Foreign nationals seeking to reside in the Republic of Paraguay may apply under three principal categories: Temporary Residency, Permanent Residency, and Residency by Investment. Each category carries specific legal requirements enacted by Dirección Nacional de Migraciones (“Migraciones”) under the framework of Ley N.º 6984/22 de Migraciones.
The following sections summarise the requirements for each category, based strictly on official government sources.
Temporary Residency (Residencia Temporal)
What it is
Temporary Residency is a permit granted by Migraciones to a foreigner for a determined period (up to two years, renewable) who intends to lawfully establish residence and engage in lawful activity in Paraguay.
Requirements
Here are the main requirements you need to provide to apply for temporary residency:
- Valid identity document from your country of origin (ID card, national ID, or passport).
- Visa Consular (if required) and its verification by Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Proof of entry into Paraguay: either your entry stamp in the passport or the migratory form from the immigration checkpoint.
- Birth certificate, legalized/apostilled and translated by a Paraguayan official translator.
- Certificate of civil status (e.g., single, married), also legalized/apostilled and translated.
- Criminal record certificate or police record from your country of origin (and from where you lived in the past 3 years)
- “Declaration under oath” (declaración jurada) to commit to respect Paraguayan laws, per Migration law.
Documents to obtain in Paraguay:
- Certificate of Criminal Record for Foreigners issued by the National Police (Paraguay).
- Interpol Certificate (international criminal record) for individuals.
- Sworn statement of commitment to comply with the Paraguayan Constitution, laws, and regulations.
Important Note About Translations
All foreign documents must be translated into Spanish by a certified public translator in Paraguay (traductor público matriculado).
Even if your documents are translated abroad, Paraguayan immigration requires a local certified translation for acceptance.
This avoids delays and ensures full compliance with the Dirección General de Migraciones.
Permanent Residency (Residencia Permanente)
What it is
Permanent residency means you can live indefinitely in Paraguay. Under Law N° 6984/2022, after you have temporary residency, you can apply for permanent status.
The permanent residency card is valid indefinitely, though you must renew the physical card every 10 years.
When to Apply
- You should apply for the change of category (from temporary to permanent) within the last 3 months before your temporary residence card expires.
- If your temporary card has already expired, you have a grace period of 1 month to apply; but a fine applies.
- After that 1-month grace period, you can only renew temporary residency (not move to permanent) for another 2-year period.
Requirements
To change from temporary to permanent residency, these are the key documents and conditions:
- Valid identity document from your country (ID, passport).
- Your Paraguayan Cédula de Identidad (ID card / or report if lost)
- Your current temporary residency card (or report if lost).
- Documentation proving any change in your civil status, occupation, name, etc., if applicable.
- Criminal record / background checks:
- Certificate of Antecedents from the Paraguayan National Police (from age 14).
- Police / judicial record for foreigners, via the Department of Informatics of National Police.
- Certificate from Interpol.
- Proof of economic solvency, which depends on your professional background:
- For professionals: university degree (if from abroad, must be legalised/apostilled).
- For technical professionals: technical diploma / degree, apostilled if needed.
Permanent Residency by Investment (Residencia por Inversión)
Paraguay’s SUACE (Unified Business Start-Up System) offers a streamlined pathway for foreign investors to obtain permanent residency. Through this program, you can formalize your business in Paraguay and secure a residency permit under a regulated immigration-investment framework.
Key Features
- Residency under SUACE is permanent (i.e., indefinite), but the residency card must be renewed every 10 years.
- With SUACE residency, you can access a Paraguayan identity card (cédula), and it facilitates the legal processes for your business in Paraguay.
Requirements for the Investor Residency
Official, Up-to-date Requirements (concise checklist)
- Investor Certificate (Constancia de Inversionista — CIE)
- Must obtain the Constancia de Inversionista issued by the Viceministry of Industry and Commerce / SUACE. This certificate is mandatory to start the immigration procedure for investor residency.
- Minimum Investment
- The current minimum investment required is USD 70,000 (or equivalent in guaraníes). MIC/SUACE guidance also states the investment should be documented and consistent with the project presented.
- Job-creation requirement (project impact)
- The investor project must contemplate the formal creation of at least 5 direct jobs (per MIC guidance for investor constancies). Check the project-specific employment evidence requested by SUACE.
- Proof of Investment / Financial Documentation
- Provide documentary evidence of funds and investment use: bank statements, transfer records, investment certificates, contracts, property titles, balance sheets, invoices, etc., according to the type of investment. SUACE forms require a signed business plan and supporting documents.
- Identification and Entry Documents
- Valid passport (or national ID) and proof of legal entry to Paraguay (entry stamp or migration form).
- Birth Certificate and Civil Status Documents
- Birth certificate and civil status documents (marriage/divorce/etc.), apostilled or legalized, and ready for certified translation if not in Spanish.
- Criminal / Police Records
- Criminal record certificate(s) from the country of origin and any country of residence in the last 3 years, duly apostilled/legalized. Interpol and Paraguayan police checks may also be required.
- Declaration of Compliance
- Signed sworn declaration (declaración jurada) committing to respect Paraguay’s Constitution and laws (form generated/required by Migraciones during the application).
- Corporate Documents (when applicable)
- If the investment includes a Paraguayan company, submit company incorporation documents, statutes, shareholder list, powers, registration in the Public Registry, etc.
- Immigration Fees
- Payment of the official migration fee for permanent residency (reference: Gs. 2,787,550 — Migraciones arancel table; confirm at time of filing).
- Translations & Legalizations (mandatory)
- All foreign documents must be apostilled or legalized and translated into Spanish by a certified public translator registered in Paraguay (traductor público matriculado). SUACE and Migraciones require Paraguayan-certified translations for acceptance.
- Additional / Case-specific Evidence
- Expect requests for additional proofs (e.g., transfer receipts, payrolls, municipal permits, proof of formal hiring) — SUACE and Migraciones may request extra documentation depending on the project.
Important Legal Basis
- The Migration Law that governs all these types of residency is Law N° 6984/22.
- The base legal requirements for permanent residency are clearly laid out in that law (e.g., background checks, documents, solvency) for different categories: normal permanent and investor.
- The SUACE regulation for investor residency is part of that law and its regulatory framework.
Summary Table
| Type of Residency | Card Validity | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary | Up to 2 years (renewable) | ID/passport, visa, entry proof, birth certificate, civil status, criminal records. |
| Permanent | Indefinite (card renewed every 10 years) | Temporary residency card, Paraguayan cédula, criminal records, change-of-status proof, economic solvency. |
| By Investment (SUACE) | Indefinite (card renewed every 10 years) | Investor certificate, business commitment, IDs, entry proof, criminal background, fees, document legalization. |
Why This Matters (Friendly Note from Me)
As someone who lives in Paraguay, I can tell you: going through the right residency route is worth it. These legal steps help you feel secure, integrate in the system, and take full advantage of what Paraguay offers.
Whether you’re here to work, live, or build a business. By meeting these official requirements, you’re not just abiding by the law, you’re laying the foundation for a stable life here.
If you’re serious about obtaining residency in Paraguay; whether temporary, permanent, or through investment, we can help you every step of the way. At ParaguayResidencyGuide.com, our team specializes in guiding foreigners through the documentation, translation, legalization, and application process.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Let’s make your move to Paraguay smooth, legal, and stress-free.
