Paraguay

Paraguay Investor Permanent Residency (SUACE) Program

Residency is a function of streamlined enterprise

Paraguay’s SUACE route transforms investment into permanence — fast-tracking into permanent residency for those who engage in business and capital deployment rather than simple deposit-based formulas. It is designed for investors who prioritise minimal fuss, strategic presence, and access to South America’s territorial-tax regime.

Program Overview

Under Sistema Unificado de Apertura y Cierre de Empresas (SUACE), a unified “one-stop” platform for business registration and investor immigration in Paraguay, foreign nationals may apply directly for permanent residency by registering a qualifying business project.

Important to note: The programme is residency-by-investment, not direct citizenship-by-investment. Citizenship is possible later via naturalisation after meeting residence criteria.

Key Advantages

• Direct to Permanent Residency: Through the SUACE route, investors may bypass the standard two-year temporary residency and apply directly for permanent resident status.

• Fast Processing: Under recent reforms, the investor certificate and residency via SUACE may be issued in approximately 10-15 business days in optimal cases.

• Low Minimum Investment: While not a fixed “fee”, the workload revolves around committing to investment in a company/business and job creation requirements — frequently cited minimum ~USD 70,000.

• Flexible Investment Period: The investment may be staged over up to 10 years in many cases, giving more flexibility for pledged capital.

• Family Inclusion: Spouse, dependent children and in many cases dependent parents may be included under the principal applicant’s status.

• Territorial Tax Regime: Paraguay taxes only domestic-source income — foreign-source income can be exempt under the territorial system, making this an attractive tax base.

Qualifying Investment & Requirements

• Minimum Commitment: Commitment to invest roughly USD 70,000 (or equivalent) into a business registered under SUACE.

• Job Creation: Business plan must target at least 5 jobs for Paraguayan nationals.

• Registration under SUACE: Investor must register via SUACE (company opening/closing system) and receive an ‘Investor Certificate’ (Constancia del Inversionista).

• Due-Diligence & Background Checks: Applicants must submit authenticated documents: passport/ID, birth certificate, criminal record, proof of entry, etc.

• Company Formalisation: The applied business must be duly formalised in Paraguay (SA, SRL, EAS structures) via SUACE.

Process & Timeline

1. Engage a licensed agent or local lawyer to prepare documentation and business plan.

2. Register business via SUACE, apply for Investor Certificate with the relevant authorities (via Ministry of Industry & Commerce + National Migration Directorate).

3. Submit permanent residency application under SUACE investor route.

4. Once approved, receive Paraguayan cédula (identity card) and full permanent resident status. The permit is valid for 10 years (renewable).

5. Maintain the investment/business and job-creation commitments.

6. After at least 3 years of residency, one may apply for naturalisation/citizenship.

Costs & Fees

• Investment: ~USD 70,000 commitment (not necessarily immediate full deposit).

• Legal and processing fees: typically USD 3,000-6,000 depending on firm and complexity.

• Government/filing fees: relatively modest (e.g., USD 600-800 for processing) per current reports.

Maintenance & Future Pathways

• Resident card is valid for 10 years and renewable.

• No strict full-time relocation requirement; however frequent long absences may risk status review. Some sources mention visiting at least once every three years.

• After three years of continuous legal residence, application for Paraguayan citizenship is eligible — subject to requirements such as Spanish language / Guaraní, good conduct, and economic participation.

Considerations & Risk Factors

• Although the investment threshold is comparatively low, the business must genuinely operate and create jobs — “paper” investment may fail the review.

• Paraguay is still a frontier jurisdiction: legal systems, enforcement, and business transparency may differ from more developed countries.

• Residency doesn’t equate to immediate citizenship — naturalisation rules apply and can change.

• While tax advantages are appealing, foreign-source income exemption requires understanding of local tax law and proper structuring.

• Always verify latest legal amendments: e.g., older bank-deposit routes (USD 5,000) were abolished in 2022 under Law 6984/22.

Conclusion

Paraguay’s SUACE Investor Permanent Residency Programme offers a straightforward, cost-effective route to South American residency — with full business integration and minimal fuss. For investors seeking flexible presence, tax efficiency, and a credible business footprint in Latin America, Paraguay stands out. It rewards action, not aspiration — residency achieved through enterprise, not paperwork.

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