Refugee status
Comisión Especial para los Refugiados, Ley 27891 · Official name: Presentar una solicitud de refugio en el Perú
People in Peru who fear persecution, or whose life, freedom or safety is at risk in their own country, can ask the Special Commission for Refugees (CEPR) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to recognise them as refugees. The claim is made in person, is free, and applicants can stay and work provisionally while it is decided. Claims made up to 7 February 2026 had to be updated online between 17 September and 16 October 2026; claims not updated are archived.
Life in Peru
Finance
3
Currency
Peruvian Sol
PEN
Peruvian Sol
Cost of living
54
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
8–30%
Income tax (national)
VAT (IGV + IPM) 18% · social security 13%
Rates 8%, 14%, 17%, 20%, 30% on combined net employment income by UIT band; 30% above 45 UIT. Deduction of 7 UIT plus up to 3 UIT.
Living
1
Happiness
#70 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Who it’s for
Foreign nationals in Peru with a well-founded fear of persecution for race, religion, nationality, membership of a social group or political opinion, or whose life, freedom or safety is threatened by serious disturbances of public order.
Eligibility
Grounds for refugee status
A well-founded fear of persecution for race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, or other serious situations that put life, freedom or personal safety at risk and prevent the person from staying in their country of origin.
Apply in person, in Peru
The claim must be lodged in person at a CEPR office in Lima or at a decentralised Foreign Ministry office (ODE), or at the border (CEBAF). Each family member must register in person.
2026 update exercise (closed)Existing claimants
Existing claimants with no final decision had to complete an online update form during a set period in 2026, which has now closed.
Update exercise dates
- Applied up to
- 7 February 2026
- Update window30 calendar days
- 17 September to 16 October 2026
- No extension was given
- Applied to those who updated in 2024
- Also applied to holders of a foreigner's card or CPP
- Claims not updated are archived; claimant card and work authorisation stop being valid
Official wording
Everyone who applied up to 7 February 2026 and has no final decision, including those who updated in 2024 and those now holding a foreigner's card or CPP, had to fill in an online update form between 17 September and 16 October 2026 (30 calendar days, no extension). Claims not updated are archived and the applicant's refugee-claimant card and work authorisation stop being valid.
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- 5 documents
- 1 fee
- 6 steps
- Processing times and conditions
