Pre-arrival card
Official portal
https://www.migraciones.gob.pe/Specifics
- Visa-free for U.S., Canadian, EU, UK, Australian, Japanese, most Latin American.
- Coca leaf legal in Peru but illegal to bring home; do not attempt export.
By passport nationality
Headline rule for the nine most-trafficked passport groups. Always confirm on Peru’s immigration portal before booking; visa policy changes frequently.
- US passportVisa-freeUp to 183 days
- Up to 183 days per 365-day rolling window.
- UK passportVisa-freeUp to 183 days
- Up to 183 days per 365-day rolling window.
- EU passportVisa-freeUp to 183 days
- Up to 183 days per 365-day rolling window for most EU.
- CA passportVisa-freeUp to 183 days
- Up to 183 days per 365-day rolling window.
- AU passportVisa-freeUp to 183 days
- Up to 183 days per 365-day rolling window.
- IN passportConsular visa requiredUp to 183 daysPre-arrival: Peruvian consular visa
- Consular visa via Peruvian consulate.
- BR passportVisa-freeUp to 183 days
- MERCOSUR national ID sufficient.
- JP passportVisa-freeUp to 183 days
- Up to 183 days per 365-day rolling window.
- CN passportConsular visa requiredUp to 183 daysPre-arrival: Peruvian consular visa
- Consular visa required.
Practical guidance
For most short-stay tourists
The headline rule for Peru is up to 183 days visa-free per 365-day rolling window. US passport-holders specifically get visa-free for up to 183 days. See the by-passport block above for your specific nationality.
Pre-arrival documentation
Peru requires Tarjeta Andina de Migración (TAM, digital) before boarding. Airlines check this at the gate; without it you will be denied boarding even if your visa is in order. Allow at least 72 hours for processing in case the portal queues, longer if you are travelling on a national holiday in Peru.
When to apply
For visa-required nationalities, apply at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Visa-on-arrival and e-Visa systems process in 1 to 7 days typically but can stall around major holidays or political events; do not book non-refundable travel against a pending application. Peru’s official portal is www.migraciones.gob.pe; only apply through that portal or through your nearest Peru embassy or consulate. Third-party visa services charge for what the government provides at cost.
Common rejection reasons
Passport with under 6 months validity from intended exit date. Fewer than two blank visa pages. No confirmed onward or return ticket. Travel insurance not naming Peru explicitly (Schengen-style coverage minimums apply for many European destinations). Prior visa overstays anywhere, especially in neighbouring countries. Most rejections cite one of these five rather than a substantive concern about the traveller.
Related for Peru
More on Peru
Peru is broadly safe for travellers on the standard tourist circuit (Lima coastal districts, Cusco and the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, the Inca and Salkantay treks, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Puno and Lake Titicaca, the northern beaches, the Amazon at Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado) and uniformly listed at the standard tier of caution by every major foreign ministry, with partial-area warnings for the VRAEM coca-trafficking region and certain border zones. The structural risks are concentrated and addressable: Cusco-altitude acclimatisation (3,400 m, higher than Machu Picchu itself), the Lima petty-crime baseline and express-kidnap pattern, periodic political demonstrations that paralysed Cusco and Puno through 2023 and 2024, the Inca Trail permit logistics that need months of lead time, gastric and altitude considerations, and rabies and yellow fever exposure on Amazon itineraries. This guide unpacks the entry mechanics, the regional risk map, the altitude logic, the political-demonstration calendar context, the Machu Picchu access mechanics, and the practical contacts that shape a Peruvian itinerary.
Frequently asked about Peru
Do I need a visa to travel to Peru?
The headline rule is: Up to 183 days visa-free per 365-day rolling window. Specific allowance depends on your passport nationality; the by-passport block on this page covers the 9 most-trafficked passports (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, India, Brazil, Japan, China). Always confirm on Peru's official immigration portal before booking, visa policy changes frequently.
How long can I stay in Peru on a tourist visa?
Up to 183 days visa-free per 365-day rolling window. Tarjeta Andina de Migración (TAM, digital) is required pre-arrival. For per-passport specifics see the block above. Overstaying carries fines and re-entry bans across most jurisdictions.
Can I extend my visa once I'm in Peru?
Most countries allow a one-time extension via the local immigration office for an additional 30 to 90 days, processed within 7 to 14 working days. Peru's policy varies; the safety guide's Getting In chapter covers it where applicable. Apply at least 2 weeks before your existing visa expires.