PERU Act Puts Visa Reciprocity on the Table for Peruvian Traders and Investors

The Promoting Economic Resilience and Unity Act of 2025—the PERU Act—is a short bill with a very specific goal: to smooth the path for certain Peruvian traders and investors looking to work in the U.S. Specifically, Section 2 of the Act updates immigration law to treat nationals of Peru the same as those from other countries that have existing trade treaties with the U.S. when applying for E-1 (treaty trader) or E-2 (treaty investor) nonimmigrant visas.

The Visa Exchange Program

Think of this as a formal, international handshake for business visas. Currently, the E-1 and E-2 visas are reserved for citizens of countries that have specific trade and navigation treaties with the U.S. These visas are a big deal because they allow people to come to the U.S. to conduct substantial trade (E-1) or invest a significant amount of capital (E-2) in a U.S. business. The PERU Act essentially adds Peru to that list, but with a critical condition: it’s a reciprocal deal. This means the U.S. will only grant these specific visa considerations to Peruvian nationals if the Peruvian government offers the “exact same type” of nonimmigrant status to U.S. citizens looking to trade or invest there. If Peru doesn't extend the same courtesy to our business people, the door stays shut for theirs.

What This Means for Business

For the average person, this bill might seem like bureaucratic fine print, but it matters for the economy. If the reciprocal agreement goes through, it means Peruvian entrepreneurs and investors could more easily set up shop here, bringing capital and jobs. For example, a Peruvian company that imports coffee or textiles could use the E-1 visa to send key personnel to manage their U.S. distribution center. Similarly, a Peruvian investor looking to open a new manufacturing plant in the U.S. could qualify for an E-2 visa. This kind of streamlined process is designed to boost bilateral trade and investment, which generally means more economic activity for both countries.

The Fine Print of Fairness

This legislation is straightforward and low on vagueness, which is a good sign for implementation. The key challenge, however, lies in the word “reciprocal.” The U.S. Department of State will have to verify that Peru’s visa structure truly offers the “exact same type” of status to U.S. citizens. While the intent is clear—fairness and equal treatment—negotiating the fine points of two different legal systems can sometimes slow things down. Overall, the PERU Act is a procedural move aimed at formalizing trade relationships, ensuring that if we open our doors to their business leaders, they do the same for ours.