Your Complete Guide to Peru Entry Requirements
Everything You Need to Know for 2025 Travel
Peru offers its extraordinary blend of ancient civilizations, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant cultural heritage. Experiences range from the mystical ruins of Machu Picchu and its surrounding dramatic Andean peaks and the lush Amazon rainforest. As one of South America’s premier destinations for cultural, ecological, and archaeological tourism, Peru welcomes millions of international visitors each year.
However, seamless travel begins with proper preparation. Understanding Peru’s entry requirements proves essential for any successful journey.
You might plan to trek the Inca Trail, explore Lake Titicaca’s floating islands, or want to come for Lima’s world-renowned culinary scene. Having the right documentation and knowledge of immigration procedures ensures your adventure starts smoothly from arrival.
This comprehensive guide covers all of the basics you’ll need to know about entering Peru in 2025.
We focus on passport validity requirements, visa exemptions, border procedures, and important considerations for multi-country South American itineraries.
Understanding Peru’s Entry Requirements: The Basics
Peru has streamlined its entry process to welcome tourists while maintaining necessary security measures. The country takes a refreshingly straightforward approach to tourism.
Passport Validity: Your Most Important Document
Your passport serves as your primary identification throughout your Peru journey. The validity requirements receive strict enforcement. Your passport must remain valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date from Peru. This six-month rule is non-negotiable. It applies regardless of your nationality or length of stay.
Airlines take this requirement seriously. They may deny boarding at your departure airport if your passport doesn’t meet the six-month threshold. Some carriers might occasionally overlook this requirement. However, Peruvian immigration authorities will enforce it upon arrival. This could result in denied entry and immediate return to your country of origin.
The only exception applies to travelers who hold legal residency in Peru. If you hold resident status, your passport validity period may show more flexibility. This exemption doesn’t apply to tourists or business travelers.
Visa Requirements: Who Needs What
Peru’s visa policy encourages tourism from major markets while maintaining appropriate controls. The good news for most travelers: Peru offers generous visa exemptions.
Countries with visa-free access include:
- United States
- All European Union member countries
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Most South American countries (except Venezuela)
- Many Asian countries including Japan and South Korea
Travelers from these countries can enter Peru without obtaining advance visas. This makes trip planning significantly easier. Upon arrival, immigration officers have discretionary authority to grant stays. These range from 30 to 183 days, depending on your travel purpose, itinerary, and the officer’s assessment.
Travelers from countries not on the visa exemption list need different procedures. Those planning extended stays beyond the typical tourist period also need special arrangements. These travelers must submit visa applications at Peruvian consulates or embassies in advance. Both tourist and business visas remain available, with different requirements and validity periods.
Proof of Onward Travel: Be Prepared
Peruvian immigration authorities don’t always request this documentation. However, they may ask to see proof of your departure from the country. This can include return tickets to your home country. It can also include onward tickets to your next destination if Peru forms part of a multi-country itinerary.
Airlines may also request this documentation before allowing you to board. This particularly applies if you travel on a one-way ticket. To avoid complications, ensure you have readily accessible proof of your planned departure. Keep this in digital or printed format.
Health Requirements and Vaccinations
Peru maintains relatively minimal health entry requirements for most travelers. This reflects the country’s commitment to welcoming tourism while maintaining public health standards.
Yellow Fever Vaccination: When You Need It
You need a yellow fever vaccination certificate only if you arrive from a country or region where yellow fever remains endemic. This requirement helps prevent disease importation. It protects both visitors and local populations.
If you fly directly from the United States, Europe, or most other non-endemic countries to Peru, you won’t need yellow fever vaccination for entry. However, check your travel itinerary carefully. If it includes stops in countries where yellow fever exists, you’ll need to present a valid vaccination certificate. This also applies if you arrive from certain regions of Brazil, Colombia, or other South American countries with endemic areas.
Important for onward travel: Peru may not require yellow fever vaccination for your entry. However, consider your complete itinerary. If you plan to visit Ecuador after Peru, you’ll need yellow fever vaccination. This stems from Ecuador’s requirements for travelers who have spent more than 10 days in Peru. This rule took effect May 12, 2025.
Recommended Health Precautions
Entry doesn’t require these measures, but consider consulting with a travel medicine specialist. Base this on your specific itinerary. If you plan to visit jungle regions, high-altitude areas, or remote communities, additional health precautions may prove advisable.
Financial Declaration Requirements
Peru maintains reasonable financial transparency requirements for entering and exiting the country. These regulations help combat money laundering. They avoid excessive bureaucracy for legitimate travelers.
Key financial rules:
- You must declare amounts over $10,000 USD upon entry
- The maximum amount you can bring into or take out of Peru reaches $30,000 USD
- Make declarations honestly and completely to avoid complications
These limits apply to cash, negotiable instruments, and other monetary instruments. Most tourists won’t approach these thresholds. Business travelers or those planning extended stays should understand these requirements.
Extended Stay Allowances
U.S. citizens can stay in Peru for up to 183 days without a visa. This provides exceptional flexibility for extended travel, remote work arrangements, or in-depth cultural exploration. This generous allowance makes Peru attractive for digital nomads and long-term travelers.
Overstay Penalties: What You Need to Know
If you exceed your authorized stay, Peru imposes daily overstay fines. These range from approximately 4.40 to 5.15 Peruvian soles per day. This equals roughly $1.25 to $1.50 USD. While these fines stay relatively modest, you must pay them in cash at the airport before departure.
More importantly, significant overstays can result in entry bans or other complications for future travel. Always extend your stay legally through immigration authorities if you need additional time in the country.
Overland Border Crossings: Important Details
Many travelers combine Peru with visits to neighboring countries. This makes overland border crossings common. Understanding specific requirements for land borders can prevent significant complications.
Ecuador Border (Aguas Verdes)
The Peru-Ecuador border at Aguas Verdes ranks as one of South America’s busiest overland crossings. Obtaining a proper entry stamp proves absolutely critical. Travelers who fail to receive an official entry stamp may face serious consequences. These include expulsion orders and reentry bans of up to 10 years.
Bolivia Borders (Desaguadero and Copacabana)
Border crossings with Bolivia require the same attention to proper documentation. You might cross at Desaguadero (the main commercial crossing) or Copacabana (popular with tourists visiting Lake Titicaca). Either way, ensure you receive proper entry stamps from both Bolivian and Peruvian authorities.
If you cross from Peru into Bolivia with the intention of returning, be sure to request your entry stamp again from Peruvian immigration.
Critical Warning About Entry Stamps
If you discover you lack a proper entry stamp, visit the nearest immigration office immediately. Bring proof of your legal entry into the country. Don’t wait until departure. This problem becomes much more serious and expensive to resolve at the airport.
Digital Immigration at Lima Airport
Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima has modernized its immigration process with digital systems. The airport no longer issues entry stamps for arrivals. Instead, your entry gets recorded electronically. This system proves efficient and reduces processing time. However, ensure you receive proper confirmation of your legal entry status. You can access your entry information online using the Peruvian Immigration Web site.
Traveling with Children: Family-Specific Requirements
Family travel to Peru involves additional considerations. This particularly applies to documentation for minors.
Resident Children (Under 18)
If you hold Peru residency and travel with children under 18, specific exit requirements apply. The non-traveling parent must provide a notarized Autorización de Viaje Notarial (Notarial Travel Authorization) for the child to leave the country. This requirement helps prevent international child abduction. It ensures both parents consent to international travel.
Tourist Children
Children traveling as tourists generally face exemption from additional documentation requirements. Standard passport and entry requirements apply. However, immigration authorities may request additional documentation if they think something appears suspicious. This also applies if the requested stay is for an extended period. Additional documentation is automatically required if the child will be staying in Peru for more than 90 days.
Best Practices for Family Travel
Regardless of requirements, consider carrying additional documentation when traveling with children. This includes a certified or notarized copy of birth certificates and custody documentation if applicable. Also consider bringing a notarized consent letter from a non-traveling parent. These documents, while not strictly required, can be hugely helpful to expedite processing and resolve any questions that arise.
Airline Compliance and Travel Tips
Airlines play a crucial role in enforcing entry requirements. They face penalties for transporting passengers who don’t meet destination country requirements.
Pre-Flight Checks
Airlines typically verify passport validity, visa requirements, and sometimes proof of onward travel before allowing boarding. However, their checking procedures may not always catch every requirement. Don’t rely solely on airline approval as confirmation that you meet all entry requirements.
What to Expect Upon Arrival
Peruvian immigration officers have discretionary authority regarding length of stay. They may ask about your travel plans, accommodation arrangements, and financial resources. Having itinerary details, hotel reservations, and evidence of sufficient funds readily available can facilitate smooth processing.
Multi-Country South American Travel Considerations
Peru often serves as part of larger South American adventures. This makes understanding regional travel requirements and their interactions important.
Regional Visa Policies
Most South American countries offer visa-free travel for U.S., EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens. This makes multi-country itineraries relatively straightforward. However, specific requirements and maximum stay periods vary by country.
Brazil’s New eVisa Requirement
Starting April 10, 2025, Brazil requires U.S., Canadian, and Australian citizens to obtain an eVisa before travel. You must submit applications through brazil.vfsevisa.com well in advance of travel. This change affects many travelers combining Brazil with Peru and other South American destinations.
Bolivia’s Visa Requirements
Bolivia maintains visa requirements for U.S. travelers. Costs reach $160 USD (in new, crisp bills) for a 30-day visa that extends for up to 90 days per year. The visa is currently good for multiple entries for up to five years. Bolivia requires online registration on its SIGAMIG Web site. It is also possible to obtain a tourist visa at any land or air border, valid for 30 days.
Besides your passport, you must have a Certificate of yellow fever vaccine, two recent 3×3 cm photos, as well as present a copy of a bank statement. Also, you must show proof of lodging or invitation letters, and proof of onward travel. These requirements make Bolivia one of the more complex South American destinations for U.S. travelers. (But if you book your Bolivia tour package with Fertur Peru Travel, your tour coordinator will walk you through the process!)
Ecuador’s New Yellow Fever Requirements
Important Update: Ecuador has implemented new yellow fever vaccination requirements. These significantly impact travelers who have visited Peru. Effective May 12, 2025, all travelers entering Ecuador must present an International Certificate of Vaccination against Yellow Fever if they:
- Hold nationality or residency of Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, or Brazil
- Have stayed or transited for more than 10 days in any of those countries before arriving in Ecuador
Critical timing requirement: The vaccination certificate must show that you received the vaccine at least 10 days before your travel to Ecuador. This means you cannot get vaccinated immediately before departure. You must plan accordingly.
What This Means for Peru Travelers: If you plan a multi-country itinerary that includes both Peru and Ecuador, and you’ll spend more than 10 days in Peru, you’ll need yellow fever vaccination before entering Ecuador. This applies regardless of your nationality or where you obtained the vaccination.
Planning Multi-Country Itineraries
When planning travel to multiple South American countries, research each destination’s requirements individually. Consider how border crossings might affect your overall itinerary. Some travelers find it beneficial to enter and exit certain countries through specific borders or airports. This optimizes their experience.
Special consideration for Ecuador: If your itinerary includes Ecuador after spending time in Peru, factor in Ecuador’s yellow fever vaccination requirement. This rule takes effect May 12, 2025, for travelers who have stayed more than 10 days in Peru. The 10-day advance vaccination requirement means you must plan this well before your trip begins, not during your travels.
Extended Stays and Visa Applications
For travelers planning extended stays beyond typical tourist periods, understanding the application process proves important. This also applies to those from countries requiring visas.
When You Need a Visa
Apply for a visa if you come from a country not on Peru’s visa exemption list. Also apply if you plan to stay longer than the maximum tourist period. Apply if you travel for purposes other than tourism, such as business, study, or volunteer work.
Application Process
You should submit visa applications at Peruvian consulates or embassies in your home country. Submit them well in advance of your planned travel. Processing times vary. Peak travel seasons may result in longer waiting periods.
Types of Visas Available
Peru offers various visa categories. These include tourist visas for extended stays and business visas for commercial activities. Peru also provides specialized visas for students, volunteers, and other specific purposes. Each category has different requirements, validity periods, and restrictions.
Practical Tips for Smooth Entry
Based on extensive traveler experience and immigration procedures, several practical tips can help ensure smooth entry into Peru:
Documentation Organization: Keep all required documents easily accessible in a dedicated travel folder. Maintain both physical and digital formats. This includes passport, return tickets, accommodation confirmations, and any required health certificates.
Cash Preparation: Have some U.S. dollars available for potential fees, tips, or unexpected expenses. Credit cards enjoy wide acceptance in major cities. However, smaller border crossings and some fees may require cash payment.
Language Considerations: Many immigration officers speak some English. However, having key phrases in Spanish or translation apps available can prove helpful. This particularly applies at smaller border crossings.
Timing Considerations: Allow extra time for immigration procedures. This especially applies during peak travel seasons or at busy border crossings. What typically takes 15-30 minutes might extend longer during high-traffic periods.
Technology Backup: Ensure your phone stays charged. Consider having offline access to important documents through apps or downloads. This helps in case internet connectivity proves limited at border crossings.
Staying Updated on Changing Requirements
Immigration requirements can change, sometimes with little advance notice. Several strategies help ensure you have current information:
Official Sources: Consult Peruvian consulates or embassies in your home country for the most current and authoritative information. You can also visit PromPeru’s Web site.
Traveler Communities: Online travel forums and communities often share real-time experiences. They provide updates about changing requirements or procedures.
Government Resources: Both your home country’s travel advisories and Peru’s official tourism websites provide updated information. This covers entry requirements and travel conditions.
Preparing for Your Peru Adventure
Peru welcomes foreign tourists with open open arms and reasonable entry requirements. Its modern immigration systems make Peru an accessible destination for travelers from around the world.
Success lies in proper preparation and attention to detail:
- Ensure your passport meets validity requirements.
- Understand your specific visa situation.
- Prepare with appropriate documentation.
Remember that immigration requirements can change. Individual circumstances may require specific considerations. When in doubt, consult with Peruvian consular authorities in your home country. If booking with Fertur Peru Travel, you can also count on us to help guide you.
You’re going to love Peru!