How to get residency in Paraguay: four routes to a residence permit in 2025

Obtaining Paraguayan residency is becoming increasingly popular among foreigners looking for an affordable, stable and comfortable way to relocate to South America. Paraguay offers a streamlined residency process, low taxes, a warm climate and an easy pace of life. Thanks to visa-free entry for citizens of many countries and a flexible immigration policy, it is considered one of the most open nations in the region. This article explains how to obtain Paraguayan residency in 2025 - from the basic no-grounds route to options based on employment, study and religious work.

How to obtain Paraguayan residency: the main options for foreigners

Residency in Paraguay appeals to many foreigners precisely because the process is so straightforward. So how do you get it? Here are the main routes.

1. Residency with no specific grounds

The simplest way to obtain Paraguayan residency is to arrive in the country and file an application. Russia and Paraguay have a visa-free arrangement, but a visa is still required in order to submit a residency application. Applications take roughly six months to process. Residency is granted for two years and can be renewed once for an equal term.

2. Residency through employment

To obtain residency through employment, you must provide a formal job offer. This permit is valid for one year and, as long as you keep the position, can be renewed five times for equal terms.

3. Residency through study

Foreigners enrolled at Paraguayan educational institutions can apply for residency. The permit is valid for one year and can be renewed five times for equal terms.

4. Residency for religious workers

Paraguayan residency is available to religious workers who belong to organisations recognised in the country. The permit is valid for one year and can be renewed five times for equal terms.

The benefits of Paraguayan residency

• Visa-free travel across South America, including to Argentina and Brazil.
• The ability to open a business and a bank account.
• Access to education and healthcare, and eligibility for a driver's licence.
• Tax optimisation: a flat 10% rate, with no tax on property, capital gains or foreign-source income.
• A low cost of living and a warm climate.
• A route to citizenship: you can apply no earlier than three years of living in the country as a permanent resident, about five years counting temporary residency.

How residency works under the 2022 Migration Law

Since 2022 the rules are set by Migration Law No. 6984/2022. Temporary residence is granted for up to 2 years, renewable for the same period, and is required before permanent residence. Temporary residents must also obtain a temporary Paraguayan identity card (cédula). Status can be lost after more than a year abroad without good reason.

Moving to permanent residence

The application is filed in the last 90 days of temporary residence, and permanent residence is granted for 10 years. Migraciones asks for:

• passport and Paraguayan identity card;
• temporary residence card;
• a migration movement record showing no absence longer than a year during the 2 years;
• Paraguayan police and court background certificates and an INTERPOL certificate.

Permanent residence straight away: investment from $70,000

Investors can obtain permanent residence without the two-year temporary stage through the state one-stop window for investors (SUACE). An investment project from $70,000 is required: the full amount need not be paid on day one, the investment is evidenced within 24 months of filing. The foreign investor certificate is issued in 5 business days and the permanent residence card about 30 days after filing.

Documents to prepare in advance

• Passport valid for the whole process.
• Birth certificate and, if married, marriage certificate.
• Criminal record certificates from your country of citizenship and countries of recent residence.
• Apostille on documents from your country and a Spanish translation by a Paraguayan sworn translator.
• Proof of the ground: employment contract, letter from the school or investment documents.

Timeline to citizenship

Paraguayan citizenship can be requested no earlier than after 3 years of living in the country with permanent residence. Including residency and case processing, a realistic path to the passport is 4.5-6 years.

Residence for MERCOSUR citizens

Citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and other MERCOSUR residence agreement countries receive temporary residence for 2 years on simplified terms, without proving work or study. In Paraguay this temporary residence is not renewed: permanent residence is applied for before it expires. Russians and other non-MERCOSUR nationals use the general grounds described above.

Where and how to apply

Applications are accepted by Paraguay's National Migration Directorate in Asunción and at regional offices. Filing is in person. After the card is issued you obtain a Paraguayan identity card (cédula) from the police; without it banks will not open an account and the tax number cannot be registered.

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