Paraguay's "Investor Pass" is drawing attention. Under Law 6984/2022, however, the entry point remains temporary residency of up to 2 years, followed by permanent residency. No terms for the Investor Pass have been confirmed in published reporting so far, so treat it as a sign of specialist interest. Do not plan around it until the DGM or a licensed immigration lawyer confirms the details.
What IMI Daily's Investor Pass analysis signals about temporary residency
On October 10, 2026, the specialist outlet IMI Daily published an analysis titled "What Paraguay's Investor Pass Hints at the Future of Temporary Residency." The headline says a lot about where the conversation is heading. Temporary residency is being discussed in investor-oriented terms, not only as a lifestyle option.
What the headline does not provide is substance. Published reporting so far does not specify an investment amount, processing time, eligibility criterion or legal basis for an Investor Pass. Be wary of anyone who quotes such figures without citing a primary source. Before committing capital to any investor-linked residency route, confirm the details directly with the Dirección General de Migraciones (DGM) or a licensed immigration lawyer in Paraguay.
How temporary residency works under Law 6984/2022
Paraguay's current migration framework is Law No. 6984/2022 on Migration, which replaced the older Law 978/1996. If you read older blog posts that cite the previous law, check them against the current text.
Temporary (up to 2 years) to permanent: the two-step path
The structure is simple:
- You first obtain temporary residency, valid for up to 2 years.
- You can then apply to move to permanent residency, subject to the conditions the DGM confirms.
This is the backbone of any Paraguayan residency plan, whatever route you take into the first stage.
This article focuses on the temporary stage and on investor-oriented routes. For the permanent residency steps and the cédula, see our guide on the temporary-to-permanent residency and cédula timeline.
Who handles what: DGM, Policía Nacional and DNIT
Three institutions cover most of what a newcomer needs:
- DGM (Dirección General de Migraciones): the authority for residency applications.
- Policía Nacional, Departamento de Identificaciones: issues the cédula, Paraguay's national ID card.
- DNIT (Dirección Nacional de Ingresos Tributarios): the tax authority. It was created by Law No. 7143/2023, which merged the former SET and the customs directorate. It issues the RUC (Paraguay's taxpayer ID) and runs the Marangatu management system.
Investor route vs. standard temporary residency: which one fits your profile
The table below compares the main options. Where an investor-oriented route would involve amounts, timelines or requirements that have not been confirmed, the cell tells you what to verify instead of guessing.
| Aspect | Standard temporary residency | Investor-oriented route (e.g., Investor Pass) | Permanent residency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal framework | Law No. 6984/2022 | Confirm with the DGM or a licensed lawyer | Law No. 6984/2022 |
| Duration | Up to 2 years | Confirm with the DGM or a licensed lawyer | Follows the temporary stage; confirm conditions with the DGM |
| Authority | DGM | DGM is the residency authority; confirm route specifics | DGM; cédula from the Policía Nacional |
| Typical profile | Remote workers, nomads, retirees, plan-B seekers | Founders and investors planning real capital deployment | Residents who completed the temporary stage |
| What you should verify first | Current document list and legalization rules | Whether the route exists in practice, and any amounts, timelines or requirements | Conditions for moving up from temporary status |
| Next step | Gather documents and secure a documented address | Consult the DGM or a licensed immigration lawyer before committing capital | Apply through the DGM, then request the cédula |
When the standard route is usually simpler
For most remote workers, nomads and retirees, standard temporary residency is usually the simpler path. It follows the structure of the law (temporary first, permanent later) and does not tie your residency to a capital project. If your goals are a second residency, a stable base and access to local banking, you rarely need an investor framework to reach them.
When an investor-oriented route may make sense
An investor-oriented route is worth examining if you already plan to deploy real capital in Paraguay. Typical cases:
- Founders incorporating an EAS. The Empresa por Acciones Simplificada was created by Law No. 6480/2020. It allows a single shareholder and simplified or digital incorporation through SUACE.
- Capital projects. Law No. 60/1990 provides tax incentives for capital investment, including exemptions on capital goods for approved projects. This regime is separate from residency, but it matters if your plans involve equipment or industrial assets.
Even in these cases, the residency category and the corporate or investment structure are separate decisions. Sequence them with a lawyer, not from a headline. If you want help coordinating residency and a company, our custom services page explains how to request a quote for residency or company formation with partner professionals.
Practical prerequisites before you apply
Documents to prepare in your home country
Applicants typically gather the same categories of paperwork:
- a valid passport;
- civil and background records from their country of origin;
- the legalizations or apostilles those records require.
The exact list and any translation requirements can change, so confirm the current list with the DGM or a lawyer before ordering documents. Apostilled records can take time to obtain in your home country, so starting early helps.
A stable, documented address in Asunción
Residency is only one of several procedures that ask where you live:
- banks and fintechs run KYC checks;
- the DNIT needs a registered address for your RUC;
- other procedures will ask for your address again later.
Keeping one consistent, documented address across these steps avoids avoidable questions and back-and-forth.
Our address service provides a real legal and tax domicile in Asunción. It consists of a 12-month lease agreement on an apartment in the Eje Corporativo of Asunción, plus a signed address certificate. Both are issued in about 48 hours with electronic signature, and the process is fully remote. The plan costs 800 USD per year, all inclusive, and we assign the unit. The lease agreement and certificate are commonly used as proof of address, but acceptance always rests with each bank, fintech or authority.
See the pricing section for details. Our guide to proof of address for banks and fintech KYC explains how these documents are typically used.
Tax reality check: territoriality as a general rule, and home-country ties
Under Law No. 6380/2019, Paraguay applies, as a general rule, a principle of territoriality for income tax: Paraguayan-source income is taxed. Certain foreign-source capital income may receive specific treatment under the personal income tax (IRP), so "0% on everything earned abroad" is not a safe summary.
For reference, the main rates are:
- corporate income tax (IRE): 10%;
- VAT (IVA): 10% in general;
- dividends (IDU): 8% for residents and 15% for non-residents.
These figures matter mainly if you plan an EAS.
Moving to Paraguay does not by itself settle your tax position at home. That depends on the rules of your country of citizenship or prior residence.
US citizens: citizenship-based taxation continues
The United States taxes its citizens on worldwide income wherever they live. Paraguayan residency does not end US filing obligations. Provisions such as the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) may reduce US tax in some situations. Reporting regimes such as FBAR and FATCA, which cover foreign accounts and assets, can also apply to Americans abroad. Do not assume a second residency changes your IRS position. For a deeper look, read our guide on US citizens, Paraguayan residency and tax obligations, and work with a US tax professional.
Canada, UK and Australia: review departure and residency tests
Each of these countries applies its own test, based on your circumstances at home rather than on whether you hold a Paraguayan residency card:
- Canadians should review how residential ties and departure rules apply to them.
- Brits should check the statutory residence test.
- Australians should review the tax residency tests that apply to them.
Take advice from an adviser in your home country before you move, not after.
Context: foreign investor attention on Paraguay
Two data points give context. Moody's upgraded Paraguay's sovereign rating to Baa3, which is investment grade, in July 2024.
More recently, according to La Nación, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau arrived in Asunción on October 19, 2026 for a three-day official visit. He is leading a delegation of US companies to explore investment opportunities. The US State Department said the visit aims to expand trade and investment and deepen regional security cooperation. This visit is context on foreign investor interest only. It has no connection to the Investor Pass or to residency rules.
Common mistakes when choosing a residency route
- Planning around a headline. A news item about an Investor Pass is not a set of requirements. Verify with the DGM or a licensed lawyer first.
- Deploying capital before confirming the route. Money should follow confirmed terms, not the other way round.
- Assuming residency resets your taxes. This is especially risky for US citizens. Canadians, Brits and Australians should also check their home tests.
- Ordering documents before checking the current list. Apostilles and legalizations cost time and money, and requirements can change.
- Using inconsistent addresses. The address on your residency file, bank KYC and RUC registration should match.
- Skipping professional advice on both sides. You need a licensed professional in Paraguay and an adviser in your home country.
This content is informational and does not constitute legal or tax advice; consult a licensed professional in Paraguay.