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  4. Temporary Residence (Residencia Temporal, Law 6984/2022)

🇵🇾 Republic of Paraguay · residence general · Leads to settlement

Temporary Residence (Residencia Temporal, Law 6984/2022)

By Sam Parks · Last reviewed: 10 July 2026

Source check: all 3 official citations reconfirmed 11 July 2026

For most people moving to Paraguay: under the 2022 migration law this is now the usual first step - temporary residence for up to two years, which later converts to permanent residence.

No sponsorship requiredLeads to permanent residencyGranted for up to two years and renewable for an equal period; it is a prerequisite for changing category to permanent residence. Confirm current validity on the official page.In flux
Processing time
Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official Migraciones page.
Government fees
Indicative only - government processing fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official page.
Typical duration
Granted for up to two years and renewable for an equal period; it is a prerequisite for changing category to permanent residence. Confirm current validity on the official page.
Sponsorship required
No
Leads to permanent residency
Yes
Reviewed 10 July 2026Direccion Nacional de Migraciones (Paraguay) ↗

In short

As of 10 July 2026, the Temporary Residence (Residencia Temporal, Law 6984/2022) for Republic of Paraguay is an unsponsored Paraguay immigration route. Sources: official Republic of Paraguay government pages, reviewed 10 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/paraguay/temporary-residence#answer

Rule changes note —Heads-up: Law 6984/2022 (with subsequent regulation through 2025) replaced the old near-instant permanent-residence route. Most applicants now take temporary residence first and later convert to permanent residence; the SUACE investor track is the main direct-to-permanent option. Confirm the current categories and requirements on the official Migraciones page.

What is the Temporary Residence (Residencia Temporal, Law 6984/2022) in Republic of Paraguay?

Temporary Residence (Residencia Temporal, Law 6984/2022) is an unsponsored Paraguay route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - government processing fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official Migraciones page; typical duration is Granted for up to two years and renewable for an equal period; it is a prerequisite for changing category to permanent residence. Confirm current validity on the official page. This route can lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Direccion Nacional de Migraciones (Paraguay) on 1 June 2026.

OverviewEligibilityPathwayApplyFAQ

Overview

Temporary residence (residencia temporal) is the residency authorisation granted by the Direccion Nacional de Migraciones under Law 6984/2022 to foreign nationals who enter Paraguay intending to establish themselves and carry out a lawful activity. It replaced the old route that granted permanent residence almost immediately: today most applicants take temporary residence first, then change category to permanent residence. It is granted for up to two years and is renewable; while it is processed you hold "precarious resident" status, letting you leave and re-enter, study and work, and obtain a Paraguayan ID card.

ℹ️ Who can apply?

You do not need a job offer or employer to apply for the Temporary Residence (Residencia Temporal, Law 6984/2022). This route can lead to permanent residence. Open to qualifying applicants from all countries.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

  • ✓The applicant enters Paraguay intending to establish themselves and carry out a lawful activity.Direccion Nacional de Migraciones (Paraguay) ↗
  • ✓A qualifying ground or category under Law 6984/2022 (such as work, pension or own income) is met.Direccion Nacional de Migraciones (Paraguay) ↗
  • ✓A valid passport and a criminal-record certificate, legalised or apostilled, are presented.Direccion Nacional de Migraciones (Paraguay) ↗
  • ✓Supporting documents for the chosen category are provided as required.Direccion Nacional de Migraciones (Paraguay) ↗

Common blockers

  • !No qualifying category or lawful activity under Law 6984/2022 can be shown.Direccion Nacional de Migraciones (Paraguay) ↗
  • !Required civil-status or criminal-record documents are not legalised or apostilled.Direccion Nacional de Migraciones (Paraguay) ↗
  • !Expecting immediate permanent residence, which the 2022 law generally no longer grants up front.Direccion Nacional de Migraciones (Paraguay) ↗

Typical evidence

  • ·Valid passport and a recent criminal-record certificate, legalised or apostilled.Direccion Nacional de Migraciones (Paraguay) ↗
  • ·Documents evidencing the qualifying category (e.g. employment, pension or own-income proof).Direccion Nacional de Migraciones (Paraguay) ↗
  • ·Birth and, where relevant, marriage certificates, legalised or apostilled.Direccion Nacional de Migraciones (Paraguay) ↗
  • ·Proof of address or other supporting documents the category requires.Direccion Nacional de Migraciones (Paraguay) ↗

Application pathway

  1. 01

    Check the route fit

    Confirm which Law 6984/2022 category fits and that you understand the temporary-to-permanent path, using the official Migraciones page.

  2. 02

    Build the evidence pack

    Gather your passport, apostilled or legalised criminal-record and civil-status documents, and the category-specific supporting documents.

  3. 03

    Submit through the official channel

    File the temporary-residence application with the Direccion Nacional de Migraciones following the official requirements.

  4. 04

    After approval

    Obtain your Paraguayan ID card, then later apply to change category to permanent residence within the required window before your temporary card expires.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant
    Use official Temporary Residence (Residencia Temporal, Law 6984/2022) route page ↗

    Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Temporary Residence (Residencia Temporal, Law 6984/2022).

    Direccion Nacional de Migraciones (Paraguay) · verified 1 June 2026

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Compare Republic of Paraguay with

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Related routes

  • Permanent Residence (Residencia Permanente, 10-year card)

    For people already settled in Paraguay: this is the indefinite permanent residence you reach by converting from temporary residence, with a resident card renewed every 10 years.

  • Temporary Residence - Pensioner (Pensionado / Jubilado)

    For retirees: this category lets you settle in Paraguay on a certified pension or retirement income, starting as temporary residence and later converting to permanent residence.

  • Temporary Residence - Independent Means (Renta Propia)

    For people with stable passive income: this category lets you settle in Paraguay on your own recurring foreign income, beginning as temporary residence and converting to permanent residence later.

  • Permanent Residence for Investors (SUACE)

    For investors: the SUACE route is Paraguay's fast lane - it grants permanent residence directly, without first going through temporary residence, for foreign investors who register a qualifying business.

Frequently asked questions

Does Paraguay still offer instant permanent residence?+−

Generally no. Law 6984/2022 replaced the old near-instant permanent-residence route, so most applicants now take temporary residence first and convert to permanent residence later. Good to know: the SUACE investor track is the main direct-to-permanent option. Confirm the current rules on the official Migraciones page.

Can I work while my temporary residence is processed?+−

Yes. While your temporary-residence application is processed you hold "precarious resident" status, which lets you leave and re-enter Paraguay, study and work for the duration. Confirm the current scope on the official Migraciones page.

Can I move to Paraguay without a job offer or an employer sponsoring me?+−

Yes. Temporary residence under Law 6984/2022 does not require employer sponsorship; you qualify by meeting a category (such as work, pension or own income) and entering Paraguay intending to establish yourself and carry out a lawful activity. Confirm the current categories on the official Migraciones page.

What documents do I need to prepare before applying for Paraguayan residence, and do they need an apostille?+−

You present a valid passport and a recent criminal-record certificate that is legalised or apostilled, plus the documents evidencing your chosen category and, where relevant, birth and marriage certificates that are also legalised or apostilled. Documents that are not legalised or apostilled are a common reason applications stall, so confirm the exact list on the official Migraciones page.

Does moving to Paraguay on temporary residence eventually lead to permanent residence?+−

Yes. Temporary residence is granted for up to two years and is renewable, and it is a prerequisite for changing category to permanent residence later. Confirm the current period on the official Migraciones page.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in Paraguay

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Direccion Nacional de Migraciones (Paraguay)

Last checked: 1 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

This is not legal advice

We publish neutral, sourced information about immigration routes. Rules and thresholds change often — always verify details on the official government source linked on this page and consult a regulated immigration advisor before applying.

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