How I Got My Residency in Paraguay
How I Got My Residency in Paraguay
This is the ultimate guide to obtaining a residency in the country of Paraguay for digital nomads. Before we dive into this guide for how you can get residency and optimize your tax situation in this country, I do want to note that this was a process I personally did myself in Paraguay.
While this process did take quite a few months until completion, it is very much so worth it. If you are seeking residency in Paraguay, whether it be temporary or permanent, or wanting to learn more about the residency process in Paraguay, you can watch our videos below on YouTube, or contact us to get the process started.
Introduction to Residency in Paraguay
I would like to preface that this process will depend on the country that you are from. Your home country, or country of current residence, will require you to obtain certain documents prior to starting the process on the ground in Paraguay.
The residency process for Paraguay is always subject to change, and does typically change once every few years. Before starting this process, be sure you are up to date with the latest documents the government that are required.
Alternatively, you can hire a professional to assist you in the process, which is exactly how we assist our clients in obtaining their residency in Paraguay.
Documentation Needed
The first step is to make sure that you get your document from your home country. For me, my country was Canada, if you have not lived in another country for the past few years, then Paraguay will want documents from your home country.
If you have lived in another country for the past 3-5 years, then you will want to get the documents from that country as well.
What was required of me as a Canadian is typical of most countries. However, the documents needed may change slightly depending on your home country. I needed a criminal background check from the National Police in Canada, which for me was the RCMP. For Americans, it would be the FBI. I also needed my birth certificate.
If you are wanting to learn more about the process for documentation and what will be needed from you for the residency process, along with why you may want to obtain residency in Paraguay (hello, tax benefits!), you can purchase our lifetime access course here.
Paraguay does often change the rules and requirements for obtaining residency, so you will want to be sure you have the most up to date information before starting the process.
In past years, you were able to become a permanent resident immediately, whereas now you need to be a temporary resident first. After two year’s time of being a temporary resident, then you can qualify to be a permanent resident.
This is always subject to change again in the future, however we often see many countries every few years updating their residency and citizenship policies, and the pricing and requirements almost never become easier.
During the two years of your temporary residency, you will need to be present in the country for one day each calendar year. It is recommended to stay in the country for longer than one day, as this also shows the government you have stronger ties to the country. Once you have entered the country consecutively for two years, the next step is to obtain your permanent residence.
Gaining permanent residency means that you only have to come back to Paraguay once every three years, and stay in the country for a few days each three years.
This is a reason why there are many expats and foreigners who are going through this process themselves in Paraguay, as the requirements are quite easy to fulfill.
On The Ground in Paraguay
The next step in the process once you obtain your documents from your home country, will be to get the process started on the ground in Paraguay.
We assist all our clients in this part of the process, meaning that it only takes 2-3 hours and one day to complete the process. It is not unheard of to hear many foreigners who choose to do the process on their own feeling frustrated with having so many steps in the process, so it is often recommended to hire a team to assist in the process.
We will ensure we have your case file prepared before you arrive in Paraguay, take you to each budling needed, obtain your power of attorney to complete the process on your behalf, and ensure we have your fingerprints collected to submit to the local police as a part of the process.
After a few months’ time, you will receive your residency, which means that you are officially a temporary resident of Paraguay.
It is important to note that your residency and cedula are two separate processes. You will first obtain your residency, and then need to come back to Paraguay to process your cedula. You will need a still valid police check to complete the cedula process, or need to obtain a new one from your home country.
Getting a Driver’s License in Paraguay
With your new residency, you can also apply for a driver’s license in Paraguay.
In many countries, when you give up your residency, they will ask you to revoke most government documents that you hold, except for your citizenship and passport. And oftentimes, this may include your driver’s license.
Of course, you don’t want to be without a driver’s license, so Paraguay does give you the ability to get a driver’s license as a permanent or temporary resident.
While you don’t need to do a driving test at this time, you do need to have a valid driver’s license in your current country.
It’s also important to note that you will need to know your blood type. The government will put your blood type on your driver’s license in case you get into an accident, so be sure that you either have your blood type documented or you can get your blood type taken at a local hospital here in Paraguay.
Reach out to us if you would like assistance in obtaining your drivers license once your cedula is processed. Please note that you will need to be physically present in Paraguay to obtain your license, and we will assist in obtaining to for you once your cedula is processed.
Final Thoughts on How I Got My Residency in Paraguay
While Paraguay is a great solution for personal and tax residency if you have a business online, then you will want to set up your business in another country to take full advantage of this tax optimized structure.
Reach out to us if you would like assistance not only in obtaining your Paraguay residency, but also in obtaining your US LLC, so that you can officially pay 0% tax while travelling the world.
