Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

Information on whether a Foreign Resident Card number is written in the holder's passport could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. However, the following information may be of interest.

1. Temporary and Resident Visas

According to the Peruvian Law on Foreigners (Ley de Extranjería) of 1991, visas are classified into two categories, temporary and resident visas (Peru 1991, Art. 13). Temporary visas allow foreigners to stay in the territory of Peru up to 90 days and can be extended (ibid.). Temporary visas are issued to individuals such as diplomats, consular officials, political asylum seekers or refugees, tourists and artists, student and businesspersons (ibid., Art. 33).

According to Article 13, a resident visa authorizes the holder to stay for one year and it is extendable (ibid., Art. 13). Article 34 of the Law indicates that resident visas are issued to diplomats, consular officials, political asylum seekers or refugees for a period determined by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (ibid., Art. 34). Religious persons, students and independent workers are issued resident visas for a year that can be renewed (ibid.). Immigrants receive resident visas of indefinite duration (ibid.).

Article 16 of the Law indicates that visas are issued by Peruvian consular offices (ibid., Art. 16). Visas are stamped in an individual's passport (ibid., Art. 12). Article 59 of the Law notes that foreigners admitted to Peru with resident visas are [translation] "obliged" to register with the Immigration and Naturalization authorities of the Ministry of Interior (ibid., Art. 59). Article 16 further states that immigration authorities can change or cancel a visa stamped in an ordinary passport that does not conform to the standards of the law, or for security reasons (ibid., Art. 16).

2. Foreign Resident Card

Keesing Reference Systems indicates that a Foreign Resident Card (Carné de Extranjería) is a flexible plastic card that measures 86 by 54 mm (Keesing Reference Systems n.d.a).

The card displays the following information:

• name;
• date of birth;
• nationality;
• bearer's signature; and
• gender (ibid. n.d.b).

According to Keesing Reference Systems, the card also displays a nine-digit number on the front (ibid. n.d.a). The card, which is valid for five years, is extended every year using a sticker (ibid.). The website of the National Superintendence of Migration indicates that the card has an expiration date, which is displayed on the back (Peru n.d.). A copy of the card is attached to this Response. Further information on the description of a foreign resident card, including whether this card indicates permanent or temporary residence, and whether the residence status is stamped on the holder's passport, could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Keesing Reference Systems. N.d.a. "Peru - Residence Permit: General." [Accessed 7 Jan. 2014]

_____. N.d.b. "Peru - Residence Permit: Data Positions." [Accessed 7 Jan. 2014]

Peru. 1991. Decreto Legislativo No 703 Del 5 de Noviembre de 1991: Promulgan la Ley de Extranjería. [Accessed 7 Jan. 2014]

_____. N.d. Migraciones Superintendencia Nacional Peru. "Temas relacionados a Inmigración." [Accessed 8 Jan. 2014]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Attempts to contact the following were unsuccessful within the time constraints of this Response: immigration lawyers in Peru; Peru – Consulate General of Peru in Atlanta, GA, Peruvian embassy in London, UK, Ministerio del Interior.

A representative of the Embassy of Peru in Ottawa did not provide information within the time constraints of this Response.

Internet sites, including: Agencia Peruana de Noticias; Amnesty International; Colegio de Abogados de Lima; ecoi.net; El País; El Peruano; expatperu.com; Factiva; Human Rights Watch; Infosur Hoy; La Prensa; Peru – consulates general of Peru in Atlanta, GA, Madrid, and Vancouver, embassies of Peru in London, UK, and in Ottawa, Interpol Peru, Ministerio de Comercio Exterior y Turismo, Ministerio del Interior, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores del Perú, Policía Nacional del Peru, Portal del Estado Peruano, Portal de Servicios al Ciudadano y Empresas, Presidencia de la República del Perú, Superintendencia Nacional de Aduanas y de Administración Tributaria; UK Border Agency; United Nations – Refworld; United States – Department of State.

Attachment

Keesing Reference Systems. N.d. "Peru - Residence Permit: General." [Accessed 7 Jan. 2014]