Peru's investment route, the Visa de Inversionista, sits inside the framework established by Legislative Decree No. 1350 (the Migration Law of 2017), administered by the Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones. It is a single-track program: a business capital investment, with no real estate equivalent.
The property question, settled
Peru simply does not offer residency by real estate purchase. Anyone searching "Peru Golden Visa" expecting a property-based route, the way Colombia's M-10 or Ecuador's Investor Visa work, should redirect toward the business investment track below or the far lower-threshold Rentista visa.
The Inversionista threshold, 2026
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum investment | PEN 500,000, approximately USD 135,000 |
| Qualifying vehicle | New or existing Peruvian company (transfer of existing shares does not qualify) |
| Transfer method | Single international bank transfer disbursement via a recognized financial institution |
| Visa validity | 1 year, renewable |
| Processing time | Approximately 8 weeks |
| Legal basis | Legislative Decree No. 1350, in force since March 2017 |
What the application requires
A certified business plan (typically reviewed by a certified economist), proof of the investment transfer, company incorporation documentation through SUNARP, tax registration with SUNAT, a clean criminal record, health certificate, and standard visa filing documents. Investors are generally limited to serving as Manager or Director of the company for compliance purposes, subject to applicable labor and tax rules.
Not sure how this fits your strategy?
A focused consultation to assess your objectives and shortlist the right options.
Why most investors choose Rentista instead
At roughly seven times the cost of Colombia's real estate threshold and with no property option at all, Peru's Inversionista visa is a comparatively expensive route. Most foreign nationals with flexible passive income instead qualify through the Rentista visa, requiring only USD 1,000 a month, indefinite validity from day one, and a materially simpler application.
Investing in Peru: company formation, registration and real estate
This section covers Peru as an investment destination on its own terms: company formation and the general investment climate, independent of any residency visa. If the question is instead about the Inversionista Visa and its residency requirements, that content lives in the Peru residency section's Golden Visa guide; this page will not repeat it.
Company formation: the shareholder minimum most guides skip
| Structure | Best for | Shareholders | Formation time |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAC (Sociedad Anonima Cerrada) | The standard choice for most foreign investors and SMEs | Minimum 2, maximum 20 | 7 to 15 business days once documents are ready |
| SA (Sociedad Anonima) | Larger operations, potential public listing | No maximum; stricter governance | Several weeks |
| SRL (Sociedad Comercial de Responsabilidad Limitada) | Smaller operations wanting limited liability with fewer formalities | 2 to 20 partners | Similar to SAC |
| EIRL (Empresa Individual de Responsabilidad Limitada) | A genuine sole foreign founder wanting single ownership | 1 (single owner) | Similar to SAC |
| Branch (Sucursal) | A foreign company operating directly in Peru | N/A; extension of parent | Several weeks; requires a permanent local legal representative |
The mistake most foreign founders make
Defaulting to the SAC without checking the shareholder count. It is the most commonly recommended structure and for good reason, full foreign ownership, limited liability, no board requirement, but it legally requires a minimum of 2 shareholders. A genuinely solo foreign founder either needs to bring in a second shareholder (which can be a second entity under common control) or use the EIRL structure instead, a detail that catches many first-time investors off guard mid-process.
Registration steps and the capital deposit requirement
Notarizing the bylaws (minuta), registering with SUNARP's Registro de Personas Juridicas, obtaining a RUC (tax ID) from SUNAT, and opening a corporate bank account. Peru requires at least 25 percent of subscribed capital to be deposited in a Peruvian bank account as part of incorporation itself, before the company legally exists, a step that can be genuinely difficult for a foreign investor with no prior Peruvian banking relationship and is worth planning for well in advance.
Foreign investment registration
Registering with PROINVERSION's Direccion de Servicios al Inversionista, under Decreto Legislativo No. 662, is optional but provides additional legal guarantees for income-producing investments from abroad, separate from the mandatory SUNARP company registration. All foreign investments should also be registered with Peru's Central Reserve Bank to preserve the right to repatriate profits and capital.
Frequently asked questions
Does Peru have a Golden Visa?
Not under that name, and not through real estate. Peru's investment route is the Inversionista visa, which requires a business investment of PEN 500,000 (approximately USD 135,000) in a new or existing Peruvian company. Peru does not offer any residency visa tied to buying property.
Can I get Peruvian residency by buying real estate?
No. As of 2026, Peru's Migraciones does not recognize residential or commercial property purchase, at any amount, as a qualifying basis for any resident visa category. Property ownership can support other applications as evidence of ties to the country, but it does not independently qualify anyone for residency.
How much do I need to invest to get a Peru Inversionista visa?
PEN 500,000, approximately USD 135,000 at 2026 exchange rates, transferred in a single disbursement by international bank transfer into a new or existing Peruvian company. This threshold has applied since Legislative Decree No. 1350 took effect in March 2017; figures citing a sub-USD 30,000 investment threshold are outdated.
Does the Peru Inversionista visa require creating jobs?
Requirements vary by structuring; a certified business plan is typically required, and some structures call for local job creation. Confirm current documentation requirements with Migraciones or a licensed immigration attorney before committing capital, as practice has tightened in recent years.
Is the Inversionista Visa covered here?
No, by design. Peru's Inversionista Visa grants legal residency, so its full requirements live in the Peru residency section's Golden Visa guide. This section covers the underlying investment market itself: company formation and the general investment climate, without repeating the visa's requirements.
What is the standard company structure for a foreign investor in Peru?
The SAC (Sociedad Anonima Cerrada) is the structure most foreign investors use: full foreign ownership permitted, limited liability, and no board of directors required. The one structural catch: a SAC requires a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 20 shareholders, so a sole foreign founder cannot form one alone and needs either a second shareholder or a different structure such as an EIRL.
Can a single foreign investor own 100 percent of a Peruvian company?
Yes in substance, but the standard SAC vehicle requires at least 2 shareholders, even if one holds a nominal stake or the two are commonly controlled entities of the same beneficial owner. A solo foreign founder wanting true single ownership should ask a Peruvian attorney about the EIRL (Empresa Individual de Responsabilidad Limitada) structure instead.
How long does it take to register a company in Peru as a foreigner?
Roughly 7 to 15 business days once documents are ready, but non-resident founders relying on an apostilled power of attorney should expect the full process, including corporate bank account opening, to run closer to 6 to 12 weeks end to end.
Last reviewed 15 September 2026.
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Programme terms are set by the relevant government and can change; confirm any figure with the authority, or with us, before acting on it.
