Interested in teaching English in Peru? You're in the right place! Visas are an important part of planning your adventure overseas, so you want to make sure you're familiar with the process before you head abroad. The following is the most common type of visa that can be obtained for teaching English in Peru.
The type of visa you'll need in Peru (and how you get that visa) will depend on your nationality, teaching job and perhaps other factors like whether you get your job in advance of your arrival, or if you get hired locally in Peru. Be sure to speak to an International TEFL Academy Advisor by calling 773-634-9900 to discuss your specific questions and concerns about your visa for teaching English in Peru.
Nitty Gritty Facts About Visas For Teaching English in Peru:
Name: Tourist Visa
Cost: No fee
Documents: Valid passport
Length: 30 – 90 days with the ability to extend to a maximum of 180 days.
Since the Peru consulate sites can be down, visit Travel.State.Gov for visa requirements. Otherwise, keep checking back here.
How Can I Get a Visa for Teaching English in Peru?
The process for obtaining a tourist visa in Peru is extremely straightforward for U.S. citizens, you just land in Peru and your tourist visa is issued at the airport upon arrival.
Most commonly in Latin America, including Peru, tourist visas are the norm. While other countries in the region allow the practice of border hopping in order to extend a tourist visa, this is no longer possible in Peru due to its new visa regulations.
Teachers in Peru typically teach on a 90-day tourist visa. For American English teachers, no paperwork is required to get this tourist visa, it is just a stamp in your passport that you’ll be issued upon arrival at a Peruvian airport. Once in-country, you are able to submit an application to extend your 90-day tourist visa up to a maximum of 180 days total (6 months).
What if my work contract requires that I overstay my tourist visa in Peru?
If your language institute contract requires you to stay beyond your assigned tourist days, note that overstaying incurs a small daily administrative fine. This fine (approximately 5.15 PEN / $1.40 USD per overstayed day) is calculated digitally and paid at the Migraciones desk or Banco de la Nación counter at the airport when departing Peru.
What is a Work Visa (Carné de Extranjería) for Teaching English in Peru?
The Carné de Extranjería is an official resident work permit that grants you full legal residency and working rights in Peru. Work visas are typically reserved for more experienced educators working at international schools or university faculties. Your employer must sponsor your application through Migraciones, proving you possess a college degree, clean criminal record check, and specialized skills. This is not typically an option for first-time English teachers.
How long is it valid? Work visas in Peru are generally valid for one year and can be renewed annually alongside your teaching contract.
Frequently Asked Questions About Peru Teaching Visas
What visa do I need to teach English in Peru?
Most foreign English teachers in Peru work on a standard Tourist Visa. U.S., Canadian, UK, Australian, and EU citizens do not need to apply in advance; the tourist visa is stamped in your passport for free upon arrival at a Peruvian airport.
How long can I stay in Peru on a tourist visa?
Initial tourist visa stamps are typically granted for 30 to 90 days. Once you are in Peru, you can submit an online application to extend your stay up to a maximum total of 180 days (6 months) per calendar year.
Can I extend my Peru tourist visa by "border hopping"?
No. Due to updated immigration regulations in Peru, border hopping (leaving the country briefly to reset your visa clock) is no longer allowed to extend your stay beyond the 180-day annual limit. You must extend your visa in-country before it expires.
Do schools in Peru sponsor work visas for English teachers?
Work visa sponsorship in Peru is uncommon for entry-level TEFL positions due to the expense and paperwork required for local language institutes. Most teachers enter on tourist visas and work on short-term contracts or local arrangements.
What documents do I need to enter Peru as a teacher?
You need a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned entry date, proof of return or onward travel, and an empty page for your entry stamp. No pre-arranged paperwork or visa fee is required prior to departure for most Western nationalities.
Be sure to talk with your ITA Advisor about visas before you head overseas to Peru or enroll in your TEFL class.
Read more: What qualifications do you need to teach English in Peru?
Read more: Salaries for teaching English in Peru
