Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Obtaining a Peruvian passport has become much simpler and faster than it was a few years ago, but the procedure remains highly regulated. Between the steps with the Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones, the specific requirements for minors, emergency cases, or applications from abroad, it’s easy to get lost. This guide offers a complete, practical, and up-to-date overview of how the Peruvian passport works and the steps to obtain, renew, or replace it.
Understanding the Peruvian Passport
The Peruvian passport is a travel document issued to Peruvian citizens by the Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones, an agency under the Ministry of the Interior. It serves both as an international identity document and as a key to enter a large number of countries without a visa or with a visa on arrival.
Since 2016, Peru has only issued biometric passports. These documents include an electronic chip containing the holder’s fingerprints, photo, and digitized signature, which enhances security and reduces the risk of fraud. The old “mechanized” passports, which were not biometric, are no longer issued and are no longer accepted for new applications.
The Peruvian passport has a burgundy cover with the inscriptions « COMUNIDAD ANDINA » and « REPÚBLICA DEL PERÚ » above the national coat of arms, and « PASAPORTE » as well as « PASSPORT » below. This design corresponds to the common format adopted by several Andean region countries.
Beyond its appearance, this document grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 142 countries and territories. According to the Henley Passport Index, the Peruvian passport ranks around 35th globally in terms of travel freedom, and 6th in South America. It also allows for facilitated residence and work in member states of the Andean Community (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador) and Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, with Chile as an associate member), subject to meeting certain citizenship and criminal record requirements.
Types of Passports and Travel Documents
The “Peruvian passport” is not a single document: several versions exist depending on the holder’s profile and function. Understanding these categories helps determine which type to apply for.
Ordinary Biometric Passport
This is the standard passport, intended for the vast majority of citizens. It is used for touristic, family, business, or study travel. This is the document obtained through the standard procedure at Migraciones or a Peruvian consulate abroad.
Special Passport
The special passport is reserved for individuals who officially represent the Peruvian State without being part of the diplomatic corps stricto sensu. It applies, for example, to certain civil servants on mission or representatives participating in international meetings on behalf of the government.
Diplomatic Passport
The diplomatic passport is intended for diplomats, high-ranking state officials, and diplomatic couriers. It is issued according to very strict criteria, within the framework of official functions. For the general public, this type of document is not accessible.
Laissez-Passer Document (Salvoconducto)
The salvoconducto is an emergency document issued to Peruvian citizens abroad who have lost their passport, had it stolen, or severely damaged it. This laissez-passer allows them to return to Peru—or to their country of residence—but is only valid for 30 days. Upon arrival on Peruvian territory, it may be retained by the immigration authorities, who consider its purpose fulfilled.
The salvoconducto does not replace a standard passport. Its role is exclusive: it is used solely for the repatriation of a citizen in an emergency situation.
Passport Validity and Age Categories
The rules regarding the validity period of the Peruvian passport have evolved, especially for adults. It is important to know them to anticipate renewals and avoid unpleasant surprises when traveling.
Validity Period by Age
The table below summarizes the validity periods based on the holder’s age:
| Age Category | Standard Passport Validity |
|---|---|
| Adults (18 years and over) | 10 years (new passports) |
| Adolescents (12 to 17 years) | 5 years |
| Children under 12 years | 3 years |
| Old passports issued before the extension to 10 years | 5 years (until their expiration) |
A government decree effective in 2024 extended the validity of ordinary passports for adults to 10 years. Documents previously issued for 5 years remain valid until their expiration date: therefore, it is not necessary to replace them immediately, except in cases of full pages, deterioration, or loss.
No Technical “Renewal”
In Peru, a passport is not technically “renewed”: upon each expiration or early application, a new application is submitted following the same procedure as for a first-time issuance. This is an important point: even though in common language we speak of “renewing” a passport, administratively, it is always a new issuance.
Number of months of remaining validity required by several countries to allow a traveler to enter.
Where and From Whom to Request the Passport in Peru
The procedure depends on your place of residence: within Peruvian territory or abroad. In both cases, the competent authority is related to the Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones, but the practical process differs.
On Peruvian Territory: Migraciones and Its Agencies
Within the national territory, the Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones manages passport applications. It has a central headquarters in Lima (Sede Central Breña, Av. España 734) and numerous agencies in the capital and provinces. There are over a dozen offices in Lima and Callao alone, as well as about fifteen regional offices in cities like Arequipa, Trujillo, Cusco, Chiclayo, Piura, Iquitos, Tacna, or Puno.
To facilitate your procedures, Migraciones is accessible in several integrated service centers (MAC) located in shopping malls, as well as in a dedicated passport agency at Jorge Chávez Airport.
The following table illustrates some representative service points in Lima and regions:
| City / Area | Office or Center | Main Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Lima – Breña | Sede Central (Av. España 734) | Main headquarters, various procedures, passports |
| Callao | Jorge Chávez Airport Agency (T1) | 24/7 passport service for emergencies |
| Lima – Comas | MAC Lima Norte (Mallplaza Comas) | Extended hours, daily service |
| Lima – San Borja | Migracentro Primavera (Real Plaza) | Extended passport service during mall hours |
| Lima – Surco | Jockey Plaza Agency | High appointment capacity |
| Cusco | Regional Office (Av. El Sol 612) | Local processing of applications |
| Arequipa | Regional Office (Quinta Tristán) | Complete passport service |
| Trujillo | Regional Office (Av. Víctor Larco) | Reference point for the north coast |
These offices generally offer wide hours of operation, often from Monday to Saturday, with some mall agencies even open on Sundays.
Abroad: Consulates and Embassies
Peruvians living abroad or on an extended stay in another country should contact the Peruvian embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over their place of residence. These representations depend on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but work in coordination with Migraciones.
In Spain, Peru has several consulates spread across the country, notably in Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, and Valencia. Each of these consulates operates with its own opening hours and specific appointment procedures.
From abroad, the procedure is generally similar to that applied in Peru, but the processing times are longer (about three weeks for issuance), as passports are produced through an international circuit.
Steps to Obtain a Passport in Peru (Within the Territory)
For most adults residing in Peru, the process has become quite simple and relies on a clear sequence: payment, online appointment booking, in-person visit, and then document pickup.
1. Pay the Passport Fees
The first step is to pay the issuance fees. The standard fee for an ordinary 10-year biometric passport is currently 120.90 soles. A previous fee schedule mentioned an amount of 98.60 soles, which led the authorities to plan a supplementary payment of 22.30 soles for individuals who paid before the revaluation but receive a 10-year passport.
Payment is made through Banco de la Nación, either at a counter or via digital channels like the Págalo.pe platform or Multired ATMs. During payment, the applicant’s DNI number must be provided, and the payment code corresponding to the passport service (code 01810) must be used. The receipt must be kept safely: it will be required at the appointment booking stage and on the day of issuance.
2. Book an Appointment Online
Once payment is made, the application continues exclusively online. The official Migraciones website offers a dedicated booking module for biometric passports, accessible via the specific “citas pasaporte” address.
To book an appointment, the applicant must first enter their DNI number and personal data (name, date of birth, email address). They must then select the Migraciones office where they wish to go and choose an available time slot from those displayed by the system in real-time. In large cities, it is common to find an appointment for the same day or within the following days.
No paper form needs to be filled out: the information entered online feeds directly into the biometric enrollment system.
3. Attend the Appointment with Your DNI
On the scheduled day, the applicant must go in person to the chosen office, with their DNI and the payment receipt. Punctuality is highly recommended, as authorities generally ask to arrive a bit early to streamline the flow of people.
Upon entry, a basic check is performed before being directed to a counter or dedicated module for fingerprint, photo, and signature capture. ID photos are taken on-site according to strict biometric standards: it is unnecessary to bring your own. To comply, avoid bulky glasses, hats, and prominent facial piercings.
4. Biometric Capture and Passport Issuance
The agent collects the fingerprints, photo, and electronic signature. This data is stored in the passport chip. Once these steps are complete, the system initiates the production of the document.
In most agencies, the passport is ready the same day, sometimes in less than two hours. The user can wait on-site or return later the same day, depending on the local organization. If the document is not picked up immediately, it remains available for pickup for 60 days. Beyond this period, it is destroyed for security reasons, requiring restarting the entire procedure and repaying the fees.
Average Processing Time and Production Volume
The Migraciones authorities regularly announce figures illustrating the increasing capacity of the biometric system. Over five million electronic passports have been issued since their launch. In 2023, over 927,000 passports were issued, and nearly 800,000 were issued in 2024, with nearly 100,000 possible appointments per month nationwide.
Procedure for Minors: Enhanced Requirements
Passport applications for minors follow stricter rules, due to the particular legal protection granted to children and adolescents. The goal is to prevent illegal departures from the territory or unauthorized travel.
Mandatory Presence of the Minor and a Responsible Adult
The minor must appear in person at the appointment, accompanied by at least one parent, legal guardian, or representative with a notarized power of attorney. This adult is considered the legal representative for the procedure and must prove their relationship with the child.
Required documents generally include:
List of identity documents needed for a minor child, depending on their situation.
The minor’s DNI. If they do not have one yet, a recent Peruvian birth certificate (generally issued within the last six months) is accepted.
The DNI of the parent or guardian accompanying the child. If this person is not Peruvian, their foreign identity document is required.
If the birth occurred abroad, a copy of a birth certificate registered at a Peruvian consulate may be necessary.
If the minor has never had a passport or DNI, the birth certificate becomes the central document of the file. For minors in special situations (judicial guardianship, custody entrusted to a third party), documents officially designating the guardian or representative are essential.
Age Categories and Document Pickup
The validity period varies according to the minor’s age, and pickup rules may change. Children under 12 cannot pick up their passport themselves: it must be done by parents, the guardian, or the legal representative, presenting their own ID. For older adolescents, practice may be more flexible, but the presence of an adult remains the norm at the time of application.
Travel Authorization for Minors
Beyond the passport issuance itself, there is a specific requirement for Peruvian or binational minors leaving the country: the “Autorización de Viaje para Menores de Edad” (or “Permiso Notarial de Viaje”). This document, issued by a Peruvian notary, a family judge, or a Peruvian consulate abroad, is mandatory when the child travels without one or both parents, especially for stays exceeding 183 days or when the child has Peruvian nationality.
This authorization, mandatory for a minor traveling without both parents, must be signed by the non-accompanying parent(s). It is a Peruvian legal act aimed at protecting minors against abduction. It cannot be replaced by a U.S. legalization or a notarized act from the U.S. Embassy.
Applying for a Passport from Abroad
Millions of Peruvians live outside the country. For them, the procedure goes through Peruvian consulates, under the supervision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
General Conditions and Required Documents
The application begins with booking an appointment on the website of the competent consulate. Slots may open in waves, once a week, and fill up quickly, especially in large European or North American cities.
During the application, the consulate may request: specific documents, proof of residence, financial justifications, etc.
To carry out certain procedures at a Peruvian consulate, it is generally necessary to present: the original birth certificate or a certified copy (especially for minors without a DNI, usually issued within the last six months), the Peruvian DNI (for adults and minors who already have one), proof of address in the country of residence, recent photographs with a white background in the format required by the consulate, and proof of payment of consular fees.
In many consulates, photo and fingerprint capture is done on-site, following biometric standards similar to those applied in Peru.
Cost and Timelines Abroad
Passport fees abroad are expressed in “consular soles,” a unit of account used by the representations. The mentioned fee is 70 consular soles for issuing a biometric passport. Conversion into local currency (euros, dollars, etc.) varies according to the rate applied by the consular post.
Processing times are longer than in Peru: expect about three weeks between application and document availability, sometimes between 20 and 30 days. This time includes data transmission, centralized passport production, and its return shipment to the consulate.
Depending on the post, pickup can be done:
A visa application can be submitted in three distinct ways: directly by the applicant in person, by an authorized third party with a signed authorization letter and their ID, or by mail if the consulate accepts it, providing a stamped, tracked envelope and a written authorization.
In many cases, if the passport is not picked up within six months, it is canceled and returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for destruction.
Cases of Minors and Protected Persons
Abroad as well, a minor must appear with a parent, legal guardian, or representative. For persons declared incapacitated by a foreign authority, an important particularity is mentioned: in such a case, only the Peruvian consulate with jurisdiction in the host country can process the passport application. Guardianship or curatorship documents will need to be presented, sometimes accompanied by a disability certificate issued according to Peruvian law on persons with disabilities.
Loss, Theft, and Emergency Documents
The loss or theft of a passport is a frequent situation, especially while traveling. Peru has established an emergency mechanism via the salvoconducto, but it does not dispense with certain additional formalities.
Report and Replacement
In case of passport disappearance, the first recommended step is to file a report with the local police in the country where you are located. This document proving loss or theft will be useful for requesting a new passport or a salvoconducto. In Peru, a “Declaración Jurada” (sworn declaration of loss) may be required during the new application.
Replacing a lost or stolen passport follows the normal procedure: payment of fees, appointment booking, and mandatory personal presence. Administrative fees are due again, without exception, even in case of loss or theft.
Emergency Laissez-Passer
The salvoconducto should be requested when travel is imminent and there is not enough time to produce a new passport. It generally allows for a single trip to Peru or the country of residence, and its 30-day validity is strictly limited. Upon arrival, immigration authorities may keep it, requiring the individual to then apply for a “real” passport once back in the country.
Entry Stamp Transfer
For foreigners or binationals who have their passport replaced while in Peru, an often overlooked point is the transfer of the entry stamp. If you change passports during your stay, you must have the entry stamp transferred to the new document at the Migraciones headquarters in Lima (Av. España 730, Breña), for a modest fee, around twenty soles. This procedure is done on weekdays, in the morning. Without this transfer, the immigration status may appear irregular upon exiting the territory.
Technical Requirements: Photo and Biometrics
Even though in Peru the photo is generally taken directly at Migraciones offices, understanding the technical requirements helps avoid rejections or delays, especially in consulates where photos may be requested in paper or digital format.
Photo Format and Quality
The photo formats mentioned vary according to sources (35 x 45 mm, 50 x 50 mm, or 2 x 2 inches), but some constants emerge:
The photo must be recent (less than six months old), in color, on a white or very light background without shadows or patterns. The face must be forward-facing, looking directly at the camera, with a neutral expression, mouth closed, and eyes open. The image must be of good resolution, sharp, and correctly exposed.
The head should occupy a large part of the photo, generally between 60 and 80% of the total height, with slight space above the head. In practice, posts still using paper photos often require two or three identical prints.
Attire, Accessories, and Appearance
The rules follow international standards for biometric passports:
For a compliant ID photo, avoid uniforms and fanciful attire. White shirts are to be avoided as they blend with the background. Wearing glasses is generally prohibited, except for medical reasons with a pair without glare and with thin frames. Sunglasses or tinted lenses are not allowed. Head coverings are prohibited, except for religious obligations, provided they do not obscure the face. Remove very visible facial piercings and jewelry that covers your features. A beard is tolerated if it corresponds to your usual appearance.
In case of a major physical change (significant facial surgery, gender change, very marked weight loss or gain), a new photo will be required, even if the passport is still valid, to guarantee identification.
Citizenship and Passport: The Prerequisite of Nationality
The Peruvian passport is only accessible to Peruvian citizens. For those who do not yet have nationality but potentially meet the criteria, it may be interesting to examine the pathways to citizenship.
Nationality by Birth
The Peruvian Constitution combined with nationality legislation provides for two main pathways for attribution at birth:
– Jus soli (right of soil): any person born on Peruvian territory is considered Peruvian;
– Jus sanguinis (right of blood): any child born abroad to a Peruvian mother or father can be recognized as Peruvian by birth, provided they are duly registered in Peruvian civil registries.
A 2018 constitutional reform confirms that persons born outside Peru to Peruvian parents acquire Peruvian nationality by birth. To do so, they must be registered, either at a Peruvian consulate abroad or upon their return to the country with RENIEC (Registro Nacional de Identificación y Estado Civil).
Obtaining Nationality from Abroad
For an adult born abroad to Peruvian parents, the procedure begins with registering the birth at the consular registry or with RENIEC in Peru. Documents typically requested are:
– The applicant’s birth certificate, apostilled and translated into Spanish if necessary;
– The recent birth certificate of the Peruvian parent (often less than three months old);
– The Peruvian parent’s ID (DNI);
– Proof of absence of previously granted Peruvian nationality;
– The presence of witnesses (generally two) who sign a declaration.
After completing registration, the person can obtain their Peruvian national identity card (DNI). This step is necessary and a prerequisite to then be able to apply for a Peruvian passport.
Naturalization
For foreigners without a Peruvian parent, naturalization is another option, longer and more demanding. It involves several years of continuous legal residence in Peru, proof of stable income (for example, an annual income of around $15,000 obtained legally), and passing language exams (Spanish or a recognized indigenous language) and general knowledge tests on the country’s history, geography, and national reality.
Peru allows dual citizenship, including with many Latin American countries and with Spain, making this option interesting for certain mobile profiles. However, some public positions are reserved for natural-born citizens.
Traveling with a Peruvian Passport: Advantages and Obligations
Once the Peruvian passport is obtained, it remains to know the rights it confers and the constraints that accompany it.
Visa-Free Access and Regional Agreements
The Peruvian passport allows travel without a visa or with a visa on arrival in over 140 countries and territories. It grants access to the vast Schengen area in Europe, several countries in Asia and Central America, as well as all of South America with very simplified formalities.
In the Andean region, a simple national identity document (DNI) is sufficient to travel between Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, thanks to the ‘Tarjeta Andina de Migración’. This card can sometimes be used as an alternative to a passport for regional travel. Comparable agreements also exist with Mercosur and Chile, facilitating residence and work procedures for the concerned nationals.
Entry Conditions to Peru
To enter Peru, the general rule is to have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the arrival date, with exceptions for certain countries in the region that accept the DNI. Upon arrival, authorities issue a stamp or an immigration card indicating the authorized length of stay, often 90 days for tourists.
Stay extensions are very limited and any overstay results in fines, which are mandatory to pay before leaving the country. In case of a passport change during the stay, it is crucial to have the entry stamp transferred to the new document.
Exit from the Territory and Minors
For Peruvian or binational minors, leaving the country is strictly regulated. Beyond the passport, the “Autorización de Viaje para Menores de Edad” is the cornerstone of the protection system. This authorization is generally valid for one trip and a limited period (often 30 days) and must comply with the requirements of the immigration authorities.
Any attempt to depart without this proper authorization can result in a boarding denial at the airport, even if the passport is perfectly valid.
Practical Tips for a Smooth Procedure
The passport procedure in Peru has been greatly modernized, but a few precautions can avoid delays and setbacks.
Within the territory, it is advisable to:
For a hassle-free passport application, it is recommended to: regularly check slot availability on the online appointment module, especially in large cities; pay the fees via digital channels (Págalo.pe) to save time; arrive early for the appointment, with DNI and payment receipt; follow the dress code for the photo (no glasses, no headwear); and pick up the passport within 60 days of its issuance to avoid its destruction.
Abroad, it is preferable to: follow the instructions of the relevant consulate carefully (photo formats, payment methods);
– allow for a margin of several weeks before a trip;
– anticipate procedures for minors (recent birth certificates, translations, etc.).
For children born in Peru, the law requires the use of a Peruvian passport until they reach the age of majority. Furthermore, to leave the territory without one of the parents, a specific travel authorization is mandatory. These rules are crucial for binational families or those residing in several countries.
Obtaining a Peruvian passport therefore involves navigating a coherent set of rules that blend national identity, document security, and international mobility. By centralizing its administration within Migraciones and deploying modern agencies across the country and abroad, Peru has significantly streamlined the process. Provided you prepare your documents well, respect deadlines, and anticipate special cases (minors, loss, long stays), the Peruvian passport is now obtained in a few clear steps and, once in hand, offers real freedom of movement on a regional and global scale.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
