Guide to temporary entry for Canadian business persons into Peru under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
On this page
- Before you travel to Peru
- Business visitors
- Intra-corporate transferees
- Investors
- Independent professionals
- Contractual service suppliers
- Independent technicians
- Disclaimer
This guide provides Canadian business persons with general information on the criteria and procedures for entering Peru temporarily for business purposes under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and Peru’s acts or regulations governing entry or stay.
Please familiarize yourself with any ongoing travel requirements before seeking entry into Peru.
Before you travel to Peru:
This guide is for information only. It is not the official text of the CPTPP or Peruvian law. Always verify information using the text of the Agreement and official government sources of Peru. You may also seek advice from a licensed or authorised individual like an immigration lawyer or immigration consultant.
To be eligible for temporary entry into Peru under any of the categories under the CPTPP, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Consolidated TPP Text – Peru’s Schedule of Commitments for Temporary Entry for Business Persons
- Consolidated TPP Text – Chapter 12 – Temporary Entry for Business Persons
- For any questions related to temporary entry commitments under the CPTPP, please contact: enquiry-demande.TE@international.gc.ca
Business visitors
Do I qualify as a business visitor?
For Peru’s CPTPP commitments, a business visitor is a Canadian business person who is:
- attending meetings or conferences;
- performing commercial transactions;
- undertaking business consultations concerning the establishment, expansion or winding up of an enterprise in Peru.
A Canadian business visitor cannot be engaged in direct sales to the general public or in supplying goods or services directly.
For Peru’s CPTPP commitments, a Canadian business visitor can stay in Peru for up to 183 days.
Do I need a visa as a business visitor?
Yes. If you plan to visit Peru as a Canadian business visitor, you must first obtain a business visa to enter Peru temporarily. They should apply for a business visa.
How do I apply for a Temporary Work Visa as a business visitor?
To apply for a business visa, you must contact the Embassy of Peru in Canada, for more information and eligibility requirements, please consult the Issuance of Business Visa webpage of the Peruvian Ministry of External Relations.
Do I need a work permit as a business visitor?
No. A Canadian business visitor will not require a work permit, as they will not and can not be engaged in any income-earning activities while in Peru.
Intra-corporate transferees
Do I qualify as an intra-corporate transferee?
For Peru’s CPTPP commitments, a Canadian intra-corporate transferee is a Canadian business person employed by an enterprise Canada seeking to render services to an affiliated enterprise in Peru, as an executive, manager or specialist.
An executive is a business person who:
- Primarily directs the management of the organisation,
- Exercises wide latitude in decision-making, and
- Receives only general supervision or direction from higher level executives, the board of directors, or stockholders of the business.
A manager is a business person who:
- Primarily directs the organisation or a department or subdivision of the organisation,
- Supervises and controls the work of other supervisory, professional or managerial employees, and
- Has the authority to hire and fire or take other personnel actions such as promotion or leave, and exercises discretionary authority over day-to-day operations.
A specialist is a business person who possesses either:
- Specialised knowledge of the company’s products or services and its application in international markets, or
- An advanced level of expertise or knowledge of the company’s processes and procedures.
The Labour Administrative Authority of Peru has the following quota limits in place which may impact your ability to work:
- No more than 20% of the total number of employees of any enterprise can be foreign natural persons
- Foreign natural persons pay cannot exceed 30% of the total payroll for wages and salaries of the enterprise
A Canadian intra-corporate transferee can stay in Peru for initially for one year and this period is renewable.
Do I need a visa as an intra-corporate transferee?
Yes. A Canadian intra-corporate transferee should apply for a resident work visa . First, you will have to sign a work or service contract, this contract will have to be legalized by a Peruvian consulate (Spanish only) and if it is not in Spanish, it will have to be translated.
You can find information on the documentation required and steps to apply for the resident work visa on the Request immigration status for a resident worker (Spanish only) of the Peruvian State’s website. Please note, documents not in Spanish will need to be translated into Spanish (Spanish only) using an approved translator and legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Spanish).
How do I apply for a Resident Work Visa as an intra-corporate transferee?
Once you have acquired all the necessary documents, legalized them and have had them translated to Spanish, you must use the Agencia Digital website (Spanish only) to submit your application. If you have not traveled to Peru before, you will not have access to this site and will need a representative (future Peruvian employer, immigration lawyer, or family member with a Carne or DNI number) to submit your application.
Do I need a work permit as an intra-corporate transferee?
A Canadian intra-corporate transferee will require a work permit, which are integrated into the temporary work visa granted under this category. Please visit the Peruvian Peruvian Solicitar calidad migratoria para designado temporal (Spanish only) for more information.
Investors
Do I qualify as an investor?
For Peru’s CPTPP commitments, a Canadian investor is a Canadian business person that is seeking to enter Peru temporarily, who is both of the following:
- Seeking to establish or develop an investment in Peru
- Committed, or is in the process of committing, a substantial amount of capital to an investment
For Peru’s CPTPP commitments, a Canadian contractual service supplier can stay in Peru for an initial stay of one year or the duration of the contract, whichever is shorter.
Do I need a visa as an investor?
Yes. A Canadian investor should apply for a resident work visa. First, you will have to sign a work or service contract, this contract will have to be legalized by a Peruvian consulate (Spanish only) and if it is not in Spanish, it will have to be translated. Once your work contract is signed, the contract must be approved by the Peruvian Labor Ministry.
You can find information on the documentation required and steps to apply for the resident work visa on the Request immigration status for a resident worker (Spanish only) of the Peruvian State’s website. Please note, documents not in Spanish will need to be translated into Spanish (Spanish only) using an approved translator and legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Spanish only).
How do I apply for a Resident Work Visa as an investor?
Once you have acquired all the necessary documents, legalized them and have had them translated to Spanish, you must use the Agencia Digital website (Spanish only) to submit your application. If you have not traveled to Peru before, you will not have access to this site and will need a representative (future Peruvian employer, immigration lawyer, or family member with a Carne or DNI number) to submit your application.
Do I need a work permit as an investor?
No. A Canadian investor will not require a work permit.
Independent professionals
Do I qualify as an independent professional?
For Peru’s CPTPP commitments, a Canadian independent professional is a Canadian business person that is seeking to enter Peru temporarily, who is engaged in a speciality occupation requiring:
- Theoretical and practical knowledge of a body of specialized knowledge
- Attainment of a post-secondary degree, requiring five years of study, or the equivalent of such a degree, as a minimum for entry into the occupation
- Attainment of the appropriate educational and other qualifications relevant to the services to be provided
A Canadian independent professional cannot work in the following occupations:
- Occupations related to Health, Education, Social and Community Services, or
- Judges, Lawyers and Notaries, except foreign legal consultants
For Peru’s commitments under CPTPP, Canadian independent professional is someone who:
- Is a self-employed services supplier who supplies services pursuant to a service contract with a person of Peru, and
- Receives their incomes from a person of Peru
For Peru’s CPTPP commitments, a Canadian independent professional can stay in Peru initially for a period of one year, this period is renewable.
What work authorizations are required to temporarily enter Peru as an independent professional?
Do I need a visa as an independent professional?
Yes. A Canadian independent professional should apply for a resident work visa. First, you will have to sign a work or service contract, this contract will have to be legalized by a Peruvian consulate (Spanish only) and if it is not in Spanish, it will have to be translated. Once your work contract is signed, the contract must be approved by the Peruvian Labor Ministry.
You can find information on the documentation required and steps to apply for the resident work visa on the Request immigration status for a resident worker (Spanish only) of the Peruvian State’s website. Please note, documents not in Spanish will need to be translated into Spanish (Spanish only) using an approved translator and legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Spanish only).
How do I apply for a Resident Work Visa as an independent professional?
Once you have acquired all the necessary documents, legalized them and have had them translated to Spanish, you must use the Agencia Digital website (Spanish only) to submit your application. If you have not traveled to Peru before, you will not have access to this site and will need a representative (future Peruvian employer, immigration lawyer, or family member with a Carne or DNI number) to submit your application.
Do I need a work permit as an independent professional?
No. A Canadian independent professional will not require a work permit.
Contractual service suppliers
Do I qualify as a contractual service supplier?
For Peru’s CPTPP commitments, a Canadian contractual service supplier is a Canadian business person that is seeking to enter Peru temporarily, who is engaged in a speciality occupation requiring:
- Theoretical and practical knowledge of a body of specialized knowledge
- Attainment of a post-secondary degree, requiring five years of study, or the equivalent of such a degree, as a minimum for entry into the occupation
- Attainment of the appropriate educational and other qualifications relevant to the services to be provided
A Canadian contractual service supplier cannot work in the following occupations:
- Occupations related to Health, Education, Social and Community Services, or
- Judges, Lawyers and Notaries, except foreign legal consultants
For Peru’s commitments under CPTPP, Canadian contractual service supplier means a professional who:
- Is engaged in the supply of a contracted service as an employee of an enterprise that has no commercial presence in Peru
- Is required to receive no remuneration from a company located in Peru
Under Peru’s CPTPP commitments, a Canadian contractual service supplier can stay in Peru initially up to 90 days, this period is renewable for up to one year.
What authorizations are required to enter Peru as a contractual service supplier?
Do I need a visa as a contractual service supplier?
Yes. A Canadian contractual service supplier should apply for a resident work visa. First, you will have to sign a work or service contract, this contract will have to be legalized by a Peruvian consulate (Spanish only) and if it is not in Spanish, it will have to be translated.
You can find information on the documentation required and steps to apply for the resident work visa on the Request immigration status for a resident worker (Spanish only) of the Peruvian State’s website. Please note, documents not in Spanish will need to be translated into Spanish (Spanish only) using an approved translator and legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Spanish only).
How do I apply for a Resident Work Visa as a contractual service supplier?
Once you have acquired all the necessary documents, legalized them and have had them translated to Spanish, you must use the Agencia Digital website (Spanish only) to submit your application. If you have not traveled to Peru before, you will not have access to this site and will need a representative (future Peruvian employer, immigration lawyer, or family member with a Carne or DNI number) to submit your application.
Do I need a work permit as a contractual service supplier?
No. A Canadian contractual service supplier will not require a work permit.
Independent technicians
Do I qualify as an independent technician?
For Peru’s CPTPP commitments, a technician is a Canadian business person engaged in a specialty occupation requiring:
- Theoretical and practical application of a body of specialised knowledge,
- A postsecondary degree for entry into the occupation requiring at least three years of study, or the equivalent of such a degree as a minimum entry into the occupation and of the appropriate educational and other qualifications relevant to the service to be provided.
A Canadian technician must work in one of the following activities:
- Civil, Electrical, Electronics, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Technicians;
- Construction Technicians;
- Engineering Inspectors, Testers and Regulatory Officers;
- Supervisors in the following: Machinists and Related Occupations; Printing and Related Occupations; Mining and Quarrying; Oil and Gas Drilling and Service; Mineral and Metal Processing; Petroleum, Gas and Chemical Processing and Utilities; Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Processing; Plastic and Rubber Products Manufacturing; Forest Products Processing; Textile Processing;
- Contractors and Supervisors in the following: Electrical Trades and Telecommunications Occupations; Pipefitting Trades; Metal Forming, Shaping and Erecting Trades; Carpentry Trades; Mechanic Trades; Heavy Construction Equipment Crews; Mining and Extraction Equipment Personnel; Other Construction Trades, Installers, Repairers and Servicers;
- Electricians;
- Plumbers;
- Industrial Instrument Technicians and Mechanics;
- Aircraft Instrument, Electrical, and Avionics Mechanics, Technicians, and Inspectors;
- Oil and Gas Well Drillers, Servicers and Testers;
- Graphic Designers and Illustrators;
- Interior Designers;
- Chefs;
- Computer and Information Systems Technicians;
- Industrial Designers;
- Drafting Technologists and Technicians;
- Land Survey Technologists and Technicians;
- Technical occupations in Geomatics and Meteorology;
- Architectural Technologists and Technicians;
- International Purchasing and Selling Agents.
For Peru’s CPTPP commitments, a Canadian technician can either be an independent technician or a contractual service supplier. A Canadian independent technician is someone who:
- Is a self-employed services supplier who supplies services pursuant to a service contract with a person of Peru, and
- Receives their incomes from a person of Peru
For Peru’s CPTPP commitments, a Canadian contractual service supplier means a professional who:
- Is engaged in the supply of a contracted service as an employee of an enterprise that has no commercial presence in Peru
- Is required to receive no remuneration from a company located in Peru
For Peru’s CPTPP commitments, a Canadian independent technician can stay in Peru initially for a period of one year, this period is renewable. For Peru’s CPTPP commitments, a Canadian contractual service supplier can stay in Peru initially up to 90 days, this period is renewable for up to one year.
What work authorizations are required to temporarily enter Peru as an independent technician?
Do I need a visa as an independent technician?
Yes. A Canadian independent technician should apply for a resident work visa . First, you will have to sign a work or service contract, this contract will have to be legalized by a Peruvian consulate (Spanish only) and if it is not in Spanish, it will have to be translated. Once your work contract is signed, the contract must be approved by the Peruvian Labor Ministry.
You can find information on the documentation required and steps to apply for the resident work visa on the Request immigration status for a resident worker (Spanish only) of the Peruvian State’s website. Please note, documents not in Spanish will need to be translated into Spanish (Spanish only) using an approved translator and legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Spanish only).
How do I apply for a Resident Work Visa as an independent technician?
Once you have acquired all the necessary documents, legalized them and have had them translated to Spanish, you must use the Agencia Digital website (Spanish only) to submit your application. If you have not traveled to Peru before, you will not have access to this site and will need a representative (future Peruvian employer, immigration lawyer, or family member with a Carne or DNI number) to submit your application.
Do I need a work permit as an independent technician?
No. A Canadian independent technician will not require a work permit.
What if I am a business person under a category that is not covered?
For any other types of Canadian business persons, temporary entry to Peru is subject to Peru’s Acts and Regulations governing entry and stay.
To explore the other paths for entry into Peru for Canadian business persons not belonging to any of the categories covered under the CPTPP, see the Immigration Department of Peru’s website (Spanish only).
Disclaimer
The information contained herein is current as of June 2023 (national immigration legislations may change, sometimes at short notice). It is offered for informational purposes only and does not constitute general legal advice. The information: (i) must be regarded as a practical guide for general information and not a process guide for determining the specific immigration requirements of the countries covered, (ii) should not be a substitute for a more in-depth analysis of applicable facts and circumstances (including, without limitation, criminal or health-related circumstances) conducted by competent professionals, (iii) indicated processing times and fees herein are approximate, are subject to the specific case circumstances, and change. The information herein does not guarantee the outcome or approval of any particular immigration application.
- Date modified:
