South America · Immigration

Paraguay

17 immigration routes

Paraguay sits in South America. Its immigration system runs 17 distinct routes — led by free movement, special cases and family, each set out in official law. All 17 cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.

1 further route is recorded for Paraguay but not shown here — its details are still under review.

Immigration routes
17across 10 route categories, each set out in official law
Source-cited routes
17 of 17cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
Largest category
Free movement3 of the 17 routes — see them under Free movement below
Region
South America
Capital
Asunción
Population
7,013,078
Official language
Guaraní, Spanish
Currency
PYG
Time zone
UTC-04:00
Source-cited pathways

Immigration routes

All 17 routes, grouped by purpose — 17 of 17 cite an official government source directly.

Work

1 route

For a visa-required foreign national entering for the temporary technical or professional activity covered by the technical visa.

Report facts: 1
Official government source: mre.gov.py · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Investment

1 route

For a foreign investor obtaining the foreign-investor certificate through one of four qualifying investment modes.

Investment from USD 70,000
Eligibility: 2Documents: 2Process & costs: 5Report facts: 6
Official government source: mic.gov.py · checked 2026-07-26

Family

2 routes

Long-term residence

1 route

Free movement

3 routes

For an eligible MERCOSUR-agreement national holding a valid Paraguayan MERCOSUR temporary residence that is nearing expiry.

Report facts: 8
Official government source: migraciones.gov.py · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

For a national of a currently participating MERCOSUR residence-agreement state seeking temporary residence in Paraguay.

Documents: 1Report facts: 5
Official government source: migraciones.gov.py · checked 2026-07-26

Short stays and visits

1 route

Humanitarian protection

2 routes

For a person seeking refugee recognition at the Paraguayan border or while physically present in Paraguay.

Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 3
Official government source: www2.mre.gov.py · checked 2026-07-26

For a person who is not considered a national by any state and seeks statelessness recognition in Paraguay outside the refugee procedure.

Documents: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 3
Official government source: bacn.gov.py · checked 2026-07-26

Medical treatment

1 route

Transit

2 routes

For a foreign national using the transitory local-border regime.

Documents: 1Process & costs: 1Report facts: 6
Official government source: migraciones.gov.py · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

For a traveller passing through Paraguay en route to another destination.

Documents: 1Process & costs: 1Report facts: 6
Official government source: migraciones.gov.py · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Special cases

3 routes

For a foreign national intending to establish temporarily in Paraguay to conduct a lawful activity.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 6
Official government source: migraciones.gov.py · checked 2026-07-26

For a special transitory case specifically accepted by the National Migration Directorate.

Eligibility: 1Process & costs: 1Report facts: 4
Official government source: migraciones.gov.py · checked 2026-07-26

For a foreign national carrying out a listed lawful occasional activity, including professional, academic, technical, scientific, artistic, sports, media or executive work.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Process & costs: 3Report facts: 3
Official government source: migraciones.gov.py · checked 2026-07-26

Official sources

Compiled by António Mira, founder · How we verify our data · Not legal advice — immigration rules and thresholds change; confirm with the official sources above before deciding.

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