Explore a new life in Paraguay

Paraguay sits at the heart of South America, bordered by Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia, and is a founding member of Mercosur.

Its residence framework, set out in Migration Law 6984 of 2022, offers a standard route from temporary to permanent residence and a dedicated investor route that leads directly to permanent residence.

Permanent residents receive a Paraguayan cédula, the national identity card, and naturalisation can be considered after three years of permanent residence.

Residence routes and who they may suit
Standard residence: for individuals with demonstrable means of support, such as employment, business activity or a pension; temporary residence is held for two years before permanent residence.

Investor residence (SUACE): for investors who commit capital to a Paraguayan business; a qualifying investor certificate leads directly to permanent residence. The productive track requires USD 70,000 deployed over ten years, with a business plan and local employment.

Additional investor tracks: a 2026 Ministry of Industry and Commerce resolution added tourism, real estate and financial-instrument tracks, with criteria confirmed with SUACE at assessment.

Mercosur nationals: citizens of Mercosur states follow their own route.

Initial consultation: We review your objectives and confirm whether the standard or investor route is the better fit.

Investor certificate (investor route): The investment plan is filed with SUACE, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce's one-stop office, for the foreign investor certificate.

Document preparation: Civil and police documents are apostilled or legalised, with sworn Spanish translations.

Filing in Asunción: The application is filed in person with the National Migration Department (DNM).

Residence card and cédula: On approval, the residence card is issued, followed by the cédula.

Maintaining status: Residence conditions, including any investment commitment, are maintained, with naturalisation available after three years of permanent residence.

Documents usually required
Valid passport and proof of lawful entry to Paraguay
Birth certificate and, where relevant, marriage certificate
Criminal record certificates from your country of origin and recent countries of residence, plus Interpol clearance
Medical certificate
Proof of means of support, or the foreign investor certificate for the investor route
Passport photographs

Practical considerations
Translations and legalisation: foreign documents need an apostille or consular legalisation and a sworn Spanish translation; Brazilian Portuguese is exempt from translation.

Presence: applications are filed in person in Asunción.

Visits: residence is maintained through periodic visits rather than a minimum stay; frequency depends on status and is confirmed at assessment.

Investment commitment: investor residents must keep to the business plan and investment schedule declared to SUACE.

Citizenship: naturalisation requires three years of permanent residence with meaningful physical presence, and knowledge of Spanish or Guaraní.

Tax: we coordinate with qualified local advisers on the tax implications of residence.