Resident or just living there for 6 months?

[Norteamericano_CM 2]

My question is do I have to be a resident with papers to file DCF in Peru? I have seen conflicting arguments for just living in the country you want to do direct consular filing. I entered the country on Tourist visa but I've been here for 6 months, but my visa is ending and I'm not sure if I can file here (while I am waiting for my resident card). Oh please tell me I don't have to wait another 6 months to file after I get that!

Thank you in advance for any help!!! =D

[rachel&andy 0]

My question is do I have to be a resident with papers to file DCF in Peru? I have seen conflicting arguments for just living in the country you want to do direct consular filing. I entered the country on Tourist visa but I've been here for 6 months, but my visa is ending and I'm not sure if I can file here (while I am waiting for my resident card). Oh please tell me I don't have to wait another 6 months to file after I get that!

Thank you in advance for any help!!! =D

You should check on the US Embassy in Peru's website. I filed DCF in the UK, and here you have to have a resident permit-- you can't do it on a tourist or even a student visa. But it may vary by country.

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

You have to be legally resident in a country, and being a tourist, you are officially only visiting.

But you really need to contact your local US embassy to check- some are lenient and MAY let you file as soon as you have the official residency permit as you've already been in the country 6 months.

[yachachiq12 43]

I did DCF in Peru in early 2010. They are mostly concerned with a document called "Movimientos Migratorios," which shows your entries and exits from Peru, as well as your passport pages and other evidence that you've been living there with your spouse. The Movimientos doc can be gotten from DIGEMIN. While I was on a "visa oficial," a diplomatic visa type, I was told at the consulate that it is not their business what your status is with Peruvian immigration authorities. Check with them now, as Penguin says, but I understood that showing evidence of residing there (without needing the carnet de extranjeria, which is really the only legitimate residency for a foreigner there) is sufficient.

Furthermore, a couple attempting to file the same day as us was told that it wasn't yet possible because the USC spouse had not yet been present in Peru for six months (she was on a tourist visa; this was not cited as the reason, according to her). Give the office a ring during their call-in hours to be certain.

[yachachiq12 43]

My question is do I have to be a resident with papers to file DCF in Peru? I have seen conflicting arguments for just living in the country you want to do direct consular filing. I entered the country on Tourist visa but I've been here for 6 months, but my visa is ending and I'm not sure if I can file here (while I am waiting for my resident card). Oh please tell me I don't have to wait another 6 months to file after I get that!

Thank you in advance for any help!!! =D

I didn't notice this before, but if you're already filing for your carnet de extranjeria, it seems as if you would be in good shape to DCF as a "resident." But why would you want to DCF if you're getting a CE? Doesn't a CE entail staying long-term in Peru in order to make the never-ending paperwork and costs worthwhile? I considered it and it looked to take about a year to complete... Plus, you lose it if you don't use it, if I'm not incorrect...

[davido 0]

Correct, Yachachiq, "you lose your CE if you don't use it". Depending on what type of CE it is, if you're gone out of Peru (in the US with a religious non-catholic CE for example) for 6 months, you lose your CE. Other CE's could be up to one year (Catholic I think as they are given preference here, but I'm not sure).