Paraguay Independent Means Visa

The applicant must visit Paraguay to apply for the initial temporary residency, which has a two-year validity.

Immediately upon application, the applicant receives a “precarious residence card,” which allows him to remain in the country for the next 90 days (if desirable) while awaiting the processing of temporary residency application.

Typically issued within 90 days, the temporary residency is valid for two years, and also entitles the holder to obtain a Paraguayan cédula (national ID card), which can be used to, for example, open a bank account or get a local driver’s license.

Paraguay imposes no physical presence requirements at this stage.

Prior to the expiration of the 2-year temporary residence permit, the individual can apply for permanent residency.

To obtain PR, the applicant will need to show some substance in Paraguay. This may take the form of, for example, forming a company, maintaining bank accounts, buying real estate, or similar.

Once permanent residency is granted, the applicant receives a permanent residency ID card, valid for ten years, and renewable indefinitely.

After three years of being a permanent resident of Paraguay, individuals may apply for citizenship. To be approved for naturalization, the applicant must have spent at least six months each year in Paraguay during the preceding three years, speak Spanish or Guaraní, and demonstrate knowledge of the country’s political constitution.