What is it?
On April 17, 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC) and the National Directorate of
Immigration officially announced the launch of the Paraguay Investor Pass during an official mission in Brazil. It is a direct permanent residence program for foreign investors, designed to simplify and accelerate the traditional immigration process by eliminating the mandatory temporary residence stage, which has a minimum duration of two years under the general process.
The previous scheme and the new one: a significant evolution
Although before the launch of the Investor Pass, there was already a special process for resident investors (SUACE System), which required a minimum investment of USD 70,000 in a business venture and a commitment to create at least five jobs for Paraguayan citizens, this process remains fully in effect and continues to be a valid option for those wishing to settle through an investment linked to formal employment creation in the country. The new system allows access to permanent residence via investment through modalities that do not necessarily involve establishing a company or creating jobs for Paraguayans.
Investment amounts and modalities
The Investor Pass offers three pathways depending on the type of investment:
• USD 150,000 in tourism sector projects.
• USD 200,000 in the Paraguayan securities market.
• USD 200,000 in the real estate sector (property purchase)
How does the process work?
The procedure will be managed through a single window that integrates immigration, tax, and identification processes via SUACE, under MIC. Most of the process can be completed electronically. Physical presence in Paraguay is only required for the final step: issuing the Paraguayan identity card.
Although the program was officially launched and is in the phase of international socialization, the regulations are in the process of official publication, and it is expected to become operational shortly.
Permanent residence: advantages over temporary residence
Permanent residence provides significantly greater legal stability than temporary residence. A key practical difference is the absence rules: while temporary residents cannot leave the country for more than a year without risking losing their status, permanent residents have a margin of up to three years. This greater flexibility is especially valued by investors who do not plan to reside continuously in Paraguay but want to keep their residency active.
Border Security Zone: special attention for investors from Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia
Investors from these three countries, although fully eligible for the Investor Pass process, must always consider the restrictions imposed by border security regulations.
Law No. 2532/05, amended by Law No. 2647/05 and regulated by Decree No. 7525/11, explicitly states that foreigners from neighboring countries—specifically Argentina, Brazil, and
Bolivia—and legal entities predominantly composed of nationals of those countriescannot own, co-own, or hold usufruct rights over rural properties within a 50-kilometer strip adjacent to the land and river border lines of the national territory, unless expressly authorized by the Executive Power based on public interest reasons.
This is where the Paraguay Investor Pass becomes particularly relevant for these investors. The law itself provides an explicit exception for foreigners with permanent residence in Paraguay, meaning that obtaining permanent residence through the Investor Pass can be the first concrete step to overcome this restriction.
Reminder for Uruguayan citizens: an even more direct route
Uruguayan citizens have an additional and even more accessible option to obtain permanent residence in Paraguay, completely independent of the Investor Pass and the SUACE system. Under Law No. 6774/2021, which approves the Permanent Residence Agreement between Paraguay and Uruguay, Uruguayan nationals can directly access indefinite validity permanent residence without needing to demonstrate any investment, bypassing the temporary residence stage, and with the usual documentation required for any immigration process. Additionally, this agreement exempts the payment of the government fee associated with the residence process. For Uruguayan citizens considering settling in Paraguay, this bilateral pathway remains the fastest and most convenient option under current law.
We are fully available to provide more details about this new program and assist you with your investment projects in Paraguay. For more information, please contact Carla Sosa at carla.sosa@berke.com.py and/or Nicolás Matías at nicolas.matias@berke.com.py
