How to Apply for a Peru Business Visa in Atlanta

Peru’s fast-growing economy and free trade agreements with the United States continue to offer business opportunities for companies in Atlanta and across the Southeast.  As the COVID-19 pandemic fades, more businesspeople are considering obtaining visas that allow them to spend days or months in Peru to pursue those prospects.

Situated in the western part of South America along the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains, Peru is bordered by Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador.  The country covers 1.3 million square feet spanning three regions: Coast (Costa), Highlands (Sierras) and Jungle (Amazonia).  The multicultural nation of 31.5 million Spanish and Quechua-speaking inhabitants features the cosmopolitan capital city of Lima alongside vast natural reserves and colorful indigenous traditions.  Lima is roughly a seven-hour direct flight from Atlanta via Delta Air Lines.

Although the Peruvian economy and internal politics of the country have faced difficulties the past two years due to the pandemic, the country has been among the fastest-growing economies in the Americas the past decade, with an average growth rate of 5.9 percent, according to the World Bank. “Peru has solid macroeconomic fundamentals, including a relatively low public debt to GDP ratio, considerable international reserves, and a solid central bank,” the organization stated.  The World Bank forecasts Peru’s GDP will grow by 3.4 percent in 2022.

Business Opportunities in Peru

Strong growth and a stable environment provide numerous opportunities for Atlanta-based companies to import commodities and manufactured products from Peru; export American made goods and services to Peru; or make investment within the country.  In 2020, some 9,000 Peruvian companies imported $6.3 billion worth of products from the United States, while U.S. goods and services trade totaled $23.3 billion, according to the United States Department of Commerce.  The state of Georgia has also worked for decades to build strong trade ties to make Peru a major destination for Georgia’s manufactured goods and agricultural products (peanuts, wood pulp, cotton, and blueberries).

The largest industries in Peru are mining, manufacturing, fishing, and tourism.  Mineral-rich mountainous areas make Peru a global leader in lead, copper, gold, and zinc production.  Mining and minerals provide more than 50% of the country’s exports.  Manufacturing contributes 20% percent of GDP, producing textiles, computers, fabricated metal, chemicals, processed foods, oil and natural gas, automotive and aviation parts, and pisco (the national spirit).  The fishing industry provides 10% of the world’s fish consumption.  Agriculture also accounts for a sizeable portion of GDP and exports, such as cotton, rice, sugar, fresh fruits and vegetables.  The country is also the world’s top producer of alpaca fiber.

Tourism is the third largest industry in Peru.  The nation’s historical sites, natural beauty, culture, cuisine, and growing hospitality infrastructure make Peru a unique global destination.  According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, tourism accounted for 8.3% of national GDP in 2019, contributing $18.6 billion and more than one million jobs to the economy.  Business travel accounted for 15% of the total revenue.  While international visitor spending plummeted by more than 75% when the pandemic began in 2020, tourism started to rebound in 2022.

While the coastal capital of Lima is the most common entry point to Peru, the most popular tourist attraction is the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu, one of the new seven wonders of the modern world.  Other popular destinations include the Sacred Valley of the Incas at Cusco; Lake Titicaca and the islands of Taquile and Amantani; Colca Canyon, the deepest canyon in the world; Tambopata National Reserve, the gateway to the Amazon rainforest; and the coastal city of Chan Chan, one of the country’s 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  Adventure travel is a prominent draw, including hiking, climbing, mountain biking, surfing, paragliding, hang gliding, camping, canoeing, and kayaking.

Numerous Peruvian companies offer travel packages to Machu Picchu and other destinations, which provides collaborative opportunities for Atlanta-based travel agencies.  Hotels, hostels, restaurants, and real estate projects are ranked among the most profitable businesses in Peru, providing additional avenues for business investments and operations.

Obtaining a Peru Business Visa in Atlanta

While U.S. citizens do not need a tourist visa to visit Peru for up to 90 days, those traveling to Peru from Atlanta for business reasons do need to obtain a business visa.  A chart detailing tourist and business visa requirements and durations for citizens of other countries can be found at https://www.limaeasy.com/index.php?option=com_jreviews&format=ajax&url=media/download&m=Z766Y&1650046311810.

You must complete the government’s online visa application, which is available for download at http://www.consulado.pe/Documents/visas/fomulario_solicitud_visa.pdf.  Print the form and sign it.  You must also add your right index fingerprint to the application under the “digital print” box next to the signature box near the bottom.

Other requirements for a business visa include:

  • A U.S. passport valid for at least the next six months plus a copy of the personal information page of the passport. You must also have at least one blank visa page available.
  • If you are not a U.S. citizen but are traveling from the United States, you will need to attach proof of your legal or residence status (such as a notarized copy of your Green Card).
  • Two color passport-sized photos (2x2) taken within the last six months against a white background that provide a full-face view of the applicant.
  • Proof of travel arrangements, including a copy of your round-trip ticket, flight reservation, or travel agency itinerary with entry and exit dates that match your full passport name.
  • A business introduction letter from your U.S.-based company addressed to the Consulate General of Peru in Atlanta printed on company letterhead. The letter should include the purpose of your visit; name and contact person at the Peruvian organization you are visiting; financial guarantees for all expenses incurred during your stay; and the visa type {business}, number of years requested, and whether you plan to make multiple entries.
  • A letter of invitation from a Peru-based organization (if the trip is connected with a specific company). The letter should be signed by a senior manager and addressed to The Consulate General of Peru, Visa Section.  It will include details of your visit, including personal information about the traveler and the inviting person; the exact purpose and nature of your trip; financial guarantees; and details about the number of entries to Peru and visa duration which align with details of your visa application.

Applicants must appear at the Peruvian consulate to apply for a business visa (You may also use a visa service such as Visa Supply if you don’t have time to visit the consulate in-person).  Here is the address:

Consulate General of Peru
4360 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, #580
Atlanta, GA 30341

The government processing fee is $30, to be paid in cash when you apply.  You will need to make an appointment with the Atlanta consulate; their website is http://www.consulado.pe/es/Atlanta/tramite/Paginas/Issuance-of-Business-Visa.aspx. Processing time typically runs about 2 weeks.  However, appointments and turnaround times have been constrained during the pandemic, so give yourself plenty of time to arrange the visa before your trip.

The Peruvian business visa is a multiple entry visa that can cover multiple years.  You can typically first enter Peru within six months from the issue date.  The maximum stay on a business visa is 180 days per year.  Additional information about visiting Peru is available from the Consulate at http://www.consulado.pe/es/Atlanta/Paginas/Inicio.aspx.

The Peruvian government does not require any immunizations for entry, however, it is recommend to review the latest health notices provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/peru?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001.  The U.S. government also recommends that travelers purchase insurance to cover unexpected medical expenses: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/your-health-abroad/Insurance_Coverage_Overseas.html?cq_ck=1708701048867.  International medical insurance from GeoBlue can be purchased from Visa Supply online through the following link: ⇒Order Now.

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Atlanta or anywhere in the Southeast United States and have difficulty applying for a Peru business visa or require assistance with any part of the visa process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company.  We are a private agency in the city of Sandy Springs (located just 5 miles from the Peru consulate in Atlanta) providing Peru visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the government of Peru.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans. 

We provide the following Peru visa services for our customers in Atlanta:

  • Peru Business Visa
  • Peru Retirement Visa
  • Peru Student Visa
  • Peru Hotel Accommodations
  • Peru Private Transportation (Private Drivers)
  • Peru Organized Tours