Europe’s entry requirements for Peruvians will soon change. From the end of 2022, citizens of Peru will be required to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver online before travelling to countries in the Schengen Area.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System will make Europe even safer for residents and visitors: visa-exempt foreigners, including Peruvians, will undergo security checks before arrival.
Peruvians can find everything they need to know about the new European visa waiver below.
Will Peruvians need a visa for Europe?
No, citizens of Peru will not need a visa to stay in Europe for up to 90 days. Peruvians can continue to travel to Europe short-term for tourism, business, or transit, without applying for a visa.
However, Peruvian nationals will soon be required to register with ETIAS before visiting any of the 26 countries in the Schengen Area.
ETIAS is not a visa, it is an electronic travel authorisation allowing visa-free access to Europe and will become a mandatory entry requirement for Peruvian passport holders.
Peruvians will only need a visa if they do not meet all the ETIAS requirements, wish to stay in Europe for longer than 90 days per 180-day period, or are visiting for reasons other than tourism, business, or transit.
Are Peruvian citizens eligible to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver?
As for citizens of most countries in South America, Peruvians will be eligible to apply for the ETIAS visa waiver and continue to travel to Europe visa-free.
With an ETIAS visa waiver, Peruvian passport holders will be able to cross an external Schengen border and enjoy free movement around the travel zone.
Peruvians can use the same ETIAS visa waiver to enter the Schengen Area multiple times for 3 years, or until their passport expires. Each stay must not exceed 90 days per 180-day period.
What documents do Peruvians need to obtain ETIAS?
Very few documents are required to obtain ETIAS from Peru. Applicants need a:
- Valid passport issued by Peru
- Debit or credit card to pay the visa waiver fees
- Current email address for correspondence and notifications
ETIAS applicants do not need to submit documentation in person at an embassy or consulate, the entire process is online and can be completed from home or anywhere with an internet connection.
The ETIAS application process for Peruvian citizens
The ETIAS process for Peruvians will be simple and straightforward. The application can be completed online in just a few minutes.
Peruvian citizens are required to fill out the electronic ETIAS application form with the following basic details:
- Personal information such as full name, date of birth, country of citizenship
- Passport number, issue date, expiry date
- The name of the Schengen country they will enter first
There will also be a few health and security-related questions. Peruvian applicants are advised to check all the details carefully before submitting the request as mistakes could lead to delays or rejection.
How long does it take to get ETIAS from Peru?
ETIAS applications are automatically cross-checked against several Schengen Area security systems, such as Eurodac and Europol. In most cases, nothing will be flagged up and the visa waiver will be issued very quickly.
In the rare case that there is a hit in one of the systems, the information will be reviewed by ETIAS Central and National Unit personnel.
Peruvian nationals will only be denied entry if they are considered to pose a threat to the public in Europe. Each case is studied on an individual basis and a decision must be reached within 2 weeks.
Travelling to Europe from Peru
Once the ETIAS visa waiver has been approved it is linked to the passport electronically. The same passport must be used to apply for ETIAS and travel to Europe: Peruvians with dual nationality need to take this into consideration.
The ETIAS visa waiver will be verified when the passport is scanned at the external border, Peruvians without a valid ETIAS permit or visa will not be granted entry.
Peruvians can visit all the countries in the Schengen Area using the same permit, this includes top tourist destinations such as France, Italy, and Greece.
Although there are no border checkpoints in the Schengen zone, travellers should have their passport and attached ETIAS visa waiver with them as they move around the region.