Paraguay Citizenship by Investment and Golden Visa

David Davies

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March 9, 2025

The phrases citizenship by investment and golden visa are often confused, leading to misunderstandings. A citizenship by investment programme grants full citizenship—and thus a passport—in return for an investment in the country, whereas a golden visa provides residency but does not include a passport. This blog discusses whether citizenship by investment in Paraguay is a viable option for those looking to acquire a second or alternative passport, as well as the Paraguayan golden visa programme as an alternative pathway to residency and, eventually, citizenship through naturalisation.

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Obtaining citizenship by investment in Paraguay is not possible like it is in countries such as in the Caribbean CBI programmes. The citizenship is instead granted following a period of residency. However, Paraguay offers a golden visa programme (known as the SUACE) in addition to other more standard residency options. Under this programme, an applicant obtains permanent residency in Paraguay in return for investment in a business in the country. The Paraguayan golden visa was launched in 2013 and gives benefits to the holder short of full citizenship allowing the holder to maintain the period of residency required to obtain citizenship by naturalisation along with the right to live, work and study in Paraguay and visa-free travel to the surrounding MERCOSUR countries. Paraguayan residency has gained popularity, particularly with seafarers, as it has a favourable tax regime and low attendance requirements. Once obtained, Paraguayan citizenship allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to around 150 countries, including the EU Schengen countries but not the USA or the UK.

Does Paraguay Offer Citizenship by Investment?

Paraguay does not offer citizenship by investment as such; rather, it offers a system of residency permits that can lead to citizenship in a comparatively short period of time. These are not known as golden visas with the closest to a golden visa being the SUACE programme. Citizenship cannot be obtained by investment alone but can be obtained by a process of naturalisation after a residence period of at least three years.

Residence comes with the following main benefits:

Visa-free travel to the MERCOSUR countries, including Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay
Ability to live, work and study in Paraguay
Possibility to extend residency and then to apply for permanent residency after two years and citizenship after a further two years (three years in total if obtaining permanent residency under the SUACE programme)

What is the level of investment required?

To obtain permanent residency outside the special SUACE program, an applicant must have had a temporary residency for two years and show sufficient resources to reside in Paraguay.

Under the SUACE programme, an applicant has to commit to investing USD 70,000 in a business in Paraguay over ten years (although if citizenship is acquired prior to expiry of the ten-year period, the requirement lapses).

How long does the process take?

Concentrating on the fast-track SUACE programme, this typically takes around 90 days, although it must be noted that most of this must be done in person and an applicant will need to spend around six business days in Asunción, the capital of Paraguay.

How much does it cost?

For those upgrading from a temporary residency visa, the official costs are low at less than USD 2,000 but the costs of advice, translation etc. will increase that amount. The costs involved in obtaining permanent residency under the fast track SUACE programme are typically around USD 14,000 when taking into account professional fees, costs of translation and legalisation of documents etc.

Can family members also obtain permanent residency?

Yes, but only children under the age of 18. Spouses and other relatives will need to apply separately. All applicants will need to apply separately for citizenship after the required period of residency.

How long is the golden visa issued for?

Permanent residency is issued for life. It does need to be re-issued every ten years but this is purely an administrative process.

Do I need to spend time in Paraguay?

Permanent residents only need to visit Paraguay once every three years, making this one of the lowest requirements compared to similar programmes in other countries.

How is the citizenship of Paraguay obtained?

Obtaining citizenship of Paraguay is not related to the residency programmes other than as part of compliance with the required residency periods. Applicants can obtain citizenship of Paraguay through what can be considered standard paths such as birth, descent and marriage and also by naturalisation.

The main criteria for citizenship by naturalisation are as follows:

Proof of Paraguayan residency. The period required is three years of permanent residency status.
Be fluent in Spanish or Guarani (tested)
Demonstration of knowledge of the Paraguayan constitution, politics and history (tested)
Clean criminal record

Paraguayan citizenship may be removed if the citizen is absent from Paraguay for a period of more than three years.

Is Dual Citizenship Allowed in Paraguay?

In general no, applicants will be required to give up their original citizenship upon becoming a citizen of Paraguay. There are some limited exceptions to this general rule such as for citizens of countries with bi-lateral agreements with Paraguay on this matter, which currently only includes Spain and Italy. In practice, Paraguay rarely requires citizens to renounce their original citizenship, although this is likely due to administrative oversight and should not be relied upon.

Caribbean Citizenship by Investment as the Best Alternative

As you can see from the above, obtaining citizenship in Paraguay take more than three years, and requires learning the language fluently and detailed knowledge of the country and its history and politics. In comparison, the Caribbean citizenship by investment countries offer a faster and more certain alternative with a lower level of commitment from the applicant. For more details, check out the pages of the Caribbean CBI programmes.

Final Thoughts

Obtaining citizenship by investment in Paraguay alone is not an option as it is under other programmes, for example such as Granada citizenship by investment. Rather, citizenship is obtained by maintain a period of permanent residency. The Paraguayan golden visa programme is worth considering if you do not require full citizenship for at least three years as it gives you the right to live, work and study in the country and is relatively inexpensive. For investors looking for a passport for global mobility, wealth and tax planning and a speedy process, unless you are looking to genuinely get fully involved as a citizen of Paraguay and can wait at least three years, it is unlikely that Paraguay is the right option for you.

What types and levels of investment qualify for Paraguay’s golden visa programme?

The SUACE programme is the only residency programme that relates to investment. Applicants must show a business plan that plans investment of at least USD 70,000 over ten years (although it is noted that once citizenship is obtained, this requirement lapses and so in practice, a lower level of investment may suffice in practice).

How long does it take to process an application for a Paraguayan golden visa?

Obtaining permanent residency under the fast-track SUACE programme typically takes around 90 days. However, it must be noted that most of this must be done in person, and an applicant will need to spend around six business days in Asunción, the capital of Paraguay.

How long does it take to obtain citizenship of Paraguay?

An application for citizenship may be made once the applicant has maintained permanent residency status for three years.

What documents are required to apply for Paraguayan permanent residency?

For permanent residency under the SUACE programme, documents required include: passport; birth certificate; creation of a Paraguay company and business plan; medical certification and clean criminal records from the home country, Paraguay and Interpol.

Can family members be included in the application for a Paraguayan golden visa?

Only children under the age of 18 can apply along with the main applicant. All other persons must apply separately.

Are there any residency requirements for applicants for a Paraguayan golden visa?

To maintain permanent residency requires only at one visit to Paraguay within every three-year period.

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David Davies

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David Davies

Antigua and Barbuda enjoys a tropical maritime climate, characterised by warm temperatures year-round, with an average of 27°C (81°F). The islands have a relatively dry season from January to April, with a wetter season from May to November. The islands have robust infrastructure and emergency systems in place to manage such events.

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Paraguay Citizenship by Investment and Golden Visa

Does Paraguay Offer Citizenship by Investment?

What is the level of investment required?

How long does the process take?

How much does it cost?

Can family members also obtain permanent residency?

How long is the golden visa issued for?

Do I need to spend time in Paraguay?

How is the citizenship of Paraguay obtained?

Is Dual Citizenship Allowed in Paraguay?

Caribbean Citizenship by Investment as the Best Alternative

Final Thoughts

What types and levels of investment qualify for Paraguay’s golden visa programme?

How long does it take to process an application for a Paraguayan golden visa?

How long does it take to obtain citizenship of Paraguay?

What documents are required to apply for Paraguayan permanent residency?

Can family members be included in the application for a Paraguayan golden visa?

Are there any residency requirements for applicants for a Paraguayan golden visa?

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