Peru: Biometric Appointment Delays Impacting In-Country Initial Visa Applications
October 13, 2022
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At a Glance
- High demand and application backlogs are causing biometric appointment delays for foreign nationals applying for in-country initial visas, including Appointed Worker, Resident Worker, and Mercosur Visas.
- For the next few months, foreign nationals applying for initial visas from within Peru, and their employers, should account for delays in work start dates, as all in-country initial visa options involve submitting biometrics.
- Furthermore, foreign nationals who file their in-country initial visa application but cannot schedule a biometrics appointment will face travel restrictions, since Exit Permits (which are issued to foreign nationals with pending immigration applications in order to travel) are only issued after a biometrics appointment is scheduled.
The situation
The National Superintendence of Immigration is currently scheduling initial biometric appointments for the last week of December (with very few spots left) and has yet to open appointment slots for 2023. Typically, biometric appointments can be scheduled one week in advance.
Impact
- Processing delays. Foreign nationals applying for initial visas in Peru (including Appointed Worker, Resident Worker, and Mercosur Visas) during the next few months and their employers should account for delays in work start dates, as all in-country initial visa options involve the submission of biometrics during processing and before approval.
- Travel restrictions. Furthermore, foreign nationals who file their in-country initial visa application but cannot schedule a biometrics appointment will face travel restrictions, because Exit Permits (which are issued to foreign nationals with pending immigration applications in order to travel) are only issued after a biometrics appointment is scheduled. Foreign nationals leaving Peru without an Exit Permit could have their application cancelled.
- Consular visas unaffected but delays continue. Consular visa applications are unaffected by biometric appointment delays. However, the previously-reported adjudication delays for foreign nationals applying for consular initial visas continue.
Background
The appointment backlogs are likely due to the high demand of in-country initial visa applications received by the National Superintendence of Immigration in the last few months.
Looking ahead
Fragomen is actively monitoring the appointment system and contacting affected clients and will report on relevant updates as they occur.
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].
