All about the working holiday in Peru!

Peru is an exotic and colourful destination: golden sunsets, Lake Titicaca, the roots of the Inca world, the peaks of the Andes, and marvellous Machu Picchu. This country will never cease to surprise and fascinate you.
Wherever you are in the process of working holiday preparation, pvtistes.net provides free information and resources to help with your planning and big move.
Working Holiday Visa travel insurance

We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005 (medical expenses, hospitalisation, repatriation…).

1 Eligibility requirements
Age limit

Between 18 and 30 years old

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Valid passport

A valid passport for the entire duration of your working holiday

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Sufficient funds

At least US$2,500 or equivalent in another currency

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First participation

This must be your first participation

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Mandatory health insurance

Must cover medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation

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Beat the quota

Apply before the annual quota is reached

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Contents
2 FAQ

01. What is the Working Holiday Visa?

WHVs are bilateral accords signed between governments to promote youth mobility and cultural exchange. Participating countries allow young adults to spend a set period of time (usually one year) living and working abroad. Most of the accords are signed between countries in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and East Asia. A WHV encourages cultural exchange alongside the chance to gain valuable work experience, though participants are not obligated to work.

02. Which nationalities are eligible?

Young adults from the following countries can apply for the Peru WHV:

Australia, Chile, Colombia, France, Mexico, New Zealand and Portugal.

Note: the bilateral agreements with Chile, Colombia and Mexico are part of the Pacific Alliance.

03. What is the application fee?

You will have to pay a consular fee of US$80.

04. What documents are required for the application?

Standard items include:

  • Completed application form
  • Passport
  • Passport-sized photo of yourself (taken within the last six months)
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Proof of sufficient funds
  • Cover letter detailing the purpose of your trip

Check the specific requirements for your citizenship with your nearest Embassy before applying.

05. How long is the visa good for?

The WHV allows holders to stay up to one year in Peru.

06. Are there any other requirements I should be aware of?

  • You must be able to prove during the application and interview process that you have a functional level of Castilian/Spanish.
  • You may be asked to provide proof of education, criminal record check or medical check, depending on the requirements for your citizenship. Confirm the requirements with your nearest Embassy before applying.
  • 07. Can I bring my spouse and/or children?

    No, you cannot bring dependents on your WHV to Peru. Your spouse/partner must apply for their own WHV, if they are eligible.

    08. Do I need to buy health insurance?

    Yes, your insurance must be valid for the full year and cover at least medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation.

    We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They meet the requirements and have covered thousands of working holiday makers over the years.

    09. When do I have to enter the country by?

    You must arrive in Peru no later than six months after your application is approved.

    10. Are there any work or study restrictions?

  • You cannot work for an employer for more than six months.
  • You cannot study/participate in a course for more than four months.
  • 11. Can I leave and re-enter at any time?

    Yes, after your first entry into Peru, you can make multiple entries and exits.

    Note: The 12-month WHV begins from the date of your first entry and does not pause when you leave Peru. For example, if you spend six months travelling South America, you would only have six months left on your Peru WHV.

    12. What is pvtistes.net and how can it help me?

    We are a team of current and former working holiday makers dedicated to providing free information and resources about the working holiday, to Peru and other destinations. Read our helpful articles, leave comments if you have questions, and check out our special deals.

    We don’t ask for any money, and neither should anyone else in your application process (besides the embassy/consulate and their official partners). Be very careful of online scams where someone might ask you for an exorbitant amount to help you get your visa. Working Holiday Visas are designed to be relatively easy to obtain yourself, so there is absolutely no need to pay any professional service to do it on your behalf.

    13. Where can I apply?

    You will need to send your application form and all supporting documents via email to your nearest Embassy. Once received, they will book an online or in-person interview with you to complete the application process.

    Contents
    3 Buying health insurance

    As mentioned earlier, all working holiday makers must have health insurance for the duration of their WHV. Your insurance must be valid for the full year and cover at least medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation.

    We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They meet the requirements and have covered thousands of working holiday makers over the years.

    Learn more about Globe WHV
    Useful links
    Contents
    4 Opening a Peruvian Sol account

    Peru’s currency is the Peruvian Sol (PEN). As a foreigner/temporary resident, it will be difficult to open a traditional bank account in Peru. Traditional banks usually require you to already be in the country and will expect to see either a resident’s card or sponsorship from a resident.

    If you want a way of making payments as soon as you arrive, consider getting a PEN debit card from an online neo-bank like Wise. Wise is an app that offers multi-currency financial services. Customers receive a physical debit card that can be used to withdraw cash at local ATMs and make payments in PEN. You can top up your card using one of the supported currencies and it will auto-convert into PEN when making purchases in Peru.

    You can register from your home country or once you arrive in Peru. Learn more about Wise.

    Learn more about Wise
    Contents
    5 Finding housing in Peru

    Once your application is approved, you’ll need to think about where to live, especially in the first few days and weeks. If you are planning on renting long term housing, we recommend you wait until you arrive in Peru before paying a deposit or signing anything. Never send money to anyone without seeing the place in person.

    For your first couple of weeks, you could consider Airbnb or hotels. But the most affordable option is going to be youth hostels. You can find some great ones on Hostelworld.

    Find a hostel on Hostelworld
    Useful links
    Contents
    6 Getting ready for departure

    After you get your visa, you will have plenty of things you need to take care of. Some of them are more urgent than others, so this list breaks down your to-dos, from the most urgent to the least. It may seem like a lot but don’t worry, take it one step at a time!

    Useful links
    Contents
    7 Read up on other important topics

    As you prepare for your working holiday in Peru, check out our library of free articles and guides. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team has done (or is currently on) a working holiday, and so everything we write is from personal experience.

    Library of free articles and guides on the working holiday
    Useful links
    Contents
    8 Check out language courses and other deals

    This is the perfect chance to learn or brush up on your Spanish. Babbel is partnering with pvtistes.net to offer 20% off on language courses (learn more). Also check out our other deals for working holiday makers.

    Learn more about Babbel (-20%)
    Our special offers
    Take advantage of our special offers for flights, banking, money transfers, and language courses.
    Read more
    Contents
    Age limit

    All applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old (inclusive, i.e. until the day before their 31st birthday).

    Valid passport

    You must have a passport that is valid for the entire duration of your working holiday.

    Sufficient funds

    At least US$2,500 or the equivalent in another currency to show that you can support yourself for the initial period of your stay. If you don’t have a return ticket, you should show additional funds equal to US$1,800 to prove you can purchase one later on.

    See our chapter on budgeting for an idea of how much more savings you should have for a working holiday.

    First participation

    This must be your first participation. If you have already been in Peru on a working holiday before, then you cannot apply again.

    Mandatory health insurance

    Your insurance must be valid for the full year and cover at least medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation.

    Beat the quota

    Apply before the annual quota is reached. Peru sets an annual quota by nationality for the number of WHVs issued:

    – Australia: 1,500
    – Chile: 300
    – Colombia: 300
    – France: 300
    – Mexico: 300
    – New Zealand: 100
    – Portugal: 400