Start smart.
Set up in Peru.

The fastest way to start a business in Peru is by acquiring a shelf company that is already incorporated and registered before SUNARP.

Instead of waiting 10 to 15 business days to incorporate a new company, you purchase an existing one with no prior commercial activity and update its name, corporate purpose, shareholders, and legal representatives. These corporate changes are registered before SUNARP and usually take 5 to 7 business days.

The transfer of shares must also be reported to SUNAT. This filing is done online and processed immediately.

For foreign entrepreneurs who need to move quickly, a ready-made company is the most efficient legal pathway to begin operating in Peru.

The cheapest way to start a business in Peru is to incorporate a new Sociedad Anónima Cerrada (S.A.C.) from scratch rather than purchasing a shelf company.

A newly incorporated S.A.C. is registered before SUNARP and obtains its Tax ID number from SUNAT as part of the standard incorporation process. Legal fees are generally lower than buying a ready-made company, since you are not paying a premium for speed or pre-existing structure.

This option typically takes 10 to 15 business days, but it allows you to:

• Keep costs lower
• Define your corporate purpose and bylaws from the beginning
• Structure shareholding and management according to your needs

For entrepreneurs who are not in a rush and want to optimize budget, incorporating a new S.A.C. is the most cost-effective way to start operating in Peru.

Buying a shelf company allows you to start operations immediately, bypassing the time-consuming incorporation process. It's a fast-track solution for market entry. You get to be the owner of a Peruvian company immediately and are able to open a corporate bank account the next day.

An S.A.C. is a new, separate Peruvian company that you own. A branch (sucursal) is an extension of your existing foreign company operating directly in Peru. It is not a separate legal entity, and the parent company remains liable for its operations.

An S.A.C. is usually preferred for limiting liability and building local credibility, while a branch can suit companies that prefer to operate through their existing entity. We help you assess which option best fits your business.

Yes. Peruvian law allows a company to be fully foreign-owned, with no local partner required, and your passport serves as valid identification as a shareholder.

Note that a S.A.C. requires at least two shareholders, but the second shareholder can hold as little as a single share, so the company can still be effectively controlled by one main owner.

No. The entire process can be handled remotely. You grant an apostilled power of attorney from your country so we can act on your behalf, or we incorporate the company and then transfer the shares to you. You never need to travel to Peru.

You do not need a Peruvian shareholder or partner. However, a company must have a tax representative with a Peruvian Tax ID, and if all shareholders are foreign and non-resident, this representative must be local. We provide that service.

We provide a complete remote solution for company incorporation in Peru. From drafting the required legal documentation, filing it, appointing a legal representative to setting up a fiscal domicile, we handle all the complexities so you can focus on your business.

It depends on the route. Acquiring a shelf company can be completed in about one business day, with an additional business day to activate the RUC (Tax ID) and open a corporate bank account.

Incorporating a brand-new S.A.C. typically takes 10 to 15 business days to register before SUNARP and obtain the RUC. Registering a branch of a foreign company also usually takes 10 to 15 business days.

The main taxes are corporate income tax, currently 29.5% on profits, and IGV (VAT) of 18% on most goods and services. Companies also have monthly filing obligations before SUNAT.

The exact rates and tax regime may vary depending on your activity and size. We advise you on the regime that best fits your business.

There is no fixed legal minimum capital to incorporate a S.A.C. A modest amount is enough to start, although banks may have their own expectations when opening a corporate account. We advise on a reasonable initial capital for your situation.

All banks in Peru require the legal representative to appear in person to open the account. However, an additional power of attorney may be granted to foreign individuals, who never need to come to Peru, allowing them to manage the accounts from abroad.

We coordinate the process and help prepare the documentation each bank requires.

Under Peruvian tax regulations administered by SUNAT, a company must have a registered tax representative with a Peruvian ID who is authorized to act before the tax authority.

• If one of the shareholders or managers resides in Peru and can obtain a Peruvian ID, he can act as a tax representative and you will not need to hire an additional tax representative.
• If all shareholders and directors are foreign and none reside in Peru, you will need to appoint a local tax representative with sufficient powers to act before SUNAT. We provide that service.

In practice, most foreign-owned companies hire from us a local representative at least during the initial phase, especially to handle tax registrations, compliance filings, and potential audits.

At Peru Legal Setup, we provide local legal representation services, allowing foreign entrepreneurs to fully comply with Peruvian tax and corporate requirements without relocating.

So while it is not always mandatory to "hire" a separate tax representative, you do need a legally appointed representative in Peru for tax purposes, and we can act in that capacity for you.

Yes. Every company incorporated in Peru must register a tax domicile before SUNAT.

This address is where the tax authority may send official notifications. It must be a real, physical address located in Peru. A P.O. box is not valid.

The address does not need to be a large office. It can be a leased office, a co-working space, a small commercial unit, or a home address. The key requirement is that the company can legally use the premises and prove possession if requested by SUNAT.

At Peru Legal Setup, we also offer a tax domicile service, allowing clients to use our address to receive official communications and notifications on their behalf.

Even if you operate fully remotely, a valid physical address for tax purposes in Peru is mandatory.

Owning a Peruvian company does not by itself require you to live in Peru or hold a visa, since the business can be managed remotely. If you intend to work in Peru or relocate, you will need the appropriate visa. We guide you through the Peruvian visa process.

Yes, we assist in registering your trademark in Peru, protecting your brand and ensuring your intellectual property rights are secured.