Changes do not occur often in Peruvian immigration law. Recently, however, a few notable changes took place.
One change concerns the modification of articles 358 to 378 of the Peruvian Consular Rules that was approved by Supreme Decree No. 091-2011-RE at the end of July 2011, in coordination with amendments to the Peruvian Aliens Law passed in June 2008. The amendments established that within the powers the Aliens Law grants to the Ministry of Foreign Relations, regardless of the migration status and the type of visa that may be granted by a consular officer abroad, is the responsibility and ultimate power of the consular officers to grant or deny visas to be stamped in passports or foreign travel documents, except for the migration status referred to in article 361 (diplomatic, consular, official, voluntary worker, and exchange visitor migration status). Likewise, the consular officer must verify that the beneficiary of the visa meets the necessary requirements to be granted the visa, and may conduct a personal interview if needed, comparing the information obtained with the information requested and applying the pertinent principles of discretion.
On the other hand, with respect to temporary tourist or business visas, a measure was ratified to provide that the term of stay in Peruvian territory is up to 183 days, non-extendable in-country, and that the term of validity of these types of visas is 12 months. This term is calculated from the date of issuance by the consular office.
The remainder of temporary and resident visas may be used within their term, which is six months from the date of issuance by the consular office.
A second change is that the Peruvian Immigration Authority (DIGEMIN offices), through an Internal Directive, is requesting that for all cases filed by Colombian, Venezuelan, and Mexican citizens – whether to obtain a visa at the Peruvian consulate abroad or to change status in-country – applicants must submit a resume indicating, among other things, their personal data, professional training, occupation, labor experience, personal references, address in Peru, and address abroad. The Internal Directive also includes case files that are not yet subject to approval (currently ongoing proceedings).
