Peru Work Visa Requirements 2026: Complete Employer Guide

Overview of Peru's Work Visa System

Peru's work visa (visa de trabajo or calidad migratoria de trabajador) allows foreign nationals to be legally employed by a Peruvian company. Unlike many countries with complex points-based systems, Peru's work visa is primarily employer-driven: a Peruvian company offers you a job, and that company sponsors your visa.

The system is governed by Decreto Legislativo 1350 (Peru's immigration law) and regulated by MIGRACIONES (Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones). Employment of foreign workers is further regulated by Decreto Legislativo 689, which sets limits on the number of foreign employees a company can hire.

Understanding both the employee and employer requirements is essential for a successful application.

Employee Requirements

As the foreign worker, you must provide the following:

1. Valid Passport

Your passport must have at least six months of validity remaining from the date of application. Ensure you have blank pages for stamps and visa stickers.

2. Employment Contract

A formal employment contract signed by both you and your Peruvian employer. The contract must:

• Be written in Spanish
• Specify your job title, duties, and salary
• Include the contract duration (typically 1-2 years)
• Be approved by the Ministerio de Trabajo y Promoción del Empleo (MTPE — Ministry of Labor)
• Comply with Peru's labor law regarding minimum salary, benefits, and working conditions

3. Criminal Background Check

A police clearance certificate from your country of residence (or countries where you lived for 12+ months in the past five years). For US citizens, this means an FBI background check.

The background check must be:

• Less than six months old at the time of application
• Apostilled in the country of origin
• Translated into Spanish by a certified Peruvian translator

4. Professional Qualifications

Depending on your role, you may need to provide:

• University degree (apostilled and translated)
• Professional certifications or licenses
• Letters of reference from previous employers
• Evidence of specialized skills or experience

5. Health Certificate

A medical certificate confirming you are in good health, free from communicable diseases. This can be obtained from a physician in Peru or your home country.

6. Passport Photos

Four recent passport-sized photos with a white background.

Employer Requirements

Peruvian companies hiring foreign workers must navigate their own set of obligations:

1. Foreign Worker Quota

Peruvian law limits foreign employees to 20% of a company's total workforce, and their combined salaries cannot exceed 30% of the total payroll. This is known as the "porcentaje limitativo."

Exemptions from the quota:

• Foreign employees married to Peruvian citizens
• Foreign employees with permanent residency
• Companies with fewer than five employees (the percentage can be exceeded)
• Specific technical or managerial roles where no qualified Peruvian candidate is available
• Employees of companies in free trade zones (ZOFRATACNA, CETICOS)

2. Contract Approval by MTPE

Before the visa process begins, the employer must submit the employment contract to the Ministerio de Trabajo for approval. The MTPE reviews the contract to ensure:

• Compliance with labor laws
• The position genuinely requires a foreign worker
• The salary is appropriate for the role
• The foreign worker quota is not exceeded

Processing time at MTPE: 5-15 business days

3. Company Documentation

The employer must provide:

• Company registration documents (SUNARP registration, RUC)
• Proof of business activity and financial capacity
• Current employee roster showing the foreign worker quota compliance
• Justification letter explaining why a foreign worker is needed for the specific role

4. Salary Requirements

There is no formal minimum salary for work visa holders, but the salary must be:

• At least Peru's minimum wage (1,130 PEN/month as of 2026, approximately $300 USD)
• Appropriate for the role and industry
• Consistent with what a Peruvian worker would earn in a comparable position

In practice, most foreign workers earn significantly above the minimum wage, particularly in professional and technical roles. Typical salaries for foreign workers:

Role	Monthly Salary (USD)
English teacher	$800-$1,500
IT/Software engineer	$1,500-$4,000
Mining engineer	$3,000-$8,000
Hotel/tourism manager	$1,200-$3,000
NGO professional	$1,000-$3,000
Executive/C-suite	$4,000-$15,000
Oil & gas specialist	$5,000-$12,000

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Job Offer and Contract Negotiation

The process begins when a Peruvian employer extends a formal job offer. Negotiate your salary, benefits, and contract terms before proceeding. Key benefits to discuss:

• CTS (Compensación por Tiempo de Servicios): A mandatory savings deposit equal to roughly one month's salary per year
• Gratificaciones: Two annual bonuses (July and December), each equal to one month's salary
• Vacaciones: 30 calendar days of paid vacation per year
• EsSalud: Employer-paid health insurance (9% of salary)
• Relocation assistance: Flights, temporary housing, shipping costs

Step 2: MTPE Contract Approval

Your employer submits the signed contract to the Ministerio de Trabajo for review and approval. This typically takes 5-15 business days. The MTPE may request additional documentation or modifications to the contract.

Step 3: MIGRACIONES Visa Application

Once the MTPE approves the contract, you (or your employer's immigration attorney) submit the visa application to MIGRACIONES. The application includes:

• Approved employment contract
• Your passport (copy and original)
• Criminal background check (apostilled and translated)
• Professional qualifications (apostilled and translated)
• Health certificate
• Passport photos
• Application fee payment (approximately $50-$100 USD)

Step 4: Processing and Approval

MIGRACIONES processes the application in 30-45 business days. During this time, if you are already in Peru on a tourist visa, your legal stay is protected by the application receipt.

If you are applying from outside Peru, you may need to visit a Peruvian consulate in your home country to collect the visa sticker in your passport before traveling.

Step 5: Carné de Extranjería

Upon approval and arrival in Peru, you must register with MIGRACIONES to obtain your Carné de Extranjería — the foreign resident identification card. This card is essential for:

• Working legally
• Opening bank accounts
• Signing contracts
• Accessing healthcare
• Tax registration

Processing Timeline

Step	Duration
Document gathering and preparation	4-12 weeks
MTPE contract approval	1-3 weeks
MIGRACIONES visa processing	4-8 weeks
Carné de Extranjería issuance	1-2 weeks
Total (approximate)	10-25 weeks

Start the process at least 3-4 months before your intended start date. Complex cases or document issues can extend the timeline.

Industries Hiring Foreign Workers

Peru's economy is diversified, and certain sectors actively recruit international talent:

Mining

Peru is the world's second-largest producer of copper and a major producer of gold, silver, zinc, and lithium. The mining sector is the largest employer of foreign workers, hiring engineers, geologists, safety specialists, and project managers. Companies like Southern Copper, Freeport-McMoRan, Newmont, and Antamina regularly hire foreigners.

Locations: Primarily in the highlands and southern Peru (Arequipa, Cajamarca, Áncash, Apurímac)

Oil and Gas

Peru's Amazon basin holds significant oil and gas reserves. Companies like PlusPetrol, CNPC, and Hunt Oil hire foreign engineers, drilling specialists, and environmental consultants.

Locations: Jungle regions (Loreto, Ucayali) and Lima (corporate offices)

Technology

Lima's tech sector is growing rapidly, with startups and established companies seeking software developers, data scientists, UX designers, and product managers. Peru's tech talent pool is expanding but still has gaps, particularly in senior and specialized roles.

Companies: Rappi, Platanitos, Crehana, and numerous startups in the San Isidro and Miraflores tech corridors

Education

English teachers are in constant demand at private schools, language institutes, and universities. Certified teachers with TEFL/TESOL qualifications can find positions relatively easily.

Key employers: Británico, ICPNA, Euroidiomas, private international schools

Tourism and Hospitality

International hotel chains (Marriott, Hilton, JW Marriott, Belmond) hire foreign managers, chefs, and hospitality professionals. Tour operators serving international markets need multilingual staff.

NGOs and Development

Peru hosts numerous international NGOs and development organizations. Positions in program management, research, public health, and environmental conservation are available.

Organizations: USAID partners, World Bank consultants, Conservation International, various UN agencies

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Challenge: Document Apostille Delays

The FBI background check and apostille process can take 12-16 weeks combined.

Solution: Start this process immediately upon receiving a job offer. Use an FBI-approved channeler for faster processing (3-5 weeks). Consider using a professional apostille service.

Challenge: Foreign Worker Quota Limitations

If your employer already has 20% foreign staff, hiring you may exceed the quota.

Solution: The employer can apply for an exemption if your role requires specialized skills not available in Peru's labor market. A strong justification letter from the employer is essential.

Challenge: Contract Modifications

The MTPE may require changes to the employment contract.

Solution: Work with an experienced Peruvian immigration attorney who knows MTPE requirements. Draft the contract correctly the first time to avoid delays.

Challenge: Language Barriers

Much of the visa process is conducted in Spanish, and government agencies rarely have English-speaking staff.

Solution: Hire a bilingual immigration attorney. All documents must be translated anyway, so professional assistance is practically essential.

Renewal and Long-Term Prospects

Work visas are typically granted for the duration of your employment contract (1-2 years) and are renewable as long as your employment continues. After three consecutive years of legal residency on a work visa, you may apply for permanent residency.

Permanent residency removes the need for annual renewal and the dependency on a specific employer. After five total years of residency, you can apply for Peruvian citizenship.

Costs Summary

Item	Cost
FBI background check (US)	$18
Apostille (US State Department)	$20
Certified translation (per document)	$30-$80
MTPE contract approval fee	$30-$50
MIGRACIONES visa application fee	$50-$100
Immigration attorney	$1,000-$2,500
Carné de Extranjería	$50
Total estimated cost	$1,200-$2,800

Many employers cover these costs as part of the relocation package. Negotiate this upfront.

Final Advice

The Peru work visa process is bureaucratic but manageable with proper preparation and professional assistance. Start early, gather documents proactively, and hire a competent immigration attorney. The investment of time and money opens the door to a fascinating country with a growing economy and a quality of life that surprises most newcomers.