News Briefing

Paraguay Ties Long-Term Residency to Active Income, Unless You Invest 

Jul 12, 2026News Briefingwww.imidaily.com

Paraguay’s new migration rules make converting a temporary residence card into permanent residency contingent on proving active economic activity, while a separate “Investor Pass” offers a passive‑investment route.

On May 28 2026 the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones (DNM) issued Resolution D.N.M. N° 407, which unifies the criteria for demonstrating solvencia económica (economic solvency) at the permanent‑residency stage. The temporary‑residence requirements remain unchanged, but applicants must now show genuine, documented income that matches the profession or activity declared when the temporary card was obtained. An uninterrupted stay of no more than one year abroad during the temporary period is also required for conversion.

How the conversion is assessed

  • Evidence of active income is required for most categories. Acceptable proof includes:
    • Registration with the Instituto de Previsión Social (IPS) social‑security system, or
    • A labor contract registered and homologated by the Ministry of Labor, or
    • Three months of value‑added tax (VAT) returns together with a tax‑compliance certificate.
  • For professional and technical categories, a university or technical degree alone no longer suffices; the holder must demonstrate that the qualification generates income.
  • The resolution lists 12 categories through which applicants may prove solvency:
    1. Professionals
    2. Technicians
    3. Employees
    4. Independent workers
    5. Remote workers / digital nomads
    6. Real‑estate owners
    7. Company shareholders and partners
    8. Farmers and ranchers
    9. Religious workers
    10. Pensioners
    11. Dependents
    12. Students

For most of these, the active‑income test applies; passive ownership (e.g., real‑estate or shareholding) still requires showing income generated by the asset.

Legislative background

Resolution 407 consolidates earlier instruments that were spread across six separate resolutions (710/2024, 905/2024, and their amendments 124/2025, 22/2026, 394/2025, 012/2026). The new Anexo Único is applied under both the Migrations Law (Ley N° 6984/22) and the MERCOSUR Residence Agreement (Ley N° 3565/08), eliminating the prior “normative dispersion” that the DNM described as undermining uniform application.

The passive‑investment alternative: Investor Pass (Resolution 0283/2026)

The Investor Pass operates independently of Resolution 407 and allows applicants to obtain permanent residency without first holding a temporary card. Four investment routes qualify:

Route Minimum investment Additional requirements
Real estate US $200,000 No business plan or job creation; annual report. Qualification can be based on a registered transfer deed or a notarized purchase contract with at least 30 % of the declared value paid.
Financial instruments US $200,000 Funds must be held for a minimum of two years; annual report required; no business plan or job creation.
Productive business US $70,000 Requires a business plan and the creation of at least five formal jobs.
Tourism US $150,000 Requires a business plan and half‑yearly progress reporting.

Only the real‑estate and financial‑instrument routes are truly passive, suitable for non‑resident investors who do not intend to engage in economic activity in Paraguay. Once permanent residency is granted via the Investor Pass, the holder must make only one visit every three years to maintain status.

Practical considerations

  • Documentation timing: Applicants pursuing the activity‑based route should begin gathering solvency evidence well before the conversion deadline, as the process now demands detailed, verifiable records.
  • Income thresholds: Resolution 407 does not specify a minimum income level for the filing window; this detail is expected to be clarified by immigration officials in the coming months.
  • Passive vs. active routes: For working‑age individuals who do not plan to work or generate income in Paraguay, the Investor Pass provides the clearer pathway, whereas the activity‑based conversion imposes ongoing compliance (e.g., annual reports, tax filings, and regular visits).

Overall, Paraguay has tightened the requirements for converting temporary residency into permanent status by insisting on demonstrable economic activity, while simultaneously offering a distinct, investment‑focused route for those seeking a passive residency option.