You're on an H-1B in Houston, or finishing a master's in Boston on an F-1, and Machu Picchu has been on your list for years. Lima is a direct flight away. Peru normally asks Indian passport holders for a consular visa, so the question is whether your US papers change that.
They do. Peru waives its tourist and business visa for Indian nationals who hold a US visa with at least six months' validity, or US permanent residence. You can stay up to 180 days in a year.
Do Indians living in the US need a visa for Peru?
Not if you meet one condition. Peru's Supreme Decree No. 006-2017-RE exempts Indian nationals with valid ordinary passports from the tourist and business visa if they meet at least one of these:
- They hold a visa with a minimum validity of six months from the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia or a Schengen state.
- They have permanent residence in one of those countries, which for you means a US green card.
Peru's Ministry of Foreign Affairs still lists India this way in its current table of countries that do and do not need a visa (updated October 2025). The decree says "visas" without naming a category, so on its wording a B1/B2, F-1, H-1B or L-1 visa all qualify. The decree does not mention US status without a visa, so an expired stamp backed only by a valid I-94 does not meet the condition.
Peru entry for US-based Indians at a glance
| Your situation | Peru visa? | Maximum stay |
|---|---|---|
| Indian passport + US visa valid 6+ months | Not required (tourism or business) | Up to 180 days in a year |
| Indian passport + US green card | Not required (tourism or business) | Up to 180 days in a year |
| US visa with under 6 months' validity | Required | As granted on the visa |
| Expired US visa stamp, valid I-94 only | Required | As granted on the visa |
| Paid work, study or residence in Peru | Required | Depends on visa type |
What does "six months' validity" mean in practice?
The decree asks for US visas "with a minimum validity of six months". It does not say whether that means six months left on the day you land, or a visa issued for six months or more. Take the safe reading: make sure your US visa stamp has at least six months left on the day you arrive in Peru. Airline check-in staff often apply that reading, and they decide whether you board.
Green card holders do not face this test. The decree only asks you to hold US permanent residence, so carry the physical card and make sure it has not expired.
How long can you stay, and what can you do?
The decree caps your stay at 180 calendar days, as one continuous visit or several visits, within one year. Peruvian immigration decides how many days you actually get, so ask for enough days to cover your trip.
The exemption covers two purposes only:
- Tourist: sightseeing, recreation and similar visits. No paid work.
- Business: business, legal or similar dealings. You may sign contracts and transactions, but you may not take paid work in Peru.
Carry your Indian passport, your US visa or green card, a return or onward ticket, and your hotel bookings. Keep at least six months on your passport to stay clear of airline checks. Our list of visa-free countries for Indian passport holders shows where else your US papers help.
If you don't qualify: apply at a Peruvian consulate
If your US visa has under six months left, or you hold only US status without a visa, apply for a Peruvian visa. Peru has consulates in the US, including Miami and San Francisco. Its online system (e-SAMI) lets you register and track an application, but Peru issues electronic visas only for official, consular and diplomatic categories. Tourist and business visas are issued in physical form, so plan time for the consulate and give yourself several weeks. Our guide on how early to apply for a visa has a sensible timeline.
Mistakes that get travellers denied boarding
- A US visa stamp with under six months left. It is the most common reason a US-based Indian is refused at check-in for Lima.
- Assuming an I-797 approval notice counts. The decree refers to a visa or permanent residence, not a petition approval.
- Planning paid work or a long internship on the exemption. It covers tourism and business visits only.
- Leaving the green card at home because you are "only" going on holiday.
- Going over 180 days in a year across several trips.
Back to the US: the return leg matters as much as entry. Green card holders can use their card after a trip of under a year; USCIS says an absence of more than a year needs a new immigrant visa unless you hold a re-entry permit. F-1 students need an I-20 travel signature (generally valid 12 months, six on OPT) and a valid F-1 stamp. H-1B and other visa holders need a valid stamp to fly back. Automatic revalidation does not cover Peru, as it applies only to Canada, Mexico and nearby islands.
Need a hand?
Not sure your documents qualify? Ask Krosz and a visa expert will check your case before you book.
Rules and fees last checked on 12 October 2026. Visa rules change often: always confirm on the official government website or with your airline before you fly.