SpanishSpeakingPractice🇵🇪 Peru guide

Opening a bank account in Peru

What to say at BCP, Interbank or BBVA in Lima.

Peru's big four are BCP (Banco de Crédito), Interbank, BBVA Continental and Scotiabank. BCP has the widest network; Interbank has the cleanest app and English-friendly branches in Miraflores. Most expats need a carné de extranjería (CE) and proof of income to open a full soles or dollars account.

The branch visit is in Spanish, formal-usted, paperwork-heavy. Memorize the script below and the appointment becomes routine.

Vocabulary

SpanishEnglish
cuenta de ahorrossavings account
cuenta corrientechecking account
carné de extranjería (CE)foreigner ID — required
pasaportepassport
visa de residenciaresidency visa
sustento de ingresosproof of income
boletas / recibos por honorariospay stubs / freelance invoices
recibo de serviciosutility bill (proof of address)
asesor / asesorabank advisor
Yape / Plinubiquitous mobile transfer apps
ITFsmall tax on bank transactions
soles / dólaresPeruvian soles / US dollars
tarjeta de débitodebit card
clave / tokenPIN / security token
comisiónfee

Real dialogues

Practice both sides out loud.

Asking what you need by phone

You call BCP from Miraflores before going in.

  • You

    Buenos días, quisiera abrir una cuenta de ahorros como extranjero. ¿Qué documentos necesito?

    Good morning, I'd like to open a savings account as a foreigner. What documents do I need?

  • Asesor

    Necesita carné de extranjería vigente, pasaporte, y sustento de ingresos.

    You need a valid CE, passport, and proof of income.

  • You

    ¿Es mejor sacar cita o llegar directo?

    Is it better to book an appointment or just walk in?

  • Asesor

    Mejor con cita. Le agendo para mañana a las diez en la agencia de Larcomar.

    Better with an appointment. I'll book you for tomorrow at 10 at the Larcomar branch.

Opening the account at the branch

Sitting with the asesora at BCP Larcomar.

  • Asesora

    Buenos días, ¿qué tipo de cuenta vamos a abrir?

    Good morning, what type of account are we opening?

  • You

    Una cuenta de ahorros en soles y otra en dólares, por favor.

    A savings account in soles and another in dollars, please.

  • Asesora

    Permítame su carné de extranjería y pasaporte.

    May I have your CE and passport.

  • You

    Aquí están. También traigo mi contrato y los últimos tres recibos por honorarios.

    Here they are. I also brought my contract and the last three freelance invoices.

  • Asesora

    Perfecto. ¿Cuál es su actividad económica?

    Perfect. What's your economic activity?

  • You

    Trabajo remoto en tecnología.

    Remote tech work.

  • Asesora

    ¿Aproximadamente cuánto ingresará al mes?

    Roughly how much will come in monthly?

  • You

    Alrededor de doce mil soles.

    Around 12,000 soles.

  • Asesora

    La tarjeta se la entrego al momento. ¿Activa Yape también?

    I'll give you the card now. Activate Yape too?

  • You

    Sí, por favor. ¿Cuánto es la comisión mensual?

    Yes please. What's the monthly fee?

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Peru local tips

Yape is the lifeline

Yape (BCP) and Plin (Interbank, BBVA, Scotiabank) handle 90% of small daily transfers in Lima — taxis, markets, friends, even some rents. Activate it the day you open the account.

Open soles + dollars together

Coming back later for the dollar account often means another full appointment. Ask for both on day one.

Carné de extranjería is non-negotiable

Tourist passport alone won't open a full account at the big four. Get a CE through your visa first, or use fintechs like B89 in the meantime.

Practice prompts

  1. 01Call BCP and ask which papers you need as a foreigner.
  2. 02Explain your remote-work income and how much enters per month.
  3. 03Ask 3 questions about fees, the dollar account, and how Yape activates.
  4. 04Politely ask the asesora to repeat or speak slower without sounding rude.

FAQs

Can I open a Peruvian bank account on a tourist visa?

No — the big banks require a carné de extranjería. Fintechs like B89 and BIM can sometimes open with just a passport for limited use.

Which Peruvian bank is best for expats?

BCP for the widest network and Yape. Interbank for the cleanest app and English-friendly Miraflores branches. BBVA for international transfers.

What is the ITF tax?

A tiny tax (currently 0.005%) on most bank movements. It rarely matters at expat balances — under a sol per transaction.

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