PassportSouth Africa

Peru: do South Africans need a visa?

South Africans don't need a visa for Peru.

The ministry table gives 90 days for tourism. Under the migration law as amended by DL 1582, the immigration officer can grant tourist stays totalling up to 183 days in a 365-day period counted from first entry. If you are given less, you can extend up to that limit. Ask for the days you need on arrival and check your virtual TAM.

Visa-free for tourism. Peru's foreign ministry table lists 'República de Sudáfrica: Turista NO (visa), 90; Negocios SI'. So no visa for tourism, but the same table shows a visa required for business.1910

Before you travel

Length of stay

The ministry table gives 90 days for tourism. Under the migration law as amended by DL 1582, the immigration officer can grant tourist stays totalling up to 183 days in a 365-day period counted from first entry. If you are given less, you can extend up to that limit. Ask for the days you need on arrival and check your virtual TAM.132

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Purpose of visit

Tourism visa-free. Business visits: the ministry table marks South Africa 'SI' (visa required). Confirm with the Embassy of Peru in Pretoria before a business trip.110

Confirmed on an official government source

Passport validity

FCDO advises at least 6 months from arrival. Not confirmed on a Peruvian official page.3

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

How to apply

No visa for tourism. Present your passport at immigration; a virtual Andean Migration Card (TAM Virtual) is issued free at Lima airport and seaports. For a business visa, apply to the Peruvian consulate.134

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Where South Africans apply

Business or other visas: Embassy of Peru in Pretoria. Details not verified here.

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Travel insurance

Not published by official sources

Return or onward ticket

Not published by official sources

Proof of funds

Not published by official sources

Accommodation or invitation

Not published by official sources

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

Peru: no yellow fever certificate required on entry (WHO). WHO recommends vaccination for travel to Amazon and jungle regions below 2,300 m. Not needed for Lima, Cusco or Machu Picchu alone. South Africa's own rule on return: South Africa requires a valid yellow fever certificate from all travellers over 1 year of age, South African citizens included, arriving from a yellow-fever-risk country or after more than 12 hours' airport transit in one; Peru is on South Africa's risk list. Without it you can be refused entry or quarantined for up to 6 days. The certificate is valid for life and only counts 10 days after vaccination.678

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Arrival forms

No paper card at Lima airport. The TAM Virtual is issued electronically; you can download or check it on the Migraciones site.34

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Extending your stay and overstaying

Since DL 1582, if granted fewer than 183 days you may extend up to 183 days (Migraciones procedure). Overstay fine: 0.1% of the UIT per day, about S/5.35 a day in 2025. FCDO warns overstayers may be detained.324

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Transit

Not published by official sources

Travelling with children

FCDO: notarised permission rules apply to Peruvian-resident minors leaving Peru. For visitors, carry birth certificates and consent letters as South African rules require.3

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

What changed

2023DL 1582 amended DL 1350: the 183-day tourist limit is counted from first entry, and extensions up to 183 days are now allowed.

Sources

Official

The destination's own government

  1. 1Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores del Perú (consulado.pe): Requerimientos y exoneración de visas para ciudadanos extranjeros (undated) consulado.pe

Other government

Official advice from other governments

  1. 3UK FCDO gov.uk
  2. 6DIRCO (South African High Commission, Canberra) dirco.gov.za
  3. 7South African National Department of Health health.gov.za
  4. 8World Health Organization, International Travel and Health country list cdn.who.int

Reference

Used to find official sources, never the final word

  1. 9Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org

Commercial

Visa agencies, law firms and travel companies

  1. 2KPMG Peru: summary of Decreto Legislativo 1582 amending DL 1350 assets.kpmg.com
  2. 10The GSA (SA visa service), Peru guide (confirms business visa needed) thegsa.co.za

News and guides

Leads we check, never the answer

  1. 4Infobae (citing Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones) infobae.com

Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book.