How to Apply for a Peru Retirement Visa in Minneapolis

Peru ranks among the world’s top countries for retirees due to its scenic beauty, low cost of living, political stability, and rich culture.  Visitors from the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area are drawn to its pristine beaches, lush Amazon rainforests, ancient villages, historic sites such as Machu Picchu, and the towering Andes Mountains.

The Republic of Peru borders Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and the Pacific Ocean.  Peru’s history dates back to the 10th millennium BCE, making it the earliest civilization in the Americas.  Once a part of the Incan Empire, modern-day Peru was colonized by the Spanish during the 16th Century before gaining independence from Spain during the early 1820s.  Its population of 33 million people includes mestizos (descendants of Europeans and indigenous peoples), Amerindians, Europeans, Africans, and Asian.  Most Peruvians speak Spanish.

The peaceful democratic republic is also one of the least expensive countries for expat retirees, according to International Living.  Living costs average 53% lower than those in the United States, while rents are 73% less, according to Numbeo.  Publications such as Expat Financial and Investopedia rank Peru among the five most affordable countries for retirees in South America, as Americans can easily live there for less than  $2,000 per month.

An estimated 100,000 long-term immigrants live in Peru.  While most of those originate in other South American countries, World Population Review reported 13,588 American expats resided in the republic, including those from Minneapolis and other parts of the Upper Midwest.  Most Americans live in the coastal capital city of Peru; Cusco and the Sacred Valley: or Trujillo and the Northern Coast.

“Lima is a popular choice for many expats for obvious reasons,” International Living noted. “It offers many of the benefits of a large metropolitan city, including restaurants, shopping, theaters, and gyms.  Lima is considered the food capital of Latin America and sits along the coastline, a must for many expats.” The publication added, “Many expats choose the Sacred Valley for its lifestyle away from the big city, its affordable cost of living, and the deep spirituality of the Andes.” Other top cities for retirees and expats from Minneapolis include the surfing/beach/fishing communities of Trujillo and Huanchoaco in northern Peru; Arequipa, a small colonial city with a rich cultural heritage amidst breathtaking natural surroundings; and the bohemian beach town of Mancora.  Peru is also “home to some of the most stunning South American islands to visit,” Islands magazine reported. “It should come as no surprise that sun-loving retirees are flocking to the country’s once-overlooked gems in search of a better quality of life.”

Peru’s natural beauty, biodiversity, and rich culture also make it a popular tourist destination for those living in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area.  Best known for the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu, one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World,” Peru is also home to 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites.  Tourism is Peru’s third largest industry, attracting 4.2 million international visitors (mostly tourists) in 2025.  While most foreign visitors came from Chile, the United States was the second largest source of international tourists at 628,000.

In 2025, Ulyssee News reported, Peru was named the world’s top cultural destination and best culinary destination; Lima the world’s leading heritage city; Machu Picchu the top tourist attraction globally; and the Ancash region of the Andes the world’s best adventure destination. “Peru isn’t built around a single highlight,” the publication noted. “Yes, Machu Picchu is unforgettable.  But Peru is also Lima’s energy, Andean towns that still feel deeply local, markets where you can taste something new every day, and a food scene that doesn’t require luxury budgets to impress.”

Lima, the largest city in Peru, is located in the central coastal region overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  The Lima metropolitan area (which includes the seaport of Callao) is considered the political, cultural, financial and commercial center of the country.  The “gastronomical capital of the Americas,” Lima is known for historic museums, cathedrals, missions, and nightlife.  However, most tourists are drawn to the “Gringo trail” that links much of the country with Incan ruins at Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and the nearby city of Cusco (aka Cuzco).  Located more than 11,000 above sea level, Cusco was named one of the world’s five best retirement cities by Investopedia).  It combines big-city amenities with cobblestone roads, rolling hills, mountain vistas, and local arts and crafts.  Arequipa, the second largest city in Peru, enjoys a spring-like climate throughout the year.  The city features well-maintained parks and plaza; the Cercado colonial district downtown; more than a dozen university campuses; and unique hiking opportunities that include a volcano, the deepest canyon in the world, and the tropical glaciers of Huascaran National Park.

It takes about nine hours to fly from Minneapolis to Lima (with a stop in either Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, or Miami).  Peru does not observe Daylight Savings Time (DST), so the Peru Time Zone corresponds to the U.S. Central Time Zone during DST and with the Eastern Time Zone the rest of the year, making it easy for U.S. expats from Minneapolis to stay in touch with family and friends back home.

The Peru Retirement Visa Program

Peru currently offers nine types of temporary visas and six residential visas.  The most popular option for retirees from Minneapolis is the Rentista (retirement) visa program.  The Rentista is available to those who no longer are employed in their home country.  There are no minimum age requirements and the program is open to citizens of countries.  The investor visa is also available to entrepreneurs who invest at least PEN 500,000 (about US $150,000) in a business or real estate.  The Peru Immigration Guide provides additional details about visa and residency requirements.

The primary requirement for eligibility is receiving at least $1,000 in monthly income (or $12,000 annually), plus another $500 monthly for each dependent who will live with you in Peru.  Your income must originate outside of Peru and be transferred to an account with a Peruvian banking institution.  Those funds can be generated from such passive sources as pension payments; retirement annuities; rental income; permanent dividends from one or more companies; or bank assets that generate at least $1,000 in monthly interest.  Further details on Rentista are available at https://www.gob.pe/12933-cambio-de-calidad-migratoria-residente-solicitar-cambio-de-calidad-migratoria-rentista-residente.

Unlike most other visas, the Rentista does not expire and does not have to be renewed each year – although you do have to submit annual confirmation that you still live in Peru.  Another significant benefit of the Rentista is that you do not generally have to pay income tax on your pension.  You can also import personal and domestic items without paying duties or taxes.  However, one drawback for some people is the requirement that you must spend at least 183 days per year in Peru.

After you live in Peru for three years, you can apply for permanent residency.  Also, once you live in the country for a full two years, you can also apply for citizenship if you can demonstrate knowledge of the Spanish language and Peruvian culture.  Peru allows dual citizenship, so you are not required to renounce your U.S. citizenship.

Passport holders from the United States, Canada and more than 90 other countries who live in Minneapolis do not need a visa to visit Peru for up to six months.  This provides plenty of time to explore the country; decide whether you want to stay and where you will live; and start the retirement visa process, which typically takes about three months.  While most major Peruvian cities have immigration offices, all visa applications are processed by the Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones (https://www.gob.pe/migraciones) in Lima.  Most processes can be completed online through this portal, although some require you to appear in person.  Also note that few government employees speak English; unless you are fluent in Spanish, you may need to hire a bilingual agent or lawyer to help you work through the process.

The primary document you need to provide is certification of your permanent income from outside Peru.  That certification must be notarized by a notary public or legalized at a Peruvian consulate, and then accepted by the Ministry of Foreign Relations.  All documents must either be written in Spanish or translated into Spanish by a Peruvian government-certified translator.  The total costs of hiring an attorney, translating documents, etc., typically run $800 to $1,200.

Other basic documents beyond proof of income are:

  • Completed Form F-004 (Formulario F-004), available as a PDF at https://www.gob.pe/institucion/minam/informes-publicaciones/275346-formulario-f-04.
  • Original U.S. passport plus a photocopy.
  • Two passport-size photos.
  • Apostilled (authenticated) marriage certificate and/or birth certificates of children for anyone included in the retirement visa.
  • Police clearance certificate from your home country, demonstrating you have no criminal or judicial records for five years prior to arriving in Peru.
  • Interpol International Exchange File, a police clearance covering any country where you lived over the previous five years and issued within the previous six months. (NOTE: Interpol documentation is not required for minors.).
  • Receipt showing payment of application fees. Visa application fees are currently PEN 117.60 (about $35).

After you are granted residency in Peru, you will need to obtain a foreign resident ID card (Carnet de Extranjeria, or CE, a foreign resident ID card) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  The CE allows you to open a local bank account, purchase mobile phones and internet service, and travel within the country without your U.S. passport.  After arrival in Peru, fill out the online application and submit scanned copies of your passport-style photo, signature, and the biometrics page of your passport.  It typically takes five days to process the application.  You can forward your English and Spanish documents to the Peruvian government before you leave, but the approval process does not begin until you arrive in Peru.

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

Residents of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area with questions about obtaining a retirement visa for Peru -- or who would like us to help ensure they have accumulated the necessary documents and paperwork before they travel to Peru -- can schedule a telephone call through our website or email michael@visasupply.com. We can also refer you to immigration attorneys, real estate agents, and personal drivers to help facilitate your initial trip to Peru.

We can also assist with numerous visas and services for our customers living in the Twin Cities, including:

  • Tourism visa
  • Business visa
  • Student visa
  • Digital nomad visa
  • Work visa
  • Investor visa
  • Family visa
  • Health insurance
  • Travel insurance