Obtaining Residency in Paraguay

Paraguay is one of the friendliest countries for foreigners wishing to obtain residency. With transparent procedures, low living costs, and a flexible approach to foreigners, this country is attracting more and more people looking for stability, freedom, and new opportunities.

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What Does Paraguayan Residency Offer?

• Legal residence and right to work
• Ability to conduct business activities
• Access to local banking services
• No requirement to reside permanently in Paraguay – residency can be maintained even while living abroad

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Process Stages

1. First Visit – Apply for Temporary Residency
   • After submitting a complete set of documents, the residency procedure begins
   • Temporary residency is granted for 2 years
   • After this time, it can be converted into permanent residency – valid for life
2. Second Visit – Application for Cédula (Paraguayan ID)
   • After obtaining residency, it is possible to apply for the Paraguayan ID document – cédula
   • This document is required for many administrative and everyday matters in Paraguay

📌 Note: If you plan to stay in Paraguay for less than 2 months, the residency process will require two separate visits. In the case of a longer stay – over 2 months – it is possible to apply for both residency and ID (cédula) during one visit.

🕒 Expected duration of the entire process: 2 to 7 months

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Required Documents

To start the residency process, you will need:

• Birth certificate
• Certificate of no criminal record from your country of origin
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)

📄 All documents must be apostilled and translated into Spanish by a local sworn translator in Paraguay.

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How Can We Help?

We provide comprehensive support for the entire residency process – from formalities in Poland to procedures in Asunción.

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What Does It Look Like Step by Step?

• Document preparation before arrival: you send us a scan of the certificate of no criminal record and birth certificate (with apostille). We take care of their translation by a local sworn translator. It is important to bring the originals with you, as they will be needed in the process.
• On your first trip to Asunción, you need to book a minimum of 3 days of stay to complete all necessary administrative procedures. In practice, you will spend a maximum of 2 hours at the office.
• Assistance in preparing documents in Poland: If you have difficulty obtaining documents – contact us, and we will send you detailed instructions on how and where to obtain them.

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FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to live permanently in Paraguay to maintain my residency?

No, there is no such obligation. For temporary residency, the regulations only require the applicant to visit Paraguay at least once before applying for permanent residency.

However, from our experience, this is not strictly enforced.

For safety and to maintain resident status, we recommend visiting Paraguay at least once every two years after obtaining temporary residency.

The process of applying for permanent residency can begin three months before the expiration of temporary residency. After obtaining permanent residency, you only need to visit Paraguay once every 3 years to maintain it.

Can I come with my family?

Yes. The spouse and children can also obtain residency – we prepare individual applications for each.

Do I need to know Spanish?

It is not required, but basic knowledge may ease daily life. We provide language support on site.

Can I work for a salary or run a business in Paraguay?

Yes, holding residency entitles you to both legal employment and to establish and run your own business.

With a Paraguayan ID card (cédula), you have the full right to be a shareholder as well as a director in local capital companies. It’s worth noting that without a cédula, this is not possible – having it is key to actively participating in the economic life of Paraguay.

Can I obtain residency without traveling to Paraguay?

Unfortunately not – personal presence in Paraguay is mandatory. The process of obtaining temporary residency usually requires two visits if your stay in the country is to last less than two months.

The procedure consists of two stages:

1. First stage – submitting an application for residency and starting the administrative process.

2. Second stage – can begin at the earliest about 45 days later, after the residency has been officially approved. At this stage, an application for a Paraguayan ID card (cédula) is submitted, which is necessary to fully enjoy the rights of a resident.

If you plan a longer stay in Paraguay, it is possible to carry out both stages – the application for residency and the cédula – during one visit.

We strongly discourage using the services of companies offering to file both applications simultaneously in one day upon arrival (for residency and cédula) without prior official decision.

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Reviews from Our Clients

Marta, 36 – freelancer from Warsaw

“The process was surprisingly smooth. The team helped me from start to finish – even with documents in Poland. Paraguay is a new opening for me.”

Andrzej and Katarzyna – couple from Krakow

“Very professional service and concrete assistance on site. We didn’t know Spanish, but everything went smoothly. I recommend it to anyone looking for a Plan B.”

Tomasz, 42 – entrepreneur from Gdańsk

“I obtained residency in a few months. Support was provided at every step – I felt confident and safe. Thank you!”