Peru: Identification Options for Foreign Nationals Opening Bank Accounts to be Expanded

Peru’s Banking and Insurance Superintendence has issued a resolution broadening the range of accepted identification documents for foreign nationals seeking to open certain savings accounts with Peruvian banks and financial institutions. Effective June 16, 2025, foreign nationals will be permitted to use various forms of identification, including passports, national identity cards from their home country, or other legally recognized documents, as an alternative to a Peruvian Identity Card. Currently, a Peruvian Identity Card is required to open accounts at most financial institutions, and it can take up to three to four weeks to obtain one. This regulatory change is expected to benefit foreign nationals, particularly given the ongoing delays in issuing Peruvian identity cards.