Residence in Peru

A complete guide to residency in Peru for Italian citizens. Peru offers visas for investors, workers, and retirees, with permanent residency granted after three years of continuous residence. The tax system is global for tax residents. On this page: visa categories, requirements, documents, the five-step procedure, taxation, comparison with Ecuador and Colombia, and FAQs.

See the infographic on residency in Peru (PDF)

Guide to Residency in Peru: What's Changing in 2026

Moving to Peru is an excellent choice for Italians seeking a culturally rich country with extraordinary cuisine and a low cost of living. Peru offers a unique blend of Andean tradition, urban modernity in Lima, and economic opportunities in a constantly growing market. Taking up residency in Peru is relatively easy and opens the door to a country bordering the Pacific Ocean, with endless Andean mountain ranges and some of the richest biodiversity on the planet.

Residency in Peru requires living in the country for a specified period to subsequently qualify as a permanent resident. Legislative Decree No. 1350, effective March 2017, regulates migration categories and establishes the requirements for each type of resident visa. The National Migration Office is responsible for issuing residence visas.

Service Details

How to obtain residency in Peru

If you have a permanent passive income or pension and wish to settle in Peru, you can apply for a Rentista (independent means) visa. You must demonstrate a pension or permanent passive income of at least USD 12,000 per year (equivalent to USD 1,000 per month). An additional USD 500 per month is required for each dependent. Migration authorities may require higher amounts at their discretion.

You must demonstrate a permanent source of income and commit to transferring that amount to a bank account in Peru. The Rentista visa is valid indefinitely, but you may lose it if you are absent from the country for more than six months during a calendar year, even if the stay is divided into shorter periods that add up to six months.

With a Rentista visa, you are not permitted to work in Peru. You may be exempt from paying the tasa anual de extranjería (annual foreign tax) and Peruvian income tax on pension income from personal employment. Additionally, as a Rentista, you may be exempt from import duties on personal and household items you bring into the country.

Requirements for residency in Peru

• Permanent Income Certificate — Proof of receipt of at least $1,000 per month outside of Peru, intended exclusively for the applicant's subsistence. The income, declared in Peru, must be transferred through a bank.
• Consular legalization — if the certificate is issued outside Peru, it must be legalized at the competent Peruvian Consulate and approved by the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, or apostilled.
• Official translation — if not written in Spanish, the document must be translated by a translator certified by the Peruvian government ( traductor público juramentado )
• Dependent Supplement — Additional income of at least $500 per month for each dependent (pursuant to Section 18A of the Migration Status Act – September 4, 2003)

Restricted Nationalities

There are no official nationality restrictions for obtaining residency in Peru. All citizens of the world are eligible to apply without origin restrictions.

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is recognized in Peru. You are not required to renounce your previous nationality to become a Peruvian citizen. This represents a significant advantage over other countries in the region, such as Paraguay, which only allows Italians and Spaniards to obtain it.

Required documents

• Original and photocopy of passport
• Tax payment receipt (Banco de la Nación, code 07567)
• Ficha de Canje Internacional of Interpol
• Police Clearance Certificate (criminal, judicial and police records for the last 5 years)
• Permanent proof of income
• Two passport-sized photos

How to Apply for an Investor Visa in Peru

If you wish to invest in a business in Peru, you can apply for an investor visa ( Calidad Migratoria Inversionista ). According to Legislative Decree No. 1350, effective since March 2017, to access this visa, you must invest at least PEN 500,000 (approximately USD 130,000) in a Peruvian company or establish a company with an equal amount of capital. The transfer of shares between partners is not considered a valid investment.

The investment must be a direct bank transfer, made directly from an account in the applicant's name. A business plan certified as feasible by a registered economist may also be required. With this visa, you can work exclusively as an administrator or director of your company, in compliance with Peruvian labor and tax regulations.

The investor visa is valid for one year and can be renewed if you demonstrate continued investment, employ at least five local employees, and stay in Peru for at least 183 days during the year. After two years of legal residence, you can apply for citizenship; after three years, permanent residency.

Investor Visa Requirements

• Deed of Incorporation — A notarized or certified copy of the deed of incorporation in the Public Registry, certifying a minimum investment of PEN 500,000 in cash, certified by the Directorate General of Migrations (DIGEMIN).
• Business plan — feasibility study for newly established companies, or two-year business plan for existing companies, including the creation of 5 jobs for Peruvian citizens within the first year
• operating license and updated employee register

Obtaining a work visa in Peru

If you wish to work for your business in Peru, you can apply for a resident worker visa ( Calidad Migratoria Trabajador ). You can set up a company in Peru and apply for a work permit based on it. The company must be active, but not necessarily productive. The work visa allows you to earn a local salary equivalent to at least USD 12,000 per year and pay the related taxes.

Legislative Decree No. 1350 also allows self-employed workers to access this visa, provided they have a valid professional background and academic certificates and are employed by a Peruvian company. Once the visa is obtained, dependent family members can apply for a family visa ( Calidad Migratoria Familiar de Residente ).

The worker visa is valid for one year and is renewable as long as the applicant is still employed and has stayed in Peru for at least 183 days during the year. After two years of legal residence, you can obtain citizenship; after three years, permanent residency.

Work visa requirements

• Employment contract — certified copy of the contract approved by the administrative labor authorities, submitted within 15 days of approval
• Company documentation — updated certification of the company's legal representative issued by the Registry Office. The company's Ficha RUC must be active and in order with SUNAT.
• Contract signed abroad — if signed outside Peru, it must be legalized at the Peruvian Consulate and the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, or apostilled.

Permanent Residency in Peru

Permanent residency in Peru, also known as Calidad Migratoria Permanente or Inmigrante , is granted to foreigners who have been legally resident in the country for at least three years. This immigration status allows for indefinite residency without the need for further renewals, except for periodic updates of the Carnet de Extranjería.

To obtain a permanent residence permit, you must not have been outside the country for more than three consecutive months or six alternate months in a year in the three years preceding the application. The application must be submitted to the National Migration Office via the digital platform ( Agencia Virtual de Migraciones ). The processing time is approximately 30 working days.

How to obtain residency in Peru in 5 steps

Taxes in Peru

An individual is considered a tax resident in Peru if they stay in the country for more than 183 days in a calendar year. Tax residents are subject to personal income tax on their worldwide income , while non-residents pay tax exclusively on their Peruvian-source income.

Residents' personal income is subject to progressive tax rates ranging from 0% to 30% on income exceeding 45 Fiscal Units (currently 1 UIT equals PEN 5,350). Non-residents are taxed at a flat rate of 30% on Peruvian-source income. Capital gains, rental income, and interest income are taxed separately at a rate of 5%.

Dividends are subject to a final withholding tax at a rate of 5% starting in 2024. Property tax is levied at progressive rates from 0.2% to 1% and is deductible for income tax purposes. There are no net wealth or inheritance taxes in Peru.

Regarding corporate taxation, resident entities pay a 29.5% on their worldwide net income. Capital gains and dividends received from foreign entities are included in taxable income, with a tax credit available for foreign taxes already paid.

Peruvian Tax Details

Relocation and residency to live in Peru

Transferring your residency to live in Peru isn't difficult, but due to legal complications and some shortcomings of Migraciones employees, it's always important to rely on a legal expert who knows how to navigate Peruvian bureaucracy. At Studio Panama Italia, we offer the fastest process in terms of time required to obtain it, with a 100% success rate. Our clients from all over Italy and Europe obtain residency in about 10 business days from filing the application.

To transfer your residency to Peru, once you have obtained residency, you will need to be able to live in a property that meets your needs. Contractual terms in Peru require careful consideration, so it's essential to rely on a real estate partner who can guarantee the value of the property you're renting or purchasing through a contract compliant with Peruvian law. Our service will also help you find the most suitable property in full compliance with the law.

In addition to obtaining residency in Peru, you'll likely be interested in securing your tax situation by taking up a second residence in a country with territorial taxation, such as Panama or Paraguay . You might also discover the benefits of moving to the Mexican economic giant by taking up residency in Mexico .

Peru vs. Ecuador vs. Colombia: Residency Comparison

Frequently asked questions about residency in Peru