Canada entry requirements for Peru passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 25, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked

Peruvian passport holders need a visa to visit Canada in 2026. You must apply for a visitor visa (TRV) before you travel — there is no visa-on-arrival or eTA option for Peruvian citizens. Processing times vary, so apply at least 3 months before your trip.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Visa application
Apply for a visitor visa
Peru passport holders need a visitor visa to enter Canada. Apply online through the IRCC portal — processing times vary from a few weeks to several months. Submit biometrics (fingerprints and photo) at a Visa Application Centre in Lima.Apply for visaRequired
Valid passport
Must be valid for the entire stay
Your passport must be valid for the full duration of your stay in Canada. No minimum validity beyond your departure date is required by Canadian law, but airlines may enforce a 6-month rule — check with your carrier.Required
Return or onward ticket
Proof of departure from Canada
Immigration officers routinely ask for a return or onward ticket at the border. Have a printed or digital copy of your flight itinerary showing you leave Canada before your visa expires.Required
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or host invitation
Carry a hotel confirmation, Airbnb receipt, or a letter from your host with their address and contact info. Officers may ask where you're staying on arrival.Recommended
Proof of funds
Show you can support yourself
Have bank statements or a credit card ready to show you have enough money for your stay. No fixed amount is specified, but officers expect you to cover accommodation, food, and transport without working.Recommended
Visa required — no exceptions
Peruvian passport holders cannot use the eTA system. You must get a visitor visa before you fly. Airlines will check your visa at check-in — without it, you won't be allowed to board.
Biometrics appointment in Lima
After you submit your online application, you'll get a letter to book a biometrics appointment at the VAC in Lima. Walk-ins are not accepted. Book online and bring your passport and appointment letter.

What happens at the border

1
Apply for your visitor visa online
Go to the IRCC website and create an account. Fill out the application form, upload your documents (passport scan, photo, travel history, proof of funds, itinerary), and pay the $100 CAD fee. Processing takes 2–8 weeks depending on the visa office. You may need to give biometrics at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Lima — book an appointment online.
2
Wait for visa approval and collect your passport
Once approved, you'll get a letter asking you to submit your passport for the visa sticker. You can mail it or drop it off at the VAC in Lima. The sticker is usually issued within 1–2 weeks. Check the visa validity — it often allows multiple entries over several years.
3
Prepare your travel documents
Before you fly, print or save digital copies of: your visa sticker, passport, return ticket, hotel booking, travel insurance, and proof of funds. Keep them in your carry-on, not checked luggage.
4
Arrive at a Canadian airport and go through immigration
At the airport (e.g., Toronto Pearson, Vancouver, Montreal), follow signs to 'Arrivals' and join the 'Visitors' queue. Hand over your passport and visa. The officer may ask: purpose of visit, how long you're staying, where you're staying, and when you're leaving. Answer clearly and honestly. They'll stamp your passport with a date — usually 6 months from entry.
Download Canada Entry Checklist
PDF · Peru Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 25, 2026
Download PDF

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stayUp to 6 months
ValidityTypically 6 months from issue
CostCAD 100 (~USD 75)

Standard visitor visa for tourism or business visits.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stayUp to 6 months per entry
ValidityUp to 10 years (based on passport validity)
CostCAD 100 (~USD 75)

Convenient for frequent travellers; same fee as single entry.

Super visa (for parents/grandparents)
Max stayUp to 2 years per entry
ValidityUp to 10 years
CostCAD 100 (~USD 75)

Requires Canadian child or grandchild to meet income threshold.

work visa
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
Up to 2 years, renewable
Employer pays; employee may need work permit fee CAD 155 (~USD 116)
For skilled workers with a job offer and Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Requires employer sponsorship.
Apply
student visa
Study Permit
Duration of study program + 90 days
CAD 150 (~USD 112)
For international students accepted at a designated learning institution. Allows part-time work on campus.
Apply
investor visa
Start-Up Visa Program
Permanent residence
CAD 2,140 (~USD 1,600) for principal applicant
For entrepreneurs with a qualifying business and support from a designated organization. Requires minimum investment.
Apply
Other fees
ServiceCost
Tourist visa (single entry)Standard fee for single-entry visitor visa.CAD 100 (~USD 75)
Tourist visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry, but allows multiple entries within validity.CAD 100 (~USD 75)
Biometrics feeRequired for most applicants; includes fingerprint and photo.CAD 85 (~USD 64)
Visa extension (if applicable)For extending stay as a visitor; subject to approval.CAD 100 (~USD 75)
Overstay fine per dayPenalty for overstaying visa; may lead to removal.CAD 200 (~USD 150) per day

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Weak ties to home20%

Approval probability calculator

Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.

Transiting through Canada

Transit visa required

Peru passport holders generally need a transit visa to change flights in Canada, unless they have a valid US visa or are transiting airside within 48 hours without leaving the airport.

Exceptions & conditions
  • Holders of a valid US visa may transit without a visa for up to 48 hours.
  • Transit passengers who do not clear immigration and stay airside may be exempt.
Transit hubsToronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) · Vancouver International Airport (YVR) · Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL)

Health & vaccines for Canada

Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, varicella, influenza)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedTyphoidConsiderRabiesConsider
Health risks
Lyme diseaseModerate risk

Tick-borne disease in wooded areas; use repellent and check for ticks.

West Nile virusLow risk

Mosquito-borne; risk is low but present in summer months.

InfluenzaModerate risk

Seasonal flu circulates; vaccination recommended.

Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Immigration offices for extensions

Ottawa
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) – Ottawa
365 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, ON K1A 1L1
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00

National headquarters; for inquiries, use online portal or call centre.

Toronto
IRCC – Toronto Office
55 St. Clair Avenue East, Toronto, ON M4T 1M2
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00

Main office for visa and extension applications in Ontario.

Practical information for PE travellers

Country basics
CapitalOttawa
LanguageEnglish, French
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid in Canada.
Money
CurrencyCanadian Dollar (CAD)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 1.38 CAD
updated May 29
Time zone
Local timeUTC-5
vs New YorkSame to -3h depending on province
vs Los AngelesSame to +3h depending on province
Electricity
Voltage120V / 60Hz
Plug types
A,BType A, B — same as the US. No adapter needed.
✓ No adapter needed for US plugs
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Safe to drink in all major cities.
Emergency numbers
Police911
Medical911
US EmbassyFind contact

Getting to Canada

7,815 kmgreat circle distance
~10hfrom Peru
Find flights

Nearby destinations you can also visit

Countries close to Canada — with your same passport.

Frequently asked questions

Processing times vary, but typically 2–8 weeks. Check the current IRCC processing time tool for the Lima visa office. Apply at least 3 months before your planned trip to be safe.
Yes, you can apply for an extension online before your current status expires. The fee is $100 CAD. You must show you still have funds and a reason to stay. Overstaying without permission can affect future visa applications.
Yes, most applicants need to provide fingerprints and a photo. You'll do this at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Lima after submitting your online application. The fee is $85 CAD and is valid for 10 years.
Yes, you can reapply, but you must address the reasons for refusal. Common reasons: insufficient funds, weak ties to Peru, or unclear travel plans. Include a cover letter explaining how you've fixed the issue. There's no limit on reapplications.
No. A visitor visa only allows tourism, visiting family, or short-term business meetings. You cannot work or study for more than 6 months. For work or study, you need a separate permit.
Yes, Peruvian citizens need a visa even for a transit stop (e.g., changing planes in Toronto or Vancouver). There is no transit visa exemption for Peru. You must have a valid visitor visa or a transit visa.
The application fee is $100 CAD. Biometrics cost an additional $85 CAD. If you need to mail your passport, add courier costs. Total is roughly $185 CAD (about 500–600 PEN depending on exchange rate).

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 25, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.