Asunción Visa Guide
Asunción visa options for digital nomads and expats. Paraguay doesn't have an official digital nomad visa, but offers temporary residency with legal work authorization and 0% tax on foreign income.
No Official Digital Nomad Visa
Paraguay does NOT have an official "digital nomad visa" despite widespread misconceptions. Remote workers must use temporary residency for legal work authorization.
Visa Options for Remote Workers
Tourist Visa
⚠️ Working is ILLEGAL on tourist visa
Temporary Residency
Recommended
Investment Residency
Total costs ~$14,000 including fees
Temporary Residency Application Process
Phase 1: Document Preparation (Before Arrival)
- →Birth certificate (apostilled from country of birth)
- →Criminal background check (apostilled, from all countries in past 5 years)
- →Valid passport
- →Marriage certificate (if applicable, apostilled)
Phase 2: Application in Paraguay
- →Arrive in Paraguay with qualifying visa
- →Obtain medical certificate (issued in Paraguay)
- →Get criminal record from Paraguay National Police
- →Obtain Interpol certificate
- →Submit application to Dirección General de Migraciones
- →Receive precarious residence card (90-day stay while processing)
Phase 3: Document Collection
- →Temporary residency card (2-3 months processing)
- →Paraguayan ID card - Cédula (additional 60-70 days)
- →Tax ID (RUC) for tax residency benefits
Total Timeline
Complete process typically takes 4-6 months from document preparation to receiving your Cédula (ID card).
Territorial Taxation Benefits
Tax Advantages
- 0% tax on foreign-sourced income
- 10% tax on Paraguay-sourced income only
- No minimum physical presence requirement
Tax Residency Certificate
Cost: $40 USD
Processing: 10 business days
Validity: One year
Maintaining Tax Benefits
To maintain tax residency without living in Paraguay:
- →Keep RUC active by filing monthly VAT returns (even if blank)
- →OR spend 120+ days per year in Paraguay
- →Visit Paraguay at least once every 3 years to maintain residency
Processing Times & Costs
| Process | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist Visa | 5-10 business days | ~$160 USD |
| Temporary Residency | 45-90 days | ~$200-3,000 USD |
| ID Card (Cédula) | 60-70 days | Included |
| Permanent Residency | 90 days | ~$260-400 USD |
| Investment Residency | 90 days | ~$14,000 USD |
Common Application Pitfalls
Document Issues
- Incorrect apostille procedures
- Missing translations to Spanish
- Expired criminal background checks
- Wrong jurisdiction for authentication
Process Mistakes
- Attempting to work on tourist visa
- Insufficient preparation for Paraguay documents
- Missing required annual visits for renewal
Official Government Resources
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
www.mre.gov.pyImmigration Office (Migraciones)
migraciones.gov.pyOnline Visa Application
www.mre.gov.py/visasenlinea/Contact Information
Immigration Office: +595 21 411 2000
Visa inquiries: visas@consuladopyny.org