Paraguay Temporary Residence: A Comprehensive Guide 2024

Paraguay temporary residence grants you the right to live, work, and invest in the country for two years. It can be extended before it expires or converted into permanent residency after 21 months of temporary residency.

Recent Changes to Residency Laws

When researching residency in Paraguay, you may come across conflicting information. This is because the process has undergone significant changes following regulation N°6984/22 in 2022, which introduced new procedures for both temporary and permanent residency.

These changes have made temporary residency even more important. Temporary residency is now the easiest way to transition to permanent residency.

Required Documents for Paraguay Temporary Residence

The application process involves a variety of documents, some of which must be obtained in your home country, while others are only available once you're in Paraguay. It's highly recommended to seek professional assistance to manage this documentation efficiently, especially on the Paraguayan side.

Key Home Documents Needed:

Valid Passport from your home country (at least 6 months validity at the time of application).
Entry Visa (if applicable) – Some nationalities, such as those from most European and Latin American countries, Canada, and the United States, are visa-exempt.
Birth Certificate with Apostille – Issued and apostilled in the applicant's birth country. If apostille is not available because your country has not signed the Apostille Hague convention, the birth certificate must be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and stamped by a Paraguayan consulate.
Marriage, Divorce, or Death Certificates (if applicable) – Required if you are married, divorced, or widowed.
Criminal Background Certificates:
- Home Country: If you've lived in your home country for the past three years, the document must be from there with valid apostille.
- Other Countries: If you've resided in another country in the past three years, you must present a background check from that country, along with documents proving your residence there.
- Minors (under 14): No criminal background certificate is required.

Key Paraguay Documents Needed:

Interpol Criminal Background Certificate – This must be obtained in Paraguay.
Certificado de antecedentes para extranjeros – A background check for foreigners, requested from the IT Department of the Paraguayan National Police.
Certificado de vida y residencia – This document certifies your address in Paraguay. To obtain it, you need a utility bill and a sworn statement from two Paraguayan nationals. It must be issued by the closest police station to your residence.
Sworn Statements:
- Respect for the Constitution and Laws – A declaration that you will adhere to Paraguay's constitution and legal framework.
- Occupation – A declaration of your intended profession or work activity in Paraguay.

All documents must be submitted to the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones. After review, you'll receive a Residencia Precaria, a provisional 3-month residency permit. After about 90 days, you'll receive your Temporary Residency Card, allowing you to apply for the cédula (ID card).

Additional Requirements for Minors

For applicants under 18 years old, the following documents are required:

Parent or Guardian's ID – Originals plus physical presence of parents who are or are becoming Paraguayan residents.
Legal Authorization – If one or both parents are absent, a legal document authorizing the accompanying adult must be presented.

Language Requirements

All documents must be translated into Spanish, except those written in Portuguese from Brazil. Translations can be done in Paraguay by a registered public translator. It's generally more convenient to have your documents apostilled in your home country and then translated in Paraguay.

Apostille and Legalization Process

Documents must be apostilled if your country is part of the Hague Convention. For countries not part of the convention, the documents must be legalized at a Paraguayan consulate. Here is the list of Apostille Hague convention countries.

Steps to Obtain Paraguay Temporary Residence

Here's a breakdown of the steps required to obtain temporary residency in Paraguay.

Before Arrival:

Gather the necessary documents, including passport, birth certificate, marriage or divorce certificates (if applicable), and criminal background check.
Ensure documents are apostilled or legalized if necessary.

Documents can be sent in advance for translation to speed up the process upon arrival. It is good to have your documents checked prior to arrival to know that everything is correct and valid.

After Arrival:

Visit the IT Department of the National Police for a background check.
Go to the Interpol Office for fingerprinting and document verification.
Apply for the Certificado de vida y residencia at the local police station (with utility bills and witnesses).
Obtain stamps on the background check and residency certificate.
Submit sworn declarations for your intended profession and adherence to Paraguayan laws.
Submit all documents to the Migration Department to receive your temporary residency.

After Receiving the Paraguay Temporary Residence Card

Once you've received your temporary residency card, you're entitled to live in Paraguay for two years. However, the process isn't complete until you apply for your ID card (cédula). This must be done within 180 days of receiving temporary residency and we can help with this step too, to ensure the process is as simple as possible for you.

Costs of Paraguay Temporary Residence

If professional assistance is used, costs can range from $2,000 to $7,000, depending on the level of service, the approach, the time spent with the client, who provides and executes the service, such as a licensed attorney or "fixer", etc. Comprehensive packages usually cover all expenses and fees, but it is good practice to double check what is provided in the package and how it is being set up, structured, and delivered.

It is important to get information about how many trips are required to Paraguay to finalize the whole process of temporary residence.

Generally speaking, the cheaper packages are usually provided by "fixer-uppers," while mid to high-priced packages are usually provided by licensed attorneys. Always double check who and how (in detail) is delivering the service because there are huge differences in what might or might not be included.

Timeframe for Obtaining Paraguay Temporary Residence

The process to obtain residency in Paraguay on your own can take approximately 9-12 months, depending on how efficiently it is managed. Professional assistance can significantly reduce the time required, trips and involvement in the process. Clients are able to complete the application process within 5 hours and receive their documents in a 2-month time window.

Ready to simplify your Paraguay residency journey? Explore our services today and discover how we can handle everything with just a single trip to Paraguay.