Paraguay Visa 2025: the complete, up-to-date guide (requirements, online application, visa-free entry & fast residency)

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At a Glance (Key Takeaways)

Paraguay is one of South America’s most accessible destinations for short visits and a practical launchpad to residency. Many travelers do not need a Paraguay visa for stays up to 90 days.

Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand benefit from a visa waiver for tourism/business (90 days, extendable once) through Aug 13, 2027. If you do need a paraguay visa, there is now a single online application covering non-resident (tourist/technical) and diplomatic/official categories—submitted digitally and finalized at a consulate. For longer stays, Law 6984/22 created a two-step residency (Temporary → Permanent).

A direct-to-permanent investor route via SUACE exists with a USD 70,000 commitment and job creation. Practical updates often missed elsewhere: the bank-deposit shortcut was eliminated, timelines are realistic, apostille/translation tips are included, and power of attorney is possible.

Who Needs a Paraguay Visa?

Paraguay grants visa-free entry (usually 90 days) to many nationalities, including all EU states, the UK, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Always confirm your status with a Paraguayan consulate before travel, as bilateral arrangements may change.

For U.S., Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand citizens, the current visa waiver allows entry for tourism or business up to 90 days with one extension. Any online references to airport “visa on arrival” fees for these passports are legacy information and should be disregarded while the waiver is active.

If your nationality is not visa-exempt, you must obtain a Paraguay visa in advance via the online process below.

Short-Stay Paraguay Visa Categories

• Tourist (No Residente – Turista): Leisure trips and family visits.

• Business/Technical (No Residente – Técnico): Meetings, conferences, short technical activities.

• Diplomatic/Official/Courtesy: Government or official missions.

All short-stay categories start with Paraguay’s digital application; issuance is completed by the relevant consulate.

Paraguay Visa Online Application: Step-by-Step

1. Create your file (Solicitud de Visa en Línea): Choose the right category and upload documents to start your paraguay visa case.

2. Compile standard documents for a paraguay visa:

   • Valid passport (sufficient validity) and biometric photo

   • Return/onward ticket and accommodation details

   • Proof of funds (bank statements or employer letter)

   • For business/technical: invitation letter from the Paraguayan host/company

   • Any mission-specific items listed by your consulate

3. Book and attend the consular appointment: You may present originals, provide fingerprints, and answer brief questions.

4. Pay the visa fee: Amounts vary by nationality and visa type (single vs. multiple entry). Treat the consulate’s fee or the amount shown in your online flow as final.

5. Receive the visa and travel: Carry printouts of your approval, proof of accommodation, and sufficient funds—border officers may ask to see them.

   
   

Visa on Arrival vs. Visa-Free: Don’t Confuse Them

Paraguay formerly offered visa on arrival to certain nationalities at Asunción’s airport. For U.S./CA/AU/NZ travelers this has been replaced by visa-free entry during the waiver period, so airport fee charts (e.g., USD 160 for U.S. passports) are no longer applicable. If you are not visa-exempt, do not expect to obtain a Paraguay visa at the airport—complete the online + consular process before you fly.

Staying Longer: Residency Under Law 6984/22

Law 6984/22 modernized migration rules and ended the previous bank-deposit shortcut to immediate permanent residence. Most applicants now follow a two-stage pathway.

Temporary Residence (standard track)

• Validity: up to 2 years, typically renewable once.

• While processing: filing grants “residente precario” status, allowing you to work/study and exit/re-enter Paraguay.

• Cédula: once your temporary card is issued, you can obtain a Cédula (national ID) with similar validity.

Core documents for residency (besides your paraguay visa, if applicable):

• Passport with legal entry stamp

• Birth certificate and, where applicable, marital-status certificate

• Police clearances covering the last 3–5 years

• Paraguayan police certificate (obtained locally)

• Basic medical certificate

• Proof of local address or activity

• Apostilles for foreign civil/criminal records and Spanish translations (by court-registered translators)

Practical timelines (typical, not guaranteed):

• Temporary card: about ~90 days from arrival with a complete file

• Cédula: usually ~45–60 days after the residence card

Useful, under-reported details:

• Translations: budget USD 100–200 per person in Paraguay; bringing apostilled, pre-translated documents can reduce time and cost.

• Power of attorney: you can authorize a local agent to collect cards and courier them if you need to travel.

• Extended absences: if you’ll be abroad for long periods, keep documentation showing intent to maintain residence (your agent can provide a suitable template).

Permanent Residence (after temporary)After roughly two years on temporary status—subject to good-conduct and continuity requirements—you may apply for Permanent Residence, which brings longer validity and smoother integration for banking, contracts, and licensing.

Investor Route (SUACE): Direct to Permanent Residence

Qualified investors can bypass the temporary stage through SUACE (Sistema Unificado de Apertura y Cierre de Empresas):

• Minimum commitment: USD 70,000 with an approved business plan

• Job creation: plan to create at least five Paraguayan jobs

• Outcome: eligibility to apply directly for Permanent Residence

• Agencies involved: Ministry of Industry & Commerce (MIC) and Dirección Nacional de Migraciones

Several official summaries indicate that spending can be staged according to the approved plan; consult SUACE for structure and compliance before committing funds.

Fees, Validity, and Entries (Short-Stay)

Short-stay visas are issued as single-entry or multiple-entry. Publicly cited bands often show ~USD 65 (single) and ~USD 100 (multiple), but fees are not uniform. Always rely on the consulate’s quote for your Paraguay visa.

Checklists You Can Use

Short-Stay Paraguay visa (tourist/business)

• Confirm your status: visa-exempt, waived, or visa required.

• Complete the Paraguay visa online application and upload documents.

• Apostille & translate civil/police records not in Spanish.

• Attend the consulate and pay the quoted fee.

• Travel with ticket, accommodation, and proof of funds.

Residency (standard)

• Gather apostilled civil records and police clearances.

• File at Dirección Nacional de Migraciones in Asunción.

• Receive precario status; collect your temporary card.

• Apply for your Cédula.

• Around month 21, begin Permanent Residence paperwork.

Residency (investor via SUACE)

• Obtain Constancia del Inversionista through SUACE.

• Commit USD 70,000 and plan to create 5 jobs.

• Register the company and apply directly for Permanent Residence.

Our Service

Who we serve

• People planning to obtain Permanent Residence in Paraguay and wanting English-speaking, on-the-ground support (Japanese/English/Spanish available).

  
  

Service packages

• Option 1 — 2-Year Residence Visa + 2-Year Cédula: end-to-end filing and local support. USD 1,500 / person. 

• Option 2 — Permanent Residence + 10-Year Cédula: for holders of a 2-year visa approaching expiry; apply ~3 months before your 2-year visa ends. USD 1,300 / person.

• Option 3 — Concierge & Troubleshooting (Life in Paraguay): housing/car search and contract review, utilities setup, bank account (after Cédula), medical and emergency assistance, school guidance, senior-care introductions, import guidance, and legal help. (Custom scope / fee). 

• Option 4 — Investor PR (Direct to Permanent via SUACE, ≥ USD 70,000): skip the 2-year stage; filing and guidance provided. (Custom scope / fee). 

  
  

What’s included (Options 1 & 2)

• Pre-departure check of required documents + lifestyle consultation.

• Airport pickup to your lodging on arrival.

• Local SIM registration.

• FX/crypto exchange assistance. 

  
  

What Option 3 covers (examples)

• General consulting & emergency troubleshooting.

• Home / apartment search, contract analysis & negotiation.

• Car purchase (new/used) support & contract review.

• Electricity / gas / water / internet setup.

• Bank account opening (after you obtain your Cédula).

• Accident/crime assistance (hospital, police).

• Medical care coordination.

• School selection (public/private).

• Elderly care introductions.

• Personal imports guidance.

• Free legal advice; lawyer arrangement if needed (legal fees extra).

  
  

Add-ons (extra fee)

• Driver’s license support (after 2-year visa).

• Power of attorney pickup & couriering of your Visa/Cédula.

• Customs clearance assistance for shipments (often required > USD 100).

• House moving arrangements nationwide.

• Business establishment support.

  
  

Pricing & payment terms

• Option 1: USD 1,500 / person. Option 2: USD 1,300 / person. Fees can be paid locally (USD or PYG) at contract signing (local payment may avoid exchange fees) or by bank transfer (JPY possible). Packages include all direct costs (translations, document issuance, escribanía, transportation, taxes) and tri-lingual support (JA/EN/ES).

Notes: Package language mentions that all direct expenses are included; for investor and concierge work, scope-based quotes apply. Always confirm latest inclusions and payment methods at the time of engagement.

FAQ: Paraguay Visa—Quick Answers

・Do U.S. citizens need a paraguay visa?

No. Tourism/business up to 90 days is visa-free for U.S. citizens under the current waiver (extendable once; in force through Aug 13, 2027).

・Is the $5,000 bank deposit still a path to permanent residence?

No. The deposit shortcut was abolished; standard applicants begin with Temporary Residence under Law 6984/22.

・How long does temporary residence take?

A well-prepared file often yields the temporary card in ~90 days, with the Cédula arriving ~45–60 days later.

・Which documents need apostilles and translations?

Birth/marital certificates and police clearances from recent years require apostilles and Spanish translations.

・What’s the minimum investment for direct permanent residency?

USD 70,000 via SUACE, with planned job creation and an approved business plan.

Contact us today

Let’s make your second residency in Paraguay a reality. We’ve helped clients from all over countries build a new life in Paraguay.

👉 Contact us for a free consultation

📍 Based in Asunción, Paraguay

📧 Email: agentparaguayvisa@gmail.com

📱 WhatsApp: [+595985475643]