How do I start a business in Peru?

To start a business in Peru, follow 7 steps: Reserve Company Name at SUNARP, Draft and Notarize Incorporation Deed, Register at SUNARP, Obtain RUC (Tax ID), Legalize Company Books, Obtain Municipal License, Open Corporate Bank Account. The process takes approximately 40 days and costs around $315 USD.

What types of business entities can I register in Peru?

Peru offers 4 entity types: Closed Stock Corporation (min capital: $0, foreign ownership: 100%); Open Stock Corporation (min capital: $0, foreign ownership: 100%); Limited Liability Company (min capital: $0, foreign ownership: 100%); Branch of Foreign Company (min capital: $0, foreign ownership: 100%).

Can foreigners own a business in Peru?

Yes, foreigners can own businesses in Peru. Closed Stock Corporation allows up to 100% foreign ownership. Open Stock Corporation allows up to 100% foreign ownership. Limited Liability Company allows up to 100% foreign ownership. Branch of Foreign Company allows up to 100% foreign ownership.

What visa do I need to start a business in Peru?

The primary business visa for Peru is the Business Visa (Visa de Negocios). For business meetings, negotiations, and market research. Valid up to 183 days. Many nationalities get visa-free entry for up to 183 days. For investors: Investor Visa (Visa de Inversionista). For foreign nationals investing in Peruvian enterprises. Requires proof of investment and business plan. Grants temporary residence for 1 year, renewable. Processing takes approximately 4 weeks and costs ~$300.

What is the minimum wage in Peru?

The minimum wage in Peru is $280/month (USD). Average monthly wage is approximately $600. Standard work week is 48 hours with 30 paid leave days per year.

How much does it cost to run a business in Peru?

Estimated monthly overhead for a small business (5-10 employees) in Peru is approximately $6500. Office rent averages $12/sqm/month. Skilled workers average $900/month. Typical break-even: Tech 14 months, Services 8 months, Retail 12 months.

Countries PeruBusiness Guide

🇵🇪

Start a Business in Peru

Complete guide: entity types, registration, costs, taxes, labor laws, and break-even analysis

~40 days

Setup Time

~$315

Setup Cost

29.5%

Corporate Tax

100%

Foreign Ownership

#76

Ease of Business

Entity Types

Entity	Min Capital	Foreign %	Liability	Min Shareholders	Best For
Closed Stock Corporation Sociedad Anonima Cerrada (SAC)	None	100%	Limited	2	Most popular for SMEs and foreign investors - 2-20 shareholders, no minimum capital, simpler governance than SA
Open Stock Corporation Sociedad Anonima (SA)	None	100%	Limited	2	Larger companies with more than 20 shareholders or those planning to list on the Lima Stock Exchange
Limited Liability Company Sociedad Comercial de Responsabilidad Limitada (SRL)	None	100%	Limited	2	Small businesses with 2-20 partners - shares are not freely transferable
Branch of Foreign Company Sucursal	None	100%	Unlimited	0	Foreign companies establishing direct operations in Peru without a separate legal entity

Registration Steps

Reserve Company Name at SUNARP

Search and reserve the company name through the National Superintendency of Public Registries (SUNARP)

1-3 days

~$5

SUNARP

Draft and Notarize Incorporation Deed

Prepare the articles of incorporation (Minuta) and have them notarized by a Peruvian notary public

2-5 days

~$200

Notary Public

File the notarized deed with SUNARP to obtain the company's official registration (Partida Registral)

3-7 days

~$30

SUNARP

Obtain RUC (Tax ID)

1-2 days

Free

SUNAT (Tax Authority)

Legalize Company Books

Have the required corporate books (minutes, shares, accounting) legalized by a notary

1-3 days

~$30

Notary Public

Obtain Municipal License

Apply for the business operating license (Licencia de Funcionamiento) from the district municipality

5-15 days

~$50

District Municipality

Open Corporate Bank Account

Open a business account at a Peruvian bank with registration documents and RUC

1-5 days

Free

Commercial Bank

Total Estimated

40 days max$315

Tax Framework

Corporate Income Tax29.5%

Standard 29.5%. Mining royalties of 1-12% on operating profits apply to mineral extraction. Stability agreements available for large investments (over USD 10M) guaranteeing tax rates for 10-15 years.

IGV18%

Personal Income Tax8-30%

Capital Gains Tax6.25%

Dividend Withholding5%

Tax Treaties8 countries

Tax Incentive Zones

ZOFRATACNA and other free trade zones (CETICOS) offer exemptions from income tax, IGV, and customs duties. Amazon region has reduced IGV (0% in some areas) and income tax benefits.

Labor Laws & Costs

$280/mo

Minimum Wage

$600/mo

Average Wage

48 hrs/week

Work Hours

30 days/year

Paid Leave

4 weeks/year

Severance

9% of salary

Employer Social Security

13% of salary

Employee Social Security

Required

Foreign Worker Permit

Foreign Worker Quota: Foreign workers cannot exceed 20% of total employees. Salaries paid to foreign workers cannot exceed 30% of total payroll. Exemptions available for managerial and technical staff.

Visa & Immigration

Business Visa (Visa de Negocios)

For business meetings, negotiations, and market research. Valid up to 183 days. Many nationalities get visa-free entry for up to 183 days.

4 weeks

Processing time

$300

Estimated cost

Investor Visa (Visa de Inversionista)

Investor

For foreign nationals investing in Peruvian enterprises. Requires proof of investment and business plan. Grants temporary residence for 1 year, renewable.

Work Permit Process: Employer applies for a work contract approval through the Ministry of Labor (MTPE). The approved contract is submitted to Migraciones for the work visa. Process includes labor market test for non-exempt categories.

Business Environment

#76/190

Ease of Business Rank

26 days

Starting a Business

6.5 days

Registering Property

426 days

Enforcing Contracts

36/100

Corruption Perception

71%

Internet Penetration

PEN

Currency

UTC-5

Time Zone

GoodCould be betterHover a dot for the threshold and source. Sources: World Bank, Transparency International, ITU.

SpanishQuechuaAymara

Investment Zones & Provinces

ZOFRATACNA Free Trade Zone

Free Zone

Tacna, Southern Peru (near Chilean border)

Incentives

0% income tax on activities within the zoneExempt from IGV (VAT)Exempt from customs duties on importsFree repatriation of capital and profits

Key Sectors

ManufacturingAssemblyAgro-IndustryLogisticsCross-Border Trade

Full exemption from corporate income tax and IGV reduces effective costs by 40-50%

CETICOS Ilo/Matarani

SEZ

Ilo and Matarani, Southern Peru

Incentives

Income tax exemption for qualifying activitiesIGV and customs duty exemptionsSimplified customs proceduresStrategic location for Pacific trade routes

Key Sectors

Mineral ProcessingPetrochemicalsAgro-IndustryExport Manufacturing

Tax exemptions plus strategic port access reduce setup and operating costs by 35-45%

Lima Tech Hub (San Isidro/Miraflores)

Tech Hub

San Isidro and Miraflores, Lima

Incentives

Growing startup ecosystem and venture capital availabilityGovernment digital transformation initiativesPacific Alliance innovation partnershipsAccess to skilled tech talent from top universities

Key Sectors

FintechE-CommerceSoftware DevelopmentMining TechnologyAgritech

Competitive labor costs for tech talent - 40-60% lower than US/European equivalents

Break-Even Analysis

Retail (months)

F&B (months)

Tech (months)

Manufacturing (months)

Services (months)

Typical Operating Costs in Peru

Per-person or per-unit costs. Multiply by your team size for total estimates.

Office Rent	$12	per sqm/month
Skilled Worker Salary	$900	per 1 worker/month
Unskilled Worker Salary	$300	per 1 worker/month
Electricity	$0.08	per kWh
Business Internet	$30	per 1 connection/month
Est. Monthly Overhead (5-10 staff)	$6,500	total/month

Sources: World Bank Open Data, ILO, Numbeo Cost of Living Index, local government publications. Salaries reflect market averages and may vary by city, industry, and experience level. Last updated 2025.

Break-Even Calculator

Total Investment (USD)

Monthly Revenue (USD)

Monthly Costs (USD)

Tax rate applied: 29.5% (corporate rate)

months to break even

$5,993

monthly net profit

143.8%

annual ROI

$108,500

total cost to break even

Break-even progressFast recovery

Next Steps

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Key Considerations for Foreign Investors

Pacific Alliance member (with Chile, Colombia, Mexico) - provides preferential trade access and integrated financial markets across the bloc

Mining sector is a major economic driver - Peru is a top global producer of copper, silver, gold, and zinc creating opportunities in mining services

Tax stability agreements available for investments over USD 10M - guarantees fixed tax rates for 10-15 years providing regulatory certainty

Foreign worker quota limits foreign employees to 20% of workforce - plan your hiring strategy to comply with local content requirements

Free trade zones (ZOFRATACNA, CETICOS) offer full income tax and VAT exemptions for qualifying export-oriented businesses

Sol (PEN) has been one of the most stable currencies in Latin America - lower FX risk compared to regional peers

30 days of paid annual leave is among the most generous in the region - factor this into labor cost calculations

Last updated: 2025-Q4

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Start a Business in Peru

Entity Types

Registration Steps

Tax Framework

Labor Laws & Costs

Visa & Immigration

Business Environment

Investment Zones & Provinces

Break-Even Analysis

Next Steps

Legal & Registration

Financial & Tax

Operational

Immigration & Visas

Key Considerations for Foreign Investors

Start a Business in Peru

Entity Types

Registration Steps

Tax Framework

Labor Laws & Costs

Visa & Immigration

Business Environment

Investment Zones & Provinces

Break-Even Analysis

Next Steps

Legal & Registration

Financial & Tax

Operational

Immigration & Visas

Key Considerations for Foreign Investors