Paraguay residents must check their route before permanent-residence filing

National-law temporary residence has its own conditions

Paraguay’s National Migration Directorate, DNM, publishes separate temporary-residence procedures under Law 6984/2022 and the Mercosur residence agreement. This current procedural guide concerns foreigners intending to establish residence, rather than a new November visa announcement. Applicants should identify the legal basis on their existing card before choosing a renewal or permanent-residence procedure.

The national-law temporary-residence service describes a card valid for up to two years, extendable for an equal period, and temporary residence as the prior stage to permanent residence. Its checklist includes valid origin-country identification, the relevant consular visa where required, proof of entry, birth and applicable civil-status records, specified overseas background records and Paraguayan checks. It explains how residence in countries other than the country of nationality affects background evidence.

The page also describes provisional resident status while the temporary application is processed, allowing study, work and exit and re-entry during that status’s validity. Obtain the actual provisional documentation and dates; this benefit should not be inferred from an unsubmitted file. The service warns that accepting documents does not itself mean residence has been granted.

Mercosur temporary residence is not the same renewable permission

DNM’s Mercosur service identifies nationals of Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador as eligible to apply under that agreement. The published temporary permission lasts two years and is not extendable. A national of a listed country should therefore check which route was actually granted rather than assume that the national-law renewal language applies to every two-year card.

The Mercosur checklist includes identification, birth and applicable civil-status evidence, specified criminal or police records, a Paraguayan foreigner-background certificate, an international-background declaration and proof of presence or entry. It provides special documentary rules for minors and specified circumstances in which adolescent records are not issued. These are documentary exceptions, not an exemption from obtaining immigration permission.

Use the Mercosur service’s own checklist and ask DNM about the permanent application appropriate to that card. Membership in a regional organisation, possession of a foreign identity document or payment of a general residence charge should not be treated as proof that an unlisted nationality falls within the published nationality scope.

The national-law permanent filing window starts before expiry

For holders of temporary residence under Law 6984/2022, DNM’s permanent-change service says to apply during the three months before the temporary card expires. It permits filing up to one month after expiry with the applicable overstay fine. After that month, the page directs the applicant to a temporary extension, available within six months after expiry with the fine. This late-filing description is not advice to let a valid card expire.

Permanent applicants must meet the listed admission and evidence requirements; the card’s approaching expiry is not enough. The service requests identity and residence documents, specified checks and verifiable financial resources. Applicants whose family circumstances, occupation or identifying details have changed should review the additional evidence required. A student should not assume that enrolment by itself proves financial means. DNM’s permanent checklist is the action resource for matching the supporting file to the application.

Budget using the July 2026 table and the actual payment method

DNM’s fee table, effective from 1 July 2026, lists Gs2,926,925 in cash for national-law temporary residence, including provisional residence and category change. Mercosur temporary residence is listed at Gs2,341,540, while permanent residence including category change is Gs2,926,925. The temporary-extension charge is Gs1,287,847. These are distinct services; paying the amount for a visitor’s stay extension does not pay for a residence renewal.

The table also lists separate charges for residence certificates, information changes and applicable fines, with combined totals where several services are required. Electronic payments carry provider commissions, so a card payment can exceed the cash figure. Cash payments are in guaraníes. Use the official fee table to identify the correct service and payment method, request the official receipt, and confirm any additional item before payment. The reviewed resources provide no guaranteed approval date: retain valid documentation and follow DNM’s instructions while the application is assessed.