Paraguay residency, by investment.

Why Paraguay? The Strategic Case for Residency

Paraguay is not where most people think of first. That’s precisely the point.

While the rest of Latin America tightens its immigration requirements, Paraguay is actively opening its doors to foreign investment. The government processed over 47,000 new residency applications in 2025 — up from 28,000 in 2024 — and is projecting over 80,000 in 2026. This is not a country waiting to be discovered. It is a country that has decided to compete.

For international investors, Paraguay offers a rare combination of advantages that are increasingly difficult to find elsewhere:

Territorial taxation. Only income generated within Paraguay is taxed. Foreign-sourced income — including remote employment, offshore investments, dividends, and pension income — is taxed at 0%. There is no wealth tax. There is no inheritance tax.

Fast pathway to citizenship. Permanent residents can apply for Paraguayan citizenship after just 3 years. The Paraguayan passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 140+ countries, including the entire European Union, the UK, Japan, Canada, and Australia. Paraguay also qualifies for the US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa.

Mercosur access. Paraguayan residents have freedom of movement across Mercosur member states — Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Bolivia — subject to individual country rules and bilateral agreements.

No minimum stay requirement for residency. Under the new Investor Pass, residents need only enter Paraguay once every 3 years to maintain their status.

Low cost of living. Couples live comfortably on $1,500–$2,000 per month. Private health insurance runs $50–$100 monthly. A good meal out costs $5–$15.

Legal framework. Paraguay’s immigration system is governed by Law 6984/22 on Migration, which establishes clear rules for temporary and permanent residency, investment exceptions, and the path to citizenship.

(Read also: Territorial Taxation: 10 Countries with No Income Tax on Foreign Income)

Paraguay Residency Pathways at a Glance

Paraguay offers three distinct residency pathways. The right choice depends on your investment profile, timeline, and whether you need immediate permanent status.

Temporary Residency Program (Independent Means)

Paraguay’s temporary residency program is the most accessible entry point. It requires no investment — only proof that you can support yourself financially in the country.

Under Law 6984/22, all standard applicants must first hold temporary residency for 2 years before converting to permanent residency. This is the default route unless you qualify for the SUACE or Investor Pass exceptions.

Requirements:

A valid passport, an apostilled and translated birth certificate, a clean criminal record from your home country (and any country where you’ve resided for the past 3 years), a medical certificate, proof of income or economic solvency (bank statements or equivalent), and passport-sized photographs. All foreign documents must be apostilled under the Hague Convention and officially translated into Spanish by a certified translator in Paraguay.

Key Details:

Temporary residency is granted for 2 years and is renewable. After completing the temporary period, you become eligible to apply for permanent residency. There is no strict minimum stay requirement during the temporary phase, but you should not be continuously absent for more than 12 months. Upon approval, you receive a provisional card allowing legal stay while the process completes. You can work, open bank accounts, and sign contracts with temporary residency.

Processing Timeline: 60 to 90 days from submission, though government processing times can vary. Lincoln Global Partners manages the entire process to minimise delays.

(Read also: Paraguay Residency)

Paraguay SUACE Permanent Residency by Investment

For investors who want to skip the 2-year temporary phase entirely, Paraguay offers two direct routes to permanent residency. Both grant immediate permanent status with no interim waiting period.

The SUACE Program for Entrepeneurs ($70,000)

The SUACE (Sistema Unificado de Apertura y Cierre de Empresas) program has been the primary fast-track investment pathway since 2013. It remains the most affordable route to immediate permanent residency in Paraguay.

How It Works:

SUACE is a one-stop-shop for business registration and investor residency. Through a single institutional process, you register a company, obtain an Investor Certificate (Constancia de Inversionista) from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC), and apply for permanent residency simultaneously.

Investment Requirements:

A minimum commitment of USD 70,000, deployed into a Paraguayan company over a 10-year period (approximately $7,000 per year). The full amount does not need to be transferred upfront. Instead, you present a business plan detailing how the capital will be allocated over the investment period. The investment must be real and traceable through banking records — bank statements are required in the residency application file.

Company Formation:

You must establish a Paraguayan company (typically an SRL, SA, or EAS entity) through the SUACE system. This includes articles of incorporation by a public notary (escribano público), registration with the Registro Público, obtaining a RUC (Paraguayan tax number), enrolment with the Caja Nacional de Jubilaciones, and opening a corporate bank account. A local authorised representative (apoderado) can manage this step by power of attorney.

Job Creation Requirement:

The SUACE program requires you to create at least 5 local jobs through your business. This is the key obligation that distinguishes SUACE from the newer Investor Pass. For many passive investors — particularly those purchasing real estate or securities — this requirement proved impractical. The Investor Pass was specifically designed to address this.

The Process:

1. Apply for the Constancia de Inversionista at the SUACE office (2–8 weeks)
2. Incorporate your Paraguayan company through SUACE (2–8 weeks)
3. Submit your permanent residency application to the Dirección General de Migraciones (DGM)
4. Complete Interpol background checks and standard administrative requirements
5. Receive your permanent residency card (valid for 10 years, renewable) and Cédula (national ID)

Processing Time: 90 days to 6 months for a complete, well-prepared application.

What You Get: Immediate permanent residency (no temporary phase), a 10-year residency card (renewable), a Paraguayan Cédula (national ID), the right to live, work, and operate a business, and eligibility to apply for citizenship after 3 years.

(Read also: Entrepreneur & Start-Up Visas)

Got the details. Here’s the subsection to slot in under the SUACE heading, after the main SUACE content and before the Investor Pass section:

Film & Creative Industry Investment ($40,000)

The SUACE framework also includes a lower-threshold option for investment in Paraguay’s audiovisual and creative sector. The Paraguayan National Institute for Audiovisual received a special derogation from the standard $70,000 minimum, allowing foreign investors to obtain immediate permanent residency through a $40,000 contribution to a qualifying Paraguayan film production.

Applicants must invest USD 40,000 into an approved Paraguayan film or creative production and demonstrate at least USD 80,000 in available bank funds. The investment is channelled through a registered production company and must meet the sector’s job creation and compliance requirements.

This route follows the same SUACE institutional pipeline — the applicant receives a Constancia de Inversionista from the MIC, and the case is processed through Migraciones in the standard manner. Processing time is approximately 2 months.

There are important distinctions from the standard SUACE route. Only the main applicant receives immediate permanent residency — family members receive 2-year temporary residency and follow the standard conversion pathway. The investment should also be understood realistically: this is a contribution to local film production, not a traditional investment with expected financial returns. Think of it as a cost of residency, not a capital allocation.

For applicants who want the fastest, lowest-cost path to permanent residency and are comfortable with the nature of the contribution, this is a legitimate and government-endorsed option within the SUACE system.

The Paraguay Investor Pass — NEW April 2026

On April 17, 2026, the Paraguayan Government launched the Paraguay Investor Pass — a new direct pathway to permanent residency through investment, with no requirement to hold temporary residency first and no obligation to create local employment.

The program was announced by the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Marco Riquelme, and the Director of National Migration, Jorge Kronawetter, at an official event in São Paulo, Brazil. It was designed in direct response to investor feedback: many foreign nationals were comfortable with capital commitments but found the SUACE program’s 5-employee requirement impractical — particularly those purchasing real estate that did not generate direct employment.

Three Investment Tracks:

Tourism Projects — USD 150,000 minimum. Invest in approved tourism ventures in Paraguay. This is the lowest-threshold option, reflecting the government’s strategic priority to develop the tourism sector.

Real Estate — USD 200,000 minimum. Invest in Paraguayan property — houses, apartments, offices, or land. This is expected to be the most popular track for international investors.

Stock Exchange / Securities — USD 200,000 minimum. Invest in the Paraguayan bolsa de valores (stock exchange). This injects liquidity into Paraguayan capital markets and supports local industry financing.

Investment types can be combined to meet the threshold.

Presence Requirements:

The Investor Pass allows holders to maintain their residency with minimal physical presence — entering Paraguay just once every 3 years, over a 10-year period. This is one of the most flexible presence requirements of any residency-by-investment program globally.

Tax Benefits:

Investor Pass holders receive the same fiscal benefits as any Paraguayan resident, including a reduction in the dividend and utilities tax (IDU) from 15% to 8%. This is in addition to Paraguay’s territorial tax system, which means foreign-sourced income remains untaxed at 0%.

How the Process Works:

While the Investor Pass eliminates the temporary residency phase, it is not instantaneous. Applicants must still present full documentation, pass Interpol background checks, and complete standard administrative requirements through the SUACE and Migraciones pipeline before receiving final approval. The application is submitted at the SUACE office, which then remits the case to Migraciones for final processing.

Why This Matters:

The Investor Pass represents a significant shift in Paraguay’s immigration strategy. In 2025, Paraguay processed 47,000 new residency applications, approximately 30,000 of which came from Brazilian nationals. The government is projecting over 100,000 new residents in 2026 — and the Investor Pass is designed to attract a higher tier of investor capital into tourism, real estate, and securities.

For international investors — particularly those already looking at Paraguay’s territorial tax system and Mercosur positioning — the Investor Pass creates a cleaner, faster entry point with no operational burden.

The existing SUACE program ($70,000 with a 5-employee commitment) remains available alongside the Investor Pass.

SUACE vs. Investor Pass: Which Route?

Both programs grant immediate permanent residency. The right choice depends on your investment style and whether you want to operate a business in Paraguay.

Choose SUACE if you plan to actually run a business in Paraguay — whether that’s agriculture, commerce, consulting, or services. The lower investment threshold ($70K vs. $150K–$200K) makes it the more affordable option, and the business itself can generate returns.

Choose the Investor Pass if you want residency as a strategic asset without operational obligations. You invest in property, securities, or tourism, maintain minimal presence, and hold your status for the long term.

Lincoln Global Partners will help you determine which route fits your broader Plan B strategy — and whether Paraguay should sit alongside European golden visas, Caribbean citizenship, or other Southern Cone residencies.

Paraguay’s Territorial Tax System

Paraguay’s tax system is the primary reason most international clients pursue residency here.

Territorial taxation means you pay tax only on income generated within Paraguay. All foreign-sourced income — including remote employment, offshore business profits, dividends, capital gains, rental income, and pension payments — is taxed at 0%.

Here is what the tax structure looks like for a Paraguayan resident:

• 0% on foreign-sourced income (any type)
• 0% wealth tax (no wealth tax exists)
• 0% inheritance tax (no inheritance tax exists)
• 0% capital gains on foreign assets
• 8% dividend and utilities tax (IDU) — reduced from 15% for Investor Pass holders
• 10% personal income tax on Paraguay-sourced income only (IRP)

For retirees living on foreign pensions, this creates a nearly tax-free lifestyle. For remote workers and international business operators, it means keeping more of your income than in virtually any developed country. For investors with international portfolios, Paraguay does not tax your gains.

Important note on tax residency: While Paraguay does not impose a strict 183-day physical presence requirement for tax residency, you should carefully manage your presence across jurisdictions. Spending more than 183 days in another country may trigger tax obligations there. Additionally, maintaining an active RUC (tax ID) with regular filings — even nil filings — helps establish your Paraguayan tax residency paper trail.

Paraguay’s territorial tax system makes it one of the most favourable jurisdictions in the world for internationally mobile individuals. When combined with no exchange controls and no restrictions on capital repatriation, it provides a level of financial flexibility that few countries can match.

(Read also: Territorial Taxation: 10 Countries with No Income Tax on Foreign Income)

The Path to Paraguayan Citizenship

Many clients pursue Paraguay residency with a longer-term objective: a Paraguayan passport.

Under Article 146 of the Paraguayan National Constitution, foreign permanent residents can apply for citizenship by naturalisation after 3 years. This is one of the fastest naturalisation timelines in Latin America — only Argentina offers a comparable pathway.

Citizenship Requirements:

To qualify for Paraguayan citizenship by naturalisation, you must:

1. Be at least 18 years old
2. Have held permanent residency for at least 3 years
3. Have been physically present in Paraguay for at least 183 days per year during those 3 years
4. Demonstrate economic ties to the country (employment, business activity, or investment)
5. Maintain a clean criminal record
6. Demonstrate knowledge of one of Paraguay’s official languages — Spanish or Guaraní
7. Pass a basic interview covering Paraguayan history, geography, and the Constitution
8. Know the national anthem

Processing: Citizenship applications are handled by the Supreme Court of Justice. Processing times can vary and may take several months to over a year depending on caseload.

The Paraguayan Passport:

The Paraguayan passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 140 countries and territories, including: the entire European Union and Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and all of South America. Paraguay also maintains an E-2 Treaty with the United States, meaning Paraguayan citizens can apply for the US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa — a significant advantage for those seeking operational access to the US market.

Paraguay permits dual nationality, so you do not need to renounce your existing citizenship.

Timeline Summary:

For SUACE or Investor Pass applicants: Investment → Immediate Permanent Residency → 3 years → Citizenship application → Paraguayan passport. Total realistic timeline: approximately 4 years from initial investment to passport.

For temporary residency applicants: Application → 2 years temporary → Permanent residency → 3 years → Citizenship application → Paraguayan passport. Total realistic timeline: approximately 6 years.

Costs Breakdown

Paraguay is one of the most affordable residency-by-investment programs globally. Here is what to budget:

Government & Administrative Fees (all pathways):

Government application fee: approximately $350–$400 USD (payable to the Dirección General de Migraciones). Certificate of Registration: approximately $30–$35 USD. Document apostille and legalisation: varies by country, typically $100–$500. Certified Spanish translation: approximately $100–$300 (depending on document volume). Interpol clearance and police certificates: $50–$150.

SUACE Program Additional Costs:

Company incorporation (SRL/SA/EAS): $1,500–$3,000. Business plan preparation: typically included in legal fees. Constancia de Inversionista application: included in SUACE process.

Legal & Professional Fees:

Professional service fees range from $3,000 to $10,000 depending on complexity, pathway, and whether family members are included. Lincoln Global Partners provides a transparent fee structure during the initial consultation — no hidden costs.

Investment Capital:

Temporary Residency: No investment required (proof of income/solvency only). SUACE: $70,000 committed over 10 years ($7,000/year). Investor Pass: $150,000 (tourism) or $200,000 (real estate or securities).

Total Estimated Budget (excluding investment capital):

Temporary Residency: $1,500–$3,000 (DIY) / $4,000–$7,000 (with professional management). SUACE: $5,000–$10,000 (including company incorporation and professional fees). Investor Pass: TBC (newly launched; expect similar administrative costs to SUACE, minus company incorporation).

How To Get Your Paraguay Residency

Step 1: Initial consultation with Lincoln Global Partners

Step 2: Document Preparation

Step 3 - Application Submission

Step 4: Processing & Approval

Step 5: Cédula & Post-Approval

Living in Paraguay: An Attractive Destination

Our founder has lived in the Southern Cone for over five years. We know Paraguay — not from a brochure, but from the ground.

Your money goes further in Paraguay than in most countries. Couples live comfortably on $1,500–$2,000 monthly, with rent for two-bedroom apartments in Asunción ranging from $400–$700. Dining out costs $5–15 for a good meal, while utilities and internet average $100–150 monthly.

Healthcare is surprisingly affordable and accessible. Private insurance plans run $50–$100 monthly, with routine doctor visits costing $20–$40. Major hospitals in Asunción offer modern facilities with English-speaking doctors.

Popular expat locations include Asunción, which has the largest expat community, best infrastructure, and the neighbourhoods of Villa Morra and Carmelitas; Encarnación, with beaches along the Paraná River and a growing expat scene; and Ciudad del Este, which offers business opportunities near the Brazilian border.

The climate is subtropical with hot summers (December–February, 32°C+) and mild winters (June–August, around 24°C). The rainy season runs from October to April.

(Read also: Residency Programs in Latin America)

Potential Considerations

Processing Delays. Government offices work at their own pace. Official timeframes can stretch by weeks. Professional management significantly reduces delays — Our legal partners handle the entire interaction with Migraciones so you don’t have to.

Rules Can Shift. Document requirements sometimes change without notice. What worked last month might not work today. Local representation ensures your application meets current requirements.

Language. Spanish and Guaraní are Paraguay’s official languages. Most government workers speak limited English. All forms are in Spanish. Basic Spanish skills or professional representation make the process significantly smoother.

Banking. Opening a bank account in Paraguay has become more rigorous. In 2026, Paraguayan banks require your physical Cédula, a tax ID (RUC), and a local address. Lincoln Global Partners assists with the banking setup process.

Apply for Paraguay Residency with Lincoln Global Partners

Paraguay Residency Frequently asked Questions

You need a valid passport, an apostilled and translated birth certificate, clean criminal records (from your country of origin and Interpol), a medical certificate, proof of income or economic solvency, a completed migration form, and passport-sized photos. All foreign documents must be apostilled and officially translated into Spanish.

Temporary residency is generally granted for 2 years. You can renew it or use it as a path toward permanent residency afterward.

SUACE (Sistema Unificado de Apertura y Cierre de Empresas) is a streamlined residency and business setup program for investors. It allows you to skip the 2-year temporary residency phase and obtain immediate permanent residency by investing $70,000 over 10 years in a Paraguayan business and creating 5 local jobs.

Launched in April 2026, the Investor Pass is a new direct pathway to permanent residency through investment in tourism ($150K), real estate ($200K), or securities ($200K). Unlike SUACE, it requires no job creation and no company formation. Investors can combine investment types and maintain residency with just one visit every 3 years.

SUACE requires a $70K business investment and 5 employees. The Investor Pass requires $150K–$200K but with no job creation, no business plan, and no company formation. SUACE suits active entrepreneurs; the Investor Pass suits passive investors and real estate buyers.

Yes. Temporary residents can work in the public or private sector, register a business, open bank accounts, and sign contracts.

 You must hold temporary residency for at least 2 years, maintain a clean record, provide updated documents (criminal record, medical exam), and submit a conversion request to the immigration office.

Yes. Spouses and dependents can apply for residency as family members. Each must submit their own documentation.

• Standard temporary residency: 3 to 6 months
• SUACE residency: ~90 days (faster process)

After 3 years of permanent residency (with at least 183 days/year physical presence), you can apply for citizenship by naturalisation. You must demonstrate Spanish or Guaraní language ability and pass a basic knowledge interview. Processing times vary.

Paraguay uses territorial taxation. Only income earned within Paraguay is taxed (10% personal income tax). Foreign-sourced income — including employment, dividends, capital gains, and pensions — is taxed at 0%. There is no wealth tax and no inheritance tax.

Over 140 countries visa-free or visa-on-arrival, including the European Union, UK, Japan, Canada, Australia, and all of South America. Paraguay is also an E-2 treaty country with the United States.

Article 149 of the Paraguayan Constitution states that naturalisation entails the loss of the nationality of origin, unless a bilateral treaty exists between Paraguay and the applicant’s country of origin. Paraguay currently holds formal dual nationality agreements with Spain and Italy only.

In practice, this provision is not enforced, and many naturalised citizens apply for and hold both nationalities without issue. That said, the legal position remains as stated in the Constitution, and the implications will also depend on the laws of your country of origin.