Peru Visa Information

Passport/Visa

	Passport Required?	Visa Required?	Return Ticket Required?
British	Yes	No/2	Yes
Australian	Yes	No/2	Yes
Canadian	Yes	No/2	Yes
USA	Yes	No/2	Yes
Other EU	Yes	No/1/2	Yes

Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above, traveling as tourists for stays of up to 90 days, except:
1. nationals of Latvia who do require a visa.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see General Info).

Visa Note
2. A business visa is required for all nationals if the purpose of the visit is business. Any business-related unpaid work can be made on a tourist visa. Upon arrival in Peru, the business visa holder must register at the Dirección General de Contribuciones for taxation purposes. Business visa holders can remain in Peru for 90 days. If wishing to extend the visit, an application must be lodged with the Dirección General de Migraciones.

Nationals applying for a tourist visa require a bank statement showing a minimum balance of £1,000 and a mini statement taken from a cash machine on the date of application. Nationals applying for a business visa require a bank statement showing a minimum balance of £1,000 and a mini statement taken from a cash machine on the date of application.

All nationals are advised to check with the Peruvian Consulate prior to departure to obtain current details of any documentation which might be required. Postal visa applications are not accepted unless submitted through a travel agency.

Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist: £19.50; Business: £22.20. Costs are subject to change according to exchange rates.

Validity
Up to 90 days.

Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see General Info for details.

Working Days Required
At least 24 hours; longer if authorization from the immigration office in Lima is required.

Warning
Most visits are trouble-free. However, street crime is a problem, particularly in Lima and other big cities. Robberies by rogue taxi drivers in the main tourist areas, including Lima airport, Cusco and Arequipa, are an increasing problem. Travelers are advised to book taxis through reputable companies rather than hailing them in the street.

The Ministry of Transport & Communications has suspended the activities of the CIAL bus company on the route between Lima and La Paz via Cusco following a fatal bus crash on 4 December 2007.

Peru was struck by an earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale on 15 August 2007. About 595 people died, mostly in the cities of Ica and Pisco (around 100 miles south of Lima), the area most affected. 318 are still missing. Local travel and communications were affected, but previously suspended bus services have now resumed. The area is still suffering from the devastation caused by the quake, with infrastructure seriously affected.

Since late June 2007, there has been an increasing number of civil disturbances, including strikes, demonstrations and street protests, which have now spread to all areas of the country. While the demonstrations have been mainly peaceful, there have been incidents of violence. There is also disruption to travel in many areas including blocked highways and airport closures. In particular, road and rail services between Puno and Cusco are severely disrupted. Travelers are strongly advised to check with your travel company or airline before traveling within Peru.

There is a risk of 'express kidnappings'. Travelers should exercise caution when arriving in, and traveling around Peru and be aware of the general risks of crime for visitors. 

Heavy rainfall has led to several instances of flooding and landslides in central Peru, and the blockage of many roads. Travelers are advised to check before traveling to the central areas of the country. 

There has been a marked increase in cases of dengue fever in Trujillo, La Libertad province.

Street demonstrations and protests are commonplace in Peru, and sometimes turn violent. Travelers should take care to avoid any area in which large crowds are gathering.

The Inca Trail is closed during the month of February. This is an annual closure in order to carry out maintenance and conservation works.

Travelers should carry some form of identification at all times. A photocopy of your passport's relevant pages is sufficient.

You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Health

	Special Precautions	Certificate Required?
Diphtheria	Sometimes
Hepatitis A	Yes
Malaria	Sometimes
Rabies	Sometimes
Tetanus	Yes
Typhoid	Yes
Yellow Fever	Sometimes*

Health Care
International travelers are strongly advised to take out full health insurance and should be prepared to pay up front for medical services.

Note
* Vaccination is recommended for travelers visiting jungle areas below 2,300m (7,546ft). Travelers who are only visiting Cusco and Machu Picchu do not require a vaccination.


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