Permanent Residency by Investment in Paraguay: SUACE Programme Guide
SUACE programme: permanent residency by investment in Paraguay for 70,000 USD. Requirements, steps, real costs, and pitfalls to avoid.
The essentials in 30 seconds
- What is it? A direct permanent residency scheme for foreign investors, based on Law No. 6984/22.
- How much? 70,000 USD committed over 10 years in a Paraguayan company + 3,000 to 8,000 USD in professional fees.
- How long? 4 to 9 months for a complete, well-prepared application.
- No prior temporary residency required? Yes, it is the only legal exception to the standard 2-year rule.
- Is a lawyer required? Not legally mandatory, but strongly recommended. The process can technically be handled alone, but a rejected application starts from scratch. The cost of failure always exceeds the cost of proper professional support.
- Main risk: Non-lawyer consultants and local real estate agents are the primary source of failed applications on the ground.
Key figures
| 70,000 USD minimum | 0 years of temporary residency | 4–9 months processing time | 10 years cédula validity |
What is the SUACE programme?
Official source: migraciones.gov.py
The SUACE (Sistema Unificado de Apertura y Cierre de Empresas : Unified System for Business Opening and Closing) is a Paraguayan inter-institutional one-stop shop that consolidates the procedures for opening and closing businesses across several public institutions (Viceministerio de Industria y Comercio, DNIT, Municipality, Caja Nacional de Jubilaciones, etc.).
In the immigration context, "SUACE programme" refers to the special permanent residency scheme for foreign investors, governed by Law No. 6984/22 on Migration. Any foreign national who establishes or develops a company through this one-stop shop can access permanent residency directly, without going through the standard 2-year temporary residency period.
Legal framework
- Law No. 6984/22 on Migration : general legal framework, entered into force on 19 October 2022. Establishes the SUACE route for investors. Abolishes the former bank deposit requirement (~5,000 USD).
- Law No. 4986/2013 : creates the Sistema Unificado de Apertura y Cierre de Empresas.
- Decree No. 3606/2015 : implementing regulations for Law 4986/2013.
- MIC Resolution No. 236 : defines the conditions for obtaining the Constancia de Inversionista Extranjero.
SUACE permanent residency eligibility requirements
Official source: suace.gov.py : PDF required
Two cumulative conditions, in accordance with Law No. 6984/22 and MIC Resolution No. 236:
Condition 1 : Minimum investment of 70,000 USD
A commitment to invest 70,000 USD in the Paraguayan economy over 10 years, formalised through a Sworn Declaration of Investment Commitment. The investment does not need to be paid in full on day one : it is spread over 10 years. However, it must be real, traceable through banking records, and properly documented. No tolerance for fictitious arrangements.
Condition 2 : Creation of local employment
A commitment to the creation of decent employment in Paraguay (MIC Resolution No. 236, Art. 3). In practice, a minimum of 5 local jobs is expected : assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Viceministerio de Industria y Comercio.
General conditions
Foreign national wishing to settle in Paraguay as an investor
Clean criminal record from the country of origin and from any country of residence in the last 3 years (apostilled, translated)
Regular entry into the territory : valid entry stamp or migration ticket
Complete civil status documents : apostilled birth certificate, translated if necessary
Which types of investment are eligible?
MIC Resolution No. 236 defines eligible investors as foreign natural or legal persons wishing to open a business in Paraguay in the industrial, commercial or services sectors, with the aim of job creation and economic growth.
Eligible : Share capital in a Paraguayan SRL or SA (recommended)
You establish or capitalise an SRL (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada) or an SA (Sociedad Anónima) and contribute the required capital.
- SRL: the most flexible structure for small and medium-sized operations. Recommended for most investor profiles.
- SA: preferred for real estate projects through a company or larger structures.
Eligible : Shares in an existing company or EAS
- Purchase of shares in an active Paraguayan company : the amount acquired constitutes the declared investment.
- EAS (Empresa en Acción Simplificada) : a recent simplified structure, ideal for small projects or startups.
Eligible via structure : Real estate through a Paraguayan company
A purchase in one's own name does not qualify. However, through a properly incorporated real estate company (SRL or SA) set up via the SUACE, it does. This is precisely where local real estate agents create problems (see the Pitfalls section).
Not eligible
- Personal bank deposit : abolished by Law 6984/22. Still offered by some: avoid at all costs.
- Real estate purchased in one's own name : does not constitute a SUACE investment.
- Investment in a foreign company : the company must be incorporated in Paraguay through the SUACE.
The 6 steps of the SUACE programme from start to finish
The procedure unfolds in 6 main steps, involving several Paraguayan institutions. Physical presence is required at certain key stages.
- Constancia de Inversionista Extranjero (MIC/SUACE) · 2 to 8 weeks
The cornerstone document. Issued by the Viceministerio de Industria y Comercio through the SUACE, it certifies that the foreign national is recognised as an investor and triggers priority immigration processing. Required documents: passport, application form, Sworn Declaration with investment amount.
- Incorporation of the Paraguayan company through the SUACE · 2 to 8 weeks
Formal creation of the SRL, SA or EAS: articles of incorporation by a public notary (escribano público), registration with the Registro Público, obtaining the RUC (Paraguayan tax number), Caja de Jubilaciones, corporate bank account. An apoderado (local authorised representative) can manage this step by power of attorney.
- Transfer of capital to the corporate account
The declared capital is deposited and traced. Bank statements will be required in the residency application file. No banking trace = application inadmissible.
- Submission of the application to the DNM · Physical presence required
With the Constancia and all required documents, submission to the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones. Physical presence of the applicant in Asunción is generally required to sign declarations before the official. A stay of a few days is sufficient.
- Processing of the application and issuance of permanent residency · 2 to 6 months
The DNM reviews the application. Total processing time: 4 to 9 months for a complete file. Once approved, the carnet de residencia permanente (valid for 10 years) is issued. A rejected application must restart from the beginning.
- Obtaining the Cédula de Identidad Paraguaya · A few days
Permanent residency granted → Cédula de Identidad Paraguaya from the Departamento de Identificaciones de la Policía Nacional. Valid for 10 years. Provides access to all services: banking, public administration, Mercosur mobility.
Required documents for SUACE permanent residency
Official source: migraciones.gov.py, updated October 2025
All documents must be submitted as original + two copies certified by a Paraguayan notary, unless otherwise indicated.
SUACE-specific document
- Constancia de Inversionista ExtranjeroIssued by the Viceministerio de Industria y Comercio via SUACE. Original + 2 certified copies. Without this document, no application can be submitted.
Identity documents
- Identity document from country of originMust be valid, National ID card, DNI or Passport. Original + 2 certified copies.
- Consular visa (if applicable)Original + 2 copies + MRE verification. Required depending on nationality.
Entry into the territory
- Constancia de ingreso al paísStamped migration slip or entry stamp in the passport. Original + 1 certified copy.
Civil status documents (apostilled + translated)
- Birth certificateApostilled (Hague Convention signatory countries) or legalised by the Paraguayan Consulate then the MRE. Original + 2 copies. Translation into Spanish by a Paraguayan sworn public translator if necessary (Brazilian Portuguese is exempt).
- Civil status certificateDepending on situation: marriage certificate, divorce judgement, or death certificate of spouse. Apostilled or legalised.
Criminal record
- Criminal record certificateFrom age 14, from country of origin + any country of residence over the last 3 years (if > 1 year). Apostilled or legalised. Note for Mexico (DNM Resolution No. 1272/2024): both federal AND state certificates required.
Real timelines and costs in 2026
Processing timelines
| Step | Indicative timeline | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| Constancia de Inversionista | 2 – 8 weeks | MIC / SUACE |
| Paraguayan company incorporation | 2 – 8 weeks | Notary + Registro Público |
| DNM application review | 2 – 6 months | Dirección Nacional de Migraciones |
| Total timeline (complete application) | 4 – 9 months | - |
These timelines apply to a complete, well-prepared application with no missing documents. A rejected application starts from scratch.
Official DNM fees
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Schedule a consultationTax benefits of SUACE Paraguayan residency
SUACE permanent residency confers the same tax rights as any Paraguayan permanent residency. For a comprehensive overview of the tax system, see our complete guide to Paraguay's tax system.
| Tax | Rate |
|---|---|
| Foreign-source income (IRP) | 0% |
| Paraguayan company profits (IRE) | 10% |
| Wealth tax | 0% |
| Inheritance tax | 0% |
| Gift tax | 0% |
| Standard VAT (IVA) on local transactions | 10% |
The key principle : Territorial taxation (Law No. 6380/19)
Paraguay taxes only income from Paraguayan sources. Your foreign income (foreign clients, offshore dividends, capital gains on assets outside Paraguay) is not taxed as a Paraguayan resident.
Your Paraguayan company pays IRE at 10% on its local profits. Your personal income from foreign sources is taxed at 0% IRP (personal income tax). No wealth tax on your global assets. No inheritance tax.
SUACE vs the standard route: which residency pathway in Paraguay?
| Criterion | Standard route (TR + PR) | SUACE programme |
|---|---|---|
| Prior temporary residency | Mandatory (2 years) | Not required |
| Estimated total timeline | 2.5 – 3 years | 4 – 9 months |
| Minimum investment | None | 70,000 USD / 10 years |
| Status obtained | Permanent residency | Permanent residency |
| Card validity | 10 years | 10 years |
| Tax rights | Identical | Identical |
| Access to naturalisation | After 3 years | After 3 years |
| Ideal for | Profiles without high investment capacity | Investors, residency in under 1 year |
From SUACE to a Paraguayan passport: the path to citizenship
SUACE permanent residency is the starting point towards Paraguayan naturalisation.
3 years of permanent residency with at least 6 months of physical presence per year
Speak Spanish or Guaraní : verified during the naturalisation application
Know the national anthem : the applicant must be able to write it from memory
Application to be submitted in person before a judicial or immigration authority
Common pitfalls: why SUACE is a high-risk procedure without the right professionals
Paraguay has in recent years attracted a wave of expatriates presenting themselves as "immigration consultants", "fixers" or "specialist agents". The reality on the ground: the vast majority of poorly prepared applications are prepared by non-lawyers.
Mistakes that are costly
The DNM application is simply inadmissible. The company must be registered through the official SUACE one-stop shop to qualify.
Systematic rejection. The DNM verifies bank statements and the consistency between the declared investment and funds actually deposited.
A single non-compliant document causes the entire application to be rejected. This is the most frequent error among unassisted applicants.
Abolished by Law 6984/22. Still offered by some consultants who are behind on the legislation, avoid them entirely.
Does not qualify. Frequently sold incorrectly by local real estate agents who earn their commission regardless of the immigration outcome.
Expired entry = blocked procedure + fines. Immigration status must be valid at the time of submission.
The specific problem with local real estate agents
Since 2020, Paraguay's real estate market has seen a massive influx of expatriates, accompanied by a proliferation of agents, many of whom are recent expatriates themselves, with no local legal training, who have moved into property transactions in a near-unregulated market.
The real estate profession in Paraguay is virtually unregulated. Anyone can call themselves an asesor inmobiliario without certification, legal training, or disciplinary oversight.
What some agents do, knowingly or through ignorance, is present a personal-name purchase as "SUACE-eligible", bypass the formal company incorporation through the official one-stop shop, or offer residency + real estate packages that create hybrid, non-compliant applications.
The problem with non-lawyer consultants
The category of "Paraguay residency consultants" on YouTube and Facebook groups has exploded in size. Some are honest but insufficiently trained. Others collect fees without the competence to handle the procedure in its technical aspects.
Red flags to avoid without hesitation:
- "I handle everything without a lawyer, it's cheaper", true until rejection. Then it costs twice as much.
- "We can work around the SUACE with this structure", Law 6984/22 cannot be circumvented.
- "I've helped 200 people" without verifiable references or proof of legal qualification.
- Very low fees (500–1,000 USD all-inclusive) : an almost certain indicator of a rushed, shoddy application.
- No mention of a licensed Paraguayan lawyer in the service description.
- Unrealistic timelines: "residency in 6 weeks", "guaranteed in 3 months".
Why specialist legal support makes all the difference
What the law says
Law 6984/22 does not require a legal representative to submit a SUACE application. You can technically submit your application directly to the DNM, or entrust it to a non-lawyer immigration agent.
What the reality on the ground shows
The procedure involves several public institutions, multiple legal texts (Law 6984/22, MIC Resolution No. 236, Decree 3606/2015), foreign documents that must be authenticated with precision, and a corporate structure that must be properly established. A single incorrectly apostilled document, a poorly drafted Sworn Declaration, and the application is rejected.
We regularly see applicants come to us after a first failure managed by a non-lawyer consultant or a real estate agent. The cost of failure is systematically higher than what proper professional support from the outset would have cost.
What a specialist professional can do that others cannot
Analysis of your situation before starting, nationality, immigration status, type of project.
SRL, SA or EAS depending on your activity, tax situation, and long-term objectives.
In the exact terms expected by the MIC/SUACE and the DNM, no margin for error.
Apostille, consular legalisation, sworn translation, every document must be flawless.
If the DNM or MIC requests clarification, a professional can intervene directly.
Unlike an unqualified consultant, a licensed lawyer assumes professional responsibility for the file.
Your project deserves serious support
Eligibility assessment, referral to the right professionals, end-to-end coordination. Avoid costly mistakes from the start.
Schedule a consultationFAQ: SUACE investment residency in Paraguay
70,000 USD committed over 10 years in a Paraguayan company incorporated through the SUACE (Law No. 6984/22). The investment must be real, traceable through banking records, and declared in the Constancia de Inversionista Extranjero. It does not need to be paid in full on day one.
No. This is the central advantage of SUACE. Law No. 6984/22 imposes a 2-year temporary residency for the standard route, but SUACE is the only legal exception allowing investors to access permanent residency directly.
4 to 9 months for a complete, well-prepared application. Constancia de Inversionista: 2 to 8 weeks. Company incorporation: 2 to 8 weeks. DNM review: 2 to 6 months. An incomplete application must restart from the beginning.
Not legally mandatory, but strongly recommended. The procedure can technically be handled alone or with an immigration agent. However, a single non-compliant document causes complete rejection of the application, and restarting costs at least as much as the initial professional support.
A purchase in one's own name does not qualify. Through a properly incorporated Paraguayan real estate company (SRL or SA) set up via the SUACE, it does. This is a distinction that many real estate agents overlook or fail to mention.
Certain steps can be managed by an apoderado (Paraguayan authorised representative). However, submission of the application to the DNM requires physical presence in Asunción, a stay of a few days is sufficient.
Yes. After 3 years of permanent residency with at least 6 months of presence per year. Requirements: speak Spanish or Guaraní, write the national anthem from memory, and submit the application in person. The Paraguayan passport provides visa-free access to more than 140 countries, including Schengen.
The Sworn Declaration is a formal legal commitment. A proven breach may result in the residency status being called into question. The investment must be real, even if its deployment over 10 years provides flexibility.
Yes, with no nationality restrictions. Certain nationalities require a prior Paraguayan consular visa, verify based on your passport before starting the process.
Verified official sources : Updated 2025–2026
Paul Albert
Freedom & Finance Advisor
PhD in International Law
“Only small men fear small writings. — Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais”
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any decision.
