The Complete 2026 Guide to Direct Permanent Residency for Entrepreneurs and Active Investors
By WeParaguay | Updated April 2026 | Based on first-hand client experience and official SUACE documentation
There is a lot of noise online about how to get permanent residency in Paraguay. Most of it is incomplete, outdated, or written by people who have never actually submitted an application. This guide is different.
We are WeParaguay. Our co-founder Osher has personally accompanied clients through the SUACE investor process, walked into the SUACE offices, submitted the paperwork, and seen what actually happens, not just what the regulations say.
This guide covers the SUACE Business Plan track meaning the entrepreneur route requiring a $70,000 business investment and 5 local employees. If you are a passive investor, see our guides on the Paraguay Investor Pass ($150K–$200K, no company required) or the Film Production PR route.
If you are a foreign investor considering Paraguay and want a clear, honest, practical picture of this path then read every word.
1. What Is SUACE and Why Does It Exist?
SUACE stands for Sistema Unificado de Apertura y Cierre de Empresas, the Unified System for the Opening and Closing of Companies. It is a one-stop interinstitutional window created by the Paraguayan government to streamline business registration for both local and foreign entrepreneurs.
Under SUACE, multiple government institutions work together in a single process: the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC), the National Tax Authority (SET), the Social Security Institute (IPS), and others. The goal is to reduce bureaucracy and make Paraguay genuinely competitive for foreign direct investment.
In 2022, Paraguay enacted Law N° 6984/22, which created a special residency track for foreign investors who open companies through SUACE. Under this law, a qualifying investor can bypass the standard temporary residency stage, which is valid for a standard two-year term and proceed directly to permanent residency.
Important: SUACE Now Offers Multiple Investor Tracks As of April 2026, SUACE administers three distinct investor residency programs:
- SUACE Business Plan (this guide): $70,000 business investment + 5 employees
- Paraguay Investor Pass: $150,000–$200,000 in tourism, real estate, or the stock market. No company, no employees required.
- Film Production PR: Investment in a local film project (amount varies by project). PR in 60 days.
This guide covers the Business Plan track only. Each track has different requirements, investment thresholds, and ideal client profiles.
Key Legal Basis Law N° 6984/22 (Ley de Migraciones) Article 55 governs the consequences of non-compliance with investment commitments made through the SUACE declaration.
2. The Standard Path vs. The SUACE Business Plan Path
To understand why SUACE matters, you need to understand what it replaces.
The Standard Path (Without SUACE)
- Apply for temporary residency (radicación temporaria)
- Wait up to 2 years maintaining legal presence in Paraguay
- Then apply for permanent residency (radicación definitiva)
- Then apply for your Paraguayan Cédula de Identidad
The SUACE Investor Path
- Submit your full document package to SUACE
- Receive the Constancia de Inversionista from SUACE, then receive your Permanent Residency, also through SUACE
- Go to Identificaciones for your Paraguayan Cédula de Identidad
The two-year temporary residency stage is entirely eliminated. And unlike the standard path which involves coordinating between multiple government ministries’the SUACE investor track keeps the entire residency process under one roof. Both the Constancia and the Permanent Residency card are issued through SUACE. A qualifying investor can complete the full process from document submission to having a permanent residency card in approximately 30-45 days when documents are properly prepared.
Important Distinction The Constancia de Inversionista is not yet your permanent residency, it is the first document SUACE issues, certifying your investor status. Your permanent residency is issued as the second document, also through SUACE. Both come from the same institution. You do not need to visit Migraciones for the PR application on this track.
The Three-Step Process at a Glance
| STEP 1 SUACE Ministry of Industry & Commerce- Constancia de Inversionista (up to 5 business days) | → | STEP 2 SUACE Permanent Residency Issued Also through SUACE / Ministry of Industry & Commerce | → | STEP 3 IDENTIFICACIONES Departamento de Identificaciones- Paraguayan Cédula de Identidad |
3. SUACE Business Plan: Investment Requirements: What Qualifies
To be eligible for the SUACE investor track, you must demonstrate the intention and capacity to meet two binding obligations within 24 months of receiving your Constancia de Inversionista:
Requirement 1: Minimum Investment of USD $70,000
The minimum qualifying investment is USD $70,000 (seventy thousand US dollars) or the guaraní equivalent at the official exchange rate on the date of application.
This is not a fee paid to the government. It is a capital investment in a business you open in Paraguay. The money must be documented and traceable.
What counts toward the $70,000?
- Bank deposits in the investor’s name (verified by bank statements from the last 3 months)
- Investment instruments such as savings certificates, bonds, mutual funds, or equities
- Real estate held in the investor’s name (with current property title and updated appraisal)
- Machinery and vehicles (with title and fiscal depreciation records)
- Business equity if investing through an existing company (with incorporation documents showing ownership)
What does NOT count toward the $70,000?
- Employee wages– your payroll costs do not count toward the investment threshold
- Rent payments– leasing office or commercial space is not investment capital
- Cash held without documentation– the capital must be evidenced by official financial records
| Field Note Bank statements must cover the 3 months immediately before the date of application to SUACE. If the statements are in a foreign language, they must be translated into Spanish by a certified public translator registered in Paraguay. Portuguese documents from Brazil are the only exception and do not require translation under Paraguayan law. |
Illustrative Investment Breakdown: Example Only
| Investment Category | Amount (USD) |
| Hardware & IT equipment | $35,000 |
| Software licenses & development | $20,000 |
| Office infrastructure & fit-out | $10,000 |
| Machinery & specialized equipment | $5,000 |
| TOTAL QUALIFYING INVESTMENT | $70,000 |
*This is an illustrative example only. Your actual investment structure depends entirely on your business type and activity. SUACE evaluates each plan individually.
Requirement 2: Employ at Least 5 Workers
The investor must contract a minimum of 5 employees at a professional or technical level. These must be legitimate employment relationships registered with IPS (Instituto de Previsión Social), it’s Paraguay’s national social security and labor insurance authority.
IPS registration is mandatory. Without it, an employee is not officially recognized by the government as a legitimate hire. The IPS registration of the company as an employer is what creates the paper trail that proves compliance.
| IPS- The Part Nobody Explains Online IPS (Instituto de Previsión Social) is Paraguay’s equivalent of a national social security office. When your company hires an employee, you must register your company as an employer with IPS and register each employee individually, then pay monthly social contributions. This is how the government verifies that you have genuinely employed 5 people. A handshake agreement or a local contract that bypasses IPS does not satisfy the SUACE requirement. |
Requirement 3: 24-Month Execution Window
Both requirements, the $70,000 investment and the 5 employees must be fulfilled within 24 months from the date your Constancia de Inversionista is issued.
This is not a soft deadline. Under Article 55 of Law N° 6984/22, if you fail to comply, SUACE can notify Migraciones of the breach, and Migraciones can proceed to cancel your permanent residency. The investment commitment signed at SUACE is a legally binding sworn declaration (declaración jurada).
4. Step 1: Getting Your Constancia de Inversionista from SUACE
The Constancia de Inversionista is the foundational document of this entire process. It is issued by the SUACE office (operated under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce) and certifies that you are a qualifying foreign investor who has committed to opening a business in Paraguay.
Getting this document requires assembling a precise package of materials. Here is exactly what SUACE requires, with field-level notes on each item:
Documents Required for the Constancia
1. Official Application Form
Complete the electronic Formulario de solicitud de la Constancia de Inversionista Extranjero, sign it once printed. Available at www.suace.gov.py and www.mic.gov.py.
2. Identity Document (1 copy)
- Option A: National Identity Card from your country of origin
- Option B: National Identity Document from your country of origin
- Option C: Valid passport
3. Proof of Entry or Legal Stay in Paraguay (1 copy)
- Option A: Entry boleta (migration slip) stamped upon arrival
- Option B: Entry stamp in your passport
4. Criminal Background Certificate (1 copy- Federal level, NOT state/provincial)
This is one of the most misunderstood requirements. The certificate must be from the federal or national level of the relevant authority, not a state or provincial police certificate.
- If your current residence is your home country: certificate from your home country’s national authority
- If you lived outside your home country in the past 3 years: certificate from each country of residence where you spent more than 1 year, plus documents proving that residency
- If you have had temporary Paraguayan residency: Información Sumaria de Testigos from the local Justice of the Peace (Juzgado de Paz) certifying your period of residence in Paraguay
The certificate must be apostilled or legalized by Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If it is in a language other than Spanish (and not Portuguese), it must be translated by a certified translator registered in Paraguay.
5. INTERPOL Certificate (1 copy)
Certificate of background issued by INTERPOL Paraguay. This is separate from the national criminal background check. Both are required.
6. Business Plan (1 original, signed by the investor)
The business plan must contain specific sections as required by SUACE. We cover this in detail in Section 5 of this guide.
7. Proof of Financial Solvency (documents showing $70,000 capacity)
Choose whichever of the following applies:
- Bank statements for the past 3 months in the investor’s name showing adequate capital
- Bank statements for a company account where the investor is a shareholder (with incorporation documents proving ownership)
- Investment certificates: savings deposits, bonds, equities, mutual funds
- Real property: title deed + certified current-condition document + updated appraisal (not older than 6 months)
- Vehicles/machinery: title + current fiscal appraisal
| Processing Time According to Paraguayan law, SUACE must issue the Constancia de Inversionista within 5 business days of receiving a complete application. In practice this timeline is generally respected when the application is properly submitted. |
*Above: An actual Constancia de Inversionista issued by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce through SUACE, signed by the Director of Investments and Special Regimes and the General Director of SUACE. This is the document your investor package produces. Identifying details of the client have been blurred.
Important Notes on Document Preparation
- Copies are regular photocopies. Nothing at SUACE requires notarized copies. Simple copies suffice.
- All non-Spanish documents must be officially translated. Translation must be done by a Certified Public Translator registered in Paraguay or by a foreign public translator certified by competent authority in which case the translation itself must be apostilled. Portuguese documents from Brazil are exempt.
- Apostilles are required for foreign official documents. Paraguay recognizes Hague Convention apostilles. If your country is not a Hague Convention member, documents must be legalized first at the Paraguayan Consulate in your country and then at Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- All information across documents must be consistent. Names, dates, addresses, and company details must match exactly across all materials submitted.
5. The Business Plan: What SUACE Actually Wants
The business plan is not a startup pitch deck. SUACE is not a venture capital fund. They are a government window verifying that a real business will operate in Paraguay with real capital and real employees. Keep that framing in mind throughout.
The official guide from Paraguay’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce specifies four required sections:
Section 1: Identification (Identificación)
- Legal name of the company (existing or proposed)
- Executive summary: what the business does, its mission, vision, and strategic objectives
- Market relevance and competitive advantage
- Management team and shareholders: full names, nationality, home-country occupation, professional experience, role in the Paraguayan company, and contact details
- Location: exact address, city, and department of the principal establishment (office, production facility, warehouse, retail space, etc.)
Section 2: Description of the Activity (Descripción de la Actividad a Realizar)
- Target market: size, consumer trends, client segments, and needs the product/service addresses
- If producing goods: production process, raw materials, machinery, by-products
- If commercializing goods: origin of merchandise, purchasing and delivery arrangements, storage and inventory management
- If providing services: service characteristics, delivery model, and geographic scope of coverage
Section 3: Investment (Inversión)
- Total investment amount broken down by category
- Execution timeline: stages and milestones not exceeding 24 months (graphical representation recommended but not mandatory)
- Labor requirements: job profiles, number of positions, and employment modality
Section 4: Financial Solvency and Funding (Solvencia Económica y Financiamiento)
- How the investment will be funded (own capital, credit, partner contributions)
- Supporting documentation (referenced here and attached separately)
- Preliminary financial projections: estimated revenues and expenses
| Field-Level Note on the Business Plan The business plan must include the CIIU activity code (Clasificación Internacional Industrial Uniforme) corresponding to your business activity. Every business activity in Paraguay has an assigned code. Choosing the correct code matters because it determines your tax category, regulatory requirements, and how the business is classified in official records. We handle this as part of our client process. |
6. Step 2: Permanent Residency: Also Issued Through SUACE
This is the part that most people including many service providers get wrong. Under the current framework, once your documents are submitted and the Constancia de Inversionista is issued, the Permanent Residency is also processed and issued through SUACE. You do not need to make a separate visit to the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones.
Everything stays under one roof. SUACE handles the Constancia and the PR as part of the same investor process. The legal basis for this is Article 46 of Law N° 6984/22, as confirmed in the Constancia document itself which explicitly states that it can be presented to the competent body to request permanent residency in the investor category, in accordance with the current agreement between the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones.
| What This Means in Practice You submit your full document package to SUACE once. SUACE issues the Constancia de Inversionista. Then, within the same institutional framework, SUACE processes and issues your Permanent Residency. You do not stand in line at Migraciones. You do not navigate a separate institution. One trip, one window, two documents. |
How Does the SUACE Business Plan Compare to Other Direct-PR Routes?
| SUACE Business Plan | Investor Pass | Film Production | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investment | $70,000 (business) | $150K–$200K (passive) | Varies by project |
| Company required | Yes | No | No |
| 5 employees | Yes | No | No |
| Business plan | Yes | No | No |
| Family PR | Full family | Full family | Main applicant only |
| Processing | 30–45 days | approx 30-45 days from submission of documents and confirmation of investment, consistent with the standard SUACE investor track timeline. As this program launched in April 2026, WeParaguay will update this guide based on real client experience. | 60 days |
| Best for | Entrepreneurs | Passive investors | Speed-first clients |
This track, the SUACE Business Plan is designed specifically for entrepreneurs and active investors who intend to operate a real business in Paraguay and create local employment.
Documents Required for the Full SUACE Submission
The complete document package covering both the Constancia and the PR application is submitted together to SUACE. This includes all personal documents the immigration track requires:
1. Constancia / Certificado de Inversionista This is the first document SUACE issues after reviewing your application. It certifies your investor status and triggers the PR issuance process. Without it there is no residency pathway.
2. Identity Document from Country of Origin
- Option A: National identity card (cédula de identidad)
- Option B: National identity document
- Option C: Valid passport Original + authenticated copies required.
3. Consular Visa (if applicable) Original + authenticated copies, with verification by Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Relations, in cases where required by regulation.
4. Proof of Entry into Paraguay
- Option A: Stamped entry boleta from the immigration control post
- Option B: Passport entry stamp Original + 1 authenticated copy.
5. Birth Certificate Original + authenticated copies. Must be issued by the competent authority in the country of origin, apostilled or legalized.
6. Civil Status Certificate Original + authenticated copies. Options depending on status:
- Married: Marriage certificate
- Divorced: Divorce judgment/decree
- Widowed: Spouse’s death certificate Must be apostilled or legalized.
7. Criminal Background Certificate (National Level) Required for applicants 14 years of age and older. Original + authenticated copies. Apostilled or legalized. Same country and residency rules apply as described in Section 4.
8. INTERPOL Certificate Original + authenticated copies. Required for applicants 14 years of age and older.
9. Certificate of Background for Foreigners: Informatica de la Policía Nacional Original + authenticated copies. Issued by the Department of Informatics of the National Police of Paraguay. Required for applicants 14 years of age and older.
10. Sworn Declaration (Declaración Jurada) A sworn commitment to comply with Paraguay’s Constitution and laws, generated as part of the residency application process.
Practical Notes for the SUACE Submission
- The process is personal and in-person (presencial). The follow-up can be handled through a legal representative with power of attorney. We handle this on behalf of clients who cannot remain in Asunción through the entire process.
- Document admission is not approval. Submission of your package to SUACE initiates the process. It does not constitute final approval of residency.
- SUACE can request additional documents on a case-by-case basis. A clean, well-organized, complete package significantly reduces the likelihood of supplementary requests.
- Original documents are returned upon presentation of authenticated (notarized) copies through a Public Notary (Escribanía Pública).
- SUACE offices are located at Cap. Pedro Villamayor esq. Teofilo del Puerto, Asunción. Contact: (+595 21) 6163616 / [email protected].
| Thinking about this path? Do not prepare documents blindly. Schedule a structured review call before making irreversible moves. Book a Zoom call with Osher: https://s.weparaguay.com/widget/bookings/oshercalendar | WhatsApp: +595 992 023 510 |
7. Step 3: The Paraguayan Cédula de Identidad
Once permanent residency is approved through SUACE, the investor and eligible family members, can apply for the Paraguayan Cédula de Identidad (national identity card) at the Departamento de Identificaciones de la Policía Nacional.
The Cédula is the only step that takes you outside of SUACE. It is issued by the Department of Identifications of the National Police, a separate institution, a separate visit, but a straightforward one.
What Is Required at Identificaciones
- Proof of residency application submission (comprobante de solicitud de la cédula de identidad), this receipt is given when the application is lodged
- The permanent residency document issued through SUACE
Practical Notes
- Card validity. The Paraguayan permanent residency card is definitive (permanent) and must be renewed every 10 years.
- The Departamento de Identificaciones is located at Denis Roa esq. Avda Boggiani, Asunción.
- Card pickup. The card can only be collected by the cardholder, a parent, or a designated legal representative. Lost or stolen receipts require a police report before replacement.
- We collect both cards (the permanent residency card issued through SUACE and the Cédula from Identificaciones) on behalf of clients after issuance and ship via express international courier directly to their door anywhere in the world.
| Full Processing Timeline When documents are properly prepared and complete, the typical timeline from initial SUACE submission to having both cards in hand is approximately 30-45 days. The Constancia de Inversionista is issued within 5 business days by law. Permanent Residency is then processed through the same SUACE framework. The Cédula from Identificaciones follows after PR is confirmed. |
8. Family Members: How They Apply
One of the most commonly misreported aspects of the SUACE Business Plan is the question of family coverage. We want to be clear about what SUACE confirmed to us in person.
Permanent residency under the SUACE Business Plan is granted only to the primary applicant, the investor who signs the investment commitment. Spouse, children, and dependents do not receive permanent residency through the investor’s business structure.
Family members must apply for residency separately. The standard path applies: temporary residency first (2 to 3 months processing), then conversion to permanent residency after the legally required period.
This is the same rule that applies to the Paraguay Investor Pass and to all SUACE-administered direct-PR programs. The investor’s business or investment grants PR to the investor. Family members follow the standard residency path.
Practical implication: A family applying together typically structures the process as:
- Primary applicant applies through the SUACE Business Plan → Direct PR
- Spouse and children apply through Standard Residency → TR first, PR later
WeParaguay handles both processes in parallel for clients with families, so the documentation is prepared once and submitted in coordination.
9. The 24-Month Obligation: What Actually Happens If You Don’t Comply
This section is important and rarely discussed honestly online. The investment obligations are real and legally binding.
When you sign the application for the Constancia de Inversionista at SUACE, you are signing a sworn declaration (declaración jurada) committing to:
- Transfer/deploy a minimum of USD $70,000 into your Paraguayan business operation
- Hire and register at least 5 qualified employees through IPS
- Do both within 24 months of receiving the Constancia
If you fail to meet these obligations, SUACE is empowered under Law 6984/22 Article 55 to notify the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones of the breach. Migraciones can then initiate proceedings to cancel your permanent residency.
This is not a theoretical risk. The system is designed specifically to enforce compliance, and SUACE and Migraciones are linked institutionally.
The practical takeaway: this is a real investor program, not a residency hack. It is designed for people who genuinely intend to operate a business in Paraguay and create local employment. If that describes you, it is one of the best investor residency pathways in the world. If it does not describe you, this is not the right path.
Note: If the 5-employee requirement is a barrier for your situation, the Paraguay Investor Pass (launched April 2026) offers direct permanent residency through passive investment in real estate, the stock market, or tourism with no employment obligation whatsoever. Read more →
10. Field Notes from Real Applications: What the Official Documents Don’t Tell You
Osher has personally accompanied clients through this process, walked into the SUACE offices, reviewed applications before submission, and watched what happens in practice. Here is what we have observed that you will not find in any official PDF:
*In the picture: WeParaguay co-founder Osher at the SUACE headquarters for one of our Tier-1 investor clients. At WeParaguay, we serve a global elite of entrepreneurs, tech professionals, and international investors. While some clients choose to share their success journey publicly, others require absolute discretion for security and tax purposes. Our firm is structured to handle both. Whether you want to be the face of your move or remain completely under the radar, we ensure your transition to Paraguay is professional, secure, and private.
On Document Copies
Copies presented to SUACE are standard photocopies. There is no requirement to have them notarized. Authenticated (notarized) copies are a separate concept, required when original documents are to be returned after submission.
On Translations
Every document that is not in Spanish must be translated by a Certified Public Translator (Traductor Público Matriculado) registered in the Republic of Paraguay or by a certified foreign translator whose work is then apostilled. Portuguese-language documents issued by Brazil are the single exception under Paraguayan regulatory provisions.
This applies to bank statements as well. If your three months of bank statements are in English, Hebrew, Arabic, French, or any other language that is not Spanish or Portuguese, they need a certified translation before you submit.
If the solvency documentation comes from a business bank account rather than a personal account, you must also bring documents proving that you are the actual owner or shareholder of that business entity and those must be translated too.
On the Bank Statement Requirement
The three-month bank statements must clearly show a balance or transaction history that evidences your capacity to deploy $70,000. The statements must be recent (within 3 months of the application date). Older statements do not meet the requirement.
On INTERPOL
The INTERPOL certificate must come from INTERPOL Paraguay specifically (Interpol Paraguay). This is distinct from criminal background certificates issued by police authorities in your home country. Both are required and neither substitutes for the other.
On the Business Plan
The business plan is a formal document signed by the investor. It must include a CIIU activity code. It must include a credible investment breakdown and a 24-month timeline. It does not need to be a hundred pages, it needs to be accurate, consistent with the supporting financial documentation, and complete in the sections SUACE specifies.
On the Flow Between Institutions
The sequence matters and cannot be reversed:
- You submit your full document package to SUACE
- SUACE issues the Constancia de Inversionista (up to 5 business days)
- Permanent Residency is then processed and issued through SUACE- no separate Migraciones visit required
- With permanent residency in hand, you go to the Departamento de Identificaciones of the National Police for the Cédula
This is a material simplification compared to what many online guides describe. You do not navigate Migraciones as a separate institution for the PR on this track. Everything up to the Cédula happens within the SUACE framework.
11. The WeParaguay SUACE Business Plan Package
We built our SUACE investor package around the reality that most people going through this process are doing it once, from abroad, without a deep understanding of Paraguayan government systems. Our role is to make the process clean, documented, and fully handled.
Our package covers the entire process end to end:
Document Preparation and Pre-Approval
- Home-country document preparation assistance, guidance on what to obtain, how to get it apostilled, and what the translation requirements are
- Official pre-approval of your documents before submission (we review everything before it goes to SUACE)
Company Formation
- Local company incorporation
- Business bank account setup
- Corporate and personal RUC (Registro Único del Contribuyente, Paraguay’s tax ID) registration
- 2 months of IVA (VAT) reporting upon receiving your RUC
- Employer registration with IPS (Instituto de Previsión Social)
SUACE Process
- SUACE-compliant business plan development
- Identification of suitable land or commercial property for your business
- End-to-end handling of the Constancia de Inversionista application
- Sourcing 5 qualified employees as required for compliance
Residency and Identity Documents
- Permanent residency application (submitted to Migraciones once Constancia is in hand)
- Cédula de Identidad application (submitted to Identificaciones once PR is approved)
- Sworn certified translations of all required documents
- Notarized copies of all required documents
- Proof of address (police verification)
- Tax Residency Certificate
- Notarized Power of Attorney
Logistics
- Transportation to and from all required office visits
- Airport transfers for your single required trip
- Welcome dinner upon arrival
- We collect both cards (permanent residency card and Cédula) after issuance from the respective offices
- Express global courier shipping of both cards to your door, anywhere in the world
Ongoing Support
- Driver’s License application (car and motorcycle)
- 12 months ongoing support via email and WhatsApp with priority response, including evenings and weekends
- Community access: live Zoom sessions and in-person meetups in Asunción
| Package Fee and Travel Requirements The WeParaguay SUACE Investor Package is priced at USD $6,500. Government and immigration fees for the main applicant are included. Family members applying through the Standard Residency track pay separate government fees and follow the standard timeline (TR first, PR after the required period). WeParaguay coordinates both processes in parallel. |
12. Common Misconceptions We See Constantly
“I need to wait 2 years in Paraguay.”
Not on the SUACE investor track. The entire point of this pathway is the elimination of the temporary residency wait. Qualifying investors go directly to permanent residency.
“$70,000 is a government fee or deposit.”
No. It is investment capital deployed into your Paraguayan business. It is documented through your business plan, bank statements, and business activity. You are not handing this money to any government office.
“I can hire any 5 people.”
The law specifies professional or technical level employees. And critically, these employees must be registered with IPS. A person working for you informally does not count. The IPS registration of both the company (as employer) and each employee creates the official employment record.
“The Constancia de Inversionista is my residency.”
No. The Constancia is the certificate that unlocks the investor residency track at Migraciones. It is issued by SUACE (Ministry of Industry and Commerce). Your residency is issued by Migraciones (Ministry of Interior). They are different documents from different institutions.
“My foreign translator can do the translations.”
Only under specific conditions. A translation by a foreign public translator must itself be apostilled to be accepted. The cleanest solution in all cases is a Paraguayan certified public translator (Traductor Público Matriculado en la República del Paraguay).
13. Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be in Paraguay to start the process?
You can begin document preparation from your home country. However, SUACE requires in-person attendance. We coordinate your single trip to Asunción to align with all the required office visits so that everything happens efficiently during your time here.
Can my spouse apply under my investment?
Not for permanent residency. SUACE confirmed directly that the SUACE Business Plan grants PR only to the primary investor. Your spouse and children apply for residency separately through the Standard Residency track means temporary residency first, then conversion to permanent. We coordinate both processes in parallel so the family moves through the system together, but the legal pathways are distinct.
What happens after the 24 months?
Once you have fulfilled both obligations, the $70,000 investment and the 5 registered employees, your compliance is established. The 24-month window is the execution period, not an ongoing requirement. Once the obligations are met and evidenced, your permanent residency stands independently.
What type of business can I open?
The business must have a qualifying CIIU activity code and must be genuinely operational. Service businesses, consulting firms, commercial operations, technology companies, and real estate businesses are among the structures commonly used. The business plan must credibly describe the activity, and the activity must be legal under Paraguayan law.
Does my business have to generate revenue?
SUACE is concerned with the commitment to invest capital and employ workers, not with the business generating profit within the 24-month window. That said, the business must be real and operational. A shell company with no activity does not satisfy the spirit or the letter of the law.
What if my criminal background check has an observation or record?
If the criminal background report contains observations, the investor must request a formal positive opinion (dictamen favorable) from the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones that allows their residency in Paraguay. This is handled on a case-by-case basis.
Can I do this without a service provider like WeParaguay?
Legally, yes. Practically, the process involves coordination across multiple government institutions in Paraguay, requires documents in Spanish, requires in-person appearances, requires knowledge of which offices to visit and in what order, and requires a correctly structured business plan with the right CIIU codes. People who attempt this without professional guidance commonly experience rejection, delays, and additional trips to Paraguay. We have seen the files of applicants who tried and came to us afterward.
How is WeParaguay different from other service providers?
Our co-founder Osher goes to SUACE offices personally. We have accompanied real clients through this exact process. Our office in Asunción (Av. Sta. Teresa 2408) has a conference room available for in-person client meetings, and most of our international consultations happen on Zoom. We do not outsource our core work. We handle the process ourselves.
14. Conclusion: Is the SUACE Investor Path Right for You?
The SUACE Business Plan is one of the strongest entrepreneur-focused investor immigration pathways in Latin America. A minimum investment of $70,000, 5 registered employees, a credible business plan, and one trip to Paraguay, and you walk away with permanent residency and a Paraguayan Cédula de Identidad. Family members applying together through the Standard Residency track follow the parallel TR-to-PR path.
This is a real program with real compliance requirements. It is not a workaround. It is not a shortcut for people who don’t want to invest. It is a legitimate government pathway designed to attract capital and employment to Paraguay, and it delivers genuine permanent residency under Paraguayan law with a card valid for 10 years.
If you are a serious investor looking at Paraguay, whether for tax residency, asset protection, banking access, or a second residency for your family, this program deserves your serious attention.
We are happy to answer specific questions about your situation, your document profile, and what this process would look like for you personally. Osher and the WeParaguay team are available for consultations.
Exploring other routes?
- Paraguay Investor Pass Direct PR from $150,000. No company. No employees. Launched April 2026.
- Film Production PR, Direct PR through audiovisual investment. 60-day processing. Single trip.
- Standard Residency No minimum investment. Temporary to permanent in 2 years.
Contact WeParaguay
- Website: WeParaguay.com
- WhatsApp: +595 992023510
- Schedule a zoom call: https://s.weparaguay.com/widget/bookings/oshercalendar