Schengen business travelers get visa waiver

What is the change? Peru has waived visas for business visitors, students and journalists from Schengen member countries.

What does the change mean? Business visitors, students and journalists who are nationals of Schengen area countries no longer need to obtain a visa at a Peruvian consulate before traveling to Peru.

• Implementation time frame: Immediate.
• Visas/permits affected: Business, students and journalists visas.
• Who is affected: Nationals of Schengen countries traveling to Peru as business visitors, students or journalists.
• Impact on processing times: Affected nationals will no longer have to apply for a visa at a consulate before traveling to Peru.
• Business impact: The change will facilitate business travel from Europe to Peru, as well as travel for purposes of study or journalism.

Background: Peru already allows tourists from Schengen countries to enter Peru without a visa. The new policy extends the same terms to business travelers, students and journalists – they may visit for up to 90 days during a six-month period. Ireland and the U.K. are not part of the Schengen agreement and are not included in the waiver.

Reciprocal treatment by Schengen countries to allow Peruvian citizens to travel to the Schengen area visa-free is expected to be finalized by the end of the year or early 2016.

BAL Analysis: The visa waiver for business travelers will make travel to Peru more convenient for Europeans, particularly for Spanish nationals and others who make frequent trips or need to travel on an urgent basis.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Peru. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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