Paraguay Residency 2025: Complete Guide
How to get Paraguay residency for digital nomads and expats. From temporary to permanent status with minimal physical presence requirements.
TL;DR - Paraguay Residency at a Glance
- Temporary Residency: 2 years, renewable once, converts to permanent
- Government Fee: $357 (25 daily salaries as of July 2025)
- Lawyer Cost: $1,400-1,600 all-inclusive
- Total Time: 3-6 months from document prep to cédula in hand
- Physical Presence: Cannot be absent 12+ consecutive months
- Fast Track: SUACE investment ($70k) = direct permanent residency
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Residency Types Explained
Temporary Residency (Residencia Temporaria)
The primary entry point for most expats. Ideal for digital nomads, retirees, and remote workers exploring Paraguay.
Duration & Renewal
- • Valid for 2 years
- • Renewable once (2 more years)
- • Must renew within 90 days of expiry
- • Can convert 30 days after expiry (with fines)
Rights Granted
- • Open bank accounts & get credit
- • Receive cédula (national ID)
- • Work, start businesses, study
- • Travel in Mercosur easily
Permanent Residency (Residencia Permanente)
Indefinite stay privileges after completing temporary residency, or through investment/marriage.
Requirements to Convert
- • Hold temporary residency 21+ months
- • Demonstrate economic solvency
- • Updated Paraguayan police clearances
- • All temporary residency documents
Rights Granted
- • Unlimited entry/exit privileges
- • Full healthcare & social services
- • Sponsor family members
- • Path to citizenship after 3 years
Renewal: Cédula requires renewal every 10 years (~$57 fee). Status remains permanent.
Investment Residency (SUACE Program)
Direct permanent residency for investors. Bypasses the 2-year temporary requirement entirely.
Investment Requirements
- • $70,000 commitment
- • Can deploy over 10 years
- • No upfront deposit required
- • Must create 5 jobs
Process
- • Business plan pre-approval required
- • Company formation through SUACE
- • Personal submission in Asunción
- • 2-6 months processing time
Advantages: 100% foreign ownership, full capital repatriation, access to Law 60/90 business incentives, skip 2-year wait.
Documents Required
For All Applicants
Valid Passport
Must have at least 6 months validity beyond planned arrival date
Birth Certificate
Original long-form certificate with apostille from issuing country
Police Clearance
Federal/national level certificate covering last 3-5 years with apostille
Proof of Income
Bank statements or financial documentation demonstrating solvency
Country-Specific Requirements
United States
- • FBI Background Check required - State certificates NOT accepted
- • Fingerprints on FD-258 form at Interpol office in Asunción
- • Processing: 3-5 weeks, Cost: $18
- • Apostille through U.S. Department of State
United Kingdom
- • ACRO Police Certificate (national level)
- • Apostille through FCDO
- • Processing: 10-15 working days plus postage
European Union
- • National police certificate (not local)
- • Apostille through designated authority (varies by country)
- • Processing: 1 day (Germany) to 4 weeks (Italy)
What is an Apostille?
An apostille is an international certification that authenticates documents for use in foreign countries (Hague Convention members). It verifies signature authenticity and the signing official's capacity.
Documents Needing Apostilles
- • Birth certificate (mandatory)
- • Police clearance (mandatory)
- • Marriage/divorce certificates
- • Educational credentials
Common Mistakes
- • Using state instead of federal documents
- • Letting documents expire (6 month validity)
- • Missing apostille on translations
- • Wrong document format
Step-by-Step Process
Before Arrival (6-12 weeks)
- Obtain Original Documents (2-4 weeks) - Birth certificate, police clearance, marriage/divorce if applicable
- Apostille Process (1-8 weeks) - Budget $200-400 for apostille fees
- Book Accommodation - Reserve hotel or rental for first 2-4 weeks
- Research Lawyers - Contact 2-3 firms, verify credentials, confirm pricing
In Paraguay - Week 1-2
- Enter as Tourist - 90-day visa-free for most nationalities, keep entry stamp
- Engage Lawyer - Meet for document review, sign power of attorney, pay initial fees
- Open Bank Account (optional) - Shows economic solvency
- Get Local Phone - Required for various registration processes
Document Preparation (Week 2-3)
- Sworn Translations (2-3 days) - $15-30 per page by certified translator
- Local Police Procedures (3-5 days) - Interpol certificate, National Police IT check, life/residence certificate
- Medical Examination (1 day) - Required health check at authorized clinic
- Sworn Declarations (1 day) - Respect for laws, intended profession in Paraguay
Submission & Processing (Week 3+)
- Submit to Migraciones - Pay $357 application fee, receive tracking number
- Biometrics & Photos - Digital fingerprinting, photograph, signature capture
- Wait for Approval (30-90 days) - No requirement to stay in Paraguay during this time
- Receive Residency Card - 2-year temporary residency card issued
- Apply for Cédula (30-45 days) - National ID enables full economic participation
Complete Cost Breakdown
Government Fees (2025)
Professional Fees
Standard Lawyer Package
$1,400-1,600
All-inclusive: translations, transport, filings
Premium Services
$2,000-2,500
Expedited processing, extra support
SUACE Investment Package
$3,000-5,000
Includes business formation
Total Estimated Cost
$800-1,000
DIY Route
$2,000-2,500
With Lawyer (typical)
$3,500-5,500
SUACE Investment
DIY vs. Using a Lawyer
When to Use a Lawyer
- First-time applicants unfamiliar with Paraguayan bureaucracy
- Non-Spanish speakers
- Limited time in country (lawyers expedite)
- Complex cases (families, name changes)
- Investment residency with business formation
When DIY is Feasible
- Spanish fluency and familiarity with local systems
- Extended stay (2+ months) in Paraguay
- Simple single applicant with straightforward documents
- Previous experience with Latin American bureaucracy
Potential Savings: $1,000-1,500
Risk: Higher rejection rate for incomplete applications
Physical Presence Requirements
Temporary Residency
- Current Law: Must not exceed 12 consecutive months outside Paraguay
- No minimum days required in-country annually (currently)
- Starting January 2026: At least one visit per year required
Permanent Residency
- Current Law: Must not exceed 36 consecutive months outside Paraguay
- Recommendation: Visit at least once every 3 years
- Much more flexible than temporary status
Important Change: Starting January 1, 2026, temporary residents will need to visit Paraguay at least once per year. Plan your travel accordingly if applying for temporary residency now.
Factors Affecting Timeline
Document Completeness
- • Missing apostilles: +2-8 weeks
- • Incorrect format: +1-4 weeks
- • Name discrepancies: +1-3 weeks
Migraciones Backlog
- • Normal processing: 30-45 days
- • High season (Dec-Feb): 60-90 days
- • Holiday periods: +1-2 weeks
Lawyer Efficiency
- • Experienced firms: 2-3 weeks in-country
- • Less organized: 4-6 weeks in-country
- • DIY approach: 6-8 weeks typically
Best Time to Apply
- • Best: March - November
- • Avoid: December 8 (national holiday)
- • Avoid: Holy Week, December
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Paraguay residency cost?
Government fees are $357 for temporary or permanent residency application. Immigration lawyer services range from $1,400-1,600 all-inclusive. Total cost including translations, apostilles, and documents is typically $2,000-2,500.
How long does it take to get Paraguay residency?
The total process takes 3-6 months. Document preparation takes 6-12 weeks before arrival. In-country processing takes 4-8 weeks, including 30-90 days for application approval and 30-45 days for cédula (national ID) issuance.
Do I need to live in Paraguay to keep residency?
Temporary residents must not be absent for more than 12 consecutive months. Starting January 2026, at least one visit per year will be required. Permanent residents can be absent up to 36 consecutive months.
What documents do I need for Paraguay residency?
Required documents include: valid passport (6+ months validity), apostilled birth certificate, apostilled FBI/national police clearance, proof of income, and passport-sized photos. Marriage/divorce certificates if applicable. All documents need sworn Spanish translation.
Can I work with Paraguay temporary residency?
Yes. Temporary residents can work, start businesses, open bank accounts, and access healthcare. You receive a cédula (national ID) which enables full economic participation in Paraguay.
What is the SUACE investment residency program?
SUACE offers direct permanent residency (bypassing temporary) for $70,000 investment over 10 years through an approved business plan. Requires creating 5 jobs. Processing takes 2-6 months. Lawyer fees are $3,000-5,000.
Should I use a lawyer for Paraguay residency?
Recommended for most applicants. Lawyers handle translations, government offices, and follow-ups for $1,400-1,600 all-inclusive. DIY saves $1,000-1,500 but requires Spanish fluency, 2+ months in country, and patience with bureaucracy.
Can I get permanent residency immediately?
Yes, through two routes: (1) SUACE investment program with $70,000 commitment, or (2) marriage to a Paraguayan citizen. Otherwise, you must hold temporary residency for 2 years (minimum 21 months) before converting to permanent.
Next Steps
Paraguay Citizenship
Path to naturalization after 3 years of permanent residency. Get your Paraguayan passport.
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