Blog · 2025-09-29

How to get a residency card in Paraguay in 2025

Obtaining a residency card in Paraguay is an official process governed by the National Migration Directorate (Dirección General de Migraciones) and Migration Law No. 6984/2022. It is a necessary step for any foreigner who plans to live, work or run a business in the country over the long term.

There are two main types of residency:

• temporary residency (residencia temporal, admisión temporal);
• permanent residency (residencia permanente, admisión permanente).

In most cases, applicants first obtain temporary residency and then move on to permanent status.

Temporary residency in Paraguay (Residencia Temporal)

Who can apply for temporary residency in Paraguay

Residencia temporal is granted to foreigners who enter Paraguay intending to settle and pursue a lawful activity - employment, study or investment.

Temporary residency is valid for up to two years and can be renewed for the same period. After two years of residence, the holder may apply for residencia permanente.

The advantages of temporary residency in Paraguay

• You receive residente precario status, which lets you stay in the country legally while your documents are being processed.
• You are entitled to a Paraguayan Cédula de Identidad (ID card) valid for the same period.
• You can leave and re-enter the country without visa restrictions.

Documents required for temporary residency in Paraguay

To apply for temporary residency, you need to assemble the following package:

• proof of identity: passport, Cédula or DNI (original and copy);
• a visa (if required);
• an entry stamp or migration card (boleta migratoria);
• a birth certificate (Certificado de Nacimiento), apostilled;
• civil-status documents: a marriage, divorce or spouse's death certificate;
• a criminal-record certificate (Certificado de Antecedentes Penales) from your country of origin or last country of residence (if you lived there for more than one year);
• a Paraguayan criminal-record certificate for foreigners plus an INTERPOL certificate (from age 14);
• declarations that you will observe Paraguay's Constitution and specify your activity (these forms are generated automatically at the time of filing);
• for minors: identity documents of the parents or guardians; a notarised power of attorney authorising an accompanying adult if the parents are absent; the child's birth certificate (apostilled);
• the receipt for payment of the government fee (arancel).

Important: every document must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator in Paraguay and legalised (apostille). Documents from countries party to the Hague Convention are accepted only with an apostille.

Government fees and payment for temporary residency in Paraguay

The cost of filing for residencia temporal:

• Gs. 2,787,550 (cash);
• Gs. 2,864,208 (by card via POS terminal).

When you pay, always ask for the official receipt (comprobante de pago).

How to file a temporary residency application in Paraguay

Applications are filed in person (trámite personal) at the Migraciones office:

• Calle Caballero No. 201 (corner of Eligio Ayala), Asunción;
• document intake runs from 07:00 to 14:30, Monday to Friday.

Once filed, you can track your case in person or through a representative.

Acceptance of your documents does not guarantee approval - the decision rests with the migration authority after its review.

Renewing temporary residency in Paraguay

Residencia temporal can be renewed for another two years. The document package and procedure mirror the initial application, and the government fee must be paid again.

Permanent residency in Paraguay (Residencia Permanente)

Requirements for permanent residency in Paraguay

Permanent residency (admisión permanente) becomes available after at least two years of lawful residence under temporary status.

For citizens of MERCOSUR countries, the procedure is simplified:

• you must hold a Carnet de Admisión Temporaria MERCOSUR;
• the application for residencia permanente should be filed 90 days before your temporary residency expires.

Validity of permanent residency in Paraguay

Residencia permanente is granted indefinitely, but the residency card (Carnet de Residente Permanente) must be renewed every 10 years.

The cost of permanent residency in Paraguay

The filing fee for residencia permanente is the same as for temporary residency:

• Gs. 2,787,550 (cash);
• Gs. 2,864,208 (POS terminal).

Documents required for permanent residency in Paraguay

The same documents are required as for the temporary residency application, plus evidence that you have lived in the country for the prescribed period.

Fees for other services

• extension of stay (Permanencia Transitoria): Gs. 557,510;
• card replacement (Reposición de Carnet): Gs. 557,510;
• renewal of the residency card (Renovación de Carnet Permanente): Gs. 446,008;
• certificate of residence (Certificado de Radicación): Gs. 223,004;
• overstay penalty: Gs. 669,012.

Some procedures can be handled online - extending your stay, obtaining a certificate of residence, paying penalties and more - through the Migraciones digital platform.

Useful information for obtaining a residency card in Paraguay

• Migraciones contacts: tel. +595 21 411 2000; email migraciones@migraciones.gov.py; official website migraciones.gov.py.
• Language of filing: all documents must be in Spanish or accompanied by an official translation.
• Processing times: these depend on the office's workload, but average between 30 and 90 days.

With careful document preparation and timely filing, the process runs smoothly, and the resident gains legal status along with the right to work, study and obtain local documents.

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