Eligibility quiz
Is one of your parents a Paraguayan citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Paraguay indefinitely
Permanent residence lets you live in Paraguay indefinitely.
You receive a Paraguayan identity card, which you can use for identification instead of your residence card.
Study in Paraguay
You have equal access to education in Paraguay.
Work in Paraguay
You can work legally without discrimination for being an immigrant, with the usual protections for workers.
A migrant worker can also send money needed by family to another country.
Bring your belongings
As an admitted resident, you can bring personal belongings and household goods into Paraguay under the rules for bringing them in.
Vote in local elections
Permanent foreign residents can vote in municipal elections in Paraguay, but not in national presidential or congressional elections.
Use public healthcare
You have equal access to healthcare in Paraguay, including emergency and ordinary care.
Use public services
You have equal access to social security, justice, culture and recreation in Paraguay.
How to apply
Applying at an immigration officeApplying at an immigration office
Find an immigration office
Choose the central immigration office or an office that accepts residence applications in Paraguay.
Find an immigration officeRequest a repatriation certificate
Request a Certificate of Repatriation from the repatriation office if you are applying as a relative of a repatriated Paraguayan. If you are applying as the child of a Paraguayan, the certificate is optional and may allow a fee exemption or an earlier application for a Paraguayan ID card.
Request the certificateSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I request a Certificado de Repatriación for residencia permanente para familiares extranjeros de connacionales repatriados in Paraguay?”
Get a Paraguayan ID
If you are applying as the child of a Paraguayan and use the prior ID route, apply for a Paraguayan ID card at the National Police identification department. The department opens a file and sends it to immigration.
Find ID application stepsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get a Paraguayan identity card before applying for residencia permanente para hijos y cónyuges de paraguayos in Paraguay?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your residence application.
See required documentsHand in your application
Bring your documents to the immigration office and apply in person; if you are applying for your child, bring your child and their documents. Pay the applicable fee there in cash or by card, unless you receive an exemption; a card payment costs more.
Find an immigration officeKeep permission to stay
If your permission to stay expires while you wait, ask immigration for an extension or temporary permission to stay. Your application receipt is not a residence or travel document.
Find extension stepsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I extend my stay or get temporary permission to stay while waiting for residencia permanente para familiares extranjeros de connacionales repatriados in Paraguay?”
Wait for the decision
Follow up with immigration yourself or through a legal representative, and answer any requests for more documents. If the application is for your child, follow up on their application.
Find follow-up detailsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I follow up on a residencia permanente para familiares extranjeros de connacionales repatriados application in Paraguay?”
Collect your residence card
Once approved, collect your card from the office immigration tells you to use; it lets you live in Paraguay permanently. If you applied as a relative of a repatriated Paraguayan, renew the card every 10 years.
Find card collection detailsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my residencia permanente para familiares extranjeros de connacionales repatriados card in Paraguay?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get your Paraguayan parent's birth certificate showing they are Paraguayan by birth, or their naturalisation certificate if they became Paraguayan through naturalisation. If you apply under Article 48, also bring your own birth certificate from the country where it was issued, with the original and an authenticated copy.
Parent's identity document *
Bring your Paraguayan parent's identity document. Take the original and an authenticated copy.
* Only if you apply under Article 48.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Residence card renewal
Your residence card must be renewed every 10 years so that you can renew your Paraguayan identity card.
Residence can be lost
Your residence can be cancelled after more than three consecutive years away from Paraguay without good reason; get prior permission for a longer absence.
It can also be cancelled for false documents, immigration fraud or breaking immigration rules, or if you ask for it to be cancelled.
Cancellation ends your right to stay and can lead to an order to leave.
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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