Permanent Residency for Foreign Investors (SUACE)

Paraguay's Permanent Residency for Foreign Investors program allows foreign nationals to obtain permanent residency by investing through SUACE (Sistema Unificado de Apertura y Cierre de Empresas), the country's unified system for business registration. Established under Migration Law 6984/2022, the program bypasses the usual temporary residency requirement, granting permanent status directly to qualifying investors. Applicants must invest a minimum of USD 70,000 in a business in industry, commerce, or services, and commit to creating at least five formal jobs for Paraguayan workers.

• Minimum investment of USD 70,000 (or equivalent in guaranies)
• Creation of at least 5 formal direct jobs for Paraguayan workers
• Investment must be executed within 24 months
• Proof of financial capacity through bank statements (3 preceding months), investment titles, or asset valuations
• A detailed business plan including company structure, investment breakdown, employment plan, economic viability, and 24-month timeline
• Notarized sworn declaration committing to open a business and invest the specified amount
• No specific educational or professional qualifications required

For the Investor Certificate (at SUACE/MIC):

• Passport copy
• Criminal background certificate from country of origin (apostilled or consular-legalized)
• Proof of legal entry into Paraguay
• Interpol Paraguay certificate
• Proof of economic solvency (bank statements, investment titles, or asset valuations)
• Business plan with required details
• Notarized sworn declaration of commitment to invest
• Application form

For Permanent Residency (at Migration Directorate):

• Investor Certificate from MIC/SUACE
• Valid passport or identity document (original + 2 copies)
• Consular visa verification through Ministry of Foreign Affairs (if required)
• Proof of entry (immigration stamp or receipt)
• Birth certificate (apostilled/legalized, original + 2 copies)
• Civil status certificate (original + 2 copies)
• Criminal/police certificate from country of origin
• Interpol certificate (original + 2 copies)
• Paraguay National Police records certificate (original + 2 copies)
• Sworn declaration of constitutional compliance

The residency granted is permanent and indefinite. The physical residency card must be renewed every 10 years. Permanent residents forfeit their status if absent from Paraguay for more than 3 consecutive years without justification, though the Migration Directorate may extend this period in specific cases.

The SUACE investor residency does not include a built-in dependant sponsorship mechanism. However, spouses and children of permanent residents may apply for their own permanent residency under separate categories in the Migration Law. Each family member must submit an individual application with the required documentation.

Paraguay operates a territorial tax system, meaning only income earned within Paraguay is taxable. Foreign-sourced income is not subject to Paraguayan tax. Personal income tax rates are 8% (up to PYG 50 million), 9% (PYG 50-150 million), and 10% (above PYG 150 million). Individuals with gross income under PYG 80 million are exempt.

The process has two main stages:

Stage 1 — Investor Certificate (through SUACE/MIC):

1. Prepare a business plan with company structure, investment breakdown, employment plan, and 24-month timeline
2. Compile origin-country documents (criminal background certificate, proof of financial capacity)
3. Compile Paraguay documents (Interpol certificate, proof of entry)
4. Submit the application form and all documents to SUACE in person
5. A specialist conducts documentary verification
6. The director reviews project feasibility
7. Certificate is issued within 5 business days

Stage 2 — Permanent Residency (at Migration Directorate):

1. Present the Investor Certificate along with all residency documents at the Migration Directorate's SUACE office
2. Residency is processed in 10-15 business days

The total process from start to permanent residency card takes approximately 3 months. Application fees are approximately USD 370 for permanent residency plus PYG 223,004 for the radicacion certificate.

The investment must be in industry, commerce, or services within Paraguay. The business plan must demonstrate economic viability and include a detailed breakdown of how the investment will be allocated. SUACE may conduct technical verification of the declared business location. Businesses must notify SUACE within 30 days of any changes involving address, name, mergers, or substantial legal modifications.

• All applications must be submitted in person at the SUACE office in Asuncion; there is no online application channel
• Foreign-language documents must be translated by a certified public translator in Paraguay (Portuguese documents from Brazil are exempt)
• Legal representatives may handle follow-up after initial submission, but the first filing requires personal presence
• Applications are considered abandoned if the applicant fails to advance the process for more than 10 business days without notice
• After obtaining permanent residency, holders receive a Paraguayan national identity card (cedula de identidad) through an expedited process
• After 3 years of permanent residency with at least 183 days per year in Paraguay, holders may apply for citizenship by naturalization