To legally establish a company in Peru, you’ll need to secure the appropriate visa or residency, gather and legalize all essential documents, and guarantee they’re translated into Spanish. Next, choose a compliant company structure and register your business with SUNARP and SUNAT to obtain a tax ID. You’ll also have to comply with tax, labor, and regulatory requirements such as employee registration and ongoing filings. If you proceed, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of every legal step required.

Understanding Visa and Residency Requirements

Before launching a business in Peru, you must carefully assess the country’s visa and residency requirements to guarantee legal compliance. Start by evaluating the available visa types for entrepreneurs, such as the business visa or investor visa, each with specific criteria and allowed activities. Review the eligibility conditions, application procedures, and validity periods for these visas. Additionally, it’s essential to understand Peru’s tax landscape; using a calculadora de IGV en Peru can help you accurately calculate the value-added tax obligations for your business.

If you plan a long-term operation, you’ll need to secure appropriate residency permits, which may require investment thresholds or business plans.

Ensuring you hold the correct status is essential, as operating without proper documentation can result in penalties, delays, or even expulsion.

Gathering and Legalizing Essential Documentation

Once you’ve determined your eligibility to operate a business in Peru, you must assemble and properly legalize all required documentation.

Begin your document collection by obtaining your valid passport, proof of legal status, and any relevant identification or corporate records from your home country.

For document legalization, verify each document is apostilled or authenticated by the Peruvian consulate, in accordance with local regulations.

Translate all foreign documents into Spanish through a certified translator. This process guarantees that Peruvian authorities will recognize your paperwork.

Failure to complete proper document collection and document legalization can result in significant delays or legal complications.

Choosing the Appropriate Company Structure

When establishing your business in Peru, selecting the most suitable company structure is a critical legal decision that will affect your liability, tax obligations, and operational flexibility.

You must evaluate various company types, such as Sociedad Anónima (S.A.), Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (S.R.L.), and branches of foreign companies. Each structure presents distinct legal considerations, including minimum capital requirements, shareholder liability, and governance models.

Analyze how these factors align with your business objectives and future growth plans. Consulting local legal experts is advisable to guarantee compliance with Peruvian regulations and select the company type that best supports your operations and risk management.

Registering Your Business With Peruvian Authorities

After determining your company structure, you must register your business with the appropriate Peruvian authorities to obtain legal recognition and begin operations.

Begin by reserving your company name with SUNARP (Public Registries). Next, draft and notarize the company’s incorporation deed. Then, submit the deed for official registration at SUNARP.

Once registered, you’ll need to obtain a tax identification number (RUC) from SUNAT (the tax authority). This process guarantees your business registration is valid and demonstrates regulatory compliance.

Accurate documentation and adherence to official procedures are essential, as any error can delay approval and hinder your ability to conduct business legally.

Complying With Tax, Labor, and Ongoing Regulatory Obligations

Although you’ve completed the initial registration, you must now address ongoing tax, labor, and regulatory obligations to maintain your business’s legal standing in Peru.

You need to finalize your tax registration with SUNAT, obtain a RUC (tax identification number), and submit regular tax filings, including VAT and income tax reports.

Adhering to Peruvian labor laws is essential—register employees with social security, guarantee proper employment contracts, and comply with minimum wage, working hours, and workplace safety standards.

Additionally, you must keep corporate records updated and fulfill mandatory government filings.

Neglecting these requirements risks penalties and jeopardizes your company’s legal status.