How Does Paraguay Residence Work in 2026?

01

How does the temporary-to-permanent route work?

The Dirección Nacional de Migraciones (DNM) decides residence. Temporary residence lasts up to two years, renewable for an equal period (article 46). DNM's requirements page lists no investment or bank deposit. While the file is pending you get a precarious-residence card, issued once and valid for 90 days, which lets you work and travel in and out (article 57).

You can switch to permanent residence in the three months before the temporary card expires, or up to one month after with a fine. You must then prove means under one of 12 categories in DNM Resolution 407/2026, for filings from 6 July 2026. DNM states no fixed amount.

02

What is the SUACE investor route?

Article 46 exempts foreigners who prove investment under Law 4986/2013 (SUACE) from the temporary step. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC) issues a Constancia de Inversionista Extranjero (CIE) to individuals under MIC Resolution 0283 of 21 April 2026. MIC calls it the "Paraguay Investor Pass". Minimums, in dollars or the guaraní equivalent, are:

• Productive: USD 70,000 with an approved business plan and five formal jobs, plus six-monthly progress reports.
• Financial instruments: USD 200,000, certified by an entity authorised by the securities regulator and held at least two years, with yearly reports. No business plan or jobs.
• Real estate: USD 200,000, excluding purchases for personal or family use. A notarised purchase contract counts if at least 30% is paid.
• Tourism: USD 150,000 with a business plan and six-monthly reports.

SUACE must issue the CIE within five business days of receiving the file, pausing while it asks for corrections (article 4). You then apply to DNM for permanent residence.

03

Which documents do you need?

DNM asks for your passport and, where your nationality needs one, a consular visa. You also need proof of entry at a DNM control post, birth and civil-status certificates, criminal records from age 14 from your home or recent country of residence, Interpol and Paraguayan police certificates and a sworn declaration. SUACE adds a sworn declaration on the origin of funds and proof of the investment or its funding.

Foreign documents must carry an apostille or, for non-Hague countries, consular legalisation followed by Foreign Ministry legalisation. Spanish translations must come from a public translator registered in Paraguay, or an authorised foreign one whose translation is apostilled or legalised.

04

What does it cost?

From 1 July 2026, DNM's fee table charges PYG 2,926,925 for temporary or permanent residence. Extending temporary residence costs PYG 1,287,847 and renewing a permanent card PYG 468,308.

05

How long does it take?

Only the CIE has a legal deadline; neither the law nor DNM's pages set one for residence. DNM's only published estimate, 30 to 45 days, covers cards from its MigraMóvil mobile units.

06

Do you need to be in Paraguay?

Yes. DNM says filing is "personal y presencial", though a representative may follow the file. You must show proof of entry, and MIC lists the CIE as an in-person procedure.

Announced, not law: the Minister of Industry and Commerce said at the Investor Pass launch in São Paulo on 17 April 2026 that only the identity card would need an in-person visit. No rule making that change has been published (as at 8 October 2026).

07

How do you keep residence?

DNM may cancel temporary residence after more than one year's unjustified absence and permanent residence after more than three consecutive years, unless it authorised the absence (article 55). DNM Resolution 376/2026 sets the procedure and lets you ask for authorisation in advance. Permanent cards are renewed every 10 years.

08

How is a resident taxed?

Law 6380/2019 taxes income by source. Paraguayan business income pays 10% corporate tax. Resident individuals pay personal income tax on Paraguayan-source income: 8% on capital income and 8% to 10% on earnings from work.

Foreign income is generally outside the tax. But services performed abroad for Paraguayan taxpayers can count as Paraguayan-source (article 48).

09

Can residence lead to citizenship?

The Constitution (article 148) requires adulthood, at least three years' residence, a profession or trade in Paraguay and good conduct. Under Supreme Court Acordada 464/2007, the three years run continuously from permanent residence and need a real home in Paraguay. Naturalisation is refused if you were away more than three months a year in each of the three years before applying.

You sit an exam on basic Spanish or Guaraní, history, geography and the constitutional rules on losing nationality. The Supreme Court said on 7 October 2026 that new filings go electronic from 12 October.

Announced, not law: Deputy Johana Vega filed a bill in the Chamber of Deputies on 16 July 2025 regulating articles 148 and 150 (file D-2586152). It has not left committee (as at 8 October 2026).

10

Does Paraguay allow dual nationality?

Article 149 admits multiple nationality by international treaty with reciprocity. Law 7052/2023 widens this for natural-born Paraguayans only. Under article 150, naturalised Paraguayans lose their nationality by voluntarily acquiring another, or after more than three years' unjustified absence declared by a court.

11

Are the 90-day and three-year claims right?

• "A 90-day process": no law or DNM page sets one. The law's 90-day periods cover short "spontaneous" stays (article 45) and the precarious card.
• "Citizenship in 3 years": the three years run from permanent residence, which on the ordinary route follows about two years of temporary residence. A SUACE certificate skips that step.

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Notes by audience

• Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines: 30-day visa-free visits; the UAE gets 90 days. DNM's visa table still marks a residence visa for them, so ask a consulate before travelling to file.
• Mainland China, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman: you need a visa to enter. Hong Kong is not on the Foreign Ministry's exemption list.
• Apostille: Singapore, Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman are Hague parties. Malaysia, the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait are not, so their documents need consular legalisation. China joined in 2023 but excludes states it does not recognise as sovereign, also for Hong Kong. For Chinese or Hong Kong documents, confirm with DNM which form it accepts.

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FAQ