid for four years and then has to be renewed. Our article "Renewal of the carné" explains how it's done.

Renewal of the Carné de Extranjería

Renewal of the Carné de Extranjería

Legal Stuff
When your Peruvian residence visa is approved, you get the Carné de Extranjería, your Peruvian foreigner ID. The carné, so the card (not the reside...

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

If you are living in Peru on a retirement visa, you are not allowed to work or receive a remuneration for any kind of professional activity in Peru.

Your pension payments are exempted from taxation in Peru.

If any information provided when applying for your retirement 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

Update your information in the Migraciones database

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If any of your information, which is printed on your carné or which is registered in the Migraciones database, changes, you must apply for a so-cal...

As you already have an unlimited residence permit, you can't change to the Peruvian "Permanente residente" visa.

And finally, if you, as a foreigner living in Peru on a retirement 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

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

For years, you had 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 (February 2024) 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 rentista 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 before your stay as a tourist expires 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 retirement 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 retirement visa in Peru until you are on the 2nd page of the retirement visa application. Here you must fill in some data and/or upload all for the retirement 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 and your appointment confirmation.

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 retirement 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 to 10 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

Subsanacion - Submitting documents

Legal Stuff
During the internal evaluation and approval process of any application on the Agencia Digital, Migraciones may discover that you haven’t uploaded a...

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

Extension of a Migraciones deadline

Legal Stuff
During the internal evaluation and approval process of your visa application (Cambio de calidad migratoria) or of the application for the extension...

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. So, best just wait until you get the official notification.

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.

 

Please note: 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!

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  • This commment is unpublished.
    James
    James · 22/02/2023
    Hello, I am a US citizen and own several rental properties in the US that produce well over $1,000 a month. Is it possible to qualify for the Visa Rentista with this income? I have proof of this income but am not sure which documents would be eligible for an apostille (residential lease contracts, property deeds, bank statements showing the deposits?). Many thanks! 
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 22/02/2023
      @James
      Hello James,

      while for years Migraciones was quite relaxed with accepting all sorts of incomes and a crafty immigration lawyer sometimes with the persuasiveness of a financial "donation" could get you a retirement visa with rental income or capital gains or whatever, since August 2021, Migraciones is much stricter and only accepts proof of a state or private pension or other official benefits.

      So, even though you can double check with an immigration lawyer, officially you can't get a rentista visa with income generated from rental properties. Sorry.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    ANTHONY RAYNER
    ANTHONY RAYNER · 20/01/2023
    Is it a good Idea to have several months of bank statements available for the immigration process?  Also, I went to my local Social Security Office to enquire about an official signature on my awards letter and was told that there is no official signature available.  Is this correct or have I been misled?
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 21/01/2023
      @ANTHONY RAYNER
      Hello Anthony,

      For the retirement visa application you don't need bank statements. You need a letter/confirmation from your pension fund or social security stating that you receive a monthly income of at least US$1000 or the equivalent in any other currency.

      This letter needs an Apostille. And to get an Apostille on any document, it has to be officially signed. So, no official signature from someone who has the authority to sign such documents (in your case an official from the social security office), no Apostille and without an Apostille (and translation in Peru and legalization by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs), the letter from social security won't be accepted by Migraciones in Peru.

      As most pension statements are generated automatically, they are usually not signed and finding the right person who can sign your letter might be a mission. I don't have personal experience how the process works in the US, but a quick Google search revealed that you have to contact the Social Security Administration and obtain a signed copy. You can either visit the closest Social Security office or you can obtain the letter from the SSA's online website located here: http://www.ssa.gov/.

      Hope this helps.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Malcolm
    Malcolm · 06/01/2023
    I am getting ready to start the process this year(2023), but one thing you wrote was getting the translation of documents legalised by ....Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Lima. I was hoping to do the whole process in one of the regional offices, so is this not possible? You have to do some of the steps in Lima? Does the approved translation have to be done in Lima too? Many thanks
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 06/01/2023
      @Malcolm
      Hello Malcom,

      my fault. Sorry! Thanks for pointing that out to me.

      The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has its main office in Lima, but branches in the provinces as well. And yes, you can get the legalization of the translated documents in one of the offices in the provinces and do not have to do anything in Lima.

      I made this more clear above and additionally added a link under which you find the branches of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs outside of Lima.

      Sorry again for the confusion.

      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Malcolm
      Malcolm · 02/03/2023
      @Sunflower Thanks, for your useful instructions. Unfortunately the city I was going to, Tarapoto is not on the list, so I'm doing the whole process in Lima. The slowest part is the ficha de canje, which took me 2 weeks to get an appointment.
      Just completed the legalisation of the documents today, and can report back that it's a fairly efficient process, if you arrive at 8.30am you can collect the documents in 2 hours. You actually pay for this in the building ( 62 soles for 2 documents in my case). When you drop off the documents they will require a large document envelope. They give you a receipt, which has the time of collection which is in a building over the road. 
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 02/03/2023
      @Malcolm
      Hello Malcolm,

      thanks for getting back and sharing your experience. I hope now that you have all your documents everything else works smoothly.

      All the best
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    David Herron
    David Herron · 01/01/2023
    I'm sure the current political environment (on top of COVID) has messed up applications for rentista, but I've seriously turned to investigating requirements. No problem with FBI check and apostille. No problem with benefits letter notarized and apostilled. But, signature from local SS office could be a problem. During the pandemic all offices were closed and this one in Tucson AZ wouldn't sign anything for any reason. This was the notary's suggestion at the time: "I brought it [ signature] up with the Arizona Secretary of State, and they said that if you write a statement swearing or affirming that the attached document is a true and correct copy of your Social Security Benefits Letter, I can then notarize your signature, and they will apostille my notarization." With all offices now open, not sure if this remains a problem, but wouldn't discount it. What's your opinion?
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 01/01/2023
      @David Herron
      Hello David,

      Usually Migraciones won't accept a sworn statement from you that your attached pension letter is a true and original copy, even if it's notarized and then apostilled.

      You need the pension document signed by the person of the issuing authority in charge for things like this. This official person confirms the authenticity of the document (something you can't do) and the Apostille office then authenticates the signature of this official person and confirms that he/she is allowed and registered to sign such documents.

      Sorry.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    ANTHONY RAYNER
    ANTHONY RAYNER · 31/12/2022
    One more question - If I can obtain my official apostilled documents already in Spanish will I still need to deal with a translator in Peru?
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 01/01/2023
      @ANTHONY RAYNER Hello Anthony,

      if your document is entirely in Spanish from a Spanish-speaking country (so no international document with any other language on it than Spanish) and the Apostille is in Spanish as well, then and only then you don't need a translation from an official translator in Peru.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    ANTHONY RAYNER
    ANTHONY RAYNER · 31/12/2022
    Thank you so much for that very detailed response 22/12/2022 to my first question regarding beginning applying for the Rentista visa in Los Angele, CA. 
  • This commment is unpublished.
    ANTHONY RAYNER
    ANTHONY RAYNER · 31/12/2022
    Hello,

    At the bottom of the Change of Immigration form a single fingerprint is requested.  Do I apply this fingerprint and if so, should it be a thumbprint or a specific finger? 
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 01/01/2023
      @ANTHONY RAYNER
      Hello Anthony,

      fill in the form and sign it and put the fingerprint of your right index finger in black (or blue) ink on it.

      Take the form with you when you pick up your carné.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Anthony
    Anthony · 22/12/2022
    Hello,

    I am waiting to hear back from the Peruvian consulate in Los Angeles CA. as to whether or not I can apply for a Rentista Visa at that office.  If that is not possible, I will be returning to Peru with 57 days left on my tourist visa. I will need to find an apartment (to have the info about my living condition as well as utility bill) and apply for the Visa.  In your opinion do I have enough time?
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 23/12/2022
      @Anthony Hello Anthony,

      According to the website of the Peruvian consulate in Los Angeles they unfortunately only issue tourist and business visa. So, I think you will have to apply in Peru.

      Anyway, you already stayed in Peru recently, I assume 33 days? Be aware that when you left Peru the remaining days on your “authorization to enter and stay as a tourist” (as you as a US national can travel visa free to Peru you didn’t have and don’t get a real tourist visa) are automatically canceled. When you re-enter you get a new “authorization”. And it’s at the discretion of the immigration officer you have to face how many days he/she allows you to stay. You don’t have a right to get the full 90 days in a 180-day period or the full 183 days per year,

      With this being said, if you haven’t stayed in Peru the full 183 days per year, then you might get another 90 days; or only the remaining 57 days you have left in your current 180-day period; or they could give you less.

      Assuming you get at least the 57 days, I think you shouldn’t have a problem to get everything done and ready to apply before your stay as a tourist expires. But things in Peru take time and delays are common. So, while being still back home prepare everything and get organized.

      For the retirement visa you need your FBI record check with Apostille and your letter from your pension fund with Apostille from back home.

      Once in Peru get both documents translated into Spanish (and I think overlegalized by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

      Tricky can be getting an appointment with Interpol in Peru at least if you are in Lima. So, this can take lots of time. But you could try to make the appointment already when you are still in the US (be aware that the page doesn’t seem to load if you aren’t in Peru; but you can use a VPN set in Peru and then it usually works). If this doesn’t work and once in Peru you can’t get the appointment on time, you either could book an appointment in the provinces where they are usually readily available, or you could apply without the Interpol check (let me know if you need this option and I explain how it’s done).

      Yes, you have to upload a receipt when you fill in the “Data update questionnaire”. But this receipt doesn’t have to be in your name. If you stay, for example, at an AirBnB just ask the owner for a water or electricity bill, or, if you are already connected in Peru, ask a friend or family member. No problem. If you later move to your permanent address, the only thing you have to do is inform Migraciones about your new address. Or you might even be able to find a place within a few days or a couple of weeks. Then you just have to ask the landlord for a current “recibo”. And the rest of the questions regarding your living conditions are for statistical purposes only. So, it doesn't really matter what you fill in there.

      Overall, yes, if you are organized and stay on the ball, you can easily be able to apply within 2 months; you might even make it in 30 days .

      Wishing you nice holidays

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    John
    John · 28/11/2022
    Hello, have you heard of any problems lately with the Agencia Digital website portal?  I tried to submit my papers last night online but it gave me an error message that the site was experiencing technical problems connecting to their servers.  When I re-tried to submit them later that evening, the 'Rentista Residente' category had completely vanished (both on the left side of the menu and when trying to perform a manual search).

    As of 11am on November 29, 2022 the category is still not appearing whatsoever on the website.  Can't be that Peru all of a sudden eliminated the rentista program altogether, has to be some sort of technical IT glitch, right?  Any suggestions on what to do now?  

    Submitting the papers online through the portal is the only current way Peru allows one to request the change of immigration status correct?
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 28/11/2022
      @John Hello John,

      Sometimes the Agencia Digital has some technical issues and won’t load, doesn’t show the complete menu, etc.

      I haven’t heard that there are problems at the moment, but I just entered the Agencia and it won’t show me any option to make the “cambio de calidad migratoria” neither to rentista nor family nor any other resident visa. If I use the search function nothing comes up. So, it seems there is some sort of issue. And no, Peru didn’t eliminate the Rentista visa.

      Anyway, in case you use any translation programs, VPNs or ad blockers switch them off. These often cause system errors. Then clear your cache and browsing history and try again or try using another browser. This sometimes solves the problem. And best use the Agencia only during normal business hours; sometimes in the evening, at night or on weekends Peruvian government websites don’t work properly.

      And yes, the only way to submit your paperwork for the rentista visa application (and all other resident visa applications) is through the Agencia Digital. If by tomorrow the system still doesn’t show you the option Rentista under Cambio de calidad migratoria then you should contact Migraciones either using the Chat (at the bottom right on the Agencia Digital) or call 200-1000.

      All the best

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Malcolm
    Malcolm · 26/11/2022
    Thank you for your excellent advice. Can I ask about the rule, that you have to stay a minimum of 183 days a year in peru with a retirement visa. Is this a calendar year Jan 1st to Dec 31st? What happens if you have to exit for some family emergency? is there a way to obtain temporary exemption.
    Also when I last entered Peru, I struggled to get the full 90 days, I had to reel of a long list of tourism sites before they said I could have it but it was the last time this year? Not sure what she meant as I was exiting in Nov 22, so not much of the year left anyway.
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 26/11/2022
      @Malcolm Hello Malcom,

      Yes, if you live in Peru on a retirement visa, you have to be in Peru for 183 days, so half year, in a year. And no, it’s not per calendar year, it’s counted from the day you receive your retirement visa.

      You can leave the country whenever you want. But if you stay outside Peru for longer than half a year in a year, you lose your residency. However, if you must leave Peru for emergencies or due to force majeure for more than half a year, you can apply for a special permit, the so-called “Permiso de estadía fuera del país por 183 días calendario”. For many years, you had to submit the application for this permit before (!) you left the country. But, according to the new TUPA (page 23), you now must apply before the 183 days you are allowed to stay outside Peru are over. If you are still in Peru, you can apply for the permit on the Agencia Digital. How it works if you are already outside the country is unclear.

      Over the past weeks, I heard from quite a number of frequent Peru travelers that immigrations at the airport is extremely strict counting (and sometimes miscalculating to the detriment of the foreigner) every single day stayed before in the country and only giving the absolute minimum. Anyway, the rules are quite clear. Most foreign nationals, who don’t have to apply for a tourist visa before coming to Peru, can stay in the country as a tourist for up to (!) 90 days in a 180-day period (so up to 3 months in Peru and at least 3 months out of Peru) and a maximum of 183 days in a 365-day period (so half a year in a year). However, it’s always at the discretion of the immigration officer you have to face how many days he/she is giving you.

      And here as well the 180-day period isn't per half year from January to June or July to December and the 365-day period isn’t from January to December, but calculated from your first entry.

      So, if you entered, for example, on March 1 and got 90 days, you must have left by May 30. Your 180-day period ends on August 28. So, you shouldn't re-enter Peru before that day. Then you entered again let's say on September 1, got 90 days and must leave by November 30. You now had the maximum allowed days as a tourist per year and shouldn't re-enter before March 1 the next year.

      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Malcolm
      Malcolm · 27/11/2022
      @Sunflower Thanks Eva, 
      Just one more related question if I may. While in Peru, our neighbour who holds a Polish passport was saying he is given 180 days rather than the maximum 90. He said there are rules for different countries, but I've never managed to find out where this list exists. The only reason I ask, is that I am from the UK, and have only been given 90 days maximum. However, the UK has just opened up visa free days to Peruvian nationals for up to 6 month stays in the UK, so was wondering if Peru now operate a reciprocate agreement to UK nationals?
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 28/11/2022
      @Malcolm Hello Malcom,

      Yes, your neighbor is right, it depends on your nationality on how many days you can stay in Peru as a tourist. But, most nationalities, who can travel to Peru visa-free, are allowed 90 days in a 180-day period and a max of 183 days in a year. Polish nationals aren’t an exemption.

      You can find the list showing if you need a tourist visa to enter Peru or not and, if you can travel to Peru visa-free, how long you can stay on the Peruvian government website. The list was last updated in June 2022. I don’t have any information about an agreement between the UK and Peru and how this might affect the allowed days you can stay as a UK national in Peru. Probably check with Migraciones or the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

      Anyway, on page 4 of the list under “Reino Unido de Gran Bretaña e Irlanda del Norte” (or on the screenshot I attached) you see that UK nationals do not need a visa, but as the list was first introduced when the UK was about to leave the EU and back then no agreement between Peru and UK was in place, no number of days are written there. But, over the past year, travelers reported that UK nationals get as nearly everyone else 90 days in a 180-day period.

      And the same applies to Polish nationals and all other EU nationals. There you even explicitly find 90/180, meaning 90 days in a 180-day period. So, while from 2019 (when the list was first introduced) to mid-2021 you could easily still get the full 180 days, since August 2021 immigration officers most times strictly enforce the 90 days in a 180 day-period and a max of 183 days in a year rule. So, I would really love to see the entry stamp of your Polish neighbor showing that he got 180 days when he entered Peru this (!) year.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Tania
    Tania · 22/11/2022
    Hi Eva,

    Thanks again for the great job you do on informing everyone with accurate up to date information. 

    As far as my situation you helped me out in 2020 when I asked questions on getting the Rentista Visa as a couple. I mentioned my father was Peruvian and you said because of that I could easily get citizenship in my home country. So I did and it was super easy and inexpensive. My Peruvian citizenship, DNI and passport all at the Peruvian consulate in San Francisco, California.

    Now on the new requirements for my husband’s Rentista Visa. I wrote you the previous comment while we were already in Peru. After doing some research on your site I found a readers experience who also landed in Peru not knowing about the new background check from your home country. He gave all the details on how to accomplish it from Peru which was great ! The biggest issue being the amount of time for the whole process which unfortunately we didn't have because of a mistake made at the airport by the immigration officer.

    The immigration officer told my husband he only had 4 days left to be in Peru which was a shock to us. We had previously entered Peru on April 11, 2022 and they gave him 90 days but we only stayed 86 days, we left Peru on July 7th 2022. Now we entered Peru on October 28th 2022 hoping for another 90 days so we dont know why she said he only had 4 days left. My husband explained he was going to get his Rentista Visa done again and needed more time. She said she would as a courtesy give him 30 days but that was it.

    We went to our hotel and got online to figure out what she was talking about. We saw the 183 day rule and figured the only explanation was she miscalculated. After several emails to migraciones and 2 video chats we were told in fact she was wrong and that my husband still had over 90 days available but there was nothing that could be done. Since Tourist Visa extensions are no longer given and that he needs more than 30 days to complete his paperwork he cant apply for his Rentista Visa on an expired Tourist Visa. His only option is to leave the country and come back in hoping the next immigration officer at the airport calculates correctly.
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 22/11/2022
      @Tania Hello Tania,

      Sorry, I didn’t connect the dots when you wrote last month. But it’s great to hear that you got your Peruvian nationality, including passport and DNI so easily and you are now officially Peruvian. Congrats!

      So, if I understand correctly, you and your husband are both now in Peru; you hopefully as a Peruvian and your husband wants to apply for the retirement visa, but can’t because he doesn’t have his criminal record check and his stay as a tourist expires soon as the immigration officer only gave you 30 days, which by the way is ridiculous, but nothing can be done about it anymore. Correct?

      First of all, if you are in Peru as a Peruvian, your husband as well could apply for a family visa. The criminal record requirement for both resident visas is the same, but instead of the letter confirming his pension, he only would need a Peruvian marriage certificate; so it would be necessary that you register your marriage either at a Peruvian consulate or at Reniec. Even though the family visa offers a few perks compared to the retirement visa, assuming you haven’t registered your marriage with a Peruvian authority, I think that would complicate matters even more. For now, the retirement visa might be the better option if only the criminal record check is missing. If at a later date you decide the family visa is the better option, he could later change to a family visa.

      For now back to the retirement visa. If your husband got 30 days when he entered, then his stay as a tourist is valid until November 27. So, November 27 is the last day he could apply. Do you have all other documents necessary for the retirement visa application? Is only the criminal record check missing? Nothing else?

      If so, then there might be an option for him to apply without having to leave the country and return with another immigration officer probably giving him trouble, even though he doesn’t have his criminal record check.

      On the last day his stay as a tourist is still valid (better the day before that, so November 26), he could apply on the Agencia Digital as described above under “Finally, applying for a retirement visa in Peru”.

      On the second page of the retirement visa application, most fields are mandatory. There he must, for example, upload the letter of the pension fund or the PDF of the Ficha from Interpol and the criminal record check. As he won’t have his criminal record check, but must upload something to continue, he could, however, upload the Ficha a second time (which another user just recently did and shared with us) or a letter saying “Sorry, still waiting for the criminal record check from my home country, but had to apply before my stay as a tourist runs out”. If he fills in all other necessary fields / upload all other required documents, he can continue with the application process and submit his application with no further problems.

      But, and this is super important, he must check his Buzon every day. Migraciones will send a notification (which depending on their workload might take anything between a few days to even a couple of months) requesting that he uploads the criminal record check usually within 10 days.

      When he gets this notification, he must react latest on the last day of this deadline. If by then he has his criminal record check, he can just upload it. If he still doesn’t have it, he can apply for an extension of the deadline (usually for an additional 30 days).

      The process might sound a little bit intimidating, but while this option is a little loophole, it's legit and allows your husband to apply for his retirement shortly before his stay as a tourist expires without having to leave and trying to re-enter.

      If you need further information about the process or have any doubts, let me know.

      All the best
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 22/11/2022
      @Tania I just re-read your comment. Not sure anymore if you have the criminal record check but something else, such as the Ficha, is still missing. The process works with other documents not ready to upload as well.
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Sean
    Sean · 16/11/2022
    Hi Eva,

    Are there businesses that guide and get you through the visa process or do we have to do it alone? If yes, do you have any recommendations for an agency to work with?

    Thanks,
    Sean
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 16/11/2022
      @Sean Hello Sean,

      The aim of this article about the retirement visa and many others here on LimaEasy is that you can easily do the complete application on your own. If you follow this guide, you won’t need anyone.

      But, yes, there are immigration lawyers and so-called tramitadores who help with the application process in Peru. You should, however, be aware that they can’t support you getting necessary documents from your home country (in case of the retirement visa, you must get your criminal record check and the pension statement incl. Apostille on your own in your home country).

      They then can make the payment for the Interpol clearance and set up the Interpol appointment for you, but you have to go there on your own (as far as I know, since Covid only the applicant is allowed inside). They further can make the payments for your application and later your carné and fill in the online forms, check if you get notifications, make an appointment for getting the biometrical data taken and make an appointment for picking up your carné (but as above, as far as I know, since Covid only the applicant is allowed inside the Migraciones building).

      Anyway, no, we do not recommend any immigration lawyer or tramitador anymore. We had to learn the hard way that skills, knowledge, work ethic, reliability, punctuality, and the fees for offered service often aren’t consistent. Therefore, we refrain from any recommendations.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    James
    James · 15/11/2022
    Can we apply for citizenship after living in Peru for two years with a Pension/Retirement Visa?  I ask because it seems that laws or rules have recently changes since October of 2022.
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 15/11/2022
      @James Hello James,

      Laws and rules constantly change in Peru, but most of these changes or modifications are irrelevant for foreigners. When I hear October 2022, the only important change that comes to mind is the Decreto Supremo 130-2022-PCM, which ended all Corona regulations and restrictions. So, I’m not sure which laws and rules you are referring to, as the DS 130 has nothing to do with a retirement visa or the naturalization process.

      As far as I know, the two laws/regulations (the Peruvian Nationality Law and the Supreme Decree 002-2021-IN) that are in place to determine the requirements to get the Peruvian citizenship through naturalization didn’t change. But I might have missed something. In July 2022, the TUPA, the administrative procedure stipulating the handling of applications, so the instruction manual for Migraciones, was updated with slight changes.

      Anyway, as already described below I can’t answer your question, if you can apply for the Peruvian nationality through naturalization as a rentista, 100% accurately. While the laws and regulations are quite clear, their interpretation and how they are executed seems to change now and then. However, I do my best to explain the relevant laws, share my interpretation of them and the experience of others trying to become a naturalized Peruvian on a rentista visa recently.

      According to the Ley de Nacionalidad (Decreto Supremo 004-97-IN) foreigners who want to be naturalized not only must have lived in Peru for two consecutive years (see article 3a), but also must have practiced a profession, art, trade, or business activity (see article 3b); in short must have paid taxes in Peru. As a foreigner who is legally in Peru as a rentista, you are strictly prohibited from doing that. You aren’t allowed to work in Peru and can’t receive any kind of renumeration in Peru as rentista; and you don’t have to pay taxes in Peru on your pension income. So, as a rentista you can’t meet this fundamental condition as stipulated in the Nationality Law.

      Additionally, when applying for Peruvian citizenship through naturalization (other rules apply, if you are married to a Peruvian, for example), you must prove an annual income of at least 10 UITs (in 2022 that’s S/ 46,000), which allows you to live independently in Peru (see Decreto Supremo 002-2021-IN, page 53, article 9e).

      In the same article 9 from a-g you find all general requirements everyone who qualifies must fulfill. Starting with h (or on the Peruvian government website) the specific requirements depending on the visa type on which you live in Peru are listed. There only calidad migratoria de religioso, calidad migratoria de trabajador dependiente, calidad migratoria de inversionista and calidad migratoria de trabajador independiente are mentioned; not the calidad migratoria de rentista. Different rules apply to foreigners who are married to a Peruvian or who have made special contributions to the country.

      With this being said, in my opinion as a rentista you can’t apply for the Peruvian nationality by naturalization as a rentista.

      But, in the years before Corona, some immigration lawyers somehow managed that Migraciones a) didn’t ask for proof that the applying rentista pursued a profession in Peru and b) accepted the pension payment as income. I know a few foreigners who applied for the Peruvian nationality by naturalization after having lived in Peru for 2 years on a rentista visa, who were approved and received their Peruvian nationality.

      However, at the end of last year I was in contact with a foreigner who is living in Peru since 2018 as a rentista. After the Covid lockdowns and with life slowly returning more or less to normal, he finally wanted to apply for his Peruvian nationality, which back in 2018, his lawyer and Migraciones confirmed wasn’t a problem after living in Peru for 2 years. But when he got in contact again with Migraciones to ask about current requirements, he was told that as a rentista he can’t apply for the Peruvian nationality.

      Anyway, things change in Peru, sometimes without being made public or with no one really catching it. So, I might have missed something or my interpretation is outdated / wrong. From time to time, it also depends on how a certain law is interpreted in general or how the person handling your application interprets it. So, even though the replies you usually get from Migraciones can be quite “creative” maybe just get in contact with them, ask if you can apply for the Peruvian nationality by naturalization as rentista and hope for the best. Maybe the interpretation or execution of the law changed again and you are lucky.

      I wish you all the best

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Jonathan Kiehle
    Jonathan Kiehle · 05/11/2022
    For the $18 payment to the FBI. Can’t I just get an international money order in the US and bring it with me?
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 05/11/2022
      @Jonathan Kiehle Hello Jonathan,

      Honestly, I don’t know, but I don’t think so. The international money order you need is to send money from Peru to the FBI in the US.

      On our Interpol article, we just recently had someone who asked if it might be possible to pay the US$18 directly online via the FBI secure payment portal. Here as well, I don’t know if Interpol in Peru accepts the payment and suggest checking with Interpol Peru to avoid wasting time and money.

      Sorry.

      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Matt
      Matt · 03/03/2023
      @Jonathan Kiehle I think that would be preferable as the FBI returned my $18 USD Peruvian money order because it was "not payable through a US bank". Interpol in Peru only verifies that you have the required documents and gives you an envelope to mail the forms and payment to the US.
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Tania
    Tania · 26/10/2022
    Hello,

    Your article and very helpful advice was a great asset in acquiring the Rentista Visa for my husband in 2020. Unfortunately we got caught in the first phase of the pandemic in Peru and decided to return to the U.S. to be with family and ride it out there. Because we stayed outside of Peru for more than 6 months we have to start the process over. I was reviewing your article to see if any requirements have changed since 2020. One that seems new is the police type clearance that you mention. In 2020 my husband did the interpol clearance in Peru and we remember having to send some kind of document back to the FBI or something thru Serpost. The only documents we had to bring with us to Peru was the apostilled pension paper. So then is this a new step, bringing in proof of a clean record from country of origin ? If so it seems that this too must be officially translated in Spanish in Peru like the apostilled pension paper ? Am I understanding this correctly and is there any other changes ?


    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 26/10/2022
      @Tania Hello Tania,

      Thank you for your kind words. It’s always good to hear that our articles are helpful.

      And yes, in August 2021, some Migraciones procedures and requirements for resident visa applications changed.

      For retirees like you this means that next to the letter/confirmation from your pension fund or social security stating that you receive a monthly income of at least US$ 1000 which must be apostilled in your case in the US and then, once you are in Peru, be translated into Spanish by an official translator, you as US national additionally must bring an FBI Criminal Record Check proving you have a clean criminal record, as well apostilled and once in Peru translated by an official translator.

      Then, before you can apply for your retirement visa (accurately before you can change your immigration status from tourist to retiree) you must pay Interpol in Peru a visit to get the ficha de canje which is a document certifying that you aren’t an internationally wanted fugitive. Furthermore, the US government/the FBI requests from Interpol Peru that an additional check is done for which you need the money order and must be send back and forth (the one you remember).

      According to Interpol Peru, this additional check has nothing to do with issuing the ficha de canje, but as well is not the same as the FBI Criminal Record Check you must present at Migraciones when applying for your retirement visa.

      So, bring from the US your passport, the apostilled pension letter, and the apostilled FBI check. All the other requirements (interpol ficha, payment receipt, sworn statement and application form) can be done in Peru.

      Greetings
      Eva

      P.S. Just one little remark. You said in 2020 your husband went to Interpol. You not? How are you planning to stay in Peru? Depending on the resident visa you apply for you most probably need an FBI record check as well and might need a recent copy of your marriage certificate (of course as well apostilled and translated).

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