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Peruvian Student Visa

Peruvian Student Visa

A Guide to Peruvian Visas

Part 2

Foreigners planning to study at a Peruvian educational institution or to do an internship / apprenticeship (without payment!) at a Peruvian company can apply for a student visa to stay legally in Peru during their studies or training.

Depending on the length of your studies in Peru, a temporary or resident student visa is issued:

  • a temporary student visa, called Formación temporal, is intended for studies/(pre-)professinal intership in Peru lasting less than 12 months; however, usually temporary student visas are only issued for 90 or 180 days and then can be extended for the same number of days.
  • a resident student visa, called Formación residente, is issued for studies that take longer than 12 months; it is valid for one year and then can be renewed for another year.

But, be aware that in some cases, "short-term" students and participants of study abroad programs don't have to apply for a student visa at all but can do their studies on a tourist visa. So, best check with the Peruvian university, the organization of your exchange program or nearest Peruvian consulate if this exception might apply to you.

Please note: the Peruvian educational institution or training facility you plan to study / do an internship has to be recognized by the Peruvian Ministry of Education or the National Assembly of University Rectors.

Content overview

 

Legal background for the student visa application in Peru

Where to apply for a student visa

Officially, you can apply for a student visa if you are still outside Peru or if you are already in the country, for example, as a tourist.

However, while for decades Peruvian consulates abroad handled temporary and residence visa applications from giving information and handing out the right forms to fill in, to accepting the application and, if approved, issuing the visa, since August 2021, the Peruvian diplomatic missions abroad only handle tourist and business visa applications and refer foreigners, who want to apply for a temporary or residence visa, to Migraciones in Peru.

So, students and interns, who can enter the country visa-free (so, who don’t have to apply for a “real” tourist visa at a Peruvian consulate), should come to Peru as a tourist and then change their immigration status - make a so called Cambio de calidad migratoria (as opposed to a Solicitud de calidad migratoria if you apply from outside Peru) - at Migraciones.

Those students and interns, who cannot enter Peru visa-free (so, who must apply for a “real” tourist visa at a Peruvian consulate), officially must apply for a student visa from outside Peru; a complicated, lengthy, and sometimes frustrating process. We explain in detail how it’s done in our article “Peruvian residence visa application from abroad”.

Foreign nationals who can travel to Peru visa-free, enter Peru as a tourist and then apply for their residence visa at Migraciones in Peru. However...

Important laws and regulations

For foreigners planning to stay longer in Peru and to apply for a temporary or resident visa, the most important laws and regulations are the Decreto Legislativo 1582, which is the current foreigner law and only stipulates general rules, and the Decreto Supremo 002-2021-IN published in 2021 and the TUPA. Helpful as well is to check out the Peruvian government website. All these documents are, of course, in Spanish.

While below, under "Requirements for a student visa application in Peru" you find the necessary documents described in English, the official list of requirements (in Spanish) can be found here:

Temporary student visa

In the Decreto Supremo 002-2021-IN on page 30, in article 73-C “Procedimiento administrativo de cambio de calidad migratoria formación temporal”. As the TUPA is always the more current official document, which contains slight changes compared to the Decreto Supremo, we recommend to use it when looking for the most current official information about the requirements in Spanish. You find the information for temporary students on page 125, which is page 128 of the PDF.

Resident student visa

In the Decreto Supremo 002-2021-IN on page 37, in article 83-B “Procedimiento administrativo de cambio de calidad migratoria formacion residente”. As the TUPA is always the more current official document, which contains slight changes compared to the Decreto Supremo, we recommend to use it when looking for the most current official information about the requirements in Spanish. You find the information for resident students on page 198, which is page 201 of the PDF.

 

Requirements for a student visa application in Peru

Below you find the requirements to apply for a temporary or resident student visa, accurately to make a so-called "Cambio de calidad migratoria" (change of immigration status) in Peru.

Please be aware that Migraciones has the right to request other and/or additional documents at any time.

Required documents to apply for a temporary (!) student visa in Peru include:

  • Passport
  • Document proving that you study/do an intership/apprenticeship in Peru
    • for students: Enrollment certification issued by the recognized Peruvian educational institution
    • for exchange students: Official letter from the recognized Peruvian host university or higher education institution 
    • for interns: Official letter from the Peruvian company
  • Interpol clearance - Ficha de canje internacional not older than 6 months (see below)
  • Sworn statement that you don't have a criminal record in Peru and abroad
  • Sworn statement stating that you (in case of minors, the parents) have sufficient financial resources to fund your studies or internship in Peru
  • Receipt for paid application fee (code Migraciones 07568; concept Cambio de calidad migratoria formación temporal, S/.22.20 since October22, 2023)
  • "Recibo" (so a water or electricity bill proving your address; doesn't have to be in your name)
  • Form PA - Cambio de Calidad Migratoria (automatically filled in during application)

Required documents to apply for a resident (!) student visa in Peru include:

  • Passport
  • Antecedentes policiales, penales y judiciales (Police clearance certificate, criminal record and judicial matters check) from your home country or from the country where you legally lived (so with a resident visa) during the 5 years prior to coming to Peru showing that you don't have a record (*) + (**) + (***)
  • Document proving your studies/intership/apprenticeship
    • for students: Enrollment certification issued by the recognized Peruvian educational institution
    • for exchange students: Official letter from the recognized Peruvian host university or higher education institution 
    • for interns: Official letter from the Peruvian company
  • Interpol clearance - Ficha de canje internacional not older than 6 months (see below)
  • Sworn statement stating that you (in case of minors, the parents) have sufficient financial resources to fund your studies or internship in Peru
  • Receipt for paid application fee (code Migraciones 07568; concept Cambio de calidad migratoria formación residente; S/.161.40 since October 22, 2023)
  • "Recibo" (so a water or electricity bill proving your address; doesn't have to be in your name)
  • Form PA - Cambio de Calidad Migratoria (automatically filled in during application)

Explanatory notes for the requirements:

(*) As we get many question about the “Antecedentes policiales, penales y judiciales” we dedicated a separate article to the topic where we explain in detail what kind of document you need, where you get it and what to watch out for when applying for it.

One of the requirements to apply for a resident visa in Peru or to change your visa type, for example from a work visa to a permanent resident visa...

(**) That's the official requirement. However, Migraciones always requests the criminal record check from your home country. And, if they are made aware of the fact that you lived in another country during the 5 years prior to coming to Peru, sometimes additionally a check from this country.

(***) All foreign documents (even so-called “international” certificates) need an Apostille or, if the country in which they were issued, didn't sign the Apostille Convention, have to be legalized by a Peruvian consulate abroad and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Peru. Once in Peru, the document has to be translated into Spanish and in some cases legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

Last steps before your student visa application

Translation of foreign documents

If you apply for a resident student visa, you hopefully brought the criminal record check with Apostille/legalization from your home country that now needs to be translated into Spanish. Even though officially no longer required and a simple translation should be enough (see Decreto Legislativo 1272 about simplified administration procedures) we highly recommend to use a certified translator in Peru, a so-called traductor publico juramentado. You find lists of these government-approved translators on the Peruvian government website. Just click under point 3 on the language of your original document and the list of translators for your language appears.

If your documents have an Apostille and were translated by one of the certified translators on the list according to the above mentioned Decreto Legislativo Migraciones should accept them without problems. However, most translators are still recommending an additional legalization of the translation by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RREE), as sometimes Migraciones doesn't apply the simplified administration procedures, rejects documents without the additional RREE legalization and explicitly asks the applicant to upload the apostilled and translated foreign documents this time with another legalization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RREE) in Lima or a RREE branch in the provinces.

So, if you want to skip the additional legalization by RREE, we highly recommend to keep an eye on your Migraciones electronic mailbox for notifications from Migraciones (see below)

If your documents aren't apostilled but legalized they must be legalized again after the translation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RREE) in Lima or a RREE branch in the provinces.

Interpol

And before you can even start any temporary or resident visa application process, you first have to get the so-called “Ficha de Canje Internacional” from Interpol in Peru. Find a detailed description of how it’s done in our article “Interpol - Ficha de Canje Internacional”.

All foreigners must present the "Ficha de Canje Internacional" to Migraciones when changing their immigration status, for example, from a temporary...

Paying the visa application fee

Then pay the fee of S/ 118 (temporary student visa) / S/ 162.50 (resident student visa) for the Migraciones administrative procedure “Cambio de Calidad Migratoria” under code 07568 with "concepto": "Formacion temporal" or "Formacion residente" on pagalo.pe at any Banco de la Nacion branch or at some Banco de la Nacion ATMs. As you already paid the Interpol fee, you know how the systems works, otherwise check again in our article "Paying administration charges and processing fees in Peru".

All administration charges, processing fees and fines government agencies, public authorities and entities levy in Peru have to be paid at the Banc...

Last preparations

If you apply for a temporary student visa, you have to fill in and sign the Sworn statement that you don't have a criminal record in Peru and abroad.

Additionally temporary and resident student visa applicants must fill in and sign the Sworn statement that you (in case of minors, the parents) have sufficient financial resources to fund your studies or internship in Peru

And last but not least, make PDFs from your passport (page with your personal data), and from all other required documents (max size per document 3MB).

Finally, the time has come to apply for your student visa. Be aware that in case you need to leave the country during the processing time of your student visa application you must apply for a special travel permit (Permiso especial de viaje, officially as well called Autorización de estadía fuera del país) before you leave the country, otherwise your application is null and void.

Foreigners in Peru who applied for a visa - to be precise who applied for a change of their immigration status (cambio de calidad migratoria) or a ...

 

Step-by-step guide to apply for a student visa in Peru

One remark before we start: The Agencia Digital, where you have to submit your application online, is in Spanish only. We highly recommend to not using a translation program which automatically translates the page from Spanish to your preferred language to avoid system errors. And to avoid further system errors, we highly recommend to not using a VPN and switching off any ad blockers you might use.

Migraciones Agencia Digital

Once you have done all the preparation work, open the Migraciones Agencia Digital and click on Entrar.

On the next page, select "Extranjero". Then choose in the drop-down menu the document with which you entered Peru (most probably passport), enter your passport number, your birthdate, nationality, the date you entered Peru and the captcha. Click on Verificar.

No matter which forms you fill out in Peru, always enter your personal data exactly (!!!) as in your passport!

Now you are on the main page of the Agencia Digital. Here you can either use the search field or find in the menu on the left under “Cambio de calidad migratoria” the points “Formación Temporal” and “Formación Residente”. Choose the one that applies and proceed to the next page.

1st page of the student visa application

Here, you first have to select the Migraciones branch which should handle your application (for example, Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, …). In the second field, you must enter a “data update code” which you most probably don’t have. Below this field is a quite small link.

Click on it and you are re-directed to the Sistema de Actualizacion de Datos page. Choose Option 2. On the next page fill in your nationality, select the document with which you entered Peru (most probably passport), enter your passport number, and your birth date, select your gender and enter the captcha; you can leave the field with the "preinscription code" blank. Then you get to a quite extensive questionnaire.

Data update questionnaire

Be aware that you only have 1 hour to complete the questionnaire and as the system doesn’t save your information, even though there is an option to save, once you started you must finish it within an hour otherwise all your progress is gone, and you have to start from scratch. The questions are quite unorganized and partly a bit strange, so to give you an idea what questions you have to answer and might need to prepare for here an overview:

In the first two categories, you have to fill in your personal data including full name (as in your passport!), document with which you entered Peru, document number, gender, marital status, country of birth, if you have a criminal, police or judicial record, if you are pregnant.

The third category asks for your address in Peru, your e-mail address, cell phone number and landline phone number. Here you must upload a “recibo”, so a water or electricity bill to prove that you live at that address. The recibo doesn't have to be in your name, just must show the correct address.

Then you are asked for the information of an emergency contact, including ID, name and e-mail of your emergency contact. This is followed by questions about your employment situation and where you were born (continent, country, town).

In the next category, you have to enter your hair and eye color, height in meters, weight in kilograms, religion, marital status, date of marriage, vaccinations and if you have a disability or disease. You are then asked if you arrived in Peru alone or if someone was accompanying you. If so, you must enter the personal data (passport number, name, last name, birthdate) of that person. Now you are asked if you have lived in other countries previously and in which country before coming to Peru, when you last entered Peru, how you came to Peru (plane, bus, car).

The last questions check your living conditions (are you living in a house, number of rooms, accommodation connected to water, sewage, electricity, and internet), ask for some financial info (if you have a bank account in Peru; if you have taken out a loan in Peru; if you have a bank account in another country; if you hold shares in a company in Peru) and want to know if you have a car and a driver’s license in Peru or other country.

As soon as you have completed the last page of the questionnaire, the system accepts all your answers and sends the data update code to your e-mail.

You made it!

Back to the 1st page of the student visa application

Now fill in the data update code and click on Siguente.

2nd page of the student visa application

Here you must fill in some data and/or upload all for the student visa application necessary documents as PDF (max. size per document 3MB).

Those who just want to verify the requirements or double check if the requirements have changed can do so on this page. Then just click through the tabs but do not upload any documents and do not click on Siguente; once you finished just leave the page.

To continue with your student visa application, click on the little arrows next to each requirement, and certain fields appear depending on the requirement. Just fill in the fields as requested and upload the corresponding document.

Under “Pago por derecho de tramite” you are asked to enter certain information of the bank receipt

  • numero de recibo (number of the receipt) which is the "secuencia de pago" on the pagalo receipt
  • codigo de verficación (verification code) which is the "codigo control" on the pagalo receipt
  • fecha de recibo (date) which is the "fecha de operación" on the pagalo receipt.

If you don't know where to find the requested bank information on your receipt, click on the question mark. After entering the requested info click on Validar.

Under the Documento de Identificación tab, select the document with which you entered Peru (in most cases passport), fill in required data and upload a copy.

Under the Interpol tab, you must upload the Ficha de Canje from Interpol and, if you apply for a resident student visa, the criminal record check you brought from home, or, if you apply for a temporary student visa, the sworn statement that you don't have a criminal record. Be aware that both fields are mandatory, and you can’t continue without having uploaded both documents.

Under the next tabs, you must upload the enrollment certificate or letters from the university or Peruvian company and other required documents.

There is one last tab “Exceso de permanencia” (excess stay). If you apply when your stay in Peru is still valid, this tab has already a green check in front of it and you just leave it as it is.

If you, however, apply when your stay as a tourist is expired, open the tab and you should be able to upload the payment receipt for your overstayed days and a sworn statement explaining the reasons for their overstay. Once these two documents are uploaded the check in front of the tab should turn green. Before counting on this option please read our chapter Can I apply for a student visa when my stay as a tourist is expired?.

Once you filled in all required fields and uploaded all your documents, there should be a green check in front of each tab. Click on Siguente.

3rd page of the student visa application

You then get to a page showing the fields of the Form PA - Cambio de Calidad Migratoria already filled in with your personal data. The only fields you can change here are your cell phone number and your e-mail address. If everything is correct, click on “Guardar datos y generar tramite” (Save data and generate procedure).

4th page of the student visa application

You now get the "Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria" displayed on your screen. That's the confirmation of your successful application. Download and/or print the form and keep it safe (if downloading isn't possible, make a screenshot of the complete page, don't miss the second page)!!!

At the top right of the document under the bar code you find your Numero de expediente (file number) which sometimes is also called Numero de tramite. It consists of 2 letters (usually some abbreviation of the Migraciones office where you applied; LM for Lima, for example; or CY for Chiclayo, etc.) and 9 numbers. At the bottom of the first page, under the signature / fingerprint field, the Fecha de publicacion (application date) and a Codigo de verificacion (verification code) are shown.

If you later want to check the status of your application online, which can be done here or if you, for example, want to apply for a travel permit to leave the country while the approval of your application is still in process, you will need these numbers / codes.

Additionally, at the bottom of the first page you as well find your login data for the Migraciones electronic mailbox (see below).

If you didn't print or save the page when you had the chance during your application, retrieving your file number is usually simple as it's the code you see on your screen when you are asked to make an appointment for your biometric data (see below). But getting the verification code can be a mission as you must get in contact with Migraciones.

Please note: a few of our readers commented that they couldn’t find the verification code and/or the login data for the electronic mailbox on the Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria. However, once they made the appointment for the biometric data they were able to download the Formulario PA - Cambio de calidad migratoria, which contained the verification code and the login data. So, if the Reigistro page wasn't displayed or if you can’t find the information on the Registro page, probably check as well the Formulario, which you hopefully downloaded as well, before trying to get in contact with Migraciones.

 

 

Biometric data appointment

Following the confirmation of your visa application you are asked to make an appointment for having your biometric data (photo, fingerprints, signature) taken with a provided code. This code is your numero de expediente (file number).

As waiting times sometimes can be long, especially in Lima, we suggest following provided link and make the appointment immediately. If you want to make it at a later time, you can enter the Agencia Digital and make an appointment under "Citas en Linea", subpoint "para registro de datos biometricos".

On the day of your biometric data appointment, be at the Migraciones office you selected when making the appointment 15-30 minutes before your appointment with your documents. Usually you will only need your printed (!) appointment and passport, but to be prepared for any unforeseen events you may want to take the folder with all other documents with you.

At the door you just have to show your appointment and passport. At the Lima Migraciones office you get a ticket with a number on it. Then just join the line and wait until your number is shown on the screen. When it's your turn proceed to the counter where you have to sign on a signature pad, you are digitally fingerprinted and a biometric photo is taken.

Do not wear a white shirt or a top in light or pastel color! Migraciones might refuse to take your photo. Best wear a simple black shirt or something in a dark or strong color.

There were times when the process at the Migraciones office in Lima was quick and astonishingly well organized and you were done in less than half an hour. However, over the past few months some foreigners reported that their appointment time wasn't respected and they had to wait for anything between one and three hours until they made it to the counter where the process was quick and smooth. So, plan accordingly. At the Migraciones offices in the provinces, the whole process is usually quick and painless.

After your biometric data appointment, all you can do is check your Buzon electronico regularly and wait until you get a notification from Migraciones either telling you that they aren't happy with a document you uploaded or that a document is missing or that your visa is approved.

 

Buzon Electronico

The Buzon Electronico is your personal Migraciones electronic mailbox which you should check regularly for notifications from Migraciones (for example, request to upload missing or additional documents, approval or denial of your visa application, etc.).

You can access your buzon by clicking on the "Buzon" button on the top of the main page of the Agencia Digital or by using this direct link. The username (usario) and password (contraseña) is on the "Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria", the confirmation of your successful application (see above under 4th page).

Be aware that notifications sent via the Buzon are considered "officially delivered". If you don't react to a deadline Migraciones usually gives in these notifications (in most cases only 5 days), your application can be dismissed.

So, if you get a notication from Migraciones informing you that you haven’t uploaded a required document, that an uploaded document isn’t to their liking or they want an additional document, don’t waste any time.

If you have the document, make a PDF of it (max size 3MB) and upload it on the Agencia Digital. How this so-called Subsanación is done, is explained in our article “Subsanacion - Submitting documents”.

During the internal evaluation and approval process of any application on the Agencia Digital, Migraciones may discover that you haven’t uploaded a...

If you don’t have the document yet and won’t be able to submit it within the deadline, you still have to react and can apply for an extension of time to hand in the document later. The process is called “Solicitud de ampliación de plazos” and explained in our article "Extension of a Migraciones deadline".

During the internal evaluation and approval process of your visa application (Cambio de calidad migratoria) or of the application for the extension...

 

Approval of your student visa

Officially the processing time of temporary and residence visa applications is 30 business days. However, according to feedback we got from our readers, it usually takes around two to three months until you get a notification from Migraciones in your Buzon with the official resolution that your visa was approved.

Nevertheless, check your Buzon regularly as you might belong to the lucky ones that get their approval within three or four weeks after application. On the other hand, in case you haven't heard anything from Migraciones 4 months after your application, you should check with them what's going on.

 

Getting your Carné (foreigner ID)

Temporay Students

Temporary Students are not issued a carné automatically. After receiving the approval of your temporary student visa, that’s it, you are legally in Peru for the approved time and can study.

Congratulations! You made it!

While you don't get a Carné de extranjería, you can apply for a so-called CTM, Carné Temporal Migratorio. In some cases it might be wise doing so as the CTM includes a Permit to work and a Permit to legally sign any type of document in Peru (otherwise you have to apply for a Permit to sign contracts each time you need to legally sign something).

Resident Students

After 2 or 3 months (sometimes, if you are lucky, already after few weeks, or if Migraciones is busy, after only 4 months or so) you get a notification in your Buzon electronico informing you about the approval of your visa.

Usually, this first notification states to wait for further instructions on how to pick up your carné. So, once again check your Buzon regularly and wait for a second notification from Migraciones informing you about the "expedición de carné". 

Officially Migraciones has another 30 business days counted from the approval of the visa to send this notification. However, some of our readers shared that they had to wait only a couple of days, others three or four weeks, and a few even 2 months. Either way as soon as you got the official notification that your carné is ready, get going.

Enter the Agencia Digital. On the main page in the left menu under "Citas en linea", subpoint "para recojo de documentos" make an appointment to pick up your carné. Once again, download and print the confirmation and keep it safe.

Be aware that at some Migraciones offices in the provinces no appointment is needed.

On the day of your appointment, be at the Migraciones office you selected 15-30 minutes before your appointment. To pick up your carné you just need your passport and your printed appointment. Migraciones personal will point you in the right direction where you are handed your carné.

Congratulations! You made it!

To familiarize yourself with your carné we highly recommend to read our glossary article Carné de Extranjería - Peru’s ID Card for foreigners.

 

Things you should know living in Peru on a student visa

Temporary student visas are usually only valid 90, in some cases 180 days and then can be extended for the same number of days.

A resident student visa (so the residence permit) is valid for one year and then has to be renewed. Our article "Residence visa extension" explains how it's done.

In Peru, a residence visa, so the permit allowing you to live in the country (not the carné, the card), is usually valid for only one (1) year and ...

The carné de extranjería (so the Peruvian foreigner ID card) is usually valid for four years and then must be renewed. For more details, check out our article "Renewal of the carné"

When your Peruvian residence visa is approved, you get the Carné de Extranjería, your Peruvian foreigner ID. The carné, so the card (not the reside...

If any information you provided when applying for your student visa changes, Migraciones must be informed about it within 30 days. So, if you get a new passport, move to a new address, change your name, etc. you have to apply for a so-called "Actualización de datos". Be aware that for resident students, in some cases, a new carné has to be issued after the application is approved.The process is explained in our article Update your information in the Migraciones database.

If any of your information, which is printed on your carné or which is registered in the Migraciones database, changes, you must apply for a so-cal...

Whenever you, as a resident student (without a special authorization to work), want to leave the country for short or extended periods of time, for example, to go on holidays, you must present the so-called “Declaración jurada de haber realizado actividades que no impliquen la generación de rentas de fuente peruana” at immigrations before you are allowed to leave. So, just download Formulario 1495, fill it in, sign it and show it to the immigration officer when leaving Peru.

In case you are a resident student with a special authorization to work, you have to present the "Certificado de Rentas y Retenciones". This form is issued by your employer, who confirms that the income tax corresponding to your earnings was retained according to the Peruvian tax legislation. The physical form, Formulario 1492, is rarely used anymore. Instead, your employer has to enter his/her Sunat Virtual and fill in the Formulario Virtual 1692°, then print and sign it and give it to you. The form expires 30 days after it was filed with Sunat; so, you must leave Peru within these 30 days.

Foreigners living in Peru on a resident student visa have to be in the country at least 183 days per year, otherwise they lose their resident status. In case you have to be outside Peru for longer, before leaving the country, apply for the Autorización de estadía fuera del país por 183 días, and won't lose your residency.

As already mentioned above, you are not allowed to work when being in Peru on a student visa. However, you can apply for the so-called Permiso de trabajo extraordinario, which allows you to work part time and during official university vacations.

And finally, if you, as a resident student, are leaving Peru permanently, you have to cancel your residence visa. Once the application is approved, you have 15 days to exit the country.

 

Other FAQs

Can I apply for a student visa if my stay as a tourist is expired?

For years, you had to be in Peru on a valid visa / stay, for example, as a tourist to apply for any temporary or residence visa, precisely to make the Cambio de calidad migratoria.

But during the visa application on the Migraciones online platform there is a tab labeled "Exceso de permanencia" (excess stay), which suggests that foreigners who overstayed their time as a tourist in Peru can still apply for a Cambio de calidad migratoria and just have to upload a payment receipt for their overstayed days and a sworn statement explaining the reason for their overstay.

While in November 2022 Migraciones informed us in writing that this tab does not apply when you change your immigration status from tourist (!) to student, at the beginning of 2023 one of our readers reported that someone at Migraciones suggested this option. So, he could apply for his visa while being in Peru on an expired stay as a tourist. During his application he uploaded the payment receipt for his overstay fine and a brief explanation why he couldn't apply on time (criminal record check took many months), could finish his application and a couple of months later, Migraciones approved his visa.

Hearing this, we tried to find out more. A few other foreigners in the same situation confirmed that someone at Migraciones they spoke to suggested this option, but our search for any official confirmation in writing that you can apply for a temporary or residence visa while being in Peru on an expired stay as a tourist was in vain.

As Migraciones doesn't have an e-mail address anymore where they answer such questions in writing, we called and first were told "No, you have to be in the country on a valid stay". Then when we asked the lady we were talking to more detailed questions, she seemingly quickly spoke to someone else, and then suddenly said "Yes, it is possible.", but she couldn't give us any further details. The whole call didn't really inspire confidence.

So, at the moment (February 2024) officially you still have to be in the country on a valid stay to apply and therefore we can't guarantee that it's possible to change your immigration status from tourist to student if you are in Peru on an expired stay as a tourist.

We always recommend to not overstay and, in case you plan to apply for a temporary or residence visa but don't have all required documents yet, instead of overstaying suggest applying for your visa using a little trick. We explain how it's done below.

If for whatever reason you can't apply while your stay as a tourist is valid, it might be worth personally checking with Migraciones if you can apply despite being in the country on an expired stay before you leave the country and try to return to "renew" your stay as a tourist.

If you have any current information about this topic or would like to share your experience, please let us know either using the comment function at the end of this very long article or our contact form. Thank you!

Can I apply for a student visa if I don't have all the required documents?

Officially, no, you can't as on the Agencia Digital, the Migraciones online platform where you have to apply, the fields to upload the required documents are mandatory and you can't continue with and finish your application without having uploaded all documents.

But, even though we can't and won't recommend it, if your stay as a tourist is about to expire and you must apply until a certain date, depending on the document that you don't have yet, there might be a possibility to "cheat" the system. However, you should have a solid plan to get the document as required, because the time to present it is limited. And here, how it's done.

Follow the instructions of our Step-by-step guide to apply for a student visa in Peru until you are on the 2nd page of the student visa application. Here you must fill in some data and/or upload all for the student visa application necessary documents as PDF.

If you apply for a resident student visa and don't have, for example, your criminal record check: Under the Interpol tab, you must upload the Ficha de Canje from Interpol and the "Antecedentes" (criminal record check). Both fields are mandatory, and you cannot continue with and finish the application without having uploaded both documents. As you can't leave the field for the Antecedentes blank anymore, you must upload something in the Antecedentes field. One of our readers just uploaded the Ficha de Canje a second time, another reader wrote a letter explaining that he is waiting for his criminal record check from his home country and uploaded this letter instead of his background check. So, upload a "document" there that makes sense.

The same applies if, for example, you don't have your Ficha de Canje from Interpol, because you couldn't get an appointment in time. Instead of the Ficha upload, for example, a letter explaining your situation.

Or if you have the document, but not yet the Apostille or translation, you could upload the document as it is.

Then continue to upload all other required documents and finish the application process as described in our Step-by-step guide.

On the 4th page of your student visa application you get the "Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria" with the "numero de expediente" (your file number), the "fecha de publicacion" (application date) and a "codigo de verificacion" (verification code) displayed on your screen. That's the confirmation of your successful application. You made it. As soon you have this confirmation, your time as a tourist stops and even if your stay as a tourist expires during the processing time of your visa application you won't have any problem.

Now, depending how quickly Migraciones reviews your application and documents, the following happens:

As you haven't uploaded all required documents or not in the form Migraciones requires, Migraciones will send you a notification (can be as quick as a few days after your application or a month, two or three later) requesting that you upload the document. Be aware that these notifications are considered officially delivered. Usually, Migraciones only gives you a short deadline of 5 to 10 days to upload the requested document. You must react to the notification, even if it's on the last day of the deadline they gave you (which might be wise to do if you still need more time), otherwise your application could be dismissed.

If you have the document in the correct form when you receive the notification, just upload it. How it's done is explained in our article "Subsanacion - Submitting documents".

During the internal evaluation and approval process of any application on the Agencia Digital, Migraciones may discover that you haven’t uploaded a...

If you still don't have the document at the end of the deadline Migraciones gave you, then you can apply for an extension of the deadline (max. 30 days). The process is called Ampliacion de plazos and explained in our article "Extension of a Migraciones deadline".

During the internal evaluation and approval process of your visa application (Cambio de calidad migratoria) or of the application for the extension...

In case you have the document ready before you hear from Migraciones you can upload it immediately on the Agencia Digital under Subsanacion. But we were told by others, who went through the process that they still got a notification later to upload the document again.

If you decide to go that route, check your Buzon regularly and, if necessary, react to any notification! And, while this "cheating" worked for many others, things might change and Migraciones could dismiss your application (which you could appeal). Anyway, be aware that it will definitely delay the approval of your visa by weeks or even months.

Can I work on a student visa in Peru?

No! The Peruvian student visa doesn’t allow foreigners to work or engage in any professional activity receiving a remuneration.

However, students can apply for a special authorization to work, the so-called Permiso de trabajo extraordinario, which allows them to work part-time and during official university vacations. Requirements can be found in the current TUPA on page 61. The application is done on the Agencia Digital under "Permisos".

 

Please note: We from LimaEasy are not the Peruvian immigration authority Migraciones or a Peruvian consulate. All information is published to our best knowledge and should be seen as general guidance introducing you to Peruvian procedures. All information is subject to change, as regulations, requirements, and processes can change quickly without prior notice! Therefore, we recommend checking the current regulations with the nearest Peruvian consulate or, if you are already in Peru, with Migraciones!

And if you find something wrong on this page, please help us to keep this guide as up to date as possible and contact us either below with a comment or use our contact form. Thank you!

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  • This commment is unpublished.
    Diana Gonzalez · 29/02/2024
    First of all, thank you so much for providing this site, it has answered so many of my questions and has been so helpful. My question is, what is the process like for requesting an extension of the temporary student residency? Would you need to redo all the interpol, antecedentes penales, and basically entire process again? Or is it simpler? I've been looking for online courses that would be approved that last about a year because my goal is to be here the rest of the year, but most everything that fits the flexibility I want are about 6 months. Would it be wise to just do the 6 months for now and ask for an extension once my time is up? Thank you again for all your work!
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 29/02/2024
      @Diana Gonzalez Hello Diana,

      Thank you so much for your nice words. It’s always great to hear that our articles are helpful.

      I’m not 100% sure but I fear that online courses, even though they are offered by recognized educational institutions in Peru, might not be enough to qualify for a (temporary) student visa.

      Anyway, to apply for a resident student visa you must prove that the course of studies or the study program takes more than 12 months to complete.

      If you are taking a course with a duration of 6 months, you only can apply for a temporary student visa. If it takes 6 months to complete the course, you most probably will be issued a temporary student visa valid for 180 days, but Migraciones could as well decide to only give you 90 days. 

      Either way, you can extend a resident or a temporary student visa quite easily and quickly.

      If you initially apply for your student visa, you make a so-called Cambio de calidad migratoria either to formacion residente (resident student visa) or to formacion temporal (temporary student visa). This process is explained above in the article and from application to approval can take anything from a few weeks up to a few months. Usually, temporary visas are issued quicker than resident visas.

      As you can see under the requirements in the article above, the Antecedentes, so the criminal background check from your home country, are only required if you apply for a resident student visa. If you apply for a temporary student visa, you don’t need the Antecedentes but a sworn statement instead, in which you declare in front of a notary in Peru that you don’t have a criminal background. And for both, you will need the Ficha de canje issued by Interpol in Peru.

      If you want to extend your visa (after a year for the resident student visa or after 90 or 180 days for the temporary student visa) you must apply for a so-called Prorroga de residencia formacion residente (extension of the resident student visa) or a Prorroga de permanencia formacion temporal (extension of the temporary student visa).

      The process is much, much easier, quicker (usually a week or two) and the requirements are less; this applies to both resident and temporary visas. For neither will you need the Antecedentes, just the sworn statement that you don’t have a criminal background. The Ficha de canje from Interpol is only necessary for the initial application (so the cambio de calidad migratoria) not for the extension (Prorroga).

      Additionally, for the extension of the resident or temporary student visa you will need a new enrollment certification issued by the recognized Peruvian educational institution including name, type and length of studies and, of course, the receipt that you paid the application fee. And even though no longer on the official requirement list Migraciones may as well ask for a report of already taken courses and grades issued by the recognized Peruvian educational institution and a sworn statement stating that you have sufficient financial resources to fund your studies in Peru (Declaración jurada de solvencia económica).

      Hope this explanation helps.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    B · 21/01/2024
    Hi Eva,

    I am currently in Peru as a "tourist" and am in the process of applying for a temporary student visa. 

    A couple questions regarding this process:

    1. The TUPA seems to say that the authorization to stay for a temporary student visa is for 90 days and then can be extended for the same number of days. How easy is it to receive this extension, and how can it be done?

    2. Hypothetically, let's say the time I have in Peru as a tourist runs out while my temporary student visa application is still being reviewed. Is this a problem?

    Thanks!
    B
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 21/01/2024
      @B Hello B,

      Answer to your first question:
      Yes, according to the TUPA as a temporary student you can stay 90 days. However, depending on what and where you study you may as well get 180 days. The extension is quite simple. It’s done on the Agencia Digital, requirements include, for example, a new enrollment certification.

      Answer to your second question:
      No, it’s not a problem. As soon as you applied for your temporary student visa on the Agencia Digital and received the confirmation of your application including your file number your time as a tourist stops. So, even if your stay as a tourist expires during the evaluation and approval process you are fine. Just make sure you apply for your temporary visa when your stay as a tourist is still valid.

      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      B · 21/01/2024
      @Sunflower Hi Eva,

      Thank you so much for the super speedy reply! Another quick question regarding the biometric appointment phrased as a hypothetical:

      Let's say that I plan to leave the country a couple weeks after I submit my application. However, due to incredibly high demand, I am unable to register for a biometric appointment before I leave the country. Am I okay, without having the biometrics in, to apply for a Permiso Especial de Viaje?

      If the above is the case, is there any express deadline on completing the biometrics appointment? I can't seem to find any information on this.

      Thanks,
      B
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 21/01/2024
      @B
      Due to long waiting times it's recommended to make the biometric appointment directly following the application. But it's a can, not a must and no, there is no deadline until you must make the appointment and you can apply for the travel permit without having done it.

      However, usually the approval process for a temporary visa is much shorter than for a residence visa. Last I heard a few months ago temporary visas were approved within 3 to 4 weeks while residence visa took anything between 4 weeks and 3 months.

      Additionally, as you as a temporary student won't automatically get a carné, for which the biometric data is used, you might not need to make the appointment at all. Depending on your circumstances and your plans it might nevertheless be wise to apply for a carné temporal after your visa was approved.

      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    S. T. · 28/11/2023
    This information is so helpful so far! Do you have a donate option anywhere? 

    I'm a 32 year old Male trying to find schools that offer Spanish Courses that are recognized by the Peruvian Ministry of Education or the National Assembly of University Rectors, in order to apply for a Student Visa.

    I don't want to take university courses other than Spanish courses. Are there non university programs that are recognized? How can I find a list of schools that are recognized? Any help would be appreciated!
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 28/11/2023
      @S. T.
      Hello S. T.,

      it always makes me happy to read that the information we provide here is helpful. So, thank you so much for your nice words. As we received quite a number of inquiries about an option to donate, we soon will implement one.

      To answer your question:

      A few years back you could just take a Spanish course at a language school or institute, get a confirmation and apply with this for a student visa. Unfortunately, these times are over. Today, you must submit an enrollment certificate for a recognized Peruvian education institution. There surely is a list somewhere, but I don't know where. The easiest is to check the URL of a school or university. If it ends on ....edu.pe, you can be sure it's an official educational institution.

      If nothing changed, ICPNA, the Peruvian North American Cultural Center offers Spanish courses for foreigners and they still should be able to issue you the necessary enrollment certification. Another option to try is the Universidad del Pacifico. Or the Universidad Ricardo Palma and the PUCP (the last two changed to online courses during Covid, so not sure if they are back to face-to-face courses).

      Hope you are successful.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    AB · 07/12/2022
    I just applied for the temporary student visa on the website.

    Near the end of the process, I accidentally went "back" on the page, exiting the process. Other than the "REGISTRO DE SOLICITUD DE CAMBIO DE CALIDAD MIGRATORIA" which has only the biometrical appointment code on it, and the confirmation of the biometrical appointment, is there another document? The article mentions a "confirmation of application" which I do not have, nor did I see login data for the Buzon Electronico at any point. However, I was able to make an account for the Buzon by clicking "I forgot my password"

    I think what happened, was that after submitting the main application, there was a button directly linking to the page to make the biometrical appointment which I clicked, then downloaded the confirmation for the biometrical appointment, then accidentally pressed "back"

    P.S. It seems they only do biometrical appointments on saturdays, and there were plenty of available appointments (3 days from now)
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 07/12/2022
      @AB Hello AB,

      I heard from others who applied for their visa on the Agencia that they had the exact same “problem”.

      Due to my immigration status, I don’t have access to the whole “cambio de calidad migratoria” part. So, the last time I saw the last pages of the application process was over a year ago and many things have changed since then. Thanks to some of our readers who sent me updates and screenshots from the one or other page of the application process, I could keep the visa pages here on LimaEasy as up-to-date and detailed as possible.

      But I’ve never seen, for example, the Registro de solicitud de cambio de calidad migratoria and I don’t know how the normal process would be, if you haven’t clicked on back. Sorry. And even though it’s sounds strange to me, you are not the first one who told me that no confirmation letter of the application was sent. Honestly, I don’t know if they stopped sending the confirmation, and that’s the new normal now and you have to make an account on your own as you did. Where could you do this / found the “Forgot password” option? I think I should add this to the explanation above, so others don’t worry in case they don’t get a confirmation letter.

      It's great to hear that you got your biometrical data appointment so quickly. Just a few days ago someone complained to me that there were no free appointments until the end of January. Strange. But probably temporary visa applications are handled separately from resident visa applications. Or you were just lucky. Congrats.

      Now that you have done all the hard work, it’s just a waiting game.

      I hope your visa is issued soon and wish you all the best in Peru

      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      AB · 07/12/2022
      @Sunflower
      I see. Thank you so much for your continued help!

      The "forgot password" button is at the bottom of the login page for the Buzon Electronico. It asks you to fill out your info, then they send you an email with the username and a link to enter the new password. I attached some screenshots.

      I also tried the virtual video chat on the website, but it was very finicky and didn't work well a lot of times.

      Do you have a list of specific pages that you need updated screenshots for? I guess I should start screenshotting every page from now on either way. Also, is there an email or cloud folder where it would be more convenient to send or upload many screenshots?

      Interesting about the biometrical appointments. Due to the current political situation, I'm not sure if the office will be accessible or not by this Saturday.
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 07/12/2022
      @AB
      Wow, thank you so, so much. I'm always happy about any current information I can get. No matter what.

      Things are always changing and it's difficult, sometimes impossible, to stay up-to-date. But thanks to you and many other readers who went through the visa or other processes and are willing to share their experience, I can offer the most current and detailed information for everyone who might need it and need help.

      I just have one more question: Where did you get your "usuario" from? Or did you just click on the "Forgot password" and then ended up on the "Verifcación de datos" page?

      Thanks again AB. I will rewrite the article in the next few days, again ...

      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      AB · 07/12/2022
      @Sunflower The "forgot password" button brings you to the "verifcación de datos" page, and after you submit the information, you get an email with the "usario" and a link to reset or create a password.

      Thank you for your work!
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 07/12/2022
      @Sunflower
      Thank you so much!

      Great info!

      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Gala · 02/12/2022
    Hi, my boyfriend is living with me in Lima at the moment and we have been running around in circles trying to find out information about working out a more lenghty stay for him. We were considering for him to enroll in a Spanish language institute but he was told they could not provide documentation for visa purposes. We have had to let go of that possibility now. He was told at the airport that there's only an annual 180-day maximum stay as a tourist in Peru (???) He arrived in May, overstayed 2 months and paid the fine, left and then came back a week later but was given only 30 days to stay. I thought that he could leave the country briefly and then re-enter but it seems that once the 30 days are up, we need to wait until next year to work out another 180-day tourist permit... Everywhere we go, we get told to ask in Migraciones but there's no way to reach anyone from this office and find this out, not even in person as they only let in people with appointments to issue or collect their Peruvian passports. Perhaps you can help us :'(
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 02/12/2022
      @Gala Hello Gala,

      I’m not sure what kind of help you are looking for. But I can try to explain the legal situation and give you options that might be worth looking into.

      Unfortunately, the Peruvian regulations are quite clear and since August 2021, mostly strictly enforced. Most foreign nationals who can travel to Peru visa-free can stay up to 90 days in a 180-day period and a max of 183 days per year (counted from the first entry) as a tourist in Peru. So, if your boyfriend doesn’t want to make his situation even worse by overstaying again, he should leave when his 30 days are up, because he already used the max allowed per year (90 + 60 he overstayed + an additional 30 = 180). He then should wait until May of next year to return and then can get 90 days as a tourist again. Yes, I know, not the info you wanted to hear. But these are the current regulations. Sorry.

      A tourist visa (or accurately a stay as a tourist for a certain time) is not the right status if your boyfriend wants to live in Peru. If he wants to stay long(er) term, there is no way around applying for a temporary or resident visa (and there might be another option which I explain at the end).

      Yes, normal language schools or institutes can’t issue an enrollment certificate accepted by Migraciones. If you / your boyfriend wants to go that route, you have to find a Peruvian educational institution that is recognized by the Peruvian Ministry of Education. At least before Covid a good language institute that is recognized and back then (not sure if they still do it) issued enrollment certificates was ICPNA in Miraflores (they have branches in other districts as well, but I think Miraflores is the largest and best informed when it comes to foreigners). They offer special Spanish courses for foreigners. The same applies to a few universities in Lima. So, if you haven’t looked there, check out if either ICPNA or the one or other university doesn't have these Spanish for expats/foreigners course and can’t issue an enrollment certificate.

      Next to the temporary or resident student visa, the easiest resident visa you can get is a family visa. So, assuming that you are legally in Peru, so are a Peruvian or have a resident visa and consider marrying your boyfriend, he could apply for a family visa. But the whole process needs some time, so isn’t a quick solution which, if you aren’t prepared, the student visa isn’t as well.

      Or is your boyfriend perhaps planning to work in Peru or offer some sort of service in Peru? Then he could apply for a work visa.

      As already mentioned above, there could possibly be another option. But before going this way you must (!!!) get in contact with Migraciones to get the current (!!!) requirements. Yes, I know, Migraciones is hard to reach, rarely answers the phone and most often doesn’t answer mails send to them and won't let you talk to anyone if you don’t have an appointment. So why don’t you make an appointment? It’s super easy. Your boyfriend just has to enter the Agencia Digital, enter his personal data on the first page, and then on the second page in the left menu click on Citas en linea and there select Informes. Not a big deal and on the day of his appointment, he will be allowed inside and can talk to someone in person.

      Anyway, the option I am thinking about is the so-called CCP (Carné de Permiso Temporal de Permanencia). Originally intended for Venezuelan refugees, who came to Peru as tourists and never left the country. to get some sort of permit of residence and regulate their stay in Peru, all foreign nationals can apply for a CPP under certain conditions.

      The most important is that you must be in Peru on an “irregular” immigration status, so your stay as a tourist must be expired (in case this is an option for your boyfriend he shouldn’t leave when his 30 days are up, but you must (!!!) inform yourself about the exact requirements before overstaying to not worsen the situation).

      The thing is when this regularization program was introduced on October 22, 2020, only foreigners could apply who were in Peru irregular on that day. The program was intended to be in place for just a few months, but was extended over and over and over again. When I remember correctly, you now can apply for the CPP until April 2023. What I don’t know and can’t find anywhere is, if you must have been in Peru on an expired tourist visa at a certain date. I heard from a handful of foreigners that you just have to be “irregular”, but I don’t know if that’s true and never seen anything in writing about this crucial point. Everything I found just mentioned that the deadline to apply was extended, but nowhere if you must have been on an expired tourist visa at a certain date. So, this is something you must find out at Migraciones.

      The other requirements are super simple: payment receipt for the application, payment receipt for the overstayed days, valid passport, Interpol clearance, sworn statement that you don’t have a criminal record, recibo to prove address. I think that’s it. You find all the details in the TUPA on page 8.

      When the application for the CPP is approved, your boyfriend is allowed to stay in Peru for 2 years and even can work. But the CPP can’t be extended. After the two years, he either has to apply for a “normal” resident visa or leave the country. And when he is in Peru on a CPP, he can’t leave Peru for longer than 30 days and only 3 times per year and only with a special permit.

      Even though I’m sure I didn’t tell you the things you wanted to hear, I hope I could give you the one or other option worth looking into.

      If you have any further question, feel free to contact me again.

      All the best

      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Izzie · 14/10/2022
    Hello, 

    Thank you for producing such an informative guide to the visa process - I'm an international student and it's been a lifesaver!

    I'm at the stage where I've been to my biometric appointment (on 30th September) and I'm waiting for confirmation that my application has been approved, presumably in the buzón electrónico. According to what it says on your website, I need to fill in the Inscr. Reg. central extranjeria on the Agencia Digital, but when I click on the form, it says the following, which sounds like my application still hasn't yet gone through: 

    Usted no registra información con los datos ingresados ¿Desea continuar y obtener un Certificado Negativo? 

    Should I continue with the registration despite the message, or wait until it doesn't say this? It's just that it's been two weeks since my biometric data was taken - I'm not sure how long it takes for them to process things normally. I uploaded all my documents on the 26th September. 

    Many thanks in advance, 
    Izzie
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 14/10/2022
      @Izzie Hello Izzie,

      Great, that our article above could guide you through most of the Peruvian bureaucracy when applying for your student visa in Peru.

      However, things change constantly at Migraciones and especially on the Agencia Digital. We try our best to keep everything as up to date as possible, but please see our article as general guidance only.

      Anyway, you can only get the registration done after your resident visa was approved, no matter if you already had your biometric data appointment or not.

      To me it seems your application is still in process which is understandable as you only applied less than three weeks ago. Most people at the moment wait at least 4 to 8 weeks until they get the confirmation that their visa was approved (depending on the workload at Migraciones it can be quicker or take even longer).

      So, wait at least another week or two. If you still haven’t heard from Migraciones by then (yes, they should inform you on the Buzon electronico) and get impatient, you could contact them either by phone 200-1000 or using the chat on the Agencia Digital.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Sebastián · 13/07/2022
    Hi,

    Thanks for this. This is the best explanation in English of the process. The only discrepancy that may exist between this page and the Peruvian Migraciones page on this (https://www.gob.pe/12881-solicitud-de-visa-para-residentes-segun-su-calidad-migratoria-visa-para-residente-por-formacion?token=PN04T50np9abRy8rc6Uvns2ytQv2AlZ3gBlutLXAUoM) is the following:
    "For exchange students: Official letter from the foreign university or higher education institution" which I believe comes from this on the Migraciones page:
    "En caso de intercambio estudiantil: Copia simple de la carta de acreditación de la universidad o institución educativa, reconocida por el Estado peruano, que recibe al beneficiario, indicando los nombres y apellidos y el tiempo de duración de estudio igual o superior a un (1) año."
    My interpretation of this originally was that you need the document from the RECEIVING university in Peru, not the foreign university. I doubted myself once I read this page, and asked my Peruvian university contact. She confirmed that even exchange students only need the paperwork from the host university (in Peru). Again, I will confirm this when I am finished with the process, as I'm diving into it now.

    Thank you!

    Sebastián

    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 13/07/2022
      @Sebastián Hello Sebastián,

      I see you already found our Student visa article.

      Anyway, I just checked the current Supreme Decree 002-2021-IN which is the base for the publications on the gob.pe website. And you are right. There in black and white you can read that the required document must be issued by the receiving (!!!) university, not the foreign one as I wrote above.

      Since I can remember the foreign university had to write this letter and it always was quite a mission to get an Apostille on it. So, they must have changed it last year, when the procedures were updated and I overlooked it. Thank you so much for pointing this out to me.

      It makes me happy to have such attentive readers helping to keep LimaEasy as accurate and up-to-date as possible!

      Thanks again!

      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sebastián · 16/09/2022
      @Sunflower Hi, Eva. Thank you for responding to this so quickly! I actually didn't expect that and only JUST NOW saw your response! Thank you for confirming this. I do have an additional question that is unrelated but can't find here on this site as of yet. With a student resident visa, I assume we are allowed to leave the country. We are here for two semesters with a summer break in between. Are we allowed to leave for as long as we like before returning for the second semester? Our first term ends at the end of December, then we start up again in Lima in March. I understand that the date that our visa ends doesn't change, but we are wondering if there is a limit on how long we can leave the country during that time.
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 16/09/2022
      @Sebastián Hello Sebastian,

      We publish all comments we receive and answer them within 24 hours. Our comment system automatically sends you an e-mail when your comment is published and another one when I or someone else replies to it. So, I’m not sure what went wrong, but am happy that you got my replies now.

      Anyway, yes, you are allowed to leave the country. As you wrote that you are in Peru for only 2 semesters, you might not get the Calidad Migratoria de Formación Residente (resident student visa) which is reserved for students who study in Peru long-term (more than a year), but only the Calidad Migractoria de Formación Temporal (temporary student visa) which is intended for foreigners staying short-term (up to a year) in Peru. Anyway, in both cases you get a foreigner ID (as resident student you get the carné de extranjería; as temporary student you get the carné temporal migratorio) and can be out of Peru for up to 183 days per year but must be back in the country before your temporary or resident visa expires otherwise your visa is (in most cases) null and void.

      When you leave Peru for vacation, just show your carné and passport to the immigration officer; the same when you return to Peru.

      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sebastian · 07/10/2022
      @Sunflower
      Eva! Thank you! This is great. So, yes, I got an email saying that my comment was posted, I just checked, searching for LimaEasy, even in my spam folder, and it looks like I'm not getting one when you reply. Thanks for responding so quickly again!
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Max · 30/05/2022
    Hi, Eva! Thank you very much for this great article. It's the best on the Internet on this topic.

    I’d like to learn Spanish in Lima for 2 years in order to get a citizeship after that. And I have a master degree. And I wonder, should I take my master diploma with apostile or no? Also, I am not sure, if I need my secondary school diploma with apostile? Can you, please, tell me if I need to get these two diplomas with me to Peru. Will I need them both? Or may be just a master diploma is enough? Or none of them?
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 30/05/2022
      @Max Hello Max,

      Thank you so much for the praise. What a great way to start a new week.

      It seems you have a solid plan, but I fear it might not work out as you have planned. I could be wrong, but as far as I interpret the regulations, students can’t get the Peruvian nationality by naturalization.

      Have a look into the Ley de Nacionalidad 26574 article 3b. There you find that foreigners who want to apply for the Peruvian nationality by naturalization have to “exercise a profession, art, trade or business (“Ejercer regularmente profesión, arte, oficio o actividad impresarial.”); there are a couple of exceptions from this rule, for example, for foreign spouses of Peruvians and professional athletes, but as far as I could find not for students. As you are not allowed to work in Peru on a student visa, you can’t fulfil this requirement. You could, of course, apply for a work permit, but I’m not sure if this will be accepted.

      The Nationality Law is from 1996, but still valid even though it was updated many times. The latest update was last year with the Supreme Decree 002-2021-INM but, as far as I know, article 3 was never changed.

      Additionally, check out above mentioned Supreme Decree article 9 (page 35 of the pdf which is page 53 of the document). There you find the current requirements to apply for the Peruvian nationality by naturalization: among them 2 years of legal residency in the country and proof of at least 10 UITs monthly income (in 2022 that’s S/ 46,000 per month). Starting with “h” requirements are listed according to the migratory status. Unfortunately, there the student visa isn’t mentioned.

      And if you check the government website, there as well the only visa types that seem to be able to apply for the Peruvian nationality by naturalization are work visa (dependent or independent), religious visa and investor visa; additionally, you can get the Peruvian nationality by marriage or if you are an athlete.

      So, before doing anything else, best check with Migraciones or a Peruvian consulate, if it’s even possible to get the Peruvian nationality by naturalization if you lived in Peru on a student visa.

      To answer your actual questions: I don’t know, what exactly your plans are, so giving advice on which documents you need is difficult. You should have your Master Decree with Apostille with you; if you don’t need it for getting into a university or language school, you might need it later, for example, when applying for a job. I can’t imagine that the university (or language school) where you learn Spanish wants to see your general school qualification for university entrance, but who knows, best to ask there. But you should take your birth certificate with Apostille with you, depending where you study, this might be requested.

      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Max · 02/06/2022
      @Sunflower Hello, Eva! Thank you very much for you kind and very detailed reply… I am exceedingly grateful. Oooh, your information is a little bit dissapointing(. Because I was sure that if I were a student for 2 years in Peru that would be considered as 2 years of legal residency for naturalization purposes. This is exactly what lots of other websites on the Internet is claiming. Also they write that you need $1000 monthly income (not $12 000). I know that most of the information on the Internet is disinformation(… Thank you very much!..
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 02/06/2022
      @Max Hello Max,

      As mentioned above that's how I see the situation. Best contact a Peruvian consulate or Migraciones to see what they have to say. I could be wrong and there is a way.

      And the US$ 1000 is necessary if you apply for a retirement visa.

      Greetings
      Eva

  • This commment is unpublished.
    Victor · 20/05/2022
    Hello, I'm in the process of getting a student visa for 12 months. Is there any precedent of getting the visa while on an expired tourist visa? I'll be entering Peru from Canada. My apostilla equivalent will require several months to be completed - I'll have the documents for our lawyer while 2-3 months overstaying in Peru. Thank you in advance
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 20/05/2022
      @Victor Hello Victor

      Did I understand correctly? You are in Canada at the moment but will come to Peru on a tourist visa. As getting a document with Apostille takes quite some time you will be overstaying your tourist visa and then being in Peru on an expired visa want to apply for a student resident visa once you have the document?

      The problem is that you can only “apply” for your resident visa, the correct term is “change your immigration status” in your case from tourist to resident formación, when you are still on a valid visa (for example tourist visa) in Peru. So, as soon as your tourist visa expires, you are not only illegally in the country, but you usually can not change to a resident visa. And no, there is no easy to get “inbetween” visa to bridge the time from when your tourist visa expires, and you get the document enabling you to apply for your resident visa.

      The only thing you could do, is leave Peru before your tourist visa expires, re-enter and hope you get another 30, 60 or even 90 days; but you might only get a week or two.

      Sorry.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Max · 16/05/2022
    Hello, thank you for this extremely helpful article.

    Do you you know if they ask for a Birth Certificate either when you applying for a long term student visa or for a peruvian passport?

    Thank you in advance for your reply.
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 16/05/2022
      @Max Hello Max,

      A birth certificate is not on the requirement list for applying for student resident visa in Peru. However, most universities ask for one when you enroll. Be aware that if you are not Peruvian, the birth certificate needs an Apostille (or, if the country didn’t sign the Apostille Convention has to be legalized) which only can be done in the country it was issued, and if it’s not in Spanish, has to be translated by a certified translator in Peru.

      Your question about the Peruvian passport leaves me a bit confused. You only get a Peruvian passport if one of your parents is Peruvian, you were born in Peru, or you got the Peruvian nationality by naturalization. But if you are Peruvian, you don’t need to apply for a student visa. Once your visa application is approved, you apply for the so-called carné de extranjería for which you do not need a birth certificate.

      Anyway, to answer your question about needing a birth certificate when applying for a Peruvian passport, no, for the passport application the Peruvian birth certificate is not necessary. But you need your DNI and if you apply for your DNI for the first time, yes you need your Peruvian birth certificate or if you got your Peruvian nationality by naturalization your foreign birth certificate and your naturalization documents.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Em · 08/12/2021
    Hi I don't require visa for 90 days as I am a Japanese citizen. Am I able to study during those time? If I need to apply for a student visa, am I able to change student visa to tourist visa after study period finishes?
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 08/12/2021
      @Em
      Hello,

      It depends on for how long, what and where you study, if you must apply for a student visa or not. As you seem to plan studying only for a short time in Peru, you should get in contact with the Peruvian university, educational institution or the organization of your exchange program where you plan to study.

      And no, in case you have a temporary student visa let's say for 3 months, you can not switch to a tourist visa once the student visa is expired and you can not get another 90 days.

      Greetings

      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      AB · 09/11/2022
      @Sunflower Hello,

      In the article, it says the 90 day temporary student visa can be extended, but your comment, and I think the Migraciones website, says that it cannot.

      Can you clarify? Can you chain multiple 90 day student visas together?
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 09/11/2022
      @AB Hello AB,

      I'm not sure in which comment I wrote that you can't extend a temporary student visa. In the comment above, I wrote that you can't switch from a temporary student visa to a tourist visa / stay as a tourist.

      Anyway, yes, as described above in our article, you can extend a temporary student visa. See, for example, the current TUPA, the administrative procedures Migraciones uses, page 101 or attached screenshot.

      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      AB · 09/11/2022
      @Sunflower Interesting. I was looking at this website: https://www.gob.pe/12918-solicitud-de-visa-temporal-segun-calidad-migratoria-solicitar-calidad-migratoria-temporal-por-formacion

      Maybe it only applies to exchanges and internships?

      Thanks!
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 10/11/2022
      @AB Hello AB,

      On the link you provided from the government website, which was last updated August 4, 2021 (see at the bottom of the page), you find the following:

      “El plazo de permanencia para estudios es de 365 días prorrogables y para intercambios o prácticas son 90 días no prorrogables.”

      So, in English: The length of stay for studies is 365 days extendable and for exchange (students) or internships 90 days non-extendable.

      As long as I can remember and this is many, many years, these were the rules regarding the allowed length of stay for temporary students.

      So, I was surprised to read in the new TUPA, which was published in July 2022, that now the length of stay for temporary students seems to be only 90 days (no difference anymore between students and interns) which can be extended for the same time. (“El plazo de la permanencia es de noventa (90) días. Se aplica prórroga por el mismo plazo”).

      I’m not sure if this is a mistake, and they just forgot to differentiate between students and interns or if these are really the new rules. The TUPA can be considered as official "work instructions" determining how Migraciones is supposed to execute the immigration law. So, they should be correct.

      Greetings
      Eva

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