United States of America Travel Information

Last modified: July 24, 2023
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Effective January 26, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel. Alternatively, travelers to the U.S. may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.  Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.

Country-Specific Information

  • ​​On February 19, 2021, the Government of Peru extended the COVID-19 health emergency for another 180 days, from March 7 to September 2, 2021.
  • The Government of Peru announced the extension of the current regional alert levels and movement restrictions to become effective April 19 to May 9, 2021.  The Government of Peru indicates it will reevaluate and adjust these public health measures every three weeks.  Under these measures, all regions of Peru are categorized as High, Very High, or Extreme, with corresponding levels of restrictions.  ​U.S. Citizens are advised to follow all Peruvian lockdown measures.
  • Currently, in Lima and other areas of “Extreme Alert”, curfew is at 9:00 p.m.  As a result, businesses must close no later than 6:00 p.m.  In areas of Peru in Moderate, High, or Very High alert, businesses must close no later than two hours before the local curfew.
  • For the latest updates on current public health measures, please refer to the Embassy health alerts here.
  • The Jorge Chavez International Airport is open and international flights to the United States are available.​  ​Please see the Lima Airport website for more information on airport operations.
  • The Government of Peru declared the restriction of all non-resident foreign passengers originating in Brazil, the U.K., and South Africa from entering Peru through May 9, 2021.  Find more information here (in Spanish).
  • On March 13, 2021, the Government of Peru suspended COVID-19 testing requirements for domestic air travel.
  • Face shields are now required to enter many establishments, including shopping centers, markets, supermarkets, department stores, and other crowded places.
  • The Ministry of Education (MINED) announced the 2021 school year will begin virtually on March 15, 2021 for all schools in Peru. For more information, please visit the MINED website (Spanish only).
  • Beaches remain closed.

COVID-19 Testing

  • Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in Peru? Yes
  • If so, are test results reliably available within 72 hours? Yes
  • Peru is able to test for COVID-19 in country. Private hospitals and laboratories as well as the Peruvian Ministry of Health (MINSA) are administering tests.
  • The Peruvian Health Ministry (MINSA) maintains a list of facilities that provide COVID-19 testing here.
  • Viral testing results at certain locations would be available within 72 hours of a flight departure. Keep in mind that a surge in cases may increase demand and affect these result times.
  • Persons presenting symptoms of COVID-19 should dial the toll-free number 113, send a WhatsApp to +51-952-842-623, or send an email to [email protected].  Responses may be in Spanish only.  For more information on requesting a COVID-19 test through MINSA please visit this website (Spanish only): https://www.minsa.gob.pe/procesos_covid/.
  • U.S. citizens are responsible for their own COVID-19 testing costs.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information:

Entry and Exit Requirements

  • Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes
    • Direct flights to Peru from certain locations in the U.S. have resumed. Travelers should check https://travel.state.gov/ for country-specific travel information before traveling.
    • The Government of Peru suspended the entrance of non-resident passengers traveling from Europe or South Africa (or travelers who have transited there in the last 14 days).
    • Migraciones Suspending Use of Passport Stamps: The Peruvian Immigration Authority (Migraciones) announced that it has suspended the stamping of passports upon arrival to and departure from Jorge Chávez International Airport as part of ongoing efforts to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19. If you are traveling, be aware that while your passport will not be stamped, a digital record of your arrival or departure will still be created. The measure applies to both commercial and repatriation flights and is effective immediately.  More information can be found here (in Spanish). 
    • Notarized Travel Authorizations for Minors:  Peruvian regulations require that minors present in Peru for more than 180 days must have a notarized travel letter to depart the country if they are not traveling with both parents.  This notarized letter must be presented to immigration officials prior to boarding a repatriation flight.  For more information on minor travel authorizations,  visit the Embassy site (in English) here.
  • Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes
  • Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes
  • Temporary Foreign Resident Card: Americans residing in Peru can now request a temporary foreign resident card or “Carnet de Extranjería” Issuance Certificate online. The Issuance Certificate is recognized by Peruvian authorities as a temporary ID until individuals are able to obtain an official residency document from Peruvian Immigration. For more information, please visit https://sel.migraciones.gob.pe/servmig-valreg/constanciacecptp.
  • Travel Requirements: Legal Permanent Residents (LPR) who have been outside of the U.S. for less than 365 days are generally considered to be “in status” and do not need a returning resident visa. LPRs who have been outside of the U.S. for more than 365 days, will need to apply for a returning resident visa (SB-1). Please visit the Returning Resident Visa section of our website for more information. For additional information regarding your LPR status, contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at www.uscis.gov or by calling +1-212-620-3418 (from overseas).
  • Emergency Travel Documents for LPRs:  LPRs who have lost their I-551 Permanent Resident cards (Green Card) and/or re-entry permits, and have an immediate need to return to the United States, can request an emergency appointment by emailing [email protected].  Due to limited staffing, appointment availability is extremely limited.  Please visit the Temporary Replacement of a Lost/Stolen Green Card section of our website for more information.

Movement Restrictions

  • Is a curfew in place? Yes
    • Review curfew measures outlined above under the Country-Specific Information section.
  • Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? Yes
    • Peru’s Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) and the Ministry of Health (MINSA) have established health and safety guidelines for air travel. Travelers are encouraged to follow the guidelines summarized below.  For more information refer to: https://www.lima-airport.com/eng/for-passengers/covid-19-protocol/before-you-travel.
    • Domestic Air Travel: Domestic flights are available, however please confirm with your airline or travel agency before traveling.
    • On March 13, 2021, the Government of Peru suspended COVID-19 testing requirements for domestic air travel.

Quarantine Information

  • Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? Yes
    • All travelers arriving to Peru must quarantine for 14 days on arrival. As of March 15, 2021, the Government of Peru announced that travelers who take an antigen test and receive a negative result after their first day of arrival may suspend the 14-day quarantine requirement. Travelers may take an antigen test at the airport, a local hospital, or any laboratory authorized by the Ministry of Health (MINSA). ​Travelers who test positive must complete the 14-day quarantine at either the Pan-American Village or location of their choice in coordination with health authorities. The approved MINSA labs can be found here: http://www.digemid.minsa.gob.pe/main.asp?Seccion=967. Find more information in the decree, online here (in Spanish): https://busquedas.elperuano.pe/normaslegales/decreto-supremo-que-establece-precisiones-y-modifica-el-decr-decreto-supremo-n-004-2021-pcm-1919992-1/.
    • Local health officials and law enforcement are authorized to ask travelers for proof of a negative antigen test; therefore all U.S. citizen travelers are advised to keep their results on hand in case they are asked to present them.
    • Travelers are responsible for funding their own COVID-19 testing and quarantine costs.

Transportation Options

  • Are commercial flights operating? Yes
  • Is public transportation operating? Yes
    • Rules regarding local transportation vary by jurisdiction. Masks are generally required for all passengers and in some jurisdictions the number of passengers permitted on buses is limited to increase social distancing.
    • Taxi services are available and may allow only two passengers.

Fines for Non-Compliance

  • Peruvian authorities will enforce regulations related to COVID-19, and U.S. citizens could be subject to detentions, fines, or arrest if out of compliance.

Consular Operations

  • U.S. Embassy in Lima: the American Citizen Services Unit is offering limited passport, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA), and notarial appointments.  If you require passport or CRBA services, visit our website for more information and to schedule an appointment: https://pe.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/. Walk-in services are not available at this time.
  • Cusco Consular Agency: The U.S. Embassy’s Consular Agency in Cusco is open for limited routine services.  To schedule an appointment, send an email to [email protected]. Walk-in services are not available at this time. Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
  • All visitors to the U.S. Embassy in Lima and the Cusco Consular Agency are required to wear face coverings at all times. Applicants who are experiencing flu-like or gastrointestinal symptoms within two weeks prior to their scheduled appointment should stay home for the safety of fellow applicants and our staff.  If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, you may reschedule your appointment by contacting [email protected] and will be given priority as soon as your period of illness is over.
  • Visa Services: The United States Embassy in Lima, Peru has resumed limited in-person visa appointments in addition to emergency appointments.  (Appointment capacity remains extremely limited due to the ongoing pandemic.)  We are working diligently to restore all routine visa operations as quickly and safely as possible.  Payment for nonimmigrant visa applications (known as the MRV fee) is valid through September 30, 2022, to allow all applicants who were unable to schedule a visa appointment last year an opportunity to schedule a visa appointment on the U.S. Visa Appointment Service website with the previously paid fee.  In-person appointments for first-time, nonemergency nonimmigrant visa applicants are unavailable until further notice to ensure the health and safety of applicants and consular staff alike.   Currently there is no estimate of when we will be able to conduct these interviews at the Embassy.
  • If you are renewing a B1, B2, B1/B2, C1/D, F1, F2, J1, J2, M1, or M2 visa, in most cases you do not require an in-person interview at the Embassy if your visa expired within the last 48 months and your passport has at six months of validity remaining.  Applicants renewing H2A visas who have been issued two prior visas of this type in most cases will likely not require an in-person interview if their prior visa expired within the last 48 months and the passport has at least six months of validity remaining.
  • If you have an urgent matter and need to travel immediately, please follow the guidance provided on the U.S. Visa Appointment Service website to schedule a regular appointment, then request an emergency appointment.
  • All applicants, including children over the age of two, are required to wear face masks.  Applicants who are experiencing flu-like or gastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19 within 14 days prior to their scheduled appointment are prohibited from coming to the Embassy, for the safety of fellow applicants and our staff.  If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, please email [email protected] to notify us and then reschedule your appointment by following the instructions on the U.S. Visa Appointment Service website.  You will receive priority scheduling once your period of illness ends.

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