Paraguay permanent residency is one of the most accessible long-term statuses in South America. Most foreigners reach it in two steps: a temporary residence of up to two years, then a change to permanent status. Investors can skip the first step and apply for permanent residency directly.
That investor shortcut changed in 2026. In April, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce replaced its earlier rules with Resolution 283, which sets four investment types with separate minimums, from US$70,000 for a job-creating business to US$200,000 for real estate or financial investments. The permanent resident card itself is valid for 10 years at a time.
This guide covers both routes, the documents and fees as of October 2026, and what permanent residency does and does not give you. It also explains why a residence card is not the same thing as tax residency.
Key takeaways
- Under Migration Law 6984 of 2022, the standard path is temporary residence for up to two years, followed by permanent residence.
- Foreign investors with a Foreign Investor Certificate (CIE) from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce can apply for permanent residence without the temporary stage.
- Since April 2026 the investor minimums are US$70,000 (productive business with at least five formal jobs), US$150,000 (tourism), and US$200,000 (real estate or financial instruments).
- The government fee for permanent residence is Gs. 2,926,925 in cash as of July 2026, and the card must be renewed every 10 years.
- A residence card does not make you a Paraguayan tax resident. Naturalization is possible after three years of residence under the Constitution, subject to further conditions.
How permanent residency works in Paraguay
Paraguay's immigration framework is Law 6984 of 2022, administered by the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones (DNM). The law recognizes several residence categories. For most newcomers, the relevant ones are temporary residence and permanent residence.
The DNM describes temporary residence as a prerequisite for permanent residence in the general case. Article 46 of the law creates the main exception: foreigners who can prove that they have made investments in Paraguay under the SUACE business system can obtain permanent residence directly. Family members of Paraguayan citizens and some Mercosur nationals also have their own permanent residence categories.
In practice, this gives two main paths for people without family ties to Paraguay:
| Route | First status | Investment needed | When permanent residence is possible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard route | Temporary residence, up to 2 years | None | After the temporary stage, through a change of category |
| Investor route (CIE) | Permanent residence | US$70,000 to US$200,000, by type | From the first application |
The standard route: temporary residence first
Temporary residence lasts up to two years and can be renewed for the same period. While the application is pending, the applicant holds a provisional ('precario') status that, according to the DNM, allows them to leave and re-enter the country, study and work. The Paraguayan identity card (cédula) is issued with the same validity as the residence.
The general document list is short by international standards. Applicants present a valid passport or national ID, proof of legal entry, a birth certificate, a marital status document if relevant, criminal record certificates, an INTERPOL certificate and a police certificate for foreigners. The DNM also generates sworn declarations during filing, for example on respect for the Constitution and on the applicant's address and activity in Paraguay.
The temporary route suits people who plan to spend real time in Paraguay and do not want to commit capital. The trade-off is time: the change to permanent status comes later, and two separate filings mean two sets of fees.
The investor route: permanent residency without the temporary stage
The investor route runs through two agencies. First, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC), through SUACE, issues a Foreign Investor Certificate (Constancia de Inversionista Extranjero, or CIE). Then the DNM uses that certificate to grant permanent residence.
The rules for the certificate are in MIC Resolution 283 of 21 April 2026, which replaced Resolution 1052 of 2025. Local press, including ABC Color, described the relaunch as an 'Investor Pass'. The resolution sets four investment types:
| Investment type | Minimum (US$ or guaraní equivalent) | Business plan | Jobs or holding conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Productive investment (industry, commerce, services) | 70,000 | Yes | At least 5 formal jobs; progress reports every six months |
| Tourism investment | 150,000 | Yes | Plan-based; progress reports every six months |
| Real estate investment | 200,000 | No | No job requirement; excludes property for purely personal or family use |
| Financial instruments | 200,000 | No | Held for at least 2 years; annual reporting |
What counts as an investment
For productive and tourism projects, the resolution counts spending on property, machinery and equipment, tools, technology, furniture, and works or installations tied to the activity. It does not count rent, salaries, utilities or routine administrative costs. Where several investors share one project, each applicant must meet the minimum individually.
For real estate, the applicant can prove the investment with a registered deed or a private sale contract with notarized signatures. Under a private contract, the amount already paid must be at least 30% of the declared total. The real estate type does not cover a home bought only for the investor's own use.
For financial instruments, the certificate of investment must come from an entity authorized by Paraguay's securities regulator, which sits within the Central Bank, and must show a term of at least two years.
Source of funds and checks
Every CIE applicant signs a sworn declaration on the origin of the funds and commits to follow anti-money-laundering rules set by SEPRELAD, Paraguay's financial intelligence unit. Applicants also show solvency, for example with three months of bank statements or proof of investment securities. The resolution gives the MIC no more than five business days to issue the certificate once the file is complete, with the clock paused while it waits for missing documents. Our guide to source of funds for investment migration explains what these checks usually involve.
Documents and government fees
Once the CIE is issued, the DNM file for investor permanent residence includes the certificate and the same core personal documents as other routes: identity document, consular visa if required, proof of entry, birth certificate, marital status document, criminal record and INTERPOL certificates, and the police certificate for foreigners. Foreign documents need an apostille or consular legalization and a Spanish translation by an authorized translator. Portuguese-language documents from Brazil are exempt from translation.
The DNM sets fees in daily wage units (jornales). From 1 July 2026 one unit is Gs. 117,077, which gives these cash amounts, according to the DNM fee schedule:
| Procedure | Units | Cash fee (Gs.) |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary residence (Law 6984) | 25 | 2,926,925 |
| Permanent residence, including change of category | 25 | 2,926,925 |
| Renewal of the permanent resident card | 4 | 468,308 |
| Replacement of a resident card | 5 | 585,385 |
| Certificate of residence (radicación) | — | 234,154 |
Card payments carry a provider surcharge. These amounts cover the government side only. Translations, apostilles, notary copies and professional fees are extra and vary widely.
Step-by-step: how the investor route usually runs
- Make the investment, or sign a binding commitment for it, and gather proof in the form the resolution requires.
- Apply online to the MIC for the Foreign Investor Certificate, with personal documents, the source-of-funds declaration and, where needed, a business plan.
- Enter Paraguay legally, since the DNM requires proof of entry and the process is in person.
- File the permanent residence application at the DNM with the CIE and the personal documents.
- After approval, apply for the Paraguayan cédula with the National Police.
- Keep meeting the reporting duties that apply to your investment type.
The DNM states that accepting a file does not guarantee approval and that it can ask for extra documents case by case. Times vary with the workload and the quality of the file.
Keeping permanent residency
According to the DNM, permanent residence is indefinite, but the resident card must be renewed every 10 years. The renewal needs a valid identity document and a copy of the expired card, and costs Gs. 468,308 in cash.
Investors should also note the ongoing duties in Resolution 283. Productive and tourism investors report on their business plan every six months, and financial investors report annually and keep the investment for at least two years. The MIC can verify projects against the plan. How these duties interact with residence status over time is a question many applicants take to a local lawyer.
Residency is not tax residency
A Paraguayan resident card does not, by itself, make you tax resident in Paraguay or end your tax residency anywhere else. Tax residency follows Paraguay's tax law and the rules of every other country where you have ties. Our article on why Paraguay offers residency, not tax residency explains the difference, and the Nomad Layer Paraguay page gives a short overview.
Paraguay is often discussed for its low, mainly territorial tax system. Whether that matters for you depends on where you actually live, where your income comes from and the departure rules of your current country.
From permanent residency to citizenship
Article 148 of Paraguay's Constitution allows naturalization for adults with at least three years of residence in the country who practice a profession, trade or other activity there and show good conduct. In practice the process runs through the courts and involves more than a count of years. Our guide to who qualifies for Paraguay citizenship covers the details, and our overview of golden visas in Latin America compares Paraguay with its neighbors.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to get permanent residency in Paraguay?
On the standard route there is no investment requirement. The government fee for permanent residence is Gs. 2,926,925 in cash as of July 2026, plus separate fees for temporary residence, documents, translations and any professional help. On the investor route, the minimum investment is US$70,000, US$150,000 or US$200,000, depending on the type.
Can I get Paraguay permanent residency without living there first?
Yes, if you qualify as an investor with a Foreign Investor Certificate. Article 46 of Law 6984 exempts these investors from the temporary residence stage. You still need to enter Paraguay and attend the DNM in person to file.
Does buying a house in Paraguay qualify for permanent residency?
Only under the real estate investment type, which requires at least US$200,000 and excludes purchases for exclusively personal or family use. A modest home for your own use does not count.
How long is the Paraguayan permanent resident card valid?
The status is indefinite, but the card must be renewed every 10 years. The cash renewal fee is Gs. 468,308 as of July 2026.
Does Paraguay permanent residency make me a tax resident?
No. Immigration status and tax residency are separate questions. Tax residency depends on Paraguayan tax law and on the rules of any other country where you have ties.
Important: This article is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Rules change often and depend on your personal circumstances. Speak with a qualified professional in each relevant country before you act.