Paraguay residence at a glance
WHAT YOU OBTAIN
Residence and identity card
Investors apply directly through SUACE, the Unified System for Opening and Closing Companies. The status is indefinite.
WHO IT SUITS
Families building a business
For investors who will open and run a real enterprise in industry, commerce or services, with a long-term base in Paraguay.
BASIC OUTLAY
US$70,000 in a real business
Per applicant, or the equivalent in guaranies, under a plan with at least five formal direct jobs; investment and start-up within 24 months.
FAMILY
Each member files in person
Spouse and children each file a residence application; the category and documents are confirmed in writing before travel.
PRESENCE AND RESIDENCE
Filed in person in Paraguay
The certificate and the residence application are filed in person. The status then continues through absences of up to three years.
MAIN STAGES
Certificate, then residence
Business plan and documents; the Foreign Investor Certificate (CIE); the residence filing; the residence card and identity card.
WHY FAMILIES CHOOSE PARAGUAY
Permanent from the start
Investors under SUACE go straight to permanent residence, with no temporary stage first.
A 10% tax framework
Income from Paraguayan sources is taxed at 10% on business profits and 8% to 10% on personal income.
Citizenship eligibility in three years
After three years of permanent residence, an adult may apply to the Supreme Court for naturalisation.
The investment and the family
| Condition | Requirement | How it is shown |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | At least US$70,000 per applicant, or the equivalent in guaranies, in industry, commerce or services | The plan shows where the funds go; each expense relates directly to the business |
| Business plan | Company, location, activity, investment, schedule and financing | Follows the SUACE guide; reviewed by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce |
| Five formal jobs | At least five formal direct jobs, created through the project | Positions, hiring sequence and salaries set out in the plan |
| Implementation | Invest and start up within 24 months at most | A clear execution schedule in the plan |
| Financial capacity | Means to finance the plan and run the business | Three months of bank statements, investment certificates or asset titles |
| The investor | The certificate and the residence application are filed in person in Paraguay | Identity document, entry record, police and Interpol certificates |
| Spouse and children | Each files a residence application in person; category confirmed in writing before travel | Birth and marriage records; police certificates from age 14 |
KEY FIGURES
The US$70,000 is capital at work in your own enterprise. It may be invested in US dollars or guaranies, and may be under way or complete when the certificate is requested.
Application eligibility
| Applicant / family | Age and conditions |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | Age not specified; Obtain the SUACE investor certificate and meet permanent-residence documentation requirements |
| Spouse | Age not specified; File a separate application under the applicable family-residence category; prove the relationship. The investor’s SUACE approval does not automatically grant a family permit |
| Minor child | Under 18; File a separate application under the applicable family-residence category; prove the relationship. The investor’s SUACE approval does not automatically grant a family permit; Age at application |
| Adult family members | Age not specified; Each needs a separate residence basis; SUACE investor approval does not automatically extend to the family |
| Adding family later | Later family applications are assessed separately under the rules in force at that time |
| Nationality restrictions | The published programme conditions do not provide an exhaustive restricted-nationality list. Admission remains subject to the authorities |
| Who the restrictions cover | Disclose all current and former nationalities, birthplace and residence history for the applicant and family |
| Residence conditions and exceptions | No published residence-based exception has been identified for this programme. A second passport or overseas residence does not itself establish eligibility |
| Sanctions and background checks | Background, security and source-of-funds checks apply. Sanctions affecting a person, bank or transfer can prevent completion |
The investment budget
The capital stays in your own business. Fees and running costs are budgeted beside it.
THE INVESTMENT
CAPITAL IN YOUR BUSINESS
ONE-TIME COSTS
YEARLY COSTS OF THE BUSINESS
QUOTED CASE BY CASE
Process and payment schedule
Both filings are made in person in Paraguay. A legal representative can follow the file afterwards.
| Stage | You prepare | In person | Payment | You obtain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01Plan and documentsPayment | Business plan; police certificate and proof of funds, apostilled or legalised, in Spanish translation. | — | Quoted | A complete file |
| 02Investor certificatePayment | Application form, plan, entry record, Interpol certificate and sworn commitment to open the company. | At SUACE | Quoted | CIE, issued within five days of a favourable review |
| 03Residence filingPayment | CIE, identity document, entry record, civil records and police certificates. | At the Directorate of Migration | Migration fee, quoted | Permanent residence decision |
| 04Residence and identity cardsPayment | The residence card after approval; then the National Police identity card. | Each applicant, as scheduled | Quoted | Residence card and Paraguayan identity card |
| 05Company and investmentPayment | Open the company, invest on the plan's schedule and fill the five formal jobs. | As the business requires | US$70,000 within 24 months | An operating enterprise and its investment record |
The CIE supports the residence application and the company formalities. Keep proof of every payment into the business; together they form the investment record.
Documents and the business plan
Foreign documents are apostilled or legalised and translated into Spanish by a registered public translator. Originals are presented with notarised copies and returned to you.
For the investor certificate
- Certificate application form
- Business plan
- Sworn commitment to invest and open the company
- Police certificate from the country of origin or residence
- Interpol certificate from Paraguay
- Entry record: stamped slip or passport stamp
- Proof of financial capacity
For the residence application
- The investor certificate (CIE)
- Valid passport or identity card
- Consular visa, where required
- Birth certificate
- Marriage, divorce or other civil-status record
- Police, Interpol and national police certificates, from age 14
- Sworn declaration made at the Directorate of Migration
In the business plan
- Company: a new company or an existing one, and its legal form
- Location of the business
- Activity and its CIIU code
- Investment: how US$70,000 is reached and where the funds go
- The five formal direct jobs
- Execution schedule, completed within 24 months
- Financing: how the plan is funded
Financial capacity is shown by bank statements for the last three months, investment certificates, or title to property, vehicles or machinery. The Directorate of Migration may ask for further documents in an individual case.
What permanent residence gives you
PARAGUAY'S MAIN TAXES
Business taxes
- Corporate income tax, on net profit10%
- Value added tax (VAT), general rate10%
- VAT, specified goods and services5%
- Dividends to a tax-resident owner8%
Personal income tax, per year
- Net service income to Gs. 50 million8%
- From Gs. 50 million to Gs. 150 million9%
- Above Gs. 150 million10%
- Capital income and gains8%
IN PARAGUAY
Live, work and study, indefinitely
Permanent residence authorises you to live in Paraguay indefinitely, with equal access to work, education, health care and social security.
DOCUMENTS
A Paraguayan identity card
Permanent residents receive the national identity card and identify themselves with it alone. The residence card is renewed every ten years.
PRESENCE
Freedom to come and go
The status continues through absences of up to three years. For a longer absence, the Directorate of Migration may grant an extension on the reasons given.
FAMILY
A settled life for the family
Paraguayan law provides for family reunification and lets residents bring in their household goods and a family vehicle. Permanent residents may vote in municipal elections.
Your path to citizenship
Counted from the permanent-admission decision. The application is made to the Supreme Court.
- Investor certificateCIE issued through SUACE
- Permanent residenceThe admission decision starts the three years
- Three years of residenceA home, good conduct and a regular activity in Paraguay
- Supreme Court applicationSworn declaration in person; examination in basic Spanish or Guarani
- Oath and passportNaturalisation document, then identity record and passport
Three years of settled life
An adult resident may apply after three years of permanent residence, counted from the admission decision, with a home, good conduct and a regular profession, trade or business in Paraguay. A business owner shows the commercial licence and taxpayer registration.
The Supreme Court procedure
The application is filed with the Supreme Court through a lawyer, and you attend in person to sign the sworn declaration. The examination covers basic Spanish or Guarani, history, geography and the rules on nationality.
Decision, oath and passport
The Court reviews the file and decides. You then take the oath, receive the naturalisation document and arrange the identity record and passport. The US$70,000 investment is the basis of the residence application.
Speak with your adviser
Request a SUACE business-plan assessment, a budget for five jobs and a schedule for applying in person.
HOW TO APPLY
Assessment
We review your family, aims and eligibility, and say plainly whether the programme fits.
Written proposal
You receive an itemised quotation, a document list and a timetable in writing.
Engagement and filing
Once engaged, we prepare the file, submit it and follow it through to the decision.
BRANDS
Identity planning and second-citizenship advisory
