Do UK travellers need a visa for Peru?

No — British citizens do not need a visa to visit Peru as tourists. You can travel to Peru for tourism or short visits visa-free, and you'll normally be given permission to stay for up to 90 days on arrival. What you do need is a passport valid for at least six months after the date you arrive, plus an awareness of a few practical points: a digital entry record, a new airport fee at Lima, and some recommended (not compulsory) vaccinations if you're heading into the Amazon.

On the paperwork front this is one of the more straightforward long-haul destinations for UK travellers. There's no visa to apply for, no fee to pay in advance, and the immigration process at the airport is quick and now largely digital.

Below we cover exactly what to check on your passport, how long you can stay, the entry process, health advice and a few edge cases — so nothing catches you out. Entry rules can change, so always confirm the current position on the UK government's Peru travel advice pages before you fly.

The quick answer

• No visa needed for UK tourists — visa-free for tourism and short visits.
• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your arrival date.
• You're usually granted up to 90 days (extendable up to 183 in a year).
• Entry is recorded digitally at the airport (the Andean Migration Card / TAM) — no paper form to fill in advance.
• No compulsory vaccinations for travel from the UK, but yellow fever is recommended if you visit the Amazon or jungle — check with a travel clinic 4–6 weeks ahead.
• A new airport use fee (TUUA) at Lima may need paying separately if it's not in your ticket.
• Always check the latest GOV.UK Peru advice before you travel, as rules change.

The key requirement is your passport's validity. For Peru, your passport must have an expiry date at least six months after the day you arrive. If it's due to run out sooner, renew it before you travel — this is one of the most common reasons people are turned away at check-in for long-haul trips, and it's entirely avoidable.

A few sensible checks:

• Make sure your passport is undamaged and the photo page is intact.
• Confirm you have at least one or two blank pages for entry stamps.
• If you've changed your name, ensure your passport and booking details match.
• Carry a photo or photocopy of your passport separately from the original, and keep a digital copy in your email.

If you hold more than one nationality, travel on the passport you used to book and be consistent throughout the journey. There's no visa paperwork to carry because there is no visa — but do keep your passport safe, as it's your main proof of legal entry.

How long can you stay? On arrival, Peruvian immigration normally grants tourists permission to remain for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. In some cases this can be extended, up to a maximum of 183 days in a year, but for a normal holiday you'll be comfortably within the limit. It's worth noting the exact number of days you're given — overstaying leads to fines and hassle on departure.

The entry process is now digital. Peru has moved away from the old paper immigration slip. Your entry is registered electronically through the Andean Migration Card (Tarjeta Andina de Migración, or TAM) when you arrive at the international airport, so there's usually no form to complete in advance. You can check the stay you've been granted online through Peru's national migration service if you ever need to.

On arrival you may occasionally be asked to show proof of onward or return travel and your accommodation or tour details, so keep those easy to reach. In practice, arriving on an organised tour with confirmed bookings makes this painless.

A new airport fee. From late 2025, passengers using Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport may need to pay an airport use fee (TUUA) that isn't always included in the airline ticket. It's a small amount, but worth setting aside so it doesn't surprise you.

Are any vaccinations compulsory? For travellers arriving directly from the UK, no vaccinations are legally required to enter Peru. However, some are strongly recommended depending on where you're going, and this is worth sorting out early.

• Yellow fever: recommended if you plan to visit the Amazon rainforest or low-lying jungle areas (such as Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos). It's generally not needed for Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu or Lake Titicaca. If you travel on from Peru to certain other countries, a yellow fever certificate can sometimes be required for onward entry — another reason to check.
• Routine vaccinations: make sure your usual UK jabs are up to date.
• Other travel vaccinations (such as hepatitis A and typhoid) are commonly advised — a travel clinic will tailor this to your itinerary.

Please treat this as general information, not medical advice. See your GP or a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks before departure, and check the NHS's TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC) country guidance for Peru, which is kept up to date. They'll advise on vaccinations, altitude and any medication based on your health and exactly where you're going.

Travelling with grandchildren or under-18s? Peru has particular rules around minors entering and leaving the country, especially where a child isn't travelling with both parents. If a young person is coming with you rather than their parents, check the current requirements well ahead, as documentation such as consent letters can be needed.

Staying longer, or travelling on? If you're combining Peru with neighbouring countries, confirm each country's own entry rules — they differ. And if you hope to stay beyond your granted days, look into an extension before your time runs out rather than overstaying.

How our experience helps

We can't issue your passport for you, but on our trips we make the rest straightforward: you'll have confirmed accommodation and itinerary details to show at immigration if asked, a clear sense of your route, and a local team who know the airport procedures. Our travellers routinely tell us that entering Peru was quicker and simpler than they'd feared — no visa queue, no forms, just a passport stamp and a warm welcome.

Frequently asked questions

Do UK citizens need a visa for Peru? No. British tourists can enter visa-free for tourism and short stays, normally for up to 90 days. There's nothing to apply or pay for in advance.

How long does my passport need to be valid for Peru? At least six months beyond your arrival date. If yours is closer to expiry than that, renew it before you travel.

Do I have to fill in an immigration form before I fly? Not usually — Peru records your entry digitally through the Andean Migration Card at the airport, so there's typically no advance paperwork.

Do I need a yellow fever vaccination for Peru? Only if you're visiting the Amazon or jungle regions, where it's recommended. It isn't needed for the classic Cusco–Machu Picchu–Lake Titicaca route. Check with a travel clinic.

How long can I stay in Peru as a tourist? Up to 90 days in a 180-day period is standard, extendable in some cases up to 183 days in a year. You'll be told your allowance on arrival.

Is there a fee to enter or leave Peru? There's no visa fee, but a new airport use fee (TUUA) at Lima may need paying separately if it isn't included in your air ticket.

What should I show at immigration? Your valid passport, and occasionally proof of onward travel and where you're staying. On a tour, your confirmed bookings cover this easily.

Related reading

• Is Peru safe for travellers over 60? — an honest look at safety
• The best time to visit Peru
• Will the altitude affect you in Cusco and at Machu Picchu?