In this guide, you’ll discover how Paraguay’s investor visa works, what makes it one of the most accessible residency-by-investment programs, and how you can secure your visa with a minimum commitment. You’ll learn about the SUACE system, flexible payment plans, investment pathways, application steps, and how to maintain your residency en route to citizenship.

What Is the Paraguay Investor Visa?

Paraguay offers a residency-by-investment program designed to attract foreign entrepreneurs and capital. It’s managed through the SUACE (Unique Automated System for Company and Exporter Registration), which unites company registration and visa applications under one digital roof. Launched in 2013, SUACE cuts processing time almost in half compared with normal residency routes.

Key features:
– Residency via a registered Paraguayan company
– Streamlined online process through SUACE
– Minimum company capital contribution starting at USD 27,500
– Annual physical presence required once every three years

Why Paraguay?

You might be weighing options in Europe or the Caribbean. Paraguay stands out for:

• Affordable entry: USD 70,000 spread over 10 years or USD 7,000 per year
• Low cost of living—monthly expenses can be under USD 1,200 for a small family
• Tax perks: no tax on foreign-sourced income
• Access to MERCOSUR markets and visa-free travel to over 100 countries according to the Henley Passport Index
• Political stability and ongoing economic growth

“Paraguay’s SUACE system has simplified the way investors establish companies—and secure residency,” says an official at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

Investment Options Explained

You have multiple routes to meet the USD 70,000 threshold:

1. SUACE Company Registration
2. Minimum capital contribution of approximately USD 27,500.
3. Can be paid in installments across a decade.
4. Business Investment
5. Start a new enterprise or inject funds into an existing Paraguayan company.
6. Your investment counts as company equity.
7. Real Estate via Company Structure
8. Property purchased under your SUACE-registered entity.
9. Treats the asset as a business holding.

Benefits of this flexibility:
– Align investment with your expertise—agriculture, manufacturing, technology, services
– Gradual funding eases cash-flow pressures
– All options qualify for the same residency status

Step-by-Step Application Process

Follow these steps to secure your investor visa:

1. Register a Company via SUACE
2. Create an online profile on SUACE’s portal.
3. Submit company statutes, capital plan, and board information.
4. Transfer Funds to a Paraguayan Bank
5. Deposit the agreed capital into your company account.
6. Obtain an Investor Certificate
7. Request certification from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
8. Draft a Viable Business Plan
9. Detail operations, market analysis, and projected outcomes.
10. File Residency Application
11. Attach criminal background check, medical exam, and passport copies.
12. Attend an Interview in Paraguay
13. One trip suffices; you need not remain beyond a few days.
14. Receive Your Residency Card
15. Typical processing: 30–60 days.

Required Documents

• Passport copy
• Criminal record from home country
• Medical certificate
• Company incorporation papers
• Bank deposit confirmation
• Business plan

Maintaining Residency & Path to Citizenship

Once approved:
– Visit Paraguay at least once every three years to keep your status active.
– After three years of residency—assuming the same minimum visit requirement—you can apply for citizenship under local integration rules.

Life and Banking in Paraguay

Living here offers:
– Rent for a modern apartment in Asunción can be USD 500 per month.
– Banking services tailored for foreign-owned companies.
– Free movement across MERCOSUR partners (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and more).

Common Missteps to Avoid

• Submitting an incomplete business plan
• Forgetting the investor certificate process
• Overlooking the three-year visit rule
• Assuming real estate must be a personal asset rather than company property

Your Next Chapter in Paraguay

By leveraging SUACE’s streamlined framework and flexible investment terms, you can establish legal residency in Paraguay with minimal fuss. From low taxes to regional market access, this program gives you a practical path from investor to citizen. Start your application, plan your business roadmap, and take that first trip to Asunción—your Paraguayan residency awaits.