Peru
At a glance
- Living index rating
- Affordable
- Monthly rent
- S/ 600 – S/ 1,500 for a homestay or shared flat in Lima
- Monthly food
- S/ 600 – S/ 1,000
- Other monthly expenses
- S/ 300 – S/ 600 (transport, phone, health insurance, personal)
- Visa processing time
- About 3 – 8 weeks
- Family allowed for students
- Limited
Visa requirements
- Resident visa for training/study (calidad migratoria Formación Residente) from the National Superintendency of Migrations, or a change of status if you're already in Peru
- Enrolment proof from a recognised Peruvian institution
- Passport, criminal record certificate and proof of funds or a sponsor
- Get your foreigner ID card (Carné de Extranjería) after approval
- Student status is for study; paid work needs separate authorisation or another status
Work permit after studies
- No post-study work visa
- Graduates need a job contract and a change to a worker residence status
Citizenship route
- Permanent residence after 3 years of temporary residence (with conditions such as a work contract)
- Naturalisation now needs 5 years of continuous legal residence (raised from 2), a minimum income and a language and culture evaluation
Family details
- Family dependant residence is mainly for families of workers and residents; students' family members may need their own status
- Check with Migraciones before planning to bring family
Universities in Peru
Top-ranked
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP) · Lima
QS #357THE 1601–1800
Famous for: Engineering, Social sciences, Law
Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM) · Lima
QS 951–1000THE 2001+
Famous for: Medicine, Law, Social sciences
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH) · Lima
QS 1001–1200THE 1001–1200
Famous for: Medicine, Public health, Dentistry
Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC) · Lima
QS 1401+THE 2001+
Famous for: Business, Architecture, Engineering
Universidad César Vallejo · Trujillo
THE 2001+
Universidad Científica del Sur · Lima
THE 2001+
Universidad de San Martín de Porres · Lima
THE 2001+
Universidad Nacional Agraria la Molina · Lima
THE 2001+
Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola · Lima
THE 2001+
All other universities and colleges (98), A–Z
Universidad Nacional Amazónica de Madre de Dios · Puerto Maldonado
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Huanta · Huanta
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Tayacaja "Daniel Hernández Morillo" · Pampas
Universidad Nacional Daniel Alcides Carrión · Cerro de Pasco
Universidad Nacional de Educación Enrique Guzmán y Valle · Lima
Universidad Nacional de San Cristóbal de Huamanga · Ayacucho
Universidad Nacional Intercultural de la Amazonia · Pucallpa
Universidad Nacional Intercultural de la Selva Central Juan Santos Atahualpa · La Merced
Universidad Nacional Intercultural de Quillabamba · Quillabamba
Universidad Nacional Intercultural Fabiola Salazar Leguía de Bagua · Bagua
Universidad Nacional Tecnológica de Frontera San Ignacio de Loyola · San Ignacio
Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas · Chachapoyas
Universidad Privada de Huancayo Franklin Roosevelt · Huancayo
No universities match your search.
This guide is for general information. Visa and immigration rules change often, so always check the official government website before you apply. Last updated 6 October 2026.
