Moving to Peru from the USA

Peru's residency system is administered by Migraciones through its digital Agencia Digital platform. Costs are low and the process is comparatively forgiving.

• Choose your route: rentista, inversionista, trabajador, or familiar de peruano

  Must

  Rentista requires proof of at least USD 1,000/mo of permanent foreign income, plus USD 500 for each dependant.

• Note that Peru has no digital nomad visa

  Must

  Remote workers typically use the rentista route or a work contract; the 183-day tourist allowance per year is not a substitute for residency.

• Apostille your documents — Peru is a Hague Convention country

  Must

• File through Migraciones' online agency and pay via Banco de la Nación

  Government fees are modest — typically a few hundred dollars all-in.

• Plan for permanent residency after 3 years and naturalisation at 2 years of residence

  Peru's naturalisation window is unusually short; confirm current rules with a local lawyer before relying on it.

• Apostilled FBI background check

  Must

• Apostilled proof of recurring income — pension award letter, annuity, or rental contracts

  Must

• Apostilled birth certificate; marriage certificate for spouse-based files

  Must

• Official Spanish translations by a traductor público juramentado in Peru

• Pet paperwork: USDA-endorsed certificate plus SENASA permit

  No quarantine; SENASA inspects on arrival at Jorge Chávez.

• Open an account at BCP, Interbank, or BBVA once you hold a carné de extranjería

  Must

  Most banks will not open an account on a tourist stamp.

• Get a RUC from SUNAT if you'll invoice locally or run a business

• Hold both PEN and USD accounts

  Peruvian banks offer dual-currency accounts as standard, and many leases are quoted in dollars.

• Watch the 183-day tax residency threshold

  Must

  183 days in any 12-month period makes you a Peruvian tax resident from the following January 1, taxed on worldwide income at up to 30%.

• Budget USD 1,200–1,800/mo for a comfortable single life in Miraflores

• Rent short-term in Miraflores, Barranco, or San Isidro before signing a year

• Search Urbania, Adondevivir, and Nexo Inmobiliario

• Expect 1–2 months deposit and a notarised contract

  Must

  A carné de extranjería makes the paperwork dramatically easier; without one landlords often demand 6 months upfront.

• Check for water pressure, a backup tank, and internet provider

  Lima's coastal humidity and intermittent water service make these real differentiators.

• Expect USD 600–1,000/mo for a 2BR in Miraflores; half that in Arequipa or Cusco

• Understand the split: EsSalud (contributory public) versus private clinics

  Must

  EsSalud comes with formal employment; independents can affiliate through EsSalud Independiente.

• Buy a private plan — Rímac, Pacífico, or Mapfre

  USD 70–200/mo depending on age; Clínica Anglo Americana and Clínica Delgado are the main private hospitals in Lima.

• Keep international coverage for the transition period

  Must

• Know that serious specialist care means Lima

  Cusco and the highlands have limited advanced care; medical evacuation to Lima is common.

• Plan for altitude if moving to Cusco (3,400m) or Puno

  Must

  Allow a week of acclimatisation and check with your doctor if you have cardiac or pulmonary conditions.

• Complete your Migraciones appointment and collect the carné de extranjería

  Must

• Register your address with Migraciones and update it whenever you move

  Must

• Get a SIM from Claro, Movistar, Entel, or Bitel (carné needed for postpaid)

• Buy a Metropolitano card in Lima and use registered apps rather than street taxis

  Uber, Cabify, and inDrive are the safe default.

• Exchange your US licence at the MTC

  Peru converts US licences with a medical exam and fee; do it in your first year.

• Register with the US Embassy in Lima (STEP)