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Republic of Paraguay · residence general · Leads to settlement

Temporary Residence (Residencia Temporal, Law 6984/2022)

By · Last reviewed:

Source check: all 9 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 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 Direccion 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

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.

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.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. 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. Build the evidence pack

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

  3. Submit through the official channel

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

  4. 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.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Temporary Residence (Residencia Temporal, Law 6984/2022), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check whether employment, self-employment, remote work or study is permitted under the status granted. Do not infer unrestricted work rights from the absence of an employer sponsor.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official Temporary Residence (Residencia Temporal, Law 6984/2022) instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to Paraguay

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

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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.

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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

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