Paraguay Residency Requirements: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
Published 17 April 2026 · 10 min read
Paraguay's residency process is widely regarded as one of the most straightforward in South America. There is no minimum investment requirement, no mandatory days-per-year to maintain, and the steps are predictable once you know them.
Documents You'll Need Before You Travel
Valid passport — must have at least 6 months remaining validity from your application date
Apostilled criminal background check — obtained from your country of citizenship or current country of residence
Proof of financial means — approximately $5,200 USD (35x the monthly minimum wage), shown via bank statements, pension documents, or employer letter
Proof of address in Paraguay — a rental contract or utility bill at your Paraguayan address
Apostilled birth certificate — required in some cases, particularly for permanent residency or citizenship later
Certified document translations — all foreign documents must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator
Step 1: Enter Paraguay on Tourist Visa
Most Western passport holders (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, and many others) can enter Paraguay visa-free for a 90-day tourist stay. No advance visa application is required.
Step 2: Submit Your Application in Asuncion
The residency application must be filed in person at DIGECOM (the Paraguayan immigration authority). In practice, filing takes 1–2 days on the ground.
Step 3: Wait for Temporary Residency Approval
Processing times currently run 1–3 months for temporary residency approval. You do not need to remain in Paraguay during this period.
Step 4: Collect Your Cedula
The Cedula Paraguaya is Paraguay's national identity document. After temporary residency approval, the Cedula is typically ready to collect within 4–8 weeks. The collection deadline is 180 days from approval.
The Path to Permanent Residency and Citizenship
2 years of temporary residency → eligible to apply for permanent residency
3 years of permanent residency → eligible to apply for Paraguayan citizenship
Paraguayan citizenship provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 147 countries including the EU Schengen area.
At The Paraguay Plan, our Standard, Express, and VIP packages include full document preparation, certified Spanish translation, in-country support during your Asuncion visit, and Cedula collection assistance.
Start Your Paraguay Residency
Speak to our team on WhatsApp — free consultation, no obligation. Or view our residency packages to see what's included.