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Procedures

Immigrants from Peru in the US — complete guide

Complete US-immigration guide for the 770,000 Peru-origin community in the United States. Consulate network, US visa reciprocity, TPS, tax treaties, embass

Immigrants from Peru in the United States — complete guide

Diaspora overview

Approximately 770,000 people of Peru-origin live in the United States according to recent US Census American Community Survey (ACS) estimates.

Peruvian-Americans; concentrated in NJ, FL, CA, TX, NY

Peru consulate network in the US

For routine consular services (passport renewal, national ID, civil registry, notarial services, voting from abroad), visit the nearest Peru consulate in the US. See the Peru consulate directory for all locations.

Peru Embassy in Washington, DC

The Embassy of Peru in the United States handles bilateral diplomatic relations and emergency support.

US visa for Peru citizens

See US visa reciprocity for Peru citizens

US travel advisory for Peru

US State Department’s current advisory level for Peru:

Level —: — (updated —) — https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/peru.html

For details and re-entry guidance, see Traveling to Peru from the US.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

No TPS designation currently for Peru (verify at uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status).

US bilateral tax treaty status

❌ Peru does NOT have a US bilateral income-tax treaty. Standard 30% US withholding on FDAP income; Foreign Tax Credit available.

Social Security Totalization Agreement

❌ Peru does NOT have a Social Security Totalization Agreement with the US.

DV-2026 Diversity Visa Lottery eligibility

✅ Peru citizens MAY apply for DV-2026 (Diversity Visa Lottery) — currently on eligible list. On eligible list

Common immigration pathways for Peru citizens in the US

PathwayUSCIS formTypical processingEligibility
Family-based (USC spouse/parent/child)I-130 + I-4856 months - 5+ years (per Visa Bulletin)Family relationship to USC or LPR
Family-based (USC sibling, F4)I-130 + I-48510-25+ years for Peru (visa cap)Sibling of USC
Employment-based EB-1/EB-2/EB-3I-140 + I-4851-15+ years (per Visa Bulletin)Employer sponsorship + extraordinary ability OR advanced degree OR skilled occupation
Asylum (within 1 year of US arrival)I-5896 months - 5+ yearsPast persecution OR well-founded fear
TPS (if Peru currently designated)I-821 + I-76530-60 days for re-registrationPeru national in US as of designation date
DACAI-821D90+ daysCame to US under 16, school/military/work, no major crimes
U-visa (crime victim)I-9185-10+ years (waitlist)Victim of qualifying crime + helpful to law enforcement
T-visa (trafficking victim)I-9141-3 yearsVictim of severe trafficking + cooperation
VAWA self-petitionI-3601-2 yearsAbuse by USC or LPR spouse/parent
Cancellation of removal (LPR)EOIR Form 42A1-5 years in courtLPR 5+ years, certain conditions
Cancellation of removal (non-LPR)EOIR Form 42B5-15+ years in court10+ years US presence, exceptional hardship to USC/LPR family

Last verified: 2026-05-27. General procedural information — not legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently; verify current status before relying.

Recent fee, deadline, and contact context (2025-2026)

Embassy of Peru in Washington DC main phone: +1 (202) 833-9860 Monday-Friday business hours US Eastern Time. The 2026-05-29 H.R.1 / OBBBA immigration fee changes affect several USCIS forms (Form I-589 asylum filing fee $100 + $100 Annual Asylum Fee; Form I-102 I-94 replacement +$24). The Form I-821 TPS fee (approximately $50) is set separately by the 2024 USCIS fee rule and capped by INA § 244(c)(1)(B) — it was not changed by OBBBA. Verify current USCIS fees at uscis.gov/g-1055 (Form G-1055) before filing.

For US embassy/consulate services IN Peru (visa interviews, US passport renewal for citizens abroad): see travel.state.gov. US embassies abroad maintain Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at step.state.gov for US citizens registering travel plans.

USCIS Contact Center: 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833) Monday-Friday 8:00am-8:00pm ET. ICE Detention Locator System (ODLS): locator.ice.gov/odls. EOIR immigration court case status: 1-800-898-7180 (24/7 automated, English/Spanish). State Department visa information: 1-800-373-3340. The Visa Bulletin priority dates publish monthly around the 15th.

For US-Peru consular protection emergencies: contact the Embassy of Peru in Washington DC at +1 (202) 833-9860 OR the nearest Peru consulate. Many consulates have 24/7 emergency phone lines for severe situations (death, arrest, medical emergency, missing person).

Frequently asked questions

How many people from Peru live in the US?
Approximately 770,000 people of Peru-origin live in the United States (per US Census, recent ACS estimates). Peruvian-Americans; concentrated in NJ, FL, CA, TX, NY
Where is the Peru embassy in the US?
The Embassy of Peru in the United States is located in Washington, DC. Main phone: +1 (202) 833-9860 (Monday-Friday business hours US Eastern Time). The embassy handles bilateral diplomatic relations and assists nationals during emergencies. For routine consular services (passport, ID, civil registry, voting from abroad), you’ll typically go to the nearest Peru consulate — see /consulates/peru/.
Can Peru citizens enter the US without a visa?
Generally NO. Peru is NOT a member of the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Peru citizens need a US visa (B-1/B-2 for tourism/business, F-1 for study, H/L/O for work, etc.) AND a passport from Peru. Consular fees and validity vary by category — see /procedures/us-visa-reciprocity-by-country/peru/ for the full reciprocity schedule. Apply for visas at the US Embassy/Consulate in Peru, not at a US embassy elsewhere.
What's the path from Peru immigrant status to US green card?
Multiple pathways: (1) Family-based — US-citizen relative files I-130, then I-485 or consular processing (priority dates vary — see /procedures/visa-bulletin/); (2) Employment-based — employer files I-140 in EB-1/2/3/4/5 category; (3) Asylum — file I-589 within 1 year of US arrival if persecution-based; (4) Diversity Visa lottery — annual lottery (DV not currently available for high-immigration countries; see /procedures/dv-diversity-visa-lottery/ for Peru eligibility); (5) VAWA self-petition for abuse survivors; (6) U-visa or T-visa for crime/trafficking victims; (7) Cancellation of removal for long-term residents in removal proceedings. Each path has different fees, processing times, and requirements — consult an immigration attorney.