Paraguay Retirement Visa: A Comprehensive Guide

Application Process:

The application process for a Paraguayan retirement visa can be divided into the following steps:

1. Confirm Eligibility and Income Requirements:

To qualify for the retirement path, you generally need to prove you have a reliable, lifelong, foreign-sourced pension or retirement income.

• Minimum Income: The required minimum monthly income is an amount equivalent to 100 minimum monthly wages in Paraguay, which is approximately $1,022 to $1,300 USD (Note: This figure is subject to change based on the national minimum wage).

   

• Source of Income: The income must come from a pension, annuity, or lifelong retirement benefits (military or disability pensions are often accepted). Income from employment, business, or investments may not qualify under this specific category.

   

2. Gather and Legalize Required Documents:

The documents you bring from your home country must be correctly prepared, often requiring both an Apostille or Legalization by the Paraguayan consulate. All documents not in Spanish must be officially translated.

Key documents typically include:

• Passport: Original and notarized photocopy.

   

• Birth Certificate: Apostilled/Legalized and officially translated.

• Marriage/Divorce Certificate: (If applicable) Apostilled/Legalized and officially translated.

   

• Police/Criminal Record Certificate: A recent certificate from your country of origin and any country you have resided in for the last 5-10 years. Must be Apostilled/Legalized.

   

• Proof of Retirement Income: Official documentation showing the amount of your lifelong pension or retirement fund. This must be Apostilled/Legalized.

   

• Bank Reference Letter: A recent letter from your bank (often not older than 6 months).

   

• Affidavit of Compliance: A sworn statement, usually prepared by a local notary in Paraguay, confirming you will abide by the laws.

   

3. Travel to Paraguay:

You must travel to Paraguay to submit your application in person, complete local procedures, and obtain local documents. It is highly recommended to hire a local immigration lawyer or facilitator to assist with this part of the process, as it involves coordinating appointments across various government offices.

During this visit, you will obtain local documents, including:

• Medical Certificate: Issued by a licensed doctor in Paraguay.

   

• Certificate of Life and Residence: Issued by the local police station in Paraguay.

   

• Interpol Certificate: Issued by the regional Interpol office in Asunción.

   

• Paraguayan Police Records: Issued by the National Police Identification Department.

   

4. Apply for Residency:

The application is submitted to the Directorate General of Migration (DGM) in Asunción.

• Temporary Residency (New Law): Under the current migration law (enacted in late 2022), the process generally starts with a Temporary Residency permit, which is valid for 2 years.

   

• Permanent Residency Application: After holding the Temporary Residency for 2 years, you can apply to convert it to Permanent Residency.

   

5. Obtain the Paraguayan ID Card (Cédula):

Once your residency permit (Temporary or Permanent) is approved, you must apply for the Paraguayan national ID card, known as the Cédula. This document is essential for all day-to-day activities, such as opening a bank account.

Visa Validity:

Paraguayan retirement visa is valid for one year and can be renewed under the same conditions up to five times. This means you can stay in Paraguay for a maximum of six years with just a retirement visa.

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.

Useful Links:

Paraguay Migration Office: https://migraciones.gov.py/