Peru · Citizenship
Peru citizenship for Americans: how many years, and can you keep US citizenship?
Short answer
Apply after 2 years in a row of legal residence, retirees included. A 2025 law will raise that to 5 years once its rules are issued.
The rules
| Timeline | About 2 years in a row on a residence card, then apply; 5 years once the new law starts Pending change |
|---|---|
| Dual citizenship | Likely yes: no rule making you give up US citizenship was found. |
Checked against the law The 2-year rule and the retiree option, read in the nationality law.
Pending change A 2025 law raises it to 5 years once its rules are published; none yet.
Good to know
- Residence years: time on a residence card counts, retiree residence included; tourist stays don't.
- Income: at least about $16,110 a year (55,000 soles), before tax.
- Few absences: no more than 183 days in a row abroad in a year, unless authorized.
- An exam, plus apostilled and translated foreign documents.
- Fee: about $88 (301.50 soles); a decision within 30 working days Not yet verified
- The new law: 5 years in a row, income taxed in Peru, and Spanish and civics tests. A retiree with only foreign income may not qualify Needs review.
- No answer means no: if officials don't reply in 30 working days, treat it as a refusal.
Sources (6)
Legal basis and exact figures
- In force (Ley 26574 art 3; Reglamento DS 004-97-IN arts 8–9): at least 2 consecutive years of legal residence before filing, with a current carné de extranjería; the applicant must 'ejercer regularmente profesión, arte, oficio, actividad empresarial y/o ser rentista' (art 8); solvency of at least 10 UIT gross a year (S/ 55,000, about $16,110); evaluation exam.
- Absences: the last 2 years are judged with Reglamento DL 1350 art 63 (status lost after more than 183 consecutive days abroad within 365 without authorisation). Tourist time doesn't count. Fee S/ 301.50 (TUPA PA35007B33), 30 working days, negative silence.
- Dual nationality: no renunciation required in Ley 26574 art 3 or Reglamento arts 8–9; Ley 26574 art 9 protects Peruvians by birth who take another nationality.
- Pending change, Ley 32421 (El Peruano 15 Aug 2025): 5 continuous years immediately before applying; income of 10 UIT a year from an activity that 'tribute formalmente en el país'; Spanish (if not native) and civics/history tests; current resident status; apostilled documents (arts 11, 17); marriage route after 4 years of marriage (art 19). In force the day after its reglamento is published, then repeals Ley 26574; none found on 13 Nov 2026. A pure rentista may not meet art 17(a): Needs review. Ley 32743 (22 Oct 2026) also lets the Executive amend Ley 32421 by decree for 90 days.
Links
- El Peruano Normas Legales Actualizadas: Ley 26574 (Ley de Nacionalidad) and Reglamento DS
- MIGRACIONES TUPA 2023 as modified by Resolución de Superintendencia 150-2025-MIGRACIONES (
- El Peruano (Editora Perú), Normas Legales Actualizadas: Decreto Legislativo 1350 and Regla
- Ley 32421, Nueva Ley de Nacionalidad (El Peruano, 15 Aug 2025)
- Decreto Supremo N.° 301-2025-EF: valor de la UIT 2026 (El Peruano)
- BCRP statistics API: tipo de cambio sistema bancario SBS (S/ por US$), series PD04639PD/PD
Citizenship in Peru, in full → The full Peru guide →
Questions people ask
How many years until I can become a citizen of Peru?
About 2 years in a row on a residence card, then apply; 5 years once the new law starts (Pending change)
Can I keep US citizenship if I become a citizen of Peru?
Likely yes: no rule making you give up US citizenship was found.