Peru

Peru combines a diverse economy, substantial mining and fisheries resources and a strategic position in South America. Political instability since 2016, economic volatility, infrastructure limitations and corruption concerns temper the picture for international investors.

Peru Citizenship by Investment

Peru has no citizenship by investment program today, though it was among the first South American countries to explore citizenship through investment. A program launched in 1992 allowed foreign investors to apply for citizenship on an investment of $25,000, but public backlash led to its closure a year later.

Direct routes with no residence requirement sit in the Caribbean.

St Kitts And Nevis reaches 191 destinations, the widest count of any Caribbean citizenship, from the longest-running program in the world. Grenada ranks 63rd on the La Vida Passport Value Index with 179 destinations and holds an E-2 treaty with the United States allowing citizens to apply for a US investor visa, which no South American passport provides.

Antigua And Barbuda sits 65th with 186 destinations, covering a spouse, children and dependent parents on a single application. All grant citizenship in four to eight months with no Spanish requirement and no need to relocate.

Peru Residency By Investment

Peru’s Independent Means Visa is available to individuals with a regular monthly income above $1,000. Permanent residency can be applied for after three years of continuous residency. Citizenship becomes available after two years of residence, subject to spending at least 183 days a year in the country and demonstrating proficiency in Spanish.

Routes without a physical presence obligation exist elsewhere. The Portugal Golden Visa requires a qualifying fund investment from €500,000 and asks for only seven days a year in the country, with permanent residence available after five years and a passport ranking 15th on the Index.

The Greek Golden Visa requires property investment from €400,000 across most regions, rising to €800,000 in Athens, Thessaloniki and the larger islands, with a €250,000 tier for qualifying conversions and restorations, and imposes no minimum stay at all. In the region, Panama grants permanent residency directly through qualifying real estate investment.

Peru’s Passport Strength and Ranking

Peru ranks 55th of 199 on the La Vida Passport Value Index. The Peruvian passport reaches 186 of the world’s 227 destinations without a prior visa, representing 65.4% of world GDP and 82.9% of global travel measured by international visitor arrivals.

That is among the strongest performances of any South American passport, ahead of every Caribbean investment citizenship on economic reach. Peruvian nationals hold visa-free access to the Schengen Area and the United Kingdom for short stays but require advance visas for the United States, China and Japan.

For a Peruvian holder, a second citizenship adds destination count and the E-2 route to the United States rather than a broad mobility uplift. St Kitts and Nevis takes destination count from 186 to 191, and Grenada opens the E-2 route.

Citizenship and Residency by Investment Programs

See below a selection of countries offering residency and citizenship investment programs.

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