Immigration to Paraguay for Malaysia citizenship

Provided to foreign citizens who wish to stay in the country for permanent residence and act as a useful tool in the development of the country. The procedure for obtaining a permanent residence permit in Paraguay can take up to 90 days from the date of application.

Within six months of obtaining a permanent residence permit, you will need to visit Paraguay and apply for an ID card.

Your Paraguay permanent residence card will be valid for ten years.

Paraguay is changing the rules of immigration. The new law modernizes the immigration system for the first time since 1996, as well as changes the rules of residence permits.

It is now possible to obtain a permanent residence permit for 10 years after two years of residence on a temporary residence permit. Previously, a permanent residence permit was valid indefinitely, if you confirm the accumulation of USD 5000 in a local bank or graduate from a Paraguayan university. Exceptions are relatives of Paraguayans, investors and foreign citizens who have a residence permit in Paraguay or have submitted immigration applications before October 19, 2022.

All documents from the country of origin must be presented in the original, with one copy certified by a notary.

1. The original document certifying the identity of the country of origin, notarized by a public notary.

2. Original current criminal record of the applicant from the country of origin, aged 14 and over.

From the country of origin: criminal records legalized by the Consulate of Paraguay in

country of origin and legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paraguay 

● From the country of residence: Criminal records for the last 5 years, legalized by the

Consulate of Paraguay in the country of issue and legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

● If the applicant has been residing in Paraguay for more than 5 years: provide witness summaries

The testimony issued by the Court of Justice, explaining that the applicant has been living in the country for more than 5 years, as well as the existing certificate from Interpol.

3. Original birth certificate legalized at the Consulate of Paraguay 

4. Original certificate of marriage, divorce, or death.

5. The original medical certificate issued by a general practitioner authorized by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, approved by the Ministry of Health.

6. Original certificate of life and residence without expiration; issued by the local police station.

7. Original unexpired criminal record for foreigners, issued by the

IT Department of the National Police, from the age of 14.

8) The original statement of a jury before a notary in compliance with Article 23 of Law 978/96.; in the case of minors, parents must take an oath of compliance with Art. 23 of Law 978/96 on behalf of their minor children, signed by both parents, or guardians.

9) Solvency:

• Deposit card of a bank or other financial institution with a minimum amount of 5000 dollars or their equivalent.
• An employment contract with the certification of signatures indicating the amount received (in Spanish)
• taxpayer registration number
• document certifying the identity of the employer, plus an application for the performance of the contract from the employer.

1. Obtaining Paraguay resident status under the investment program: the minimum investment is 70,000 dollars, the investment, however, can be completed within 10 years. Buying real estate, offering services, or engaging in trade, agricultural land, and other activities can also meet the requirements.

2. Retirement in the country: You can go this way if your monthly retirement income is at least 8,434,000 guaranies (about 1,000 dollars). There are no age restrictions.

3. If one of your family members is Paraguayan.

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Documents:

1. Passport.
2. Police clearance
3. Birth certificate
4. Certificate of marriage or divorce (if any)
5. Medical certificate issued in Paraguay
6. Certificate under oath issued in Paraguay
7. Document issued by the National Police, the Paraguayan Identification Department
8. Document confirming residence in Paraguay, which must be held during the entire period of residence

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There are two ways to legalize all documents from the country of origin:

1. On a visa provided by the competent local authority of the Consulate of Paraguay and subsequent legalization at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay.

2. Apostille legalization method (for countries that signed the Hague

Convention). The apostille must be requested from an authorized institution in the country of origin.

Once you have obtained permanent residence in Paraguay, you do not need to live in the country to maintain your status. However, if you want to apply for Paraguayan citizenship, there are certain requirements:

To be eligible for citizenship, you must spend at least 183 days in Paraguay each year, pay taxes and social security, and learn Spanish (Castellano) and a bit of Paraguay's history. After three years, you can get the right to obtain citizenship.

However, please note that although a Paraguayan permanent resident can apply for citizenship after three years, the naturalization procedure may take a few more years.

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What does the Paraguayan passport give?

The Paraguay passport allows you to travel to more than 130 different countries without a visa or without a visa on arrival. These include the EU, Russia, and the United Kingdom.

As a Paraguayan citizen, you can easily get a work visa to the United States.

Once you become a citizen of Paraguay, you can settle in any MERCOSUR country (Brazil, Argentina, or Uruguay).

The Constitution of Paraguay states that dual citizenship is only allowed based on reciprocity, which means that if Paraguay and your country do not have a bilateral agreement, you will not be allowed to retain your original citizenship.

Any person born in Paraguay receives Paraguayan citizenship at birth.  The only exception applies to the children of persons serving in a foreign government (for example, foreign diplomats).