Foreigners planning to study at a Peruvian educational institution or to do an internship / apprenticeship (without payment!) at a Peruvian company can apply for a student visa to stay legally in Peru during their studies or training.
Depending on the length of your studies in Peru, a temporary or resident student visa is issued:
- a temporary student visa, called Formación temporal, is intended for studies / (pre-)professional internships in Peru lasting less than 12 months; however, usually temporary student visas are only issued for 90 or 180 days and then can be extended for the same number of days.
- a resident student visa, called Formación residente, is issued for studies that take longer than 12 months; it is valid for one year and then can be renewed for another year.
But, be aware that in some cases, “short-term” students and participants of study abroad programs don’t have to apply for a student visa at all but can do their studies on a tourist visa. So, best check with the Peruvian university, the organization of your exchange program or nearest Peruvian consulate if this exception might apply to you.