Paraguay Relocation Services
Compare agencies and lawyers for your Paraguay residency. Understand costs, avoid scams, and choose the right provider for your situation.
The 2026 Reality
Paraguay's "show up and sign" era is over. Law 6984/2022 created a structured immigration system. Residency applications surged 50% in 2025 (43,000+ applications), straining administrative capacity. Professional guidance is no longer optional - it's essential.
Temporary → Permanent
Most applicants must spend 2 years in temporary residency first
SUACE Bypass
$70k investment plan grants immediate permanent residency
Banking Friction
Opening accounts is harder than getting residency
Types of Service Providers
Institutional Relocation Agencies
Full-service "concierge" providers bundling legal processing with logistics, housing, and banking support. Most expensive but highest convenience. Best for corporate investors and high-net-worth individuals.
Immigration Law Firms
Licensed attorneys with full legal liability. Essential for complex cases: criminal records, previous visa denials, corporate governance, or high-value investments requiring bulletproof structuring.
Digital Nomad Specialists
Tailored for location-independent professionals. Focus on lightweight, compliant infrastructure: residency, tax registration (RUC), remote driver's license processing. Lower overhead costs.
Independent Facilitators (Gestores)
Lowest cost but highest risk. Unregulated "fixers" operating via WhatsApp. Some are legitimate local experts; others run scams. Never use without verified referrals. Watch for the "Card Only" scam.
Provider Comparison (2026)
| Provider | Temp Residency | SUACE | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
Paraguay Pathways Premium Agency | ~$2,600 | ~$4,500 | Corporate, HNW, shelf companies |
GHP Abogados Law Firm | Custom | Custom (High) | Multinationals, complex cases |
Move To Paraguay Nomad Specialist | Custom | Custom | Digital nomads, remote services |
VisaDB (Natalia) Verified Platform | ~$2,100 | ~$2,500 | Remote workers, standardized |
Immi.Legal Legal Services | N/A | ~$5,200 | Business owners, ongoing rep |
Lorena Laterra Lawyer/Translator | Custom | Custom | Complex cases, EU clients |
Paraguay Residencia Budget Option | ~$1,450 | N/A | Budget-conscious, includes Cédula |
Recommended Providers
Paraguay Pathways
Premium Market Leader
Headquartered in World Trade Center Asunción. The go-to for "sovereign individuals" and corporate investors who want zero administrative friction. Their "shelf company" service (pre-formed corporations with existing bank accounts) solves the banking bottleneck that paralyzes many new residents.
Services Include
- • Residency processing (temp & permanent)
- • Shelf companies with bank accounts
- • Tax accounting & RUC management
- • SUACE investment packages
Pricing (2026)
- • Gold Package (Temp): ~$2,600
- • SUACE Package: ~$4,500
- • Shelf companies: Premium
GHP Abogados (Guanes, Heisecke & Piera)
Full-Service Law Firm
Not just an immigration firm - a commercial law powerhouse. Immigration is part of broader corporate services. Backed by departments handling M&A, environmental law, transfer pricing, and labor law. The choice for multinationals relocating executives or investors needing bulletproof legal structures.
Capabilities
- • Immigration for executives
- • Corporate governance
- • M&A, trade compliance
- • Environmental & labor law
Best For
- • Multinational corporations
- • Complex investment structures
- • Cases requiring legal protection
Move To Paraguay
Digital Nomad Specialist
Tailored for location-independent professionals rather than heavy investors. Excels in remote processing of driver's licenses ($150), monthly tax filing subscriptions ($25/mo), and the lightweight infrastructure digital nomads need. Money-back guarantee signals confidence.
Unique Services
- • Remote driver's license processing
- • Monthly tax filing subscription
- • Pre-consultation strategy sessions
Best For
- • Digital nomads
- • Remote workers
- • Lightweight tax compliance
Lorena Laterra
Lawyer + Sworn Translator
Dual Paraguayan-Italian citizen, registered with Migrations, and Supreme Court Sworn Translator. By handling translation in-house, she eliminates a major delay point. Specializes in "difficult" nationalities and European clients needing a cultural bridge.
lorenalaterra.comAvoid These Scams
The "Card Only" Scam
The most prevalent fraud. A facilitator charges $800 and delivers the Residency Card (Carnet de Residencia). You leave thinking you're done. But they never process your Cédula de Identidad.
The problem: Without the Cédula, your residency card is legally valid but functionally useless. You cannot open a bank account, get a tax ID (RUC), or sign any contract.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Verify contract explicitly includes "Cédula processing, collection, and delivery"
- If price is under $1,000 with no Cédula details, it's likely incomplete
- Ask for references from recent clients who received their Cédula
Other Red Flags
- •"Special routes" bypassing standard checks - often corruption or money laundering schemes
- •No physical office - WhatsApp-only operators with no verifiable address
- •Pressure tactics - "Price goes up tomorrow" or "Last slot available"
- •Guaranteeing citizenship - Citizenship requires 3+ years of permanent residency and Supreme Court approval
The Standard Process
Document Preparation (4-8 weeks before)
Gather birth certificate, FBI background check, marriage certificate (if applicable). Get everything apostilled in your country of origin. This is the biggest bottleneck - US federal apostille processing is slow.
Trip 1: Application (3-5 days in Paraguay)
Medical exam, National Police visit for Interpol check, document translation by Sworn Translator, dossier submission to Migration. You must be physically present for biometrics.
Processing (~90 days)
You can leave Paraguay. Your application processes in the background. Your agency should provide updates and track progress.
Trip 2: Collection
Return to collect your Residency Card and apply for Cédula (ID card). The Cédula increasingly requires physical presence for biometrics. Some agencies can reduce to one trip using Power of Attorney.
SUACE Investor Route: Similar timeline (3-4 months total) but requires a $70k investment plan submitted to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Grants immediate permanent residency without the 2-year temporary period.
Which Provider Should You Choose?
Corporate Investor / HNW
Use Paraguay Pathways or GHP Abogados. The $4,000+ fee is insurance against banking opacity. Get a shelf company for immediate financial access. Use SUACE to formalize capital entry.
Digital Nomad / Solopreneur
Use Move To Paraguay or VisaDB. Focus on Temporary Residency → RUC pipeline. Don't rely on local banks for business - use Ueno or Cooperative for daily expenses, keep main banking abroad.
Budget-Conscious
Use a verified independent like Paraguay Residencia (~$1,450). Scrutinize contracts for Cédula inclusion. Avoid anything under $1,000 without detailed scope. Get references.
Complex Case
If you have criminal records, previous visa denials, or need bulletproof corporate structuring, use a licensed law firm: GHP Abogados, MARPAT, or Lorena Laterra.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Paraguay residency agency cost?
Prices range from $1,450 for budget services to $4,500+ for premium packages. Temporary residency typically costs $2,000-$2,600 at established agencies. SUACE investor residency costs $4,000-$5,200 due to business plan complexity. Budget options under $1,000 often skip critical steps - verify Cédula processing is included.
Do I need a lawyer or can I use a relocation agency?
For standard residency, a reputable relocation agency is sufficient. For complex cases (criminal records, previous visa denials, corporate structuring), use a licensed law firm like GHP Abogados or MARPAT. Law firms charge hourly/project rates but provide legal protection agencies can't offer.
What is the 'Card Only' scam in Paraguay?
An unregulated facilitator delivers only the Residency Card (Carnet de Residencia) but never processes your Cédula de Identidad. Without the Cédula, you can't open bank accounts, get a tax ID, or sign contracts. Always verify that your service contract explicitly includes Cédula processing and delivery.
How long does Paraguay residency take?
The standard process takes 3-4 months: Trip 1 (3-5 days for biometrics/submission), ~90 days processing, Trip 2 (to collect card and apply for Cédula). SUACE investor route takes 3-4 months total. Some agencies offer 'one-trip' models using Power of Attorney.
What is SUACE and do I need it?
SUACE is the investor residency program requiring a $70,000 investment plan. It provides immediate permanent residency (bypassing the 2-year temporary period). You don't need it if you're okay with temporary residency first. SUACE is ideal for investors wanting banking access quickly or seeking permanent status immediately.
Can I get Paraguay residency remotely without visiting?
No, you must visit Paraguay at least once for biometrics (fingerprints, photo) at the National Police and medical exam. The Cédula also increasingly requires physical presence. Plan for 1-2 trips minimum. Some agencies can reduce this to one trip using Power of Attorney for document collection.
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