Peru issues 250,000 biometric Carné de Extranjería cards for instant checks

Peru began replacing its standard foreign resident ID with a chip-based biometric card on July 20, adding instant police authentication that the previous document lacked.

The card adds real-time verification

The Carné de Extranjería con verificación electrónica stores a digital photo, fingerprints and an electronic signature. Police can authenticate the card in real time, closing a gap that allowed forged documents to pass less automated checks, Biometric Update reported.

Peru’s National Superintendency of Migration, known as Migraciones, said the card will support coordinated identity checks with the National Police of Peru and other security agencies. The change affects foreigners with resident status, including workers, retirees, family-based residents and remote workers who qualify through Peru’s residency rules.

The July 20 pilot remains limited

Issuance began as a pilot for foreign minors at two Lima locations: the Surco citizen service office in Jockey Plaza and MAC Lima Sur in Open Plaza Atocongo. Authorities expect about 250,000 cards to be issued during the pilot, with fees unchanged from the existing Carné de Extranjería.

Foreign minors applying through those offices are the group that must use the biometric process now. Current adult cardholders don’t have a replacement deadline and Migraciones hasn’t published a nationwide cutover schedule, so they should keep their existing status and documents current rather than reapply solely for the electronic card.

Police checks extend beyond residents

The card rollout builds on Supreme Decree 011-2024-IN, which took effect Oct. 22, 2024 and expanded rules for identifying foreigners and accessing the Migration Information Registry. That database contains entry and exit records, immigration decisions, sanctions, criminal records and foreigners’ biometric information.

Tourists and other short-term visitors won’t receive a Carné de Extranjería because they remain identified by passports and entry records. Police may still verify any foreigner’s identity without a court order and collect biometrics from people who lack valid identification, adding those records to the migration database.