Eligibility quiz
Are you a citizen of a country other than Paraguay?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Paraguay
Holders can live in Paraguay for up to 2 years.
The stay can be extended for another equal period.
Study in Paraguay
Holders can study in Paraguay.
Work in Paraguay
Holders can work legally in Paraguay.
Leave and return
With a valid residence document, holders can leave and return to Paraguay, but they still need a passport.
Use Paraguayan ID
Holders can get a Paraguayan identity card valid for the same period as their residence.
It can be used for official paperwork and public services that require an identity card.
Reunite with family
Migration authorities must help families reunite in Paraguay, but each relative needs their own permission to enter and live there.
Families separated by migration may also receive psychological support, especially for children.
How to apply
Applying from inside ParaguayApplying from inside Paraguay
Find an immigration office
Find an immigration office where you can apply in person for temporary residence.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Paraguay immigration office near your city accepts applications for Residencia temporal?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the documents the immigration office asks for.
See required documentsHand in your application
Go to the immigration office in person with your documents and hand in your application. Pay the fee there; ask the office how to pay. The office generates the required declarations when you apply.
Find how to applySearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I hand in and pay for a Residencia temporal application in Paraguay?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the immigration office to decide and respond if it asks you for anything else. During the process, you receive temporary status that lets you work, study, and leave and re-enter Paraguay while it is valid.
See how to follow upSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I follow up on a Residencia temporal application in Paraguay?”
Apply for an ID
After approval, you can use your residence card to apply for a Paraguayan ID card if you want one. Your residence card is valid for the same period as your temporary residence.
Find ID application stepsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply for a Paraguayan ID card after receiving Residencia temporal?”
Documents needed
Required to applyRequired to apply
Birth certificate
Bring your birth certificate from the office that issued it, plus a certified copy. You do not need your great-grandparent's birth or citizenship records for this application.
Proof of entry
Bring your stamped immigration slip or the entry stamp in your passport. Bring the original and a certified copy.
Sworn statements
The immigration office's system produces two sworn statements when your application is entered. One records your promise to respect Paraguay's laws, and the other records your occupation or activity and your address in Paraguay.
Copy of your passport or ID
Bring your valid passport or national identity card, plus a certified copy. For the special visa for certain nationalities allowed to enter as tourists, bring an authenticated passport copy.
Proof of residence *
Bring a document showing that you lived in that country. Bring the original and a certified copy.
* Only if you are 14 or older and need a criminal record certificate from another country where you lived in the past three years.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationPassport photo *
Bring a photo for your visa application. Ask the visa office about its photo requirements.
* Only if you use the special visa route for certain nationalities allowed to enter as tourists.
Consular visa *
Bring your consular visa and the foreign ministry's verification when required. Bring the original and a certified copy.
* Only if your nationality requires a visa.
Criminal record certificates *
Bring a current national or federal criminal or police record certificate from your country of origin if you lived there, and from any other country where you lived during the past three years. If you have lived in Paraguay for more than three years, you can instead bring a current certificate from the Paraguayan courts and make a sworn statement to immigration that you have no criminal record in your country of origin. Bring the originals and certified copies.
* Only if you are 14 or older.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationApplication form *
Bring the completed visa application form. The visa office provides the form when you apply.
* Only if you use the special visa route for certain nationalities allowed to enter as tourists.
Civil status record *
Bring your marriage certificate if you are married, your divorce decision if you are divorced, or your spouse's death certificate if you are widowed. Bring the original and a certified copy.
* Only if you are married, divorced or widowed.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationInterpol record certificate *
Bring your Interpol record certificate. Bring the original and a certified copy.
* Only if you are 14 or older or need it for the special visa for certain nationalities allowed to enter as tourists.
Police record certificate *
Bring the police record certificate for foreigners issued by the Paraguayan National Police's information department. Bring the original and a certified copy.
* Only if you are 14 or older.
Visa request letter *
Bring a letter requesting the visa for your residence application. Ask the visa office what to include.
* Only if you use the special visa route for certain nationalities allowed to enter as tourists.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Keeping residence current
Extend your residence before it expires; leaving Paraguay with an expired residence card can lead to a fine.
Holders must also follow the conditions of their declared address and lawful activity, as well as immigration rules.
Residence can end
Residence expires if not extended and can be cancelled for false documents, fraud, sham arrangements or breaking immigration rules.
It can also be cancelled at the holder’s request or for an unjustified absence of more than one year without prior permission.
After cancellation, holders must leave by the deadline set or they may be expelled.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Paraguay Expat Residency Support Group
Facebook group for people living in Paraguay interested in Paraguayan visas (English & Spanish)
Request to joinExtranjeros en Paraguay
Spanish Facebook group for people living in Paraguay
Join on FacebookExpat Families in Paraguay - Share & Connect
English Facebook group for people living in Paraguay interested in Paraguayan local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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