Peru: Delays in Adjudication of Most Immigration Applications
October 7, 2021
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At a Glance
- Foreign nationals applying for an in-country initial or renewed visa or seeking to update their Peruvian identity card are currently experiencing adjudication delays due to backlogs at the National Superintendence of Immigration.
- Processing times are currently three months or more for initial visa applications (up from the legal standard processing time of 30 business days), and 1.5 months or more for renewal applications (up from the usual two weeks). Though foreign nationals can apply on the online portal to update their Peruvian identity cards, the National Superintendence of Immigration is not currently processing these requests.
- Foreign nationals and employers should expect delayed work start dates for the next several months.
The situation
The adjudication of in-country initial and renewed visa applications in Peru is delayed by several weeks past statutory or usual processing times. Additionally, the National Superintendence of Immigration is not currently processing identity card updates.
A closer look
| Affected applications | Processing timeline | Impact |
|
In-country initial visas, including Resident Worker Visas and Appointed Worker Visas |
Initial visa application should be processed within 30 business days per the July implementation of the new Administrative Procedures Text (TUPA), but this is not yet observed. Due to the delays, the estimated processing time has increased to more than three months. |
Though consular visa application processing has resumed, the government has not yet implemented the process on the online system. Therefore, processing is extremely delayed and uncertain. There is currently no workaround for the delays, and foreign nationals seeking to work and reside in Peru should apply for a visa through an in-country process. Foreign nationals and employers should gather documents and submit their immigration applications earlier than usual to allow enough time for processing of work visas and should expect delayed work start dates during the next several months. |
|
Visa renewals |
During the past months, renewal applications have generally been adjudicated within approximately two weeks. Due to the delays, the estimated processing time has increased to 1.5 months. |
While in practice, foreign nationals remain work authorized upon filing their renewal application, they cannot travel until their renewal is approved unless they request an Exit Permit. Foreign nationals may be subject to fines and potential cancellation of their status for traveling without an Exit Permit during processing of their application or for failing to submit their renewal application prior to expiration of their visa. |
|
Identity Card update |
While foreign nationals can apply on the online portal to update their Peruvian identity cards (due to a change in passport number or residential address), the National Superintendence of Immigration is not currently processing these requests. |
Foreign residents whose Peruvian identity card has outdated information (such as a passport number or address) may face issues initiating certain administrative processes in Peru and in rare cases may face issues re-entering Peru. |
Background
Among other issues, the processing delays are due to staffing changes because of the transition to the new government and the implementation of the new TUPA, which includes numerous changes to immigration regulations.
Looking ahead
The authorities have not yet announced a specific timeline to start following the new reduced processing times for initial visa applications or specific actions to address the backlogs. Fragomen is informing affected applicants of possible delays and will report on relevant developments.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
