I am very interested in applying for two-three retirement visas, how long can I be out of the country if I do get a retirement visa and do those holders become eligible to apply for permanent residency and or citizenship after some time?
- This commment is unpublished.@James Hello James,
I'm not sure what you mean with "two-three retirement visas". Applying for one is enough.
Anyway, if you receive your retirement visa, you can stay outside Peru for a max. of 183 days in a 365-day period; so half a year in a year. However, in case of an emergency, you can apply for a permit to stay outside Peru for an additional 183 days (Permiso especial para permanecer fuera del país más de 183 días sin pérdida de residencia).
The last question I can't answer as even Migraciones, who I asked more than once, couldn't or wouldn't answer me. So, here only a short explanation of the differences between the Peruvian resident and permanent resident visa status and my interpretation of the update of the foreigner law.
In Peru, you have resident visas for longer stays (longer than one year) which must be renewed annually; after three years, some resident visa types (such as family visa, work visa, investment visa, missionary visa) can be changed to a permanent residency; you can be outside of Peru for a maximum of 183 days per year.
And then you have a permanent resident visa. After three years on a resident visa (such as family visa, work visa, investment visa, missionary visa; see Supreme Decree 002-2021-IN, page 29 of the pdf, Artículo 93-A Procedimiento administrativo sobre Cambio de Calidad Migratoria Permanente Residente) you can change to a permanent resident visa. The permanent resident visa does not have to be extended and you can be outside of Peru for a maximum of 365 consecutive days.
The rentista visa is a hybrid. According to the law, it is a resident visa and you can be outside of Peru for 183 days in a 365-day period, but it does not have to be extended because the residence status is "indefinido", so you have an indefinite resident permit as long as you are in Peru for at least six months. As far as I know and as far as I have understood the above-mentioned article of the updated foreigner law, as a rentista residente you cannot switch to a permanent resident visa after three years of residence in Peru.I could be wrong, so you might want to check with Migraciones.
Greetings
Eva