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Official fees verified on 17 Aug 2026 (Decree 6225/2026 · DNM Res. 407/2026 in force). See sources

Country guide

Residency in Paraguay for Americans, step by step

Your case follows the general route of Law 6984/2022: Interpol, the full fee, apostilles and sworn translation of everything in English. It is the path with the most preparation, and the bottleneck is almost always in one place: the FBI Identity History Summary and its apostille.

Route: Law 6984/2022, general route

Quick facts

  • RouteLaw 6984/2022, general route
  • Approx. official fees≈ US$ 552 per person: temporary residency Gs. 2,926,925 + Interpol Gs. 117,077 + National Police Gs. 24,500 + certificate of residence Gs. 234,154 + ID card (cédula) Gs. 8,500 (fees in force since 1 July 2026). Sworn translations are paid separately, to the registered translator.
  • TranslationYes: every document in English must be translated by a sworn translator registered with Paraguay's Supreme Court. If the translation is done in the United States, it must be apostilled too.
  • ApostilleIn the United States, before you travel, and at two different desks: federal documents (such as the FBI Identity History Summary) are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State; state documents (birth, marriage, divorce) by the Secretary of State of the issuing state.
  • Criminal recordFBI Identity History Summary, federal in scope, apostilled by the U.S. Department of State. A state background check does not replace it. Required from age 14.
  • Estimated timeApprox. 5 to 9 months in total: the slow stage is the FBI check, its apostille and the translations (4 to 8 weeks, sometimes more), then 3 to 5 business days filing in Asunción, 1 to 3 months until the residence card and up to 60 business days (official) for the ID card.

Document checklist

Documents specific to Americans

The general list is on the Process page. Here we only cover what changes because of where you come from. Process →

  • Valid U.S. passport, plus proof of entry into Paraguay: entry stamp or migration slip.
  • FBI Identity History Summary apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, recent (we recommend under 3 months old when filed) and translated in Paraguay.
  • Long-form birth certificate, apostilled by the Secretary of State of the issuing state. Watch the middle name and suffixes such as Jr., II or III: they must match your passport letter for letter.
  • Civil-status document apostilled by the issuing state, as applicable: marriage certificate, divorce decree or the spouse's death certificate.
  • Sworn translation in Paraguay of every document in English, by a translator registered with the Supreme Court, plus notarised copies of the whole file.
  • Interpol (Gs. 117,077) and National Police (Gs. 24,500) record checks in Asunción; and for the switch to permanent residency, the proof-of-means document for your category (DNM Res. 407/2026): a remote-work certificate stating income, a pension statement, RUC and tax returns, or a registered property title, depending on your profile.

How it works

The path, step by step

  1. 01

    We evaluate your case

    We tell you which route applies (Law 6984, MERCOSUR or direct permanent), which documents you need and what it costs. In writing.

    Reply within 48 h
  2. 02

    You gather documents at home

    Criminal record, birth and civil-status certificates, apostilled. We check every scan before you travel — nobody lands in Asunción with an expired document.

    2 to 8 weeks, depending on country
  3. 03

    We file at Migraciones, together

    In your first week in Asunción: Interpol, National Police, certified copies and the filing itself. You leave with 'precaria' status — you can already work, study and travel in and out.

    3 to 5 business days in Asunción
  4. 04

    Your residence card arrives

    Migraciones decides and issues the temporary admission card (2 years). We follow up and keep you posted — even when there is nothing new.

    30 to 90 days, per Migraciones
  5. 05

    ID card at Identificaciones

    Certificate of residence, proof of life and address, foreigner registration and data capture at the Identification Department. We go with you. You collect the card in person.

    Up to 60 business days (official)
  6. 06

    Permanent, at month 21

    The switch to permanent residency is requested within the 3 months before your temporary card expires. We remind you in time and prepare your proof-of-means file under DNM Res. 407/2026.

    Months 21–24 of the temporary card

See the full process

Common mistakes

Typical mistakes we see

Getting the apostille at the wrong desk

It is the costliest mistake in this group: sending the FBI report to a state Secretary of State, or the birth certificate to the federal Department of State. Federal documents are apostilled in Washington; state documents in their state. One misaddressed envelope means two or three weeks lost.

Translating at home with an unauthorised translator

Only translations by sworn translators registered with Paraguay's Supreme Court are valid, or those by an authorised foreign translator with the translation itself apostilled. A U.S. certified translation without an apostille is not accepted.

Assuming that moving to Paraguay ends your U.S. obligations

The United States taxes its citizens based on citizenship, not on where they live, and Paraguayan residency does not change that by itself. Check it with a tax adviser at home before making decisions: we do not advise on U.S. law.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions from Americans

Is a state background check enough?

No. Migraciones requires a national or federal certificate: in your case, the FBI Identity History Summary, apostilled. A state report or one from a private company does not meet the requirement, even if notarised. And if you lived three years or more in another country, that country's certificate is needed too.

Can I do the whole procedure without traveling to Paraguay?

No. Migraciones states that filing is personal and in person, and for the ID card so are data capture and collection: it is handed only to the holder. Interim follow-up can be handled by a representative. In practice it is 3 to 5 business days in Asunción to file, and a second visit for the ID card. Be wary of anyone promising residency without setting foot in the country.

Does Paraguayan residency make me a tax resident?

Not automatically. They are separate procedures: the tax residency certificate is issued by DNIT (RG 65/2020) and requires a valid ID card, an active and up-to-date RUC, and the migration movement certificate for the tax year; it is decided in 10 business days and is valid for one year. Paraguay taxes territorially, at up to 10% on Paraguayan-source income. Your position with the IRS is governed by U.S. law: check it with an adviser there.

See all questions

This applies to Americans. What comes next depends on your case.

The evaluation is free and in writing: we tell you which route applies, your exact document list and the total cost, with official fees in plain sight and our fee fixed, with the ID card (cédula) always included.

Other country guides

Argentines

As an Argentine you enter through the MERCOSUR Residence Agreement: temporary residency requires no Interpol check and no proof of means, and your documents are already in Spanish. What does get tricky is the apostille and making the names match letter for letter between your birth certificate and your DNI or passport.

Brazilians

As a Brazilian you enter through the MERCOSUR Residence Agreement and your Portuguese documents need no translation: that is an official exception at Migraciones, and it makes for the lightest paperwork of all. The trap is assuming the exception also covers the apostille: it does not.

Uruguayans

As a Uruguayan you enter through the MERCOSUR Residence Agreement: temporary residency with no Interpol check and no proof of means, documents in Spanish with no translation and the lowest fee on the table. The delicate part is the calendar: Uruguayan record checks should be requested close to your trip, not months ahead.

Venezuelans

Venezuela is not part of the MERCOSUR Residence Agreement, so your case goes through the general route of Law 6984/2022: with Interpol and the higher fee. And one date defines everything: since 10 January 2026 Venezuelan citizens are required to hold a consular visa, and anyone whose entry was registered before that date can start or continue their residency without one.

Spaniards

Spain is not part of the MERCOSUR Agreement, so your case follows the general route of Law 6984/2022: with Interpol and the higher fee, even though your documents are already in Spanish and nothing needs translating. What causes the most misunderstandings is not the procedure itself but confusing immigration residency with tax residency.

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Radica

Radica is an immigration accompaniment service with an office in Asunción, Paraguay. We file your complete and correct application and go with you to every counter; decisions and processing times belong to the National Migration Directorate and the Identification Department.

Legal entity and tax ID (RUC): [PENDIENTE]. We are not a Paraguayan government body and have no ties to one.

Office
[PENDIENTE address], Asunción, Paraguay
Monday to Friday, 08:00–17:00 (Asunción time)
WhatsApp: [PENDIENTE WhatsApp]
Email: [PENDIENTE correo]