How To Get Residency in Paraguay | A Complete Guide

last updated: July 1, 2025

Home > South America > Paraguay > How To Get Residency In Paraguay | A Complete Guide

Capital: Asunción

Population: 6,413,627 (2025, 113th)

Ethic Group: 75% Mixed, 20% White, 1.7% Indigenous

Area: 406,752 km²(59th)

Offical Language: Spanish & Guarani

Currency: Guaraní (As of July 1, 2025, 1 Paraguayan Guarani = 0.00013 USD)

GDP per Captial: $21,273 (2025 estimated, 84th)

Human Development Index: 0.756 (2023, 99th)

(This map is sourced from Nations Online Project)

Country Profile:

Paraguay is a landlocked country in South America, bordered by Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia. Geographically, the entire country is divided into eastern and western parts by the Paraguay River.

Economically, Paraguay heavily relies on agriculture and hydroelectric power. The world’s second-largest hydroelectric power station, the Itaipu Dam, is located on the border between Paraguay and Brazil.

Culturally, Paraguay is deeply influenced by Guarani and Spanish cultures. Music, dance, and various crafts are symbols of Paraguayan culture.

Visa and Immigration System:

Permanent Residency By Investment Program:

Paraguay was once renowned for its unique “residency by deposit” program, which allowed individuals to obtain permanent residency by simply depositing approximately $5,000 in a local bank.

However, this program was discontinued at the end of 2022. Today, Paraguay’s most prominent immigration pathway is its “permanent residency by investment” program. This accelerated route to permanent residency involves establishing a company and presenting a credible business plan that outlines a phased investment of $70,000 over ten years for the company’s development.

Compared to similar programs in other countries, Paraguay’s permanent residency program offers three key advantages:

1. Low Investment and Fast Processing: The required investment amount is relatively modest, and the entire permanent residency by investment process can be remarkably swift, often completed in as little as 45 days and rarely exceeding three months.

2. Minimal Physical Presence: Maintaining your residency status is straightforward, requiring only a single entry into Paraguay every three years and a permanent residency card renewal every ten years.

3. Undisclosed Nationality on Card: The permanent residency card itself does not display the holder’s nationality, instead showing only their place of birth and name.

Temporary Residency:

Besides the investment route, foreigners seeking permanent residency in Paraguay must first secure temporary residency. After holding temporary residency and living legally in Paraguay for two years, they can then apply for permanent residency, provided they also meet other requirements related to education, professional skills, and taxes.

For citizens of Western countries like the US and Europe, or developed Asian nations such as Japan and South Korea, obtaining a local temporary residency permit is generally quite straightforward, often requiring just a single in-person visit to Paraguay.

However, for individuals from other countries, a specific type of Paraguayan temporary residency permit is required. This could be a work visa, student visa, freelancer visa, or retirement visa, among others.

Generally, these permits are valid for one year and can be renewed up to five times under the original conditions, meaning you could live in Paraguay for a maximum of six years on a temporary residency permit.

Among these temporary residency permits, the retirement visa is primarily intended for retirees, but individuals who are not retired yet have sufficient passive income can also apply. Regarding the economic requirements, the Paraguayan retirement visa requires applicants to have an income level that is 100 times the local minimum wage. Specifically, the monthly income should not be less than 7,015,600 Guaraníes, approximately $1,300.

Citizenship:

Foreigners who have legally resided in Paraguay for two years, and can prove they have a university degree or equivalent technical qualification, or have been paying taxes in Paraguay for two years, are eligible to apply for permanent residency in Paraguay.

Permanent residents of Paraguay who have resided in the country continuously for three years, spending at least 183 days each year, are at least 18 years old, have no criminal record, engage in legitimate professional activities (such as business, work, research, etc.), can sing the Paraguayan national anthem, and pass a Spanish or Guarani language test and a test on Paraguayan politics and history, are eligible to apply for citizenship.

Passport Power:

With the exception of individuals of Italian and Spanish descent, Paraguay does not recognize dual citizenship. The Paraguayan passport is ranked 31st globally, allowing holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 148 countries and territories worldwide (July 1, 2025).

Paraguay is a member of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur). As shown in the map below, citizens of member countries under this agreement can freely work and live in any other member country. After two years, if they can provide proof of financial means to support themselves and their family, they can directly obtain a permanent residency visa in the host country. Holding Paraguayan citizenship makes living in South America very convenient.

Useful Links:

SUACE: https://www.migraciones.gov.py/index.php/tramites/radicaciones/radicacion-para-inversionistas-extranjeros-suace

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