Peru Citizenship Process and Requirements

Peru is a peaceful, affordable, and welcoming country that offers real pathways to citizenship. One way to get Peru citizenship is to work for your business in Peru by applying for a Resident worker visa. Let Visa Library walk you through everything you need to know.

Peru Citizenship by Investment (Resident Worker Visa)

Peru allows foreigners to start a company and apply for a Resident Worker Visa to legally live and work in the country. This path is a popular option for people who want to invest in Peru and later apply for Peruvian citizenship.

How Do You Become a Citizen in Peru?

To get Peru citizenship, you need to complete various steps with care and caution:

Step 1: Apply for the Resident Worker Visa

To start the Peru citizenship process, your first step is to apply for a Resident Worker Visa. This visa is based on Legislative Decree N° 1350, active since March 2017. You can qualify in two ways: either by getting hired by a Peruvian company or by opening your own business in Peru and hiring yourself. If you’re applying as an independent contractor, you’ll need to show your university degrees and proof of past work experience.

Here’s how to apply for Peru citizenship (Resident Worker Visa):

1. Register your company with SUNARP (the public registry) and SUNAT (the tax authority) if you plan to hire yourself.
2. Get a work contract either from a Peruvian employer or from your own business. The contract must follow Peruvian labor laws.
3. Have the contract approved by the Ministry of Labor (or the administrative authority).
4. Gather all your documents, including your passport, ID-sized photos, academic records, background checks, and company registration papers.
5. Apply for the visa through the Migraciones website or at the Peruvian consulate if you’re outside the country.
6. Once your visa is approved, you will receive a one-year residency card, which you can renew each year as long as you are still working under your contract and you spend at least 183 days per year in Peru.

Step 2: Bring Your Family (Optional)

After your visa is approved, your spouse and children can apply for a family visa. Their visa is linked to yours, so they’ll need to renew it whenever you renew your own. This lets your entire family live legally in Peru while you work or manage your business.

Step 3: Maintain Legal Residency

To become eligible for Peru citizenship, you must live in Peru legally for two full years. This means renewing your visa on time and making sure you spend more than 183 days per year in the country. Long absences may interrupt the timeline, so it’s important to stay consistent and avoid leaving the country for long periods without proper permission.

Step 4: Apply for Peru Citizenship

Before applying for Peru citizenship, you’ll need to prove that you have real connections to the country. This can include renting or buying a home, having a steady job or business, and staying in Peru without long gaps. You must also show that you speak Spanish (by passing a basic language and civics test) and understand Peruvian culture and values.

If everything is approved, you’ll receive your citizenship certificate and can apply for a Peruvian passport. In most cases, this will include an interview or a short test during the citizenship process.

Step 5: Apply for Permanent Residency Instead (Optional)

If you don’t want to apply for citizenship, you can choose to apply for permanent residency instead. This option becomes available after three years of legal residency in Peru. As a permanent resident, you can live and work in Peru for an unlimited time, but you won’t receive a passport or voting rights unless you later apply for citizenship.

Requirements

• Start a legal company in Peru. It must be officially registered and recognized.
• Your business must be active, but it does not have to make a profit.
• You must sign a work contract, even if you are hiring yourself through your own company.
• The work contract must be legalized and approved by Peruvian authorities.
  • It must be submitted within 15 days of being approved.
  • If signed in Peru, you must be in regular immigration status or have a special permit to sign contracts (Permiso para firmar contratos).
  • If signed outside of Peru, it must be legalized at the Peruvian consulate and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or apostilled. It must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator if not already in Spanish.
• You must pay yourself at least US$12,000 per year in Peruvian Soles.
• You are required to pay local income taxes and contribute to social security (EsSalud).
• Your company must have a legal representative in Peru with valid registration documents.
• If applying as a contractor, you must show proof of your academic degrees and your professional work experience.
• You must register your company with SUNAT (Peru’s tax authority) and obtain an RUC number (tax ID).

Restricted Nationalities

Peru doesn’t have a list of banned or restricted nationalities. So, it doesn’t matter where you are from; you can apply for a Resident Worker Visa and later for citizenship. It means people from all countries can apply. The law treats all nationalities the same when it comes to immigration.

However, depending on your country, you might:

• Need extra documents, such as a police clearance or criminal background check.
• Go through longer processing times at the Peruvian consulate.
• Face additional checks if your home country has limited diplomatic ties with Peru.

Remember that none of these are official bans. They are just extra steps and not roadblocks. You can still apply and move forward in the process.

Does Peru Allow Dual Citizenship?

Yes, Peru dual citizenship is possible. You do not have to give up your current nationality to become a Peruvian citizen. It means you can legally hold two passports: one from Peru, and one from your home country.

You must first meet the naturalization requirements to apply for Peruvian citizenship. Once approved, you keep your original citizenship as long as your home country allows it too.

Peru also gives special options for dual nationality through agreements with countries like Spain, Argentina, and Italy. But even if your country isn’t part of those treaties, dual citizenship is still allowed.

Documents Required for the Peru Citizenship Process

To apply for a Resident Worker Visa in Peru, you need to prepare the following documents. Every document must be clear, official, and in Spanish (or officially translated):

• Professional certificates and academic degrees
• Certificate of registration from the Peruvian company (legal proof the business exists)
• Documents showing your job title and salary
• Signed employment contract (must follow Peruvian labor rules)
• Original passport and a clear photocopy of the main page
• Letter from the company confirming your job offer and salary
• Two recent passport-size photos (with a white background)
• Certificate of registration with SUNAT (Peru’s tax authority)
• RUC number (tax ID) of the company
• Ficha de Canje Internacional (Interpol background check, done in Peru)
• Migratory movement certificate (if applying inside Peru)
• Payment receipt for the visa application fee

Benefits of Peru Citizenship

Peru citizenship benefits include:

• Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 142 countries, including the Schengen Area, Russia, much of Southeast Asia, and many countries in South America.
• The right to live and work in Peru permanently
• Access to public healthcare and education
• The ability to own property, open bank accounts, and invest without limits
• You can apply for a Peruvian passport, ranked high for global mobility.
• Easier access to travel and trade benefits under the Pacific Alliance

Peru Citizenship: Taxes

If you spend more than 183 days per year in Peru, you become a tax resident. For Tax Residents:

• You pay income tax on worldwide income.
• Rates are progressive from 0% to 30% (income above 45 tax units is taxed)
• Capital gains, rental, and interest income: taxed separately at 5%
• Dividend income: taxed at 8%
• You are subject to Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) rules if you own over 50% of a company in a low-tax country.

For Non-Residents:

• You pay tax only on income from Peru
• A flat 30% rate on income and foreign share sales

Property & Other Taxes:

• Property tax: 0.2% to 1%
• Transfer tax: 3% (first 10 tax units are tax-free)
• No inheritance or net worth tax
• No territorial taxation (worldwide income is taxed for residents)

Corporate Tax:

• Peruvian companies pay 29.5% on worldwide profits
• Foreign income is taxable, but tax credits are often available

How Much Does It Cost to Become a Citizen of Peru?

Does Peru Allow Dual Citizenship with the USA?

Yes, Peru allows dual citizenship with the USA. Peruvian law does not require you to give up your original nationality when you become a Peruvian citizen, and the United States also permits dual citizenship. This means U.S. citizens can apply for and obtain Peruvian citizenship without losing their American passport. However, both countries expect you to follow their laws, including tax and legal obligations, even if you hold two nationalities.

Peru Citizenship by Investment: Let’s Recap

Peru offers one of the most flexible and affordable paths to Peru citizenship in South America. From starting a business to living and working legally, the process is clear, and the benefits are worth it. Understanding each step can help you reach your goal faster.

Still have questions about Peru citizenship? Drop them in the comment section below, or use Visa Library’s FREE visa consultation service to get personalized help from our experts.

FAQ about Peru Citizenship