Paraguay: Major Restructuring of Immigration Categories and Eligibility Requirements

Foreign nationals traveling to Paraguay for short-term assignments must now obtain a Short-Term Residence (Residencia Ocasional o Espontanea) valid for up to 90 days (renewable once for the same period), phasing out the previous Transitory Residence (Radicacion Precaria) which allowed work for up to six months (renewable for an additional six months).

• Foreign nationals who already hold a Transitory Residence in Paraguay or submitted their application before October 19, 2022 are unaffected by the change. However, they will be subject to the new eligibility criteria and permit validity upon renewal.

On the other hand, Short-Term Residence applicants are not required to submit a certificate from INTERPOL issued by the Paraguayan National Police, which was previously required under the Transitory Residence.

Additional renewals or new visas will be needed for longer stays for those entering Paraguay for short-term work.

The elimination of the certificate from INTERPOL reduces administrate hurdles, costs and may slightly expedite the document-gathering time.

Temporary Residence status can be granted for two years and can be renewed for the same period. Previously, Temporary Residence status was valid for one year and required a new temporary residence application filing every year.

Upon filing their application, Temporary Residence applicants can now obtain a Temporary Resident Document, which allows them to stay and work in Paraguay during the processing of their application (which generally takes three months).

Temporary Residents can now apply for a Paraguayan identity card valid for the same period as their residence status, whereas previously only permanent residents could obtain this document.

Foreign nationals will benefit from an increased duration of validity to stay and work in Paraguay and the ability to work in Paraguay sooner during the processing of their Temporary Residence application.

They will also be able to perform administrative and legal processes in Paraguay, such as opening bank accounts or obtaining a Paraguayan Tax ID, which they previously could not do without a Paraguayan identity card.

To apply for Permanent Residence (which is now valid for up to 10 years), foreign nationals must now first hold Temporary Residence status for two years.

Previously, foreign nationals could apply directly for Permanent Residence (which was valid indefinitely), based on either depositing approximately USD 5,000 in a Paraguayan bank or holding a university diploma.

Spouses, children and grandchildren of Paraguayan nationals, and investors who have obtained an Investor Certification in Paraguay, are still eligible to apply directly for Permanent Residence, as an exception to the above rule.