I get asked about the cost of Paraguay residency more than almost anything else. And I get it — you've read the blog posts claiming it's "the cheapest residency in South America" or that you can do the whole thing for a few hundred bucks. Some of that is true. A lot of it is missing context.

I've helped dozens of clients get Paraguay residency over the past 4+ years. I live in South America. I work with lawyers in Asunción. Here's what it actually costs in 2026 — every line item, no fluff.

These are the non-negotiable costs every applicant pays regardless of whether they use a lawyer or go solo.

The temporary residency permit application costs approximately $394 (around 2,787,550 PYG at current exchange rates). This is the main filing fee paid to Migraciones. On top of that, you'll pay about $33 for your Certificate of Residency, roughly $55 for your national ID card (cedula), $15 for the Interpol background check, and $14 for a local police clearance.

Total government fees: roughly $511.

This is where the range opens up. A Paraguay immigration lawyer or residency agent typically runs $1,500 to $3,000 on top of the government fees. They handle your entire application — document prep, submission to Migraciones, government office follow-ups, and any issues that come up.

I've seen international firms charge $5,000 to $8,000 for essentially the same service. And I've seen local gestorias do it for $500 to $800. The sweet spot for quality is $1,500 to $2,500.

Can you DIY it? If you speak fluent Spanish, you're already in Asunción, and you have patience for bureaucracy, yes. Your total would be roughly $700 to $1,000. But if you're flying in and want it done right the first time, the $1,500 to $2,000 for a lawyer saves you a second trip and weeks of headaches.

Before you set foot in Paraguay, you need documents prepared — and this is the part most guides forget to mention.

An FBI background check runs $50 to $60 through an approved channeler. That needs an apostille from the US Department of State — $20 if you do it yourself, $100 to $200 with an expediting service. Everything then needs certified Spanish translation ($100 to $250). Add notarized passport copies, birth certificate (also apostilled and translated), and passport photos — another $50 to $100.

Total document prep: $250 to $600 depending on how quickly you need things done.

For permanent residency, one common pathway requires depositing 35 times the minimum monthly wage into a Paraguayan bank account. As of 2026, that's approximately $4,500 USD.

The important part: this deposit is fully refundable. Once your permanent residency is granted, you can withdraw the money. It's not a fee — it's proof of financial solvency.

DIY: You handle everything yourself — government office visits, document gathering, Migraciones follow-ups. You're paying government fees ($511) plus document preparation ($250–$400). Total: roughly $800 to $1,000. Requires Spanish fluency and time in Asunción.

Guided — work with a migration specialist: This is the most common route. A residency agent or migration consultant handles your application end to end — document prep, submission, government follow-ups, cedula pickup. Not necessarily a lawyer, but someone who knows the system. Depending on complexity or any expediting, total runs about $1,500 to $2,500 including government fees.

White glove — full residency service with document review and expediting: Everything handled, documents reviewed and prepared for you, expedited processing, full hand-holding from start to finish. Total: $3,500 to $4,000.

If someone tells you Paraguay residency costs $500, they're only counting government fees. If someone quotes you $15,000, they're overcharging you.

Note: all three tiers above are the residency service costs. Travel and accommodation to Asunción are separate and depend on where you're coming from.

Paraguay uses a territorial tax system — foreign-sourced income is not taxed. If you're earning $100,000/year from foreign sources and living somewhere that taxes worldwide income, you could be paying $20,000 to $35,000 in income tax. Paraguay brings that to zero for qualifying foreign income. The entire cost of residency pays for itself in the first month.

Add in a clear path to citizenship in 3 years, a passport with visa-free access to 140+ countries, and one of the fastest residency timelines in the Americas (60–90 days), and the $3,500 to $4,000 most people spend is hard to beat.

I help nomads, retirees, and business owners get Paraguay residency start to finish. If you're looking to get started, reach out.