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Peruvian Retirement Visa

Peruvian Retirement Visa

A Guide to Peruvian Visas

Part 6

Foreigners who receive a state or private pension - including a social security pension, government pension, employment-related pension, union pension, disability pension, or similar lifelong benefits - or who receive a permanent income from royalties or dividends can apply for permanent residency in Peru through the so-called Rentista visa (retirement visa).

To qualify, applicants must prove that they receive a permanent monthly income of at least US$ 1,000 (or the equivalent in another currency). This income must be guaranteed for life, for example through a pension, lifetime annuity, or other lifelong benefit. A permanent income from royalties or dividends is usually accepted as well, provided that it is paid indefinitely.

Be aware that income from remote or freelance work, or passive income, such as rental income, capital gains, interest, or similar are not considered permanent income for the purpose of this visa. To meet the requirement, you must demonstrate that you receive at least US$ 1,000 per month indefinitely, meaning for the rest of your life.

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

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 retirement 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 should be able to prepare and submit your application on your own. We also explain important rules and practical aspects of living in Peru on a retirement visa.

 

Table of contents

 

Legal background for a retirement visa application in Peru

Where to apply for a retirement visa

Officially, you can apply for a retirement 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 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, have found work in Peru, or p...

 

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 1350, Peru’s “old” Foreigner Law, and Decreto Legislativo 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 retirement 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 46, article 92-B “Procedimiento administrativo de cambio de calidad migratoria rentista 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 146.

 

Requirements and documents to apply for a retirement visa in Peru

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

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) 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 (1) + (2) + (3)
  • Letter or 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. (1) + (3) + (4)
  • (Interpol clearance - Ficha de canje internacional not older than 6 months) (5)
  • Receipt for the paid application fee
    • Authority: Migraciones
    • Code: 07568 - Cambio de calidad migratoria
    • Concept: Cambio de calidad migratoria a rentista 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

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).

(4) Proof of pension or permanent income

Before leaving your home country, request the required document from your pension fund or social security authority and have it apostilled if your country is a member of the Apostille Convention. If your country is not part of the convention, the document must instead be legalized by the relevant authorities in your home country and the Peruvian consulate.

The challenge with both processes is that the document must carry an official signature in order to be apostilled or legalized. However, many pension statements are generated automatically and therefore are often not signed. As a result, it can sometimes be quite a challenge to obtain a properly signed document in your home country.

For example, U.S. nationals receiving Social Security benefits can request a “signed benefit verification letter for Apostille or authentication purposes” from the U.S. Social Security Administration, which can then be apostilled.

(5) Ficha de canje

In 2023, the requirement to present the Ficha de Canje (Interpol) was declared an illegal bureaucratic barrier for retirement visa applicants. About a year later, the corresponding field on the Migraciones Agencia Digital, where applicants previously had to upload the document, was removed. As a result, retirement visa applicants - at least currently - cannot submit the Ficha de Canje through the system.

However, be aware that the Ficha de Canje is still listed among the official requirements, as it continues to have a legal basis in the Foreigner Law and the current TUPA. Therefore, the upload field could be added again at any time, or Migraciones may request the document separately during the application process. 

 

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

Applying for a rentista 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 rentista 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. 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.

 

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

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 retirement visa application, you need:

  • Authority: Migraciones
  • Code: 07568 - Cambio de calidad migratoria
  • Concepto: Cambio de calidad migratoria rentista 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

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 rentista 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 )

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 retirement 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 rentista 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

Since 2024, you must only upload your criminal record check under Ficha de Canje Interpol.

Exceso de permanencia (overstay)

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

Documentos Especificos

Under Documentos Especificos you must upload the letter from your pension fund. 

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).

f 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 a biometric appointment in Lima was quite a challenge, as foreign nationals could only register their biometric data at the Migraciones main office in Breña. To improve the situation, Migraciones allowed foreigners to complete this step as well at several MAC centers. As a result, it became much easier to secure an appointment within a reasonable time.

However, at the end of March 2026, Migraciones announced that starting April 1, 2026 (and no, not an April Fool’s joke), biometric data for applicants in Lima will once again only be collected at the main office in Breña. As a result, it can be expected that securing an appointment may become more difficult and require some patience again.

In contrast, at Migraciones offices in the provinces, appointments are usually readily available.

Our recommendation: Use the appointment link provided at the end of your application and try to schedule your appointment immediately.

If you are unable to secure a slot right away or prefer to book it later, you can return to the Agencia Digital and schedule 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 and select an available date. If everything works smoothly, your appointment is scheduled.

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

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

What to expect during your appointment

On the day of your appointment, arrive 15-30 minutes early at the Migraciones office 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. 

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 regularly 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 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

Subsanacion - Submitting documents

Legal Stuff
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

Extension of a Migraciones deadline

Legal Stuff
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:

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 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.

 

Rentista visa Peru - FAQs for residents

How long is a retirement resident (rentista) visa valid?

The retirement visa - meaning the residence permit that allows you to legally live in Peru - has indefinite validity and does not need to be extended. Once approved, you keep your resident status permanently as long as you comply with the applicable residency rules.

 

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

Renewal of the Carné de Extranjería

Legal Stuff
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 rentista 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 rentista visa?

No! Foreigners living in Peru on a retirement visa are generally not allowed to work or receive remuneration for professional activities in Peru.

 

Do I have to pay taxes in Peru on my retirement income?

No! Pension payments received from abroad are exempt from taxation in Peru for holders of a retirement visa (Rentista visa). This means that the foreign pension income you use to qualify for the visa is not subject to Peruvian income tax.

 

What happens 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

Update your information in the Migraciones database

Legal Stuff
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.

 

When can I apply for permanent residency in Peru?

If you live in Peru on a retirement visa (rentista visa), this question does not really apply. The retirement visa already grants you permanent resident status, as the residence permit has indefinite validity and does not need to be extended.

For this reason, you cannot change to the separate “Residente Permanente” visa category, which is mainly intended for holders of temporary residence visas who want to obtain permanent resident status after several years in Peru.

 

When can I apply for Peruvian citizenship?

In the past, foreigners living in Peru on a retirement visa were able to apply for Peruvian citizenship through naturalization after meeting the required residency period. However, recent changes to the nationality regulations have created some uncertainty regarding whether retirement visa holders are still eligible to apply for citizenship.

Therefore, it is advisable to check the current rules with Migraciones or an immigration lawyer confirming if citizenship is available for rentistas.

 

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 above).

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 retirement 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 retirement 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 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 your criminal record certificate (Antecedentes). The field is mandatory.
    If you don’t yet have your criminal record certificate, you could upload:
    • a signed letter explaining that you are still waiting for the document from your home country.
  • 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 a 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

Subsanacion - Submitting documents

Legal Stuff
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

Extension of a Migraciones deadline

Legal Stuff
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!

 

 

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  • This commment is unpublished.
    Pat
    Pat · 19/04/2023
    Good morning
    Kind regards 
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 20/04/2023
      @Pat
      Hello Pat,

      can I help you?

      Have a great day
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Pat
      Pat · 20/04/2023
      @Sunflower Hello, I wanted to know what can be the reasons for refusal of the resident visa. Considering that the request has been perfectly fulfilled.thanks
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 20/04/2023
      @Pat Hello Pat,

      The most common reasons Migraciones denies an application are that the applicant didn't fulfill the requirements for the residence visa (see above the requirements for the retirement visa) and/or presented a document not in the correct form (for example, foreign documents without an Apostille / legalization /translation) and/or didn't react to a notification within the deadline or has a criminal record.

      So, if your application for a residence visa was denied, something at least for Migraciones wasn't perfect and not to their liking. What it is, I don't know in your case. You should read the resolution of the rejection of your visa application carefully. Somewhere the reason should be mentioned. If not, it's always possible that someone made a mistake. You could call Migraciones to find out what's going on.

      Additionally, you can appeal the decision for which you have 15 business day. You must apply for a "Reconsideración de trámite". The correct form letter can be found on the government website. If you have a criminal record, you most probably won't have a chance, but if, for example, just a stamp was missing on one of your documents or there is no reason mentioned on the resolution of the rejection of your visa application and nobody could tell you the reason when you spoke to Migraciones you should appeal.

      You must submit the appeal on the Agencia Digital under Mesa de Partes. After clicking on Mesa de Partes select persona natural, enter your e-mail address and phone number and accept the terms & conditions.

      On the next page, select under Tipo de Solicitud "Solicitudes en General" and under Subtipo "Solicitud reconsideracion de cambio de calidad migratoria". Then choose the Migraciones office which handled your application and fill under Asunto something in like "Solicitud de recurso de reconsideración de cambio de calidad migratoria a rentista" (as you wrote your comment on the retirement visa page I assume you applied for a rentista visa).

      Then you can download the form letter using the red box. If this doesn't work, use the link above. Fill in the form using the file number from your denied application and explain your case in detail. Sign the document and make a PDF.

      Then back to the Mesa de Partes. Under Tipo de documento select Carta, No. de Folio 1 and upload the form letter. Next to the form letter, you can upload one additional document. So depending on the reason for the rejection of your application, you could add one other document (then No. de Folio must be 2). Click on registrar and that should be it. Migraciones then reviews your application again. Check your e-mail and the Buzon regularly to not miss a message from Migraciones.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Malcolm
    Malcolm · 17/04/2023
    Hello Eva, just wanted to say I have completed to visa process(rentista). I collected the carnet today in Lima. The queues were long today( Monday midday appointment) and first challenge is to get in the right queue, so advise going to head of queue and show your appointment and they will direct you. The other tip I can give during the process, is that the maximum size of scanned documents you need to upload is only 3Mb, which isn't really realistic e g. For a translated document and original...6 pages. So I used a utility called compress pdf (Adobe), and this got the size down under the 3Mb limit. Thanks you for your help over the months!
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 17/04/2023
      @Malcolm
      Hello Malcolm,

      Congratulations! You made it.

      And thanks for sharing your experience.

      Enjoy your life in Peru.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Tania
    Tania · 27/03/2023
    Hello Eva,

    I have commented in the past how my husband received his visa rentista during the pandemic but we decided to return to the U.S. to wait till the state of emergency in Peru stabilized. It took much longer then we expected and he stayed out too long resulting in him loosing his visa rentista.

    We now have returned to Peru and have completed all the requirements again and are trying to submit all paperwork online to the Migraciones website but the option of visa rentista is not appearing on the list under Cambio de Calidad Migratoria. We saw that this happened to another reader and followed your suggestions. We tried a computer, laptop and ipad with different browsers but no luck. 

    Could it be because he already had a visa rentista and appears that way in the system so that’s why it wont give him that option or simply a glich on the website ?
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 27/03/2023
      @Tania Hello Tania,

      Yes, your husband is the second person who doesn’t have the option of the cambio de calidad migratoria rentista residente in the menu. That’s so strange. Have you tried to use the search function? Still nothing?

      Anyway, there could be a problem with the Migraciones Agencia Digital and then all you can do is call Migraciones or pay them a visit to check how your husband can apply (take a mobile device with you showing them that there is no rentista residente when your husband enters with his personal data!).

      But in your husband’s case there could be other reasons why the option isn’t there. For example, the system thinks he still has his rentista residente status, especially as, I assume, he didn’t cancel his residence visa when he left due to Covid.

      Usually, his resident status should have been canceled automatically because he has been out of the country for more than half a year, but probably that didn’t happen and he is still registered as rentista, especially as rentistas have an indefinite status. That could be one of the reason the system doesn’t show the rentista option as for the system he already is a rentista and therefore can’t make the cambio de calidad migratoria to rentista.

      One thing your husband could try out is to enter the Agencia Digital with his carné number. If there isn’t an error message and he can get in, the system might still have him registered as a resident despite him being out of the country for such a long time.

      Another option is to enter with his passport number and on the main page in the left menu click on Consultas en Linea. Choose carné. If he has the option and the carné information are shown normally, that might be an indicator as well that the system recognizes him as a rentista.

      Here as well, the only thing you can do is pay Migraciones a visit and try to sort this mess out with them, especially if your husband entered as a tourist. He might first have to cancel his previous residence visa and carné and only then can apply for a new rentista visa or they are gracious and somehow his old residence visa can be "revived".

      Sorry, that I can't give you a solution to your problem.

      Please let me know what you find out.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Patrice
    Patrice · 24/03/2023
    Bonjour, 
    A quoi sert la convocation Interpol ? puisque vous devez fournir un extrait de casier judiciaire. Et si vous êtes recherché vous serez arrêter lors du contrôle passeport. 
    Cordialement. 
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 24/03/2023
      @Patrice
      Hello Patrice,

      our language here on LimaEasy is English. So, that all our readers understand questions and answers, please write in English in the future. Thank you!

      To answer your question: The Ficha de Canje from Interpol and the criminal record check from your home country are two different checks.

      The Ficha de Canje Internacional is a document issued by Interpol certifying that a person isn’t an internationally wanted fugitive, so hasn’t an international wanted persons notice (Red Notice).

      Depending on the type of criminal record check and the country you are from, the criminal record check in general indicates if you have been charged with or convicted of a crime. It is issued by the highest federal police, judicial or national-security authority responsible for such matters in your home country.

      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Patrice
      Patrice · 24/03/2023
      @Sunflower
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 24/03/2023
      @Patrice ???
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Patrice
      Patrice · 25/03/2023
      @Sunflower
      Kind regards 
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Patrice
      Patrice · 25/03/2023
      @Sunflower
      I would like to inform you that documents in French certified by the Embassy of France can be aposstilled by the Peruvian Ministry of External Affairs. 
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Patrice
    Patrice · 23/03/2023
    Traducciones simples

    En la actualidad, para cualquier trámite o gestión ante la administración pública peruana, se puede presentar una traducción simple realizada por un traductor debidamente identificado, en lugar de traducciones oficiales. Esto obedece al Decreto Legislativo 1272 como parte de la política de simplificación administrativa del Gobierno peruano.

    Último cambio 12 marzo 2020
    In piura I am asked 5 days for the translation certification. When is it a lima? 
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 23/03/2023
      @Patrice
      Hello Patrice,

      if you use a certified translator, a so-called traductor publico juramentado, as recommended above, the legalization of the translation in Lima takes between a few hours and a day.

      I don't know how long it takes when using a non-certified translator. Sorry.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Max
    Max · 23/03/2023
    Hello, thanks for great article! Is this visa only for Retirees and pensioners? Can young people  with a passive income get it?
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 23/03/2023
      @Max
      Hello Max,

      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 passive income or whatever, since August 2021, Migraciones is much stricter and only accepts proof of a state or private pension or other official benefits.

      Sorry.

      Greetings
      Eva

  • This commment is unpublished.
    Brian
    Brian · 23/03/2023
    Hi guys. Very informative article.
    You say that you can use migration offices in other provinces. What part of the process must I be in Lima for and what cities can I then visit to finish it off? Would prefer to be in Pucallpa or Iquitos, any thoughts.
    Thanks
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 23/03/2023
      @Brian
      Hello Brian,

      You don't have to do anything in Lima, but can use any Migraciones office in the provinces for the complete application process.

      There is, for example, a Migraciones office in Iquitos and another one in Pucallpa. You find a list of all Migraciones offices with address in our Glossary under Migraciones.

      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Brian
      Brian · 23/03/2023
      @Sunflower Thanks so much for the quick reply. I'm setting off next week and thought I would have to stay in Lima until I had everything sorted.

      That means in less than 24 hours I'll go from UK to the Amazon jungle because that's where I plan on retiring to.

      You have saved me a lot of money due to the difference in the cost of living for months in Lima compared to Pucallpa and local villages.

      Gracias Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 23/03/2023
      @Brian
      Brian, as described above in our article before you can apply for your retirement visa, and once you are in Peru you first need to apply for your Interpol clearance and have documents issued outside Peru (as your pension statement and your criminal record check) translated by an official translator and then overauthenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

      Interpol does not have an office in Iquitos or Pucallpa, just in Lima, Arequipa, Chiclayo, Cusco, Piura and Trujillo. Best choose one in the provinces as there  appointments are usually readily available. For more info on the Interpol clearance check out our Interpol - Ficha de Canje article.

      And your documents need to be translated by a Traductor Publico Juramentado, which might be a problem in the provinces, probably easier in Lima; the overauthentication of the translation can be done at any office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RREE) either in Lima or in the provinces, for example in Iquitos. A list of all RREE offices can be found here.

      The application for your retirement visa can be done at any Migraciones offices as explained above.

      Have a good trip to Peru and enjoy your new life.

      Greetings
      Eva

  • This commment is unpublished.
    Charles Harris
    Charles Harris · 21/03/2023
    Has anyone had direct experience with obtaining a signed Benefit Verification Letter from the US Social Security Administration?  I called them and asked for a letter on agency letterhead and bearing the signature, name and title of the official that signed and the agency seal.  The young lady was really nice and told me they would send a letter with all the pertinent data about my pension and bearing the stamp of that local office.  Since it doesn't sound exactly like what I asked for, I am concerned that it may not be accepted at the State Department for the Apostille process.

    Thank you for any and all feedback!

    Charles 
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 21/03/2023
      @Charles Harris
      Hello Charles,

      if you requested a signed (!) copy of a benefit verification letter for Apostille or authentication purposes all is good and you won't have a problem getting the Apostille on it.

      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Charles Harris
      Charles Harris · 22/03/2023
      @Sunflower Thank you. Eva.  I did explain in detail what I need and what it is for, even explaining that it would be going to the U S State Department to be authenticated.  The letter should arrive at my home in the US in a week or so and we'll send it off for the Apostille process.

      Thanks again!   I found your website VERY helpful in getting my head around the entire Rentista process.
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 22/03/2023
      @Charles Harris
      Thank you so much for your nice words. Always great to hear that what I'm doing here helps foreigners finding their way through Peru's bureaucratic jungle.

      I really think you shouldn't worry too much. As you explained in detail what you need and especially for what you need it, you should get the correct document.

      All the best
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    David Dixon
    David Dixon · 20/03/2023
    Thank you for clarifying this seemingly indeterminate application process.
    I got my FBI background check notarized and apostilled in the USA; then, I got it translated and legalized in Lima. After that, I uploaded it along with the Ficha de Canje Internacional, from interpol, to the Agencia Digtal online registration. So now, the envelope with the $18 money order addressed to the FBI (including fingerprints and a request for another report to be returned to me) seems redundant. What do I do with that FBI background check when it comes back to me? What if I don't even mail it?
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 20/03/2023
      @David Dixon
      Hello David,

      I must admit, I don't understand the need for the additional check for US Americans, Canadians and Australians. Since Migraciones requires a criminal record check for the residence visa application, which you should get before leaving your home country, and US Americans, Canadians and Australians can't wait until they get this check back, which is without Apostille anyway, it just doesn't make any sense anymore.

      As this specific step is not necessary for the Interpol ficha and not useful for the Peruvian residence visa application, I think it's best to use your own discretion if you bother to proceed with this.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Hantz
    Hantz · 15/03/2023


    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 16/03/2023
      @Hantz
      Hello Hantz,

      can I help you in any way?

      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Hantz
      Hantz · 16/03/2023
      @Sunflower
      I had documents translated and certified but I wanted to know if it would be acceptable for immigratio in view of obtaining a retirement visa. 
      Kind regards 
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 16/03/2023
      @Hantz
      Hello Hantz,

      so you had your criminal record check from your home country and the letter from your pension fund (be aware that both need an Apostille or, if the country in which they were issued didn't sign the Apostille Convention they have to be legalized by a Peruvian consulate abroad and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Peru) translated by an official translator in Peru and then overauthenticated by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs?

      If so, yes, then Migraciones will accept these documents. Get the other requirements as described above and your are ready to apply for your retirement visa.

      If you have any other question feel free to contact me again.

      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Hantz
      Hantz · 16/03/2023
      @Sunflower
      All the necessary documents as well as interpol are in my possession, translated and certified. But not apostill. And as I am in Peru how to validate them without apostille ? 
      Thank you
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Hantz
      Hantz · 16/03/2023
      @Sunflower
      If no other issues, as my documents are not apostilled, I will have them certified by the embassy of France and then I will see. 

  • This commment is unpublished.
    Milly
    Milly · 15/03/2023
    Hello, does anyone know whether Peru changed their process for applying for Rentista Resident. I can't find it under Cambio de Calidad Migratoria. 
    Thank you!
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 16/03/2023
      @Milly
      Hello Milly,

      I just checked on the Agencia Digital and under Cambio Calidad Migratoria you should find the subpoint Rentista Residente (see attached picture).

      If you can't find it there just use search on the main page of the Agencia (see attached picture).

      In case you are using an automatic translation program, a VPN or ad blocker switch them off as these might cause errors. Other option close the Agencia, clear your cache and enter again or use another browser.

      Hope you find the rentista button.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Malcolm
    Malcolm · 10/03/2023
    I have completed all the appointments and document submissions so now just waiting for approval. A couple of questions please. What happens if your visa approval does not arrive within your permitted time allowed in the country? So say it arrived after 4 months, and you were on a 90 day stay, would you have to pay a fine on exit? Or is it, once you start your visa application the time period is frozen until a decision is made?
    When the visa is approved, do they put a visa stamp in your passport?
    Also not really sure what the carne is, is this a separate card? Or the carne is the actual visa
    Thanks

    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
       · 10/03/2023
      @Malcolm
      Hello Malcolm,

      now that you have applied and did your biometrics appointment, it's just a waiting game. Regularly check your Buzon for notifications from Migraciones and if you want, you can as well check this link to see the status of your application. Nothing more you can do.

      Once you completed the application on the Migraciones Agencia Digital and got the file number, publication date and verification code your time as a tourist in Peru stops. Even if your stay as a tourist expires during the processing time of your retirement visa application you are not overstaying and you don't have to pay a fine. You are in the process of changing your immigration status, so no tourist anymore.

      However, if you want to leave the country during the processing time of your residence visa you must apply for a travel permit before traveling.

      Your residence visa and your carné are two different things. The residence visa allows foreigners to live in Peru for a long period of time. The retirement visa, which you applied for, even has an indefinite validity. So, as long as you are not outside Peru for more than half a year per year, you can live in Peru forever and this without renewing your visa.

      The carné is an ID card for foreigners in Peru. It is issued by Migraciones after the application of a residence visa was approved and accredits its owner as a legal resident of the country. You find more detailed information on the carné in our glossary under Carné de Extranjería - Peru's ID card for foreigners.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • 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

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