Step-by-Step Guide to Paraguay Residency

Thinking of making Paraguay your next base as a digital nomad or seeking a fresh start in South America? Paraguay offers a relatively straightforward path to residency, and this guide is your key to navigating the initial steps. We’re cutting through the noise and focusing exclusively on securing your temporary residency. This post is laser-focused on the documents you need to gather, the costs involved, the timeline, and exactly where to submit everything in Asunción. To navigate this process independently, a good working knowledge of Spanish is recommended. If you have any doubts about your Spanish proficiency, consider seeking assistance from a translator (even a WhatsApp translator for quick help), or hiring a lawyer or fixer to guide you. Let’s dive in and get you one step closer to your Paraguayan adventure!

Important Note: Immigration laws and procedures can change. While this guide is comprehensive, be aware that official requirements may sometimes be interpreted differently or additional documents might be requested at the Migraciones office. It’s always wise to be prepared for slight variations and to double-check at the “Informes” desk at Migraciones upon arrival.

Step 1: Pre-Arrival Document Preparation – Your Essential Checklist

Before you even book your flight to Asunción, this is where the residency journey begins. Gathering and preparing your documents correctly is crucial to a smooth application process. Timing is key, especially regarding the police background check, which has a 6-month expiry. Ideally, obtain your police check last, just before gathering other documents for apostilling, or even after arriving in Paraguay if your country’s process allows. Plan to start this process so that you can apply for residency within your initial 90-day tourist period in Paraguay.

Documents Required:

• Valid Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in Paraguay. Make sure it’s in good condition.
• Original Birth Certificate: This is a non-negotiable document. You need the original long-form birth certificate issued by the vital records office in your birth country.
• Apostille: Crucially, this birth certificate must be apostilled in the country where it was issued. If your country is a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention, you’ll need to obtain an apostille. This authenticates the document for international use.
• Criminal Background Check: You’ll need a criminal record certificate from your country of current residence (covering at least the last 3 years is recommended). Important: This document is typically valid for only 6 months from the date of issue. Plan accordingly.
• Apostille: Just like your birth certificate, this criminal record check also needs to be apostilled in the issuing country.
• Marriage/Divorce Certificates (If Applicable): If you are married, divorced, or widowed, you will need the relevant original certificate(s). It is recommended to obtain two original copies of your marriage certificate to be on the safe side, especially if both spouses are applying.
• Apostille: These certificates also require apostilles from the issuing country.

Document Preparation Process:

1. Obtain Originals: Request original copies of your birth certificate, criminal record check, and any applicable marriage/divorce certificates.
2. Apostille: Get each original document apostilled in the country of origin. Research the specific apostille authority in your country.

Pro-Tip: Bring a firm, rigid folder (legal size) to Paraguay to keep your important documents organized and protected throughout the application process.

Now it’s time to travel to Paraguay!

Step 2: Entry into Paraguay and Initial Actions

Location:

• Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (ASU), Asunción: Your point of entry into Paraguay.
  • Address: Av. Aviadores del Chaco y Autopista Silvio Pettirossi, Luque
  • Website: https://www.dinac.gov.py/aeropuerto-silvio-pettirossi/

Requirements:

• Entry Stamp: Citizens of many countries (including USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and EU nations) can enter Paraguay as tourists visa-free for up to 90 days. Ensure you receive an entry stamp in your passport upon arrival at the airport. If you require a visa, obtain it from a Paraguayan embassy or consulate before traveling.
  • Note for those requiring a visa: If you choose to obtain a tourist visa beforehand, be aware that the visa fee might need to be paid in US Dollars, and the bills must be in pristine, brand-new condition. For those entering visa-free, a status change for residency can be initiated at the Migration Department.

Process in Paraguay:

1. Airport Entry Stamp: Upon arrival at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, proceed through immigration and ensure you receive an entry stamp in your passport as a tourist (or present your visa if required).

Transportation Tip: For convenient travel around Asunción, consider using ride-sharing services like Bolt or Uber. This can simplify navigating the city and reaching government offices without the need to worry about parking.

Time Required for Step 2: This step is completed upon arrival at the airport.

Estimated Costs for Step 2:

• Visa (if applicable): If you require a tourist visa, costs can vary. USD might be required for visa fees, and bills must be in perfect condition. Visa-free entry is free.
• Transportation: Using Bolt/Uber from the airport to Centro or Villa Morra areas should be reasonably priced. Prices vary but shouldn’t be more than Gs.100,000, roughly $13 USD.

Step 3: Document Submission Process – Assembling Your Residency Application

This is where the core of your temporary residency application takes place. You’ll be visiting several key government offices in Asunción. It is highly recommended to verify all government fees and potential auxiliary costs at the “Informes” desk at Migraciones when you first visit to ensure you have the correct amount in Paraguayan Guaranies (Gs) and are aware of any potential additional charges.

Key Locations in Asunción:

• Notary Public Office (Escribania): You’ll need to visit a Notary Public in Asunción for document authentication.
  • Finding a Notary: Notary Public offices (“Escribanías”) are common in Asunción. You can find them by searching online for “Escribanía en Asunción” on Google Maps or using the directory of the Paraguayan Association of Notaries: https://www.cep.org.py. Ask your accommodation or local contacts for recommendations.
  • If you’re looking for convenience:

• Escribania Vicente Gadea is across the street from Migraciones:
  • Address: Caballero 204, Asunción
  • Phone +595 21 449 152

• Escribanía Guido Flor is across the street from the national police building:
  • Address: Av. Dr. Guido Boggiani 6411, Asunción
  • Phone: +595 981 934 562

• Certified Translator (Traductor Público Jurado):
  • Finding a Translator: The Paraguayan Supreme Court of Justice maintains a list of certified translators (Traductores Públicos Jurados). You can request this list from the Supreme Court or search online directory: https://datos.csj.gov.py/pjopendata/data/traductores. Look for “Traductores Públicos Jurados Asunción” or consult with your lawyer/agent for recommendations. Costs for translators can vary, so it’s advisable to get quotes from a couple of translators.

• Interpol Office (Oficina Central Nacional de Interpol):
  • Address: Cnel. Gracia Nº 468, Asunción
  • Phone: +595 21 446 873
  • Note: Contact information may be limited. It’s best to visit in person during business hours. You will find copy services and photo studios located just across the street from the Interpol office.

• Police IT Department (Departamento de Informática de la Policía Nacional):
  • Address: Avda. Mcal. López 1451, Asunción
  • Phone: +595 21 422 700 (General Police HQ number, you may need to ask for the IT department extension)
  • Website: https://www.policia.gov.py/ (Official Police Website – Spanish)
  • Note: Contact information may be limited. In-person visits are usually required.

• Migration Department (Dirección Nacional de Migraciones):
  • Address: Caballero 201, Asunción
  • Phone: +595 21 419 3000
  • Website: https://www.migraciones.gov.py (Official Migration Department Website – Spanish)

Roadmap and Requirements:

1. Spanish Translations:
   • Location: Certified Translator (Traductor Público Jurado) offices in Asunción.
   • Procedure: Take your apostilled original documents to a certified translator in Paraguay to have them translated into Spanish. Even your passport photo page may require translation if it does not contain Spanish language descriptions.
   • Estimated Cost: Approximately $60 USD equivalent in Guaranies (costs vary by translator and document length). For a large set of documents, it could reach $375 USD equivalent in Guaranies.
   • Time Required: Allow 1-3 business days for translations, depending on the translator’s workload and the number of pages.
2. Photos:
   • For the entire process you will need to six (6) passport-sized photos measuring 3×4 cm (30×40 mm). These photos should be recent and meet the following requirements:
     • Taken within the last six months
     • Show a clear view of your face
     • Have a neutral facial expression
     • Look directly at the camera
     • Have a plain white background with no shadows
   • You can take the picture yourself to ensure it looks just right and have it printed at the correct size, or you can have them taken and printed at a photo studio, including one conveniently located just across from Interpol.
3. Making Copies and Notary Public Authentication:
   • Location: Notary Public Office (“Escribanía”) in Asunción.
   • Procedure: You will need to make photocopies of your passport photo page. Then, visit a Notary Public to get a copy of your passport authenticated. This is a standard procedure in Paraguay. You will likely need to show your original passport, and they will authenticate a photocopy.
4. Interpol Certificate:
   • Location: Interpol Office (Cnel. Gracia Nº 468, Asunción)
   • Procedure: Visit the Interpol office to obtain an international background check. You will need to provide fingerprints (be prepared for traditional ink fingerprints).
   • Documents Required:
     • Authenticated copy of your passport (obtained from the Notary Public in sub-step 3).
     • Passport-sized photos (3×4 cm or 30×40 mm). See photo requirements from sub-step 2.
   • Estimated Cost: Approximately $12 USD equivalent in Guaranies.
   • Time Required: 1-2 days, potentially longer depending on processing volume, to obtain the Interpol certificate.
5. Police IT Department Clearance (Cybercrime Clearance Certificate):
   • Location: Police IT Department (Avda. Mcal. López 1451, Asunción)
   • Procedure: Obtain a cybercrime clearance certificate from the Police IT Department. This process is typically completed quickly, often on the same day.
   • Estimated Cost: Approximately $20 USD equivalent in Guaranies.
   • Time Required: Typically completed within the same day, often quite quickly.
6. Authenticated Copies of Translations, Interpol & IT Certificates:
   • Location: Notary Public Office (“Escribanía”) in Asunción.
   • Procedure: After obtaining your Spanish translations, Interpol certificate, and Police IT certificate, you will need to get authenticated copies of these documents as well. You can return to a Notary Public (“Escribanía”) for this.
7. Migration Department – Application Submission:
   • Location: Migration Department (Caballero 201, Asunción)
   • Procedure: Arrive at the Migraciones office before or shortly after their opening time of 7:00 am to minimize waiting times. When you enter, take a number from the kiosk. Initially, you might select “Informes” for general inquiries. When ready to submit, choose an option like “Registro” or “Residencia.” If unsure, ask staff for guidance. This is the final and most important location for submitting your temporary residency application.
   • Documents to Submit (Your Complete Application Package):
     • Original apostilled documents (birth certificate, criminal record check, marriage/divorce/death certificates if applicable).
     • Two (2) authenticated copies of each apostilled document.
     • Spanish translations of all foreign documents (certified by a Paraguayan Traductor Público Jurado).
     • Two (2) authenticated copies of each Spanish translation.
     • Original Interpol certificate (obtained in sub-step 4).
     • Two (2) authenticated copies of the Interpol certificate.
     • Original Police IT Department clearance certificate (obtained in sub-step 5).
     • Two (2) authenticated copies of the Police IT Department clearance certificate.
     • Two (2) Sworn Declarations (usually provided by the Migration Department or your lawyer/agent, if using one):
       • Declaration of Profession (stating your profession/occupation).
       • Declaration of Constitutional Compliance (affirming you will abide by Paraguayan laws).
     • Passport.
   • On-site Procedures at Migration Department:
     • Digital photo capture.
     • Payment of government processing fees (in Guaranies).

Total Submission Costs for Step 3:

• Government Fee: Approximately $350 USD equivalent in Guaranies. Verify the exact current fee at the “Informes” desk at Migraciones.
• Auxiliary Document Costs: Around $122 USD equivalent in Guaranies.
• Interpol & Police IT: Approximately $32 USD equivalent in Guaranies (combined).
• Translations (estimated range): $60-$375 USD equivalent in Guaranies.
• Notary Public Authentication: Costs vary, budget around $50-100 USD equivalent in Guaranies for all authentications.
• Total Estimated Cost for Step 3: Roughly $564-$879 USD (including translation range, all costs estimated in USD equivalent but paid in Guaranies).

Time Required for Step 3: Allow 4-7 business days to complete all sub-steps and submit your application at the Migration Department. This includes time for travel between offices, potential waiting times, translation time, and completing the application process.

Step 4: Processing and Approval – The Waiting Game

Once you’ve submitted your application, it’s time to wait for the Migration Department to process it.

Location: Migration Department (Dirección General de Migraciones), Caballero 201, Asunción: Processing is handled here. You may be able to track your application online (check the Migration Department website for online portal access if available).

Requirements During Processing:

• Valid Tourist Status: You must maintain valid tourist status in Paraguay while your application is being processed. Keep track of your 90-day visa-free period (if applicable) or visa validity.
• Address Registration: You will likely need to register an address in Paraguay with the Migration Department as part of your application.

Processing Time:

• Standard Processing: Expect a standard processing time of 60-100 days. Immigration processes can be bureaucratic, so patience is key.

Contingency Plan for Tourist Status Expiration:

• Precarious Residency Certificate: If your tourist visa or visa-free period is about to expire before your temporary residency is approved, you can apply for a Precarious Residency Certificate. This allows you to legally remain in Paraguay while your application is being processed. This certificate typically costs around $75 USD equivalent in Guaranies for 90 days. It’s best to avoid needing this if possible, by planning your timeline carefully.

Step 5: Residency Card Collection (Temporary Residency Permit)

Congratulations! Once your temporary residency is approved, you’ll be notified to collect your residency card.

Location:

• Migration Department (Dirección General de Migraciones), Asunción: Residency cards are collected from the same Migration Department where you submitted your application.
  • Address: Avda. Mariscal López esq. J. Eulogio Estigarribia, Asunción (Note: address might be listed as Avda. Mcal. López y J. Salazar in some older sources, verify current address)
  • Phone: +595 21 419 3000
  • Website: https://www.migraciones.gov.py/ (Official Migration Department Website – Spanish)

Process:

1. Receive Approval Notification: The Migration Department will notify you of your temporary residency approval. This may be via email, phone, or through your lawyer/agent if you used one. This notification will likely also instruct you on when and how to collect your card.
2. Visit Migration Department: Return to the Migration Department at the specified address, usually on a weekday during business hours, as indicated in your approval notification.
3. Present Approval Notification and Documents: Bring your approval notification and your passport. You may need to show other identifying documents as well, so have your application documents readily accessible.
4. Provide Digital Signature (Potentially): You may be asked to provide a digital signature as part of the card collection process.
5. Collect Physical Residency Card: Finally, you will receive your physical temporary residency card! This card is proof of your temporary residency status in Paraguay.

Time Required for Step 5: Collecting your card typically takes one visit to the Migration Department, but allow 1-2 business days for the process, including travel to the office and potential waiting time.

Costs for Step 5: There are generally no additional fees at this stage for collecting your temporary residency card.

Cost Summary for Temporary Residency (Self-Filed):

All costs are estimates in USD equivalent but are paid in Paraguayan Guaranies (Gs).

Timeline Summary:

• Total Duration: 2-3 months

Next Steps: Apply for your Paraguayan Cédula (National Identity Card).

Important Considerations for Digital Nomads:

• Asunción-Centric Process: All procedures for temporary residency application submission and collection are currently centered in Greater Asunción. Plan your accommodation and stay accordingly.
• Business Hours: Government offices typically operate from 07:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday. Weekends and public holidays will extend timelines. To minimize waiting times, especially at Migraciones, aim to arrive before opening time (7:00 am) or very shortly after.
• Flexibility is Key: Immigration processes can be unpredictable. Be prepared for potential delays and have some flexibility in your travel plans.
• Language Barrier: While Spanish translations are required for documents, navigating the process in Paraguay will be significantly easier if you have some basic Spanish language skills. Consider using translation tools or seeking assistance if your Spanish is limited.
• Transportation: Utilize ride-sharing services like Bolt or Uber for convenient and stress-free travel between offices in Asunción.

Disclaimer:

This information is for general guidance purposes only and is based on the most current information available. Immigration laws and procedures can change.
It is essential to verify the latest requirements and procedures directly with the Paraguayan Migration Department (Dirección General de Migraciones) or consult with a qualified Paraguayan immigration lawyer before starting your application. Official websites like www.migraciones.gov.py and www.suace.gov.py are your best sources for up-to-date information. Always double-check addresses and contact details from official sources before visiting.

Ready to Start Your Paraguayan Residency Journey?

Securing temporary residency in Paraguay is a significant step towards making this vibrant country your new home. By carefully preparing your documents and following this detailed guide, you can navigate the process with confidence and begin to enjoy the Paraguayan lifestyle!

Would you rather save time and have someone do this for you?

Although the process is laid out, sometimes it’s nice to just let someone else take care of it. We can provide that for you. We have two processes that you can choose from that gives you a choice for cost and speed.

If you would like to it all taken care of quickly, we can provide you with our Lightning Process that makes the most of your precious time in a streamlined process.

For those that plan to spend time in Paraguay and aren’t in a rush, we also offer the Standard Process that requires more in-person visits and involves longer wait times.

Whatever you choose, we’re here to help you along the way. Welcome to your sweet home Paraguay!