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📅 Post Date: October 16, 2025 | 🔄 Updated: February 18, 2026
Paraguay Citizenship & Residency Pathways
On October 18, 2022, Paraguay published 2-LEY-N°-6984-DE-MIGRACIONES-2022 (Law No. 6,984:2022) on Migrations, replacing the previous Law No. 978/1996. The law modernizes Paraguay’s immigration system and defines a clear and structured pathway for foreigners seeking Paraguay citizenship through temporary and permanent residency.
It simplifies immigration procedures, offers flexible pathways for temporary and permanent residency, outlines the rights and obligations of foreign nationals, and explains how to transition from temporary to permanent status, which will lead to Paraguay citizenship.Â
Why Paraguay?
Paraguay offers one of the easiest and most favorable systems in Latin America for immigration and starting a business. Whether you want to get permanent residency, Paraguay citizenship, or open a company, contact us for complete support.
The EU–MERCOSUR Trade Agreement
Paraguay is a member of MERCOSUR, which allows free trade between MERCOSUR and the European Union, reducing trade barriers and creating one of the largest free trade areas in the world, with better business opportunities, easier access to regional South American markets, and stronger long-term economic potential.
Paraguay Temporary Residency
Key Advantages of Paraguayan Residency:
 Obtain your Paraguayan ID (Cédula de Identidad)
 Open bank accounts, own property, and start a company to practice any profession, trade, science, art, or industry in the country for citizenship purposes.Â
 Low physical presence requirement, you can stay only 1 day per year to maintain temporary residency.Â
 For permanent residents, you can stay only 1 day every 3 years to maintain permanent residency.Â
But to apply for Paraguayan citizenship, you must physically reside in the country for at least 9 months per year.
To apply for temporary residency, the applicants’ presence in Paraguay will be required. To open a bank account in Paraguay, you must also be physically present in the country.
We do not provide invitation letters to facilitate entry into Paraguay for visa-required countries, unlike the Entry Permit we offer for Argentina.
If you are from a visa-free country and do not need a visa to enter Paraguay, we can initiate the process by receiving your scanned documents for verification prior to your first visit.
Once you arrive, the complete process can be carried out in approximately 8 days.
Documents Required:
 Valid passport (minimum 6 months before expiration) – translated if applicable.
1. Tourist visa (obtained at a Paraguayan Embassy)
2. Criminal record check for the last 5 years – apostilled and translated.
3.  Birth certificate, issued within the last 2 months – apostilled and translated.
4.  Marriage certificate (if applicable) – apostilled and translated.
5.  Name change certificate (if applicable) – apostilled and translated.
6.  Divorce decree (if applicable) – apostilled and translated. If legally separated but not divorced, you must indicate your marital status as separated on the application form and provide a copy of the separation agreement or a court order confirming your legal separation.
These documents must also be legalized and translated into Spanish. If they are already in Spanish, translation is not necessary. Please note that all translations must be done in Paraguay by a certified translator.
Paraguayan Permanent Residency Options
Permanent Residency for Temporary Residents – Change of category to permanent residency after two years of temporary residence.Â
Family of Repatriated Nationals – Permanent Residency for foreign family members of Paraguayan citizens (spouse, children, and foreign grandchildren).Â
Investor Residency (SUACE) – Fast-track permanent residency by investing in a Paraguayan business.
Children & Spouses of Paraguayans – Permanent Residency for immediate family members of Paraguayan citizens.Â
MERCOSUR Permanent Residency – For citizens of MERCOSUR member countries (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador).
Note: CĂ©dula for 10 (ten) years, renewable.Â
Fast-Track Permanent Residency For Investors
If you invest USD 70,000 (real estate, operating business, or equity participation in domestic companies) in Paraguay and hire at least 5 local workers, you can skip temporary residency and apply directly for permanent residency through the Ministry of Industry and Commerce under SUACE (Ley N° 4986/2013), by exception, without first applying for temporary residence.Â
Benefits:
Immediate access to permanent residency
Obtain Paraguayan ID and tax registration
Ideal for entrepreneurs planning to start or expand continental business operations.Â
Required documents:
Consular Visa (for visa-required nationalities).
Proof of investment (economic solvency) (e.g., bank statement, asset titles)
Birth certificate, marital status, criminal record (apostilled)
Valid passport and visa (if applicable)
Processing Timeline:
Processing typically requires 3 visits to Paraguay or stay ~ 4–5 months in the country:
1. Submit a residency application to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce:Â
The first visit is to process the residence, 5 working days in the country, and 8 to 12 weeks of waiting to get the residency.
2. Apply for Paraguayan ID Plastic Card:Â
The second visit is to process the Paraguayan ID, 3 working days in the country, and 25 working days of waiting to get the ID.
3. Collect ID at the Federal Police and finalize tax registrationÂ
The third visit is to collect the Paraguayan ID (in-person) and process the Paraguayan Tax ID, 3 working days in the country, 10 days of waiting for the tax ID.
Total process (including in-country stay and waiting): ~4–5 months.Â
Paraguayan Tax ID - RUC (Single Taxpayer Registry)
After obtaining Paraguayan Temporary or Permanent Residency and, consequently, a CĂ©dula, you can apply for a Tax Residence Certificate (Proof of RUC) and obtain a Paraguayan Tax ID (RUC).Â
These allow you to open bank accounts, access credit lines, and establish business operations in Paraguay.
Our team assists in obtaining your Tax ID and maintaining compliance with monthly accounting services.
Company Incorporation in Paraguay
Set up your business in one of South America’s most stable and investor-friendly countries and get your residency. Paraguay offers the most flexible residency requirements and one of the lowest VAT rates at just 10%. It’s the ideal option to set up a company, obtain residency quickly, invest a minimal amount, and qualify for Paraguayan citizenship. However, it is not the fastest Citizenship option as opposed to Argentina.Â
For entrepreneurs and investors, we offer an all-in-one solution:
I. Permanent residency application
II. Paraguayan ID and tax registration
III. Company registration (EAS) and legal representation services
IV. Accounting and post-incorporation services
Simplified Joint Stock Company (EAS)
The EAS (Empresa por Acciones Simplificada) is the fastest and most efficient way to register a company in Paraguay. The EAS is a legal entity that facilitates the establishment of companies with a simplified process and fewer formalities.
 a) It can be established with minimal capital and allows the participation of both local and foreign partners.
 b)The process is swift, and the company can be set up within a short period of time.
Advantages:
I. 100% foreign ownership allowed
II. Minimal capital required
III. Fast registration through SUACE (Unified Business Service System)
Requirements:
A legal representative with a Paraguayan ID (CĂ©dula) is required for company incorporation (this can be one of the partners or a hired representative).
To become your own company’s legal representative, you first need a Paraguayan ID (Cédula), then a tax ID. For tax residency, you need temporary/permanent residency, a Cédula, and a tax ID, with the final step being the issuance of your tax residency certificate.
Additional Local Procedures Handled in Paraguay
1) Authenticated copy of the Interpol Certificate of Paraguay.
2) Apostilled Police Clearance Certificate of the country of origin.
3) Sworn statement of compliance with local legislation
4) Power of Attorney (PoA) for representation before the Immigration Office
Paraguay Citizenship
According to the Paraguayan Constitution, to apply for Paraguayan citizenship (by naturalization, art 148), you must have legal residence in Paraguay for at least three years (radicaciĂłn mĂnima de tres años en territorio nacional) and prove your links to the country, such as running a company in Paraguay.
Our team utilizes specialized legal methods to facilitate a smoother and faster naturalization process. We always look for the best possible path to help you achieve your goal.
Start with 2 years of temporary residency, followed by one year of permanent residency.
After completing these 3 years of legal residence, you can begin the citizenship process, which usually takes 1–2 years.
Estimated Paraguay Citizenship Timelines
Temporary Residency processing Time: ~8–12 weeks
Permanent Residency: 2 years after temporary residency
Citizenship eligibility: After ~3 years if you entered directly into permanent residency, or 2 years of temporary residency plus 1 year of permanent residency. Citizenship processing typically takes 1–2 years in Paraguay.Â
Contact Us
Start your journey to Paraguayan residency and citizenship with our legal team.
We handle all steps – from document review to ID issuance and company setup.
