Country Overview
🇵🇪 Republic of Peru
Why Peruvians Move to Colombia
Peru and Colombia share membership in the Andean Community and the Pacific Alliance — two of Latin America's most significant regional trade frameworks. Peruvian businesspeople, mining sector professionals, and culinary entrepreneurs have established strong presences in Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali. Peru's world-renowned gastronomy industry has driven a significant number of restaurateurs and chefs to expand into Colombia's growing dining market.
Colombia's Pacific Alliance membership and geographic proximity make it a natural step for Peruvians seeking regional expansion. Peruvian mining companies with Colombian operations regularly support employee relocations, and the two countries have deep academic and cultural exchange programs.
Embassy in Colombia 🇨🇴
🇵🇪 Embassy of Peru — Bogotá
📍 Calle 80A #6-50, Bogotá
📞 +57 601 322-2860
🌐 embajadas.rree.gob.pe/colombia
Services: Passport renewal, civil registry, notarial services, consular registration. Apostilles are issued by the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores del Perú in Lima or via PIDE (Plataforma de Interoperabilidad del Estado) online.
Visa M: Long-Term Legal Residence
| Subcategory | Purpose | Key requirement |
|---|---|---|
| M-2 Worker | Employment with Colombian entity | Labor contract + employer certification |
| M-7 Rentier | Passive income / pension | Income ≥ 3 minimum wages (~USD 1,095/mo) |
| M-10 Independent | Self-employed / freelance | Activity certification + income proof |
| M-13 Digital Nomad | Remote work for non-Colombian clients | Income ≥ 3 minimum wages from Peruvian or foreign sources |
All categories require: valid Peruvian passport, an authorized health plan covering the 7 required areas, apostilled criminal record from the Ministerio del Interior del Perú (issued within 90 days), and income documentation. Since both countries are Spanish-speaking, no document translation is required. Application fee: USD 255 + USD 232 issuance if approved.
Health Insurance: 7 Required Coverages
Peru operates a segmented public health system. EsSalud (Seguro Social de Salud del Perú) covers formal private-sector workers and their families, funded by a 9% employer payroll contribution. The SIS (Seguro Integral de Salud) covers lower-income families via the Ministry of Health's MINSA network. Private insurers active in Peru include Pacífico Seguros, Rimac Seguros, and Mapfre Peru. EPS (Entidades Prestadoras de Salud) operate as complementary private insurance layers for EsSalud enrollees.
EsSalud and SIS coverage is strictly territorial within Peru. A Peruvian relocating to Colombia must obtain coverage in Colombia to meet Cancillería requirements.
✅ Same-Day Coverage — CoVisas Colombia
CoVisas Colombia issues plans certifying all 7 required coverages in the exact format Cancillería requires. WhatsApp: +57 324 367 5333 · pachoviloriainsurances@gmail.com
Tax Considerations — CAN Decision 578
Peru and Colombia are both members of the Andean Community (CAN). CAN Decision 578 (2004) prevents double taxation among member states (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia) by applying the source principle: income is generally taxed only in the country where it is generated. A Peruvian resident in Colombia who receives dividends, business profits, or rental income from Peru pays tax on that income only in Peru — Colombia cannot additionally tax it. SUNAT (Superintendencia Nacional de Aduanas y de Administración Tributaria) administers Peruvian tax. Peru taxes residents on worldwide income; non-residents on Peruvian-source income only.
⚠️ Peru: Residency Exit & Non-Resident Status
SUNAT determines tax residency by domicile, not by a fixed day-count rule. A Peruvian who relocates abroad and intends to stay more than 2 consecutive years may request non-resident status. Once classified as a non-resident, only Peruvian-source income is subject to Peruvian tax (typically at a 30% flat rate on gross). Peruvians with AFP (Administradoras de Fondos de Pensiones) retirement accounts should verify withdrawal conditions before relocating, as AFP funds are accessible at retirement age regardless of residence.
Document Legalization
Peru acceded to the Hague Apostille Convention in 2010. The competent authority is the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores del Perú. Apostilles can also be requested online via the PIDE platform for certain document types. Criminal background certificates (Certificado de Antecedentes Policiales) are issued by the PNP (Policía Nacional del Perú) and can be requested online via gob.pe. Since Peru and Colombia are both Spanish-speaking, no translation is required.
- Obtain Certificado de Antecedentes Policiales from PNP (Policía Nacional del Perú) — available online via gob.pe or in person at PNP offices. Must be issued within 90 days of Visa M application.
- Apostille via Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores del Perú — Submit the certificate for apostille at the Cancillería del Perú in Lima or regional offices. Processing typically 1–3 business days.
- No translation required — Peruvian documents in Spanish are accepted directly by Cancillería Colombia.
Ready to Apply for Your Colombian Visa?
The authorized health plan covering all 7 required areas is the most common bottleneck. CoVisas Colombia issues it the same day.
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