Paraguayan Citizenship & Passport

Paraguay is one of the shorter routes to a second citizenship in the Americas: three years of permanent residency, then an exam administered by the Supreme Court of Justice.

The timeline

After three years as a permanent resident you may apply for naturalization. Counting from a standing start, that means roughly 21 months on temporary residency before converting, then three years permanent — or immediately three years if you entered through SUACE.

What the exam covers

Naturalization requires an exam administered by the Supreme Court of Justice. You will need Guaraní and basic Spanish, plus knowledge of Paraguayan history.

Guaraní catches people by surprise. It is co-official with Spanish and genuinely spoken across the country, not a ceremonial requirement. Plan for it well before you are eligible to apply.

What the passport gives you

The Paraguayan passport covers 140+ countries visa-free, including the European Union and the United Kingdom. Paraguay is also a full MERCOSUR member, which carries movement rights across Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.

Common questions

How do I get Paraguayan citizenship?

After 3 years of permanent residency, you may apply for naturalization. You’ll need Guaraní and basic Spanish for an exam administered by the Supreme Court of Justice, plus knowledge of Paraguayan history. The passport covers 140+ countries visa-free.

Do I need to live in Paraguay to keep my residency?

Paraguayan law does not require physical presence to maintain your residency. That said, we recommend temporary residents visit once a year and permanent residents once every three years to keep their file active and reinforce their ties to the country.

Further reading

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