Peru
Resident worker visa
You may set up your own company in Peru and apply for a work permit. The company must be active, but without the need to be productive. You can secure a work visa based on this company and pay yourself a local salary (and taxes) equivalent to at least US$12,000 per year.
The new Immigration Law (Legislative Decree N° 1350), in force since March 2017, allows independent contractors to be eligible for this visa, provided that they have a good professional background and academic certificates, and have been hired by a Peruvian company.
Once you receive the visa, your dependents may apply for a family visa.
The worker visa is valid for one year, renewable, as long as you are still hired by your company, and you have stayed in Peru for at least 183 days during the year.
After two years of legally residing in Peru, you may be eligible for citizenship, provided that you prove ties to the country, such as rental or purchase of residential property, you have been residing there during the whole period and you have knowledge of the Spanish language and the culture and values of the country.
Instead of citizenship, you may apply for permanent residency after three years of legally residing in Peru. The permanent residency permit will allow you to live and work indefinitely in Peru.
Requirements
- Legalized copy of your work contract approved by administration authorities. It must be submitted within no more than 15 days after it has been approved.
- Hiring company's legal representative´s valid certification documentation issued by the Registry office. If the contract is signed in Peru then you must be in a regular immigration status or have a special permit that allows you to sign the contract there. If the contract is signed outside of Peru, then it must be legalized at the Peruvian consulate and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office, or apostilled.
Restricted Nationalities
No nationality is officially restricted
dual citizenship
Dual citizenship is recognized in Peru. You are not required to renounce your previous nationality to become a citizen of Peru.
Documents Required
- Professional and academic certificates
- Certificate of the registrar of companies
- Documents certifying position and salary
- Employment contract
- Original and photocopy of passport
- Job and Salary verification letter
- Two passport-size photos
- dual citizenship Yes
- Family members included Yes
- land ownership Yes
- Physical residence required Yes
- Personal visit required Yes
- Language skills required No
- Interview required No
- Investment Single -
- Investment Family 4 -
- Minimum annual income $12,000
- Time to citizenship 24
- Time to permanent residency 36
- Visa-free countries 142
- Financing available No
Benefits
citizenship benefits
permanent residency benefits
temporary residency benefits
Country details
It is populated by 31 million people, with Lima, its capital, being the most populated city. In Peru more than 60 languages and dialects are spoken, although at the political level, Spanish is the official language and, in the predominant areas, Quechua, Aymara and other Aboriginal languages are also widely spoken. Its official currency is the Peruvian Sol (PEN).
Visa Free Travel
Taxes
An individual is deemed to be tax resident in Peru if he or she remains more than 183 days in a calendar year in the country.
Tax residents are subject to personal income tax on their worldwide income, while non-residents pay taxes on their income sourced in Peru.
Personal income accrued by residents is subject to progressive tax rates ranging from 0% to 30% on income exceeding 45 tax units (currently a tax unit is equivalent to PEN 3,850). Non-residents are taxed at a flat 30% rate on their Peruvian-source income.
Capital gains, as well as rental income and interest income, is taxed separately at a 5% rate. In the case of non-residents, gains derived from transfers of shares that take place outside the country are taxed at a 30% rate.
Dividends are subject to a final withholding tax, at an 8% rate for years 2017 and 2018, and 9.3% from 2019.
Passive income accrued by controlled foreign companies (CFC) may be attributable, provided that the resident holds at least 50% of ownership, voting rights, or gains and such companies are resident in tax havens or jurisdictions with nil or reduced tax rates.
Real property tax is levied at progressive rates from 0.2% to 1%, and tax is deductible for income tax purposes. Transfer of buildings is subject to a 3% tax, the first 10 tax units being tax-exempt.
There is no tax on net wealth and inheritances.
Regarding corporate taxation, resident entities pay 29.5% tax on their worldwide net income. Capital gains and dividends received from foreign entities are included in taxable income, but a tax credit for foreign tax paid is usually available.
To learn more about Peruvian corporate taxation, legal framework and tax treaties, check out incorporations.io/peru.
This should not be construed as tax advice. We have access to a global network of qualified attorneys and accountants who can give you the proper advice for your particular circumstances. Contact us for further information.
- Property tax Yes
- Transfer tax Yes
- Inheritance tax No
- Net worth tax No
- CFC law Yes
- Tax residency days 183
- Personal income tax rate 30%
- Capital Gains tax rate 5%
- Investment income tax rate 8%
- Territorial taxation No