Arequipa Visa Guide

Peru has one of the most permissive immigration policies in South America for long-term visitors. The options become more restrictive the longer you want to stay, however. This guide covers what actually works in practice for expats choosing Arequipa.

Tourist Visa: The Foundation

Upon arriving in Peru by air or land, most Western nationals automatically receive 90 days of tourist permission — no prior visa, no payment, no paperwork. If you hold a passport from the EU, US, Canada, Australia, UK, or most Latin American countries, this applies to you.

The 90 days are extendable to 183 days (the legal maximum per calendar year) by visiting the Migraciones office in Arequipa in person, at Calle Urquiaga 203. No appointment is needed. The process involves presenting your passport, paying S/.60 at the Banco de la Nación (there is one on the same street), and waiting between 30 minutes and 2 hours depending on the queue. The extension grants another 90 days, valid only within the same calendar year.

Important: the extension is not automatic. If you arrive in October and want to stay until April, you will need a different visa — the calendar year closes in December and tourist visa time cannot be carried over from one year to the next.

The Border Run to Tacna

The border run is the most-used method by nomads who want to reset their 90 days without applying for a formal visa. Tacna, the Peruvian city closest to the Chilean border, is 4 hours by bus from Arequipa. The nearest crossing to Tacna is the Santa Rosa-Chacalluta post, which connects to the Chilean city of Arica.

The entire process is completed in a single day: exit Peru, enter Chile, exit Chile, re-enter Peru. Upon return, Migraciones stamps another automatic 90 days. There is no legal limit on border runs, although if Migraciones observes a repeated pattern it may ask about your residency intentions.

Cruz del Sur and Oltursa operate daily buses from Arequipa's Terminal Terrestre to Tacna (S/.18, departures from 6am). A shared taxi from central Tacna to the border post costs S/.3–5 and takes 15 minutes. The crossing itself is on foot: Peruvian exit stamp, Chilean entry stamp, a brief pause in Arica or straight to the Chilean exit stamp, Peruvian re-entry stamp. The entire process typically takes 30–45 minutes outside of peak travel days (long weekends).

Some expats use the trip to explore Arica, a clean and pleasant Chilean coastal city 20 minutes from the crossing. There is a decent beach, a good seafood market, and the Museo de San Miguel de Azapa with the world's oldest Chinchorro mummies.

Rentista Visa

The rentista visa is the most direct option for those who want to stay more than 183 days per year without depending on border runs. It requires proof of at least $1,000 per month in passive income from sources outside Peru (pension, property rental income, dividends, etc.).

Required documentation:

• Bank statements for the last 3 months showing the passive income.
• Apostilled criminal background check from your home country (the apostille process typically takes 2–6 weeks depending on the country).
• Health insurance with Peru coverage (SafetyWing is accepted in most applications).
• Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity.
• Photographs and Migraciones forms.

Once approved, the rentista visa is valid for 1 year and renewable. After one year on this visa you are entitled to apply for the cédula de extranjería (temporary residency card). After 3 years of temporary residency you can apply for permanent residency.

Work Visa

The work visa requires sponsorship from a Peruvian employer, who must initiate the process with Migraciones before the worker arrives in the country. It is not designed for remote workers with foreign clients.

Freelancers with Peruvian clients who issue invoices to local companies are in a gray zone: technically they should have a RUC (Peruvian tax registration) and a work visa, but in practice Migraciones rarely acts against this arrangement. Consult a local immigration lawyer if Peruvian income is significant.

Student Visa

Enrolling in a recognized Spanish school or Peruvian educational institution allows you to apply for a student visa. It requires an acceptance letter from the institution and active enrollment. A valid option for anyone who also wants to improve their Spanish while regularizing their immigration status.

Recommendations by Profile

• Remote worker / nomad: Start with the automatic 90 days, extend to 183 days at Migraciones Arequipa, and when the year runs out use the Tacna border run to reset. It is the simplest and most commonly used option.
• Retiree / rentier: Apply directly for the rentista visa from your home country or during your first 90 days in Arequipa. It is the cleanest path to legal residency and the cédula.
• Professional with a Peruvian contract: Your employer manages the work visa. You just need to provide the documents they request.