Spouse or Registered Partner – Residence in Peru
The Family Member of a Peruvian National visa allows foreign nationals to reside legally in Peru based on their family relationship with a Peruvian citizen or with a foreign resident who already holds a valid immigration status. It is one of the most common pathways to long-term residence in Peru and also authorizes both dependent and independent work.
This article explains who qualifies, which documents are required, how the procedure works, applicable deadlines, rights and obligations, and the medium- and long-term options available, such as permanent residence or Peruvian nationality.
Who qualifies for this visa?
The following persons may apply for the Resident – Family Member of a Peruvian National immigration status:
A foreign national who is legally married to a Peruvian citizen.
A foreign national who is the registered partner of a Peruvian citizen, provided that the de facto union has been formally recognized through a notarial or judicial procedure, registered with SUNARP, and proves at least two years of continuous cohabitation at the time of application.
A foreign national married to another foreigner who holds Peruvian residence based on a work visa, as long as both the employment relationship and the marital relationship remain valid.
Nature of the residence and validity
This visa grants resident status and authorizes the holder to engage in paid activities in Peru, whether as an employee or as a self-employed professional.
The residence is granted for two years and is renewable. The renewal request must be submitted before the expiration date; as a best practice, it is recommended to apply at least 30 days in advance.
Key preliminary conditions
At the time of filing the application, the foreign national must be in regular immigration status, holding a valid visa or authorized stay. If the applicant entered Peru as a tourist, the change of immigration status must be submitted before the tourist stay expires. Tourist visas cannot currently be extended within Peru, so overstaying generally requires leaving the country and re-entering.
The applicant must also have no criminal, judicial, or police records in their country of origin or in any country where they have previously resided. These certificates must be apostilled or legalized. For U.S. citizens, an FBI Background Check with federal apostille is mandatory. Any criminal record reflected in the certificate, regardless of how old it is, may result in the application being declared inadmissible.
The Peruvian spouse or partner must hold a valid Peruvian ID (DNI) with the correct and updated civil status before the immigration process begins. This is especially important when the marriage is celebrated in Peru, as registration with RENIEC and the subsequent DNI update may take several weeks.
Required documentation – Marriage route
When applying based on marriage to a Peruvian citizen, the foreign applicant must submit, among others, the following documents:
A valid passport (a minimum validity of one year is recommended).
Criminal background check from country of origin; U.S. citizen: FBI Background Check apostilled in Washington, D.C.
A recent marriage certificate. If the marriage was celebrated outside Peru, it must be apostilled; if it was celebrated in Peru, a recent certified copy from RENIEC is required. If the document is not in Spanish, it must be translated in Peru by an official translator.
A valid INTERPOL International Exchange Form issued in Peru.
The Peruvian spouse must submit a valid DNI with updated civil status and a sworn declaration of the family residence address using Migraciones’ official forms. If the marriage took place abroad, it must first be registered with RENIEC.
As a general rule, documents issued abroad are usually considered valid for six months, while documents issued in Peru are valid for three months.
Required documentation – De facto union route
When the application is based on a de facto union, the applicant must submit the notarial or judicial record recognizing the union, duly registered with SUNARP, proving at least two years of continuous cohabitation. The Peruvian partner’s DNI must be up to date.
In addition, the foreign applicant must submit the remaining required documents, such as a valid passport, apostilled criminal records from the country of origin, and the INTERPOL form, under the same conditions applicable to the marriage route.
General procedure overview
The process begins with collecting the required apostilled documents and, when applicable, having them officially translated into Spanish in Peru. The applicant must then obtain the INTERPOL form and verify that the Peruvian spouse or partner’s DNI is updated and that the marriage or de facto union is properly registered.
Next, the corresponding government fee is paid at the Banco de la Nación, and the application for change of immigration status is submitted through the Migraciones Digital Agency. Once an application number is issued, the applicant receives access credentials to the digital platform in order to schedule the first in-person appointment, during which biometric data (photo, signature, and fingerprints) are collected.
Migraciones may issue observations or requests for additional information during the process. Once the application is approved, a provisional certificate of the Foreigner ID (Carné de Extranjería) with a QR code is issued, followed by a final appointment to collect the physical ID card.
Rights and obligations
Holders of this residence permit have the right to live and work legally in Peru with their Carné de Extranjería. They are also required to maintain the family relationship that gave rise to the residence, report any changes of address or civil status, and ensure timely renewal or change of immigration status when applicable.
Migraciones is authorized to verify the accuracy of the declared residence and to monitor compliance with immigration obligations.
Residence renewal
Family Member of a Peruvian National residence is granted for two years and may be renewed as long as the family relationship and documentation remain valid. Renewal should be requested at least 30 days before expiration.
Path to permanent residence
After three years of continuous legal residence, the foreign national may apply for Permanent Resident status, which is granted for an indefinite period.
During this time, absences from Peru must not exceed 183 consecutive days within any 365-day period, unless prior authorization has been obtained. Importantly, the calculation of these periods begins on the date the residence is approved by Migraciones, not on the date of entry into Peru or the start of the application process.
Peruvian nationality and recent changes
Depending on the circumstances, family-based residence may also lead to Peruvian nationality. Recent legal changes have increased some requirements, particularly for nationality by marriage, which now requires four years of continuous marriage and valid immigration residence in Peru. General naturalization requires five years of continuous legal residence.
Peru allows dual and multiple nationalities, meaning applicants are not required to renounce their previous nationality. In addition to residency periods, applicants must meet requirements related to criminal background, lawful income, and knowledge of the Spanish language, the Constitution, and Peruvian history.
Practical recommendations
It is advisable to carefully document all entries and exits from Peru and to request prior authorization if a prolonged absence is anticipated. Applicants should also ensure that the Peruvian spouse’s DNI and the foreign national’s Carné de Extranjería remain valid and up to date, and begin preparing early for permanent residence or nationality applications.
Need assistance with your Family Member of a Peruvian National visa?
Although this type of residence may seem straightforward, in practice there are many details that, if not handled correctly, can lead to delays or rejection.
NVC Abogados provides comprehensive legal assistance for Family Member of a Peruvian National visas, from document review and application filing to obtaining the Carné de Extranjería, renewing residence, and planning the path toward permanent residence or Peruvian nationality.
👉 Contact us to schedule a consultation and receive personalized advice for your case.
Family Member of a Peruvian National Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Foreign nationals married to a Peruvian citizen or in a registered de facto union with a Peruvian citizen may apply. Spouses of foreign residents with a valid work-based residence may also qualify, provided the family and employment ties remain valid.
Yes. This residence permit authorizes both dependent employment and independent professional or business activities in Peru
The residence is granted for two years and can be renewed as long as the family relationship continues to exist and all immigration requirements are met.
Yes, but the change of immigration status must be filed before your tourist stay expires. Tourist visas cannot be extended within Peru, and overstaying may require leaving the country.
Yes. Applicants must present criminal record certificates from their country of origin and any country of previous residence, duly apostilled. For U.S. citizens, an FBI Background Check with federal apostille is mandatory.
The de facto union must be formally recognized by notarial or judicial act, registered with SUNARP, and prove at least two years of continuous cohabitation at the time of application.
Yes. After three years of continuous legal residence, applicants may apply for Permanent Resident status, subject to compliance with absence limits and other requirements.
Yes. Depending on the case, nationality may be obtained through marriage or general naturalization, provided the required residence periods and legal conditions are met.
Need help choosing the right visa for Peru?
Immigration rules in Peru can be confusing – especially when it comes to the required documents, timelines, and legal steps. Choosing the right visa from the start can save you time, money, and stress.
Book your private consultation with Sergio Vargas to get expert guidance on the best visa option for your situation – and a clear plan to move forward.
The session takes place via Zoom and can be conducted in English or Spanish.
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