This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Peru’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Peru set and enforce entry rules. If you are not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Peruvian Consulate General in the UK (in Spanish).
\n\nTo enter Peru, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
\n\nYou can travel to Peru without a visa for tourism or short visits. If you are travelling for any other reason, check requirements with the Peruvian Consulate General in the UK (in Spanish).
\n\nWhen you arrive in Peru, you will normally get permission to stay for up to 90 days in a 180 day period. The 180 day period is calculated from the date of your first entry into Peru. Immigration officials can grant you a maximum of 183 days in a 365 day period as a visitor or tourist.
\n\nIf you overstay, you will get a fine and you could be detained.
\n\nIf you arrive in Peru at an international airport, authorities will register your entry digitally through a Tarjeta Andina de Migración (TAM) - a virtual immigration control document.
\n\nYou can check how long you are allowed to stay in Peru on the Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones website (in Spanish).
\n\nFrom 7 December, passengers transiting or connecting through Lima (Jorge Chávez International) Airport will be required to pay a fee, known as a TUUA (Tarifa Unica por Uso de Aeropuerto, or Airport Use Fee).
\n\nThis fee is not currently included in airline tickets.
\n\nTo avoid delays, travellers are encouraged to pay in advance via the Lima Airport online platform or use available on-site payment options, including mobile POS (Point of Sale) agents, dedicated payment modules, and QR codes.
\n\nLand entry: make sure you get your passport stamped.
\nIf you enter Peru by land from a neighbouring country, get a passport entry stamp at the immigration checkpoint. You cannot leave Peru without one. If you did not get a stamp, apply to get a passport entry stamp online (form in Spanish) and:
\n\nThe British Embassy can help you to apply for an entry stamp. You should start this process as soon as possible.
\n\nIf you cannot give the information needed, you must apply for an exit order or expulsion order to leave Peru in person at the Immigration Office in Lima. These orders may stop you from re-entering Peru for a number of years. The British Embassy cannot intervene in these decisions but can help you with the exit procedure.
\n\nIf your passport is lost or stolen and you plan to travel inside Peru, contact your travel agency, airline or bus company to check their requirements. Some companies will not allow you to travel carrying a police report only. You may need a new passport or an emergency travel document.
\n\nFor details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Peru guide.
\n\nChildren aged 17 and under who are travelling on a British passport and have Peruvian resident status need written permission (‘Autorización de Viaje Notarial’) from the non-accompanying parent or parents to leave Peru.
\n\nYou must get permission in a letter signed by a public notary in Peru. The letter must include:
\n\nThese requirements do not normally apply to children with tourist status, but immigration officers may ask for them in circumstances considered suspicious, or if the child has overstayed in Peru and the stay lasts more than 183 days.
\n\nFor further information, contact the Peruvian Consulate General in the UK (in Spanish) or the Peruvian Immigration Department (in Spanish).
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Peru (in Spanish). You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\nYou can bring one laptop and 2 mobile phones into Peru without paying tax.
\n\nWhen you leave Peru, you may be stopped and prosecuted if you are carrying:
\n\nThe sale of souvenirs made with wild animal parts, including condor feathers, is illegal in Peru. These products are often sold in tourist markets in Cusco and Iquitos.
\n\nIt is illegal to remove any archaeological artefacts from Peru without authorisation.
\n\n","safety_html":"This guide also has safety advice for regions of Peru.
\n\nThere is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nTerrorist attacks in Peru cannot be ruled out.
\n\nAttacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.
\n\nPolitical protests in Peru are unpredictable and can escalate quickly. Demonstrations can become violent and lead to roadblocks, travel disruption, including trains, and suspension of immigration services at land borders. This is often without notice or notification of estimated re-opening timelines.
\n\nLocal groups can announce strike action, with little or no notice, particularly in areas connected to mining. These may quickly spill over from one region to another.
\n\nIt’s illegal for foreigners in Peru to participate in political activities, including demonstrations against the government. You may face detention or deportation if you take part in a demonstration. To reduce any risk:
\n\nProtests in Lima often happen in the historic centre, where access can be restricted, but they can also spread to other areas. Other regions that have seen recent protests include Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cusco, La Libertad, Madre de Dios and Puno.
\n\nSome train services in the south, including those to and from Machu Picchu, are occasionally suspended or disrupted because of protests. Contact your travel provider for further advice on disruptions, and check if changes need to be made to your journey.
\n\nContact the iPeru information service for help with issues travelling to different regions of Peru.
\n\nThe British Embassy’s ability to provide help will be very limited where protests or criminal activity disrupt travel or damage infrastructure.
\n\nHelp from local authorities, including police and emergency services, will also be very limited, especially if airports, roads and railroads are affected.
\n\nThere is a higher risk to your safety in areas where there is serious organised crime linked to drug production. This includes the border areas with Ecuador, Colombia and Brazil and the Valley of Apurímac, Ene and Mantaro rivers (VRAEM). Remnants of the Shining Path guerrilla group are still active in some of the main coca growing areas in central Peru (Alto Huallaga, Aguaytia and VRAEM river basins).
\n\nStreet crime, including muggings and thefts, is a significant problem in Lima, Cusco, Arequipa and other major cities. Be alert in public places and when withdrawing cash from ATMs.
\n\nIt is safer to use ATMs inside banks, supermarkets or large commercial buildings during business hours. Do not walk on your own in quiet areas or at night.
\n\nThere have been a number of robberies at gunpoint of British tourists and residents. Attacks can take place in tourist areas of Lima such as Miraflores and Barranco. To reduce your personal risk:
\n\nCriminals target cars stopped at traffic lights. Keep your doors locked and windows shut while driving.
\n\nPetty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag-snatching, is common, so:
\n\nThere is a risk of robbery by criminals posing as taxi drivers, especially at Jorge Chavez International Airport and bus terminals. Fake taxi drivers and thieves pretending to be tour operators sometimes approach arriving passengers. To reduce your risk:
\n\nTourists, especially those travelling alone, are at risk of ‘express kidnapping’. Victims are taken hostage and forced to withdraw money from ATMs for their release, usually at night. Incidents often involve armed criminals posing as taxi drivers, or taxi drivers working for organised gangs. Armed robbers sometimes hold up provincial and inter-city buses.
\n\nIf a kidnapping or hold-up happens to you:
\n\nCriminals can also fake kidnappings by contacting the numbers from a stolen mobile phone and claiming to have kidnapped the owner. They then demand a ransom. Report it to the police if you suspect this has taken place.
\n\nPersonal attacks, including sexual assaults, are infrequent but do happen, mostly in the Cusco and Arequipa areas. Unscrupulous tour agents have targeted young females, travelling alone in the Cusco area. You should:
\n\nFor information on reputable tourist services around Peru, contact the iPeru information service.
\n\nThere have been deaths and cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol in Peru.
\n\nEven small amounts of methanol can kill. It is not possible to identify methanol in alcoholic drinks by taste or smell. See Travel Aware Spiking and methanol poisoning for information about how to reduce the risks.
\n\nSeek urgent medical attention if you or someone you are travelling with show the signs of methanol poisoning after drinking.
\n\nCounterfeit US and Peruvian banknotes are in circulation. There have been reports of street money changers in Cusco tourist areas fraudulently using Peruvian intis (former currency now out of circulation).
\n\nAlways carry ID with you. The Peruvian police may ask to see ID; if you do not have it with you, you may be required to go to the nearest police station.
\n\nIllegal drug use and drug trafficking in Peru carry lengthy jail sentences. Prison conditions in Peru are extremely poor and the British Embassy cannot intervene in police or judicial matters, or secure more favourable conditions.
\n\nYou should:
\n\nDrug couriers have targeted British nationals with email scams. These criminals will try to get you to travel to Peru to pick up items containing drugs. You’ll face detention for drug trafficking if convicted.
\n\nDo not take photographs of anything of a military nature, it is illegal and you could face a prison sentence of two to five years.
\n\nSame-sex sexual activity is legal in Peru, but social attitudes are generally conservative. Crimes against the LGBT+ community are not included in hate crime legislation and same-sex partnerships are not formally recognised.
\n\nSame-sex couples showing affection in public may receive unwanted and negative attention.
\n\nRead more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nMake sure your insurance covers you for all planned activities.
\n\nMake sure that agencies providing adventure activities like zipline, canopy tours, bungee jumping, paragliding, kayaking, rock climbing, sand buggies and surfing have a licence. You should also check their health and safety precautions. For updated information on tour and sport services, contact the iPeru information service.
\n\nPeru’s highest peaks are in the Cordillera Blanca Mountains. Several hikers have died and others had to be rescued after serious accidents. Much of the region is inaccessible by helicopter so rescues are usually carried out on foot. Contact the iPeru information service in Huaraz – phone: 0051 (43) 428 812 – before you set off.
\n\nThere have been deaths and accidents involving recreational sand buggies, particularly in the sand dunes around Ica and Lake Huacachina. These buggies are unregulated, and the drivers and agencies take no responsibility for the welfare of passengers.
\n\nThere are unauthorised surfboard rentals at the beaches of Miraflores. There may not be lifeguards on beaches.
\n\nFor more information or to check the credentials of rafting and cruise operators, contact iPeru information service.
\n\nFor more information about the risks of travelling in the Amazon region, see Regional risks.
\n\nShamans and other people offer ‘spiritual cleansing’ (Ayahuasca or San Pedro) to tourists in the Amazon area, northern Peru and Cusco. This often involves drinking a brew containing dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a hallucinogenic drug that is a Class A substance in the UK. This brew is not regulated and its effect on existing medical conditions is not well understood. People have become seriously ill and, in some cases, died after taking part. Spiritual cleansing retreats are usually far from populated areas, making it difficult to get medical attention.
\n\nThere have also been reports of sexual assault during these ceremonies. For guidance to support you if you have been sexually assaulted or raped in Peru see Getting help.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in Peru, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nYou can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Peru for up to 6 months if your immigration stay permit is valid. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.
\n\nAlways carry your passport or valid ID (‘carne de extranjería’ if you are a resident) when driving.
\n\nTake particular care if you are driving close to places where protests are taking place. Do not attempt to pass blockades.
\n\nDriving standards in Peru are poor. Drivers often ignore stop signs and traffic lights, and fatal crashes are frequent.
\n\nDrivers do not always show concern for pedestrians. You should be extra cautious when walking alongside traffic.
\n\nBus crashes are common, especially at night. Only use reputable transport companies, and where possible, avoid overnight travel, especially in mountainous and remote regions.
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
\n\nThrough late 2026 to April 2027, the El Niño weather event is expected to generate heavy rainfall, possible flooding, landslides, and mudslides, especially in, but not restricted to, the northern and central coast. These could cause travel disruption, such as road closures, and affect access to essential services.
\n\nYou should monitor local news and weather reports and the latest information about road alerts (Spanish only).
\n\nFor official updates on El Niño, please visit the Peruvian government website: ENFEN (Spanish only), and check Real-time road updates (Spanish only).
\n\nThe rainy season in Peru runs from November to May. There is heavy rain and snow in northern Peru, the Andes, including Cusco, and other parts of the country.
\n\nThe rainy season can disrupt:
\n\nRockslides, mudslides and snow can disrupt walking routes, road and rail travel in mountain and jungle areas:
\n\nYou should:
\n\nPeru is in an active earthquake zone and there are frequent tremors.
\n\nFollow advice given by the local authorities. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
\n\nIf you are planning to visit areas of known volcanic activity, listen to all warnings and follow the advice of the local authorities.
\n\nPeru’s most active volcano, Ubinas, has been emitting gas and ash recently, leading to some local villages being evacuated, affecting 30,000 people.
\n\nThe US Federal Emergency Management Agency has advice about what to do before, during and after a volcanic eruption.
\n\nAlthough tsunamis are rare in Peru, higher tides often happen either after an earthquake or for other reasons throughout the year. See the Peruvian Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation (in Spanish) for information.
\n\n","customs_snippets":["You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.","You can bring one laptop and 2 mobile phones into Peru without paying tax.","make sure you travel with enough food, water, local currency and personal medication","Be alert in public places and when withdrawing cash from ATMs.","agree to any demands for cash or goods","There have been deaths and cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol in Peru.","It is not possible to identify methanol in alcoholic drinks by taste or smell.","There have been reports of street money changers in Cusco tourist areas fraudulently using Peruvian intis (former currency now out of circulation).","not carry anything through customs for anyone","not take coca leaves or coca tea out of the country – it is illegal to import these items into the UK","travel with enough food, water, cash in local currency, medication and warm clothes"]}