Traveling to Peru is an experience you’ll enjoy much more when you arrive feeling relaxed, informed, and without surprises at Immigration. Whether it’s your first time visiting South America or you’ve traveled before, every country has different rules, and knowing the requirements to travel to Peru in advance can save you time, stress, and unnecessary expenses.
To enter Peru as a tourist, there are three key points we always recommend checking before booking your flight or planning your itinerary. They’re simple, but truly important. This guide covers the most important requirements to travel to Peru, explained clearly and with up-to-date information.
1. Your passport: validity and condition you must check
Your passport is not just a travel document — it’s the main key to legally entering Peru. Before flights, hotels, or tours, Immigration officers will first check that your passport meets the country’s requirements. Is one of the most important requirements to travel to Peru, and it is the first document reviewed at the immigration checkpoint.
At the immigration checkpoint, this document allows authorities to verify your identity, nationality, and whether you meet the basic conditions to enter as a tourist. That’s why details like validity or physical condition can make the difference between a smooth entry or an issue that complicates your arrival.
Many travelers assume that as long as their passport is “still valid,” everything will be fine. However, Peru has specific rules regarding how long your passport must be valid and the condition it must be in. Knowing this in advance helps you avoid unnecessary problems and lets you start your trip with peace of mind from the very first checkpoint.
Minimum required validity
To meet the requirements to travel to Peru, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into the country. Not from your departure date or when you purchased your ticket, but from the exact day you arrive in Peru.
If your passport does not meet this requirement, you will not be allowed to enter, even if you already have flights, hotels, or tours booked. That’s why we recommend checking your passport’s expiration date before planning your trip to Peru.
Passport condition
In addition to validity, your passport must be in good condition:
- No torn pages
- No severe stains
- All information clearly legible
A damaged passport may result in observations or even denial of entry. If your passport is close to expiring or shows significant damage, it’s best to renew it before traveling.
2. Visa for Peru: do you need one to enter the country?
When traveling abroad, visas are often one of the most confusing topics — and that’s completely normal. Simply put, a visa is an authorization issued by a country that allows a foreign citizen to enter for a specific purpose, such as tourism, studies, or work, and for a limited period of time.
In Peru’s case, a visa acts as a pre-travel filter: it allows authorities to verify, before you arrive, that you meet the conditions to enter as a tourist. Because of this, visa regulations are considered part of the essential requirements to travel to Peru, especially for travelers whose nationality requires prior authorization.
One important thing to know
Not all nationalities need a visa to enter Peru. Many countries have agreements that allow travelers to enter with just a valid passport. However, some nationalities must apply for a visa, even for short tourist visits.
This is where mistakes often happen: assuming all countries follow the same rules or thinking the visa can be arranged at the last minute. In Peru, if your nationality requires a visa and you don’t have it at the time of travel, you will not be allowed to enter the country — even if your flights, accommodations, or tours are already paid for.
That’s why, before organizing your trip, it’s essential to check whether you need a visa based on your nationality and, if so, start the process well in advance. Having this information clear from the beginning allows you to plan calmly and avoid unnecessary issues at the airport.
Nationalities that do NOT need a visa
Most tourists can enter Peru without a tourist visa, thanks to existing migration agreements. Nationalities that generally do not require a visa for tourism include:
North and Central America
- United States, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama
South America
- Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru (not applicable for tourism, regional reference only), Uruguay, Paraguay
Europe
- Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Ireland, Austria
Oceanía
- Australia, New Zealand
Citizens of these countries may enter Peru as tourists by presenting only a valid passport, as long as they meet other immigration requirements, such as authorized length of stay.
👉 Important: This list is for reference only and may change depending on migration agreements or passport type. Always check official information before traveling.
Nationalities that DO need a visa
Some nationalities must obtain a tourist visa before traveling, directly through a Peruvian consulate. If your country is on this list and you do not have a visa, you will not be allowed to enter Peru. Visas are not issued upon arrival.
Reference list of countries that require a visa:
África
- Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan
Asia
- Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China (with exceptions), India (with exceptions), Iraq, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Syria, Yemen
Middle East
- Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen
Americas
- Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela
Eastern Europe
- Ukraine
👉 Important: This list is for reference only and does not exclude other countries or exemptions. Always verify your specific case on the official website of Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
General visa application requirements:
- Valid passport
- Application form
- Round-trip flight ticket
- Proof of economic solvency
- Hotel reservation or invitation letter
- Consular fee payment
It is recommended to start the process at least 15 days in advance.
We share the official website link so you can review the information in detail:
👉 https://www.gob.pe/en/36240-apply-for-a-tourist-visa-to-enter-peru
3. The Virtual TAM: how is your entry into Peru registered?
When you arrive in Peru, you may notice something different: your passport may not be stamped at Immigration. This does not mean your entry wasn’t recorded or that there’s a mistake. The process is now digital. Since 2023, Peru has implemented an almost fully digital system to reduce lines and paperwork at airports.
What is the Andean Migration Card (TAM)?
The Virtual Andean Migration Card (TAM) is the official record used by Peru to document the entry and exit of foreign travelers. In the past, this information was shown through a physical stamp in the passport. Today, it is stored digitally in the migration system.
In simple terms: the TAM is the legal proof that you entered Peru.
What information does the TAM include?
The Virtual TAM records:
- Date of entry into the country
- Point of entry (airport or border)
- Nationality
- Type of entry (tourism)
- Authorized length of stay
If you passed through Immigration control, your TAM already exists, even if you were not given any physical document.
Where can you view or download it?
You can check your Virtual TAM on the official Immigration website using:
- Passport number
- Nationality
- Date of entry
- Airport of entry
We recommend reviewing your TAM shortly after arriving in Peru and saving it for reference during your trip.
To do so, simply visit the following link and enter the required details to quickly access your TAM:
👉 https://cel.migraciones.gob.pe/ConsultaTAMVirtual/VerificarTAM
4. Length of stay in Peru: how many days can you stay as a tourist?
When you enter Peru as a tourist, the length of stay you are granted is not automatic nor the same for everyone. While many travelers assume they will always receive 90 days, the authorized stay is determined by Immigration at the time of entry, based on several factors. That’s why it’s important to understand how this works before traveling.
Who decides how many days you can stay?
Peruvian immigration authorities evaluate your case during entry control. They may consider:
- Your nationality
- The declared purpose of your trip (tourism)
- Your itinerary
- The length of stay you indicate
In practice, most tourists are granted the standard maximum stay, but this is not guaranteed.
How many days are usually granted?
Under normal conditions:
- Up to 90 days per entry is commonly granted
- The maximum allowed is 183 days within a single year
This means that even if you leave and re-enter, you cannot exceed this annual limit as a tourist. The exact number of authorized days is recorded in your Virtual TAM, which is why checking it after entry is essential.
Where can you see how many days you have?
Even if your passport is not stamped, your stay is digitally recorded.
In your Virtual TAM, you can see:
- The exact start date of your authorized stay
- The number of days granted
That’s why reviewing your TAM is the safest way to know how long you can legally stay in Peru.
What happens if you stay longer than allowed?
Overstaying in Peru is not considered a serious crime, but it does result in a migration fine that must be paid when leaving the country.
Currently, the fine is approximately:
- 0.1% of one UIT per overstayed day
- Around 5.25 Peruvian soles per day
- Approximately USD 1.56 per day
The payment must be made before completing your departure. While it doesn’t prevent travel, it’s an unnecessary expense that can be avoided with proper planning.
Can you extend your stay?
Peru generally does not grant tourist stay extensions within the country. If you wish to stay longer than authorized, the most common option is to:
- Leave the country
- Re-enter (always respecting the annual 183-day limit)
Each new entry is evaluated again by Immigration.
Can Immigration ask for additional documents upon entry?
In some cases, Immigration officers may request additional information, such as a return ticket or proof of accommodation. This doesn’t always happen, but it’s recommended to have this information readily available to avoid delays.
Knowing the requirements to travel to Peru before your trip allows you to arrive safely, without surprises, and with the peace of mind that everything is in order.
Before you fly, remember to:
- Have a valid passport in good condition
- Confirm whether your nationality requires a visa
- Apply in advance if necessary
- Check your authorized stay through the Virtual TAM
We invite you to watch our videos to review this information before your trip to Peru and arrive with everything clear from day one.
👉 Passport & Visa: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSYhFeHj94C/
👉 What is the TAM?: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSbU24NDQC7/
If you have more questions or need personalized guidance before traveling, feel free to contact us. We’re here to help you enjoy Peru from the very first moment. And remember: #TheKeyIsPerú ✨
