What does a second residency mean?
A second residency means having official, legal residence status in a second country – regardless of your citizenship or primary residence. You are not obliged to live permanently in Paraguay but have the legal option to do so and can use all associated benefits.
Benefits of a second residency: It provides legal and personal security against unforeseen developments in your home country, opens access to banks and business in Paraguay, enables travel in South America with the Cedula and is the basis for later citizenship. Those who let ParaguayJoker support them save time and hassle: we help with document preparation, appointment coordination and communication with authorities – so you keep track and avoid common pitfalls.
Paraguayan residency is one of the most straightforward in South America and offers an excellent starting point for long-term options.
Temporary vs permanent residency
Paraguay offers two types of residency:
- Temporary residency (Residencia Temporal): Granted initially for two years and can be extended. You receive the Cedula already with temporary residency.
- Permanent residency (Residencia Permanente): Can be applied for after temporary residency and grants unlimited residence status.
Requirements
Key requirements for residency in Paraguay include:
- Valid passport
- Police clearance from home country (apostilled)
- Birth certificate (apostilled and translated)
- Proof of permanent address
- A bank deposit of approximately 4,500–5,000 USD is usually required as proof of financial capacity.
- Personal appearance in Paraguay; medical examination on site
We describe the document list and exact process in the article Applying for the Cedula: step by step.
Why act now?
The process to obtain residency usually takes several weeks to months. Those who pursue their Plan B early keep control of the timeline and avoid unnecessary pressure. ParaguayJoker coordinates all necessary steps and helps ensure your application is submitted completely, correctly and efficiently.
