Paraguay records a sharp increase in residency applications in 2025 and consolidates its appeal to foreigners

Asunción, Agencia IP.- Paraguay closed 2025 with a marked increase in the number of foreign residents, reflecting renewed interest in settling in the country.

According to official data from the National Directorate of Migration (DNM), as of December 31, 2025, a total of 47,687 residency applications were filed, representing a 63% increase from 2024. During the same period, 40,600 residencies were granted, 42% more than the previous year.

Among the nationalities with the highest number of residents in Paraguay, Brazil leads the list with 23,526, followed by Argentina with 4,366. Germany ranks third with 1,652 residents, followed by Bolivia with 1,357 and Spain with 1,023.

The ranking of the ten countries with the most residents in 2025 is completed by Venezuela (847), the Netherlands (772), the United States (736), Russia (509), and France (492), highlighting a diversity of origins and a growing presence from both the region and beyond.

Regarding the type of residencies requested, in 2025, there were 34,875 applications for temporary residency, of which 29,976 were approved. Meanwhile, 12,812 permanent residency applications were submitted, and 10,624 were ultimately granted, indicating a high approval rate under both regimes.

Permanent residency benefits for families of returning Paraguayans

The Secretariat for the Development of Repatriates and National Refugees (SEDERREC) reminds the public that the permanent residency regime is available for spouses, children, children’s spouses, and minor grandchildren of returning Paraguayans, through the processing of a Repatriation Certificate.

This certificate exempts foreign family members from fees for obtaining permanent residency with the National Directorate of Migration and the National Police. The procedure is carried out online through the official portal, where interested parties must register and complete the required information to initiate the application.

Services and facilities for migration regularization

In the context of sustained growth in residency applications, various state institutions are promoting support mechanisms and streamlined procedures to facilitate migration processes for both foreigners and returning Paraguayans and their families.

The National Directorate of Migration (DNM) announced the preliminary 2026 schedule of the MigraMóvil program, an initiative designed to decentralize and expedite migration services by bringing documentation assistance to different localities across the country.

The first edition of the year is scheduled for the second week of February in Ciudad del Este, launching an agenda that will combine regular and reduced operations in various parts of the national territory. Through mobile teams, the program enables the processing of procedures such as temporary and permanent residency, card renewals, and migration certificates, with support from the National Police, SEDERREC, and the National Commission for Refugees (CONARE).

The sustained growth in the number of applications and residencies granted throughout 2025 reflects increased migration dynamics toward the country, as well as rising demand for regularization processes for both temporary and permanent residency, according to official records.