Peru

Calidad Migratoria de Investigación

Peru's Calidad Migratoria de Investigación (Researcher Migration Status) is a talent visa for foreign nationals with recognized knowledge and experience in science, technology, and innovation. Governed by Decreto Legislativo No. 1350 and administered by MIGRACIONES, the program requires accreditation as a foreign researcher through CONCYTEC's RENACYT registry and an affiliation letter from a Peruvian institution. Uniquely among Peru's migration categories, holders may perform any income-generating activity — dependent or independent — in both the public and private sectors.

• Accreditation as a foreign researcher by CONCYTEC through the RENACYT platform
• Minimum RENACYT classification of Level VII (10 points), based on academic degrees and scientific production
• Academic degrees: doctorate (10 points), master's (6 points), professional title (4 points), bachelor's (2 points)
• Minimum 6 points from scientific production (peer-reviewed articles, patents, or books)
• At least one publication within the past 3 years to maintain active researcher status
• Letter from a Peruvian public or private institution indicating research activities for a period of 1 year or more
• The sponsoring institution must have an active RUC registered with SUNAT
• Foreign academic degrees must be recognized through SUNEDU's degree recognition process
• Criminal record certificates from country of origin and countries of residence (last 5 years)
• INTERPOL International Exchange Record from OCN-Lima (issued within 6 months)

• Completed and signed migration status application form
• Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
• CONCYTEC document accrediting foreign researcher status
• Letter from a Peruvian institution detailing research activities, signed by the legal representative, with registration entry/deed and active RUC number
• INTERPOL International Exchange Record (ficha de canje internacional) from OCN-Lima, issued within 6 months
• Criminal, penal, and police record certificates from country of origin and countries of residence (last 5 years)
• Payment receipt for S/ 105.60 (code 07567) at Banco de la Nación

The resident version is valid for 365 days and is renewable. A temporary version is also available for up to 183 days. Renewal must be requested at least 30 days before expiration, costs S/ 25.60, and requires updated CONCYTEC accreditation and institutional affiliation documentation. After 3 consecutive years of legal residence, the holder may apply for permanent resident status, provided absences do not exceed 183 consecutive calendar days in any 365-day period.

Spouse and dependent children apply separately under the calidad migratoria de familiar de residente, which grants a 1-year renewable residence permit. This requires proof of kinship through apostilled or legalized documents translated to Spanish. The familiar de residente status allows family members to perform lucrative activities in Peru.

Researchers residing in Peru for more than 183 days within a 12-month period become tax domiciled and are subject to income tax on worldwide income at progressive rates of 8%, 14%, 17%, 20%, and 30%. Non-domiciled individuals are taxed only on Peruvian-source income at a flat 30% rate. Independent researchers must register with SUNAT for a RUC to issue receipts for services.

The process has two parallel tracks. First, the applicant obtains CONCYTEC accreditation through the RENACYT platform by registering on CTI Vitae, submitting academic credentials (with SUNEDU recognition for foreign degrees), evidence of scientific production, and a declaration under oath. CONCYTEC evaluates applications within 30 to 50 business days on a rolling basis. Second, once accredited, the applicant submits the visa application to MIGRACIONES with all required documents. MIGRACIONES evaluates the application within 30 business days. The total timeline from initial application to visa issuance can extend to several months due to the two separate processes.

The requirement for a Peruvian institutional affiliation means applicants must secure a host organization before applying. Researchers who have not published within the past 3 years are classified as inactive and may not qualify. The researcher status offers significantly broader work authorization than most other migration categories — unlike the worker status (tied to specific employment) or the digital nomad status (limited to foreign employers), researchers may engage in any dependent or independent income-generating activity. Resident visa holders who remain outside Peru for more than 183 consecutive days may lose their migration status unless they obtain prior authorization from MIGRACIONES.

Links

• https://www.gob.pe/12878-solicitar-visa-de-calidad-migratoria-investigacion-residente
• https://servicio-renacyt.concytec.gob.pe/condicion-de-investigador-extranjero/
• https://www.gob.pe/institucion/migraciones/informes-publicaciones/1643265-decreto-legislativo-n-1350-ley-de-migraciones

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