Few Russians are closely or even remotely familiar with Paraguay. This South American state, located inside the continent, is not widely known, does not sound daily in the news, does not attract tourists.
Nevertheless, there is a Russian and Ukrainian trace in the history of these remote territories in the other hemisphere. Several dozen officers who emigrated from Russia after the revolution and Civil War, including two white generals, took part in the 1932 Chaka War with Bolivia in 1935, which was as bloody as it was useless, since there was no oil in the disputed lands. More than ten streets in the country bear the names of prominent people of Russian origin: Colonel Butlerov, Captain Blinov, engineer Krivoshein, Professor Sispanov and others.
Immigrants from Russia once compiled topographic maps of the country, created the basis for energy supply, designed a highway network, helped modernize the army, and founded the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics at the University of Asuncion.
There is a notable Ukrainian community in the south of Paraguay, which was once formed by immigrants from Little Russia. The fourth largest family in the country has Ukrainian roots.What could interest a Russian-speaking audience from different countries in Paraguay today?
First of all, with its loyal policy towards immigrants, lax tax laws, and the ability to obtain a strong passport in three years.
Since October 2022, an immigration law has been in force in Paraguay, which clearly outlines all the stages and procedures for legalization.
Step 1. Residence permit and internal passport of Paraguay
The first and obligatory step to citizenship is obtaining a residence permit and an internal passport of Paraguay (cedula), which in itself already provides advantages.
With a residence permit and a cedula, you can live and work in Paraguay, as well as:
- open a bank account (you don't need one to submit documents),
- register a business,
- apply for a local driver's license,
- use public health services,
- become a deputy,
- apply for a Schengen visa,
- apply for a tourist visa to the USA,
- become a tax resident.
The last point attracts many who do not even intend to apply for citizenship in the future, since the tax policy in the country is extremely loyal.:
- There is no tax on global income, that is, on income earned abroad.
- There is no tax on property and capital gains.
- Income tax: 10%.
- There is no exchange of financial information with other countries.
What is required of applicants?
1. Prepare a package of documents: birth certificate, marriage registration certificate and a certificate of absence of criminal record. As you can see, the requirements for documents are minimal.
2. Book an appointment at the migration service.
3. Personally fly to the country to submit documents and submit biometrics. An entry visa is not required for Russian citizens. Russians can stay in Paraguay for 90 days without a visa.
There are no direct flights between Russia and Paraguay. The most economical option is to fly through Ethiopia. It is also possible via Istanbul. A round-trip ticket costs at least 170,000 rubles. The price depends on the season.
It should be noted that specialized agencies for migrationhave already worked out all the procedures: you will be consulted, helped to collect documents, will be recorded in the migration service, arrange a meeting at the airport and check-in at the hotel, even tourist trips will be planned if desired. You need to set aside approximately 5 days for the visit.
A residence permit is issued for 2 years.There is no need to live in Paraguay at this time. If you plan to obtain citizenship or permanent residence status, then you need to fly to Paraguay to apply for permanent residence before the end of the residence permit.
Important! In Paraguay, there is no family reunification procedure, as well as no citizenship by birth, therefore, a residence permit and a cedula card are issued only to the applicant. For family members, it is necessary to issue a residence permit and an internal passport separately from the main applicant. The package of documents is different for children under 1 year old. Citizenship is granted to a teenager only upon reaching the age of 18.
Step 2. Permanent residence in Paraguay
At this stage, the foreigner receives a permanent residence permit for 10 years with the possibility of extension.
What is required of applicants?
1. Have a residence permit and cedula status for 2 years.
2. To prove a connection with the country: deposit or investment in real estate (any amount) and income from rent, or running a business.
The cost of residential real estate in new buildings in the capital starts from $ 35,000 with installment payments. Despite the low initial price, the increase in the cost of an apartment in 1.5 years can reach up to 12-14%.
3.Fly to the country in person to submit documents.
Permanent residence grants the same rights as a residence permit, but unlike the latter, this status is long-term and can be extended indefinitely. This is a necessary stage for obtaining citizenship.Step 3. Citizenship of Paraguay
After a year with permanent residence status and a three-year cedula internal passport, you can apply for Paraguayan citizenship.
If you take your time, no one forbids you to do it in 2-3 years or more.
What does a Paraguayan passport provide?:
- Visa-free entry to 143 countries, including the Schengen area, Great Britain, and Ireland.
- Simplified procedure for obtaining a business visa to the USA.
- In the future, it is possible to quickly obtain a Spanish passport (the relevant law is under consideration, and there has been such a practice before).
What is required of applicants?
1. Personally fly to the country to submit documents.
2. Take the exam on knowledge of the history and geography of Paraguay in Spanish. As such, there is no language exam, and a very modest level is sufficient.
To summarize
The path to citizenship in Paraguay is almost unprecedentedly fast - 3 years.
We emphasize that no one sells passports here, as in some other countries, that is, there is no threat that the EU may deprive the state of visa-free travel, as happened, for example, with Vanuatu.
By the way, investing in real estate in Paraguay makes sense. The capital of Asuncion is developing and actively being built up. Many combine the arrival to apply for a residence permit with the purchase of an apartment at the initial stage of construction. That is, two years later, when the time for the next visit comes, their property is just being rented out. You can resell it at a higher price or put it into management for rental.
Housing prices are still very affordable, starting from $35,000 per studio. For 100,000-140,000 dollars, you can buy an excellent two-bedroom apartment in the capital. It will be a nice complex with a rooftop pool and parking.
Transfer to Paraguay
"Why not? Paraguay is a modest, but inexpensive and calm country with low taxes, so those who have already moved here reasoned. There are many digital nomads who have moved here - they do not need to confirm high salaries for a visa and give a significant part of their income to the treasury in the form of taxes. Besides, cheap electricity.
There are already many seekers of a quiet life from North America and Europe in Paraguay. There is also a Russian-speaking community.
The budget for one person is about 800 to 900 euros per month, plus the rent of an apartment will cost 300 to 350 euros. A family with two children can feel comfortable with an income of $2,000 per month.
One more plus: it is possible that new Paraguayan citizens will be able to obtain a Spanish passport even faster than holders of a Spanish residence permit living in Spain (a law speeding up naturalization for citizens of Spanish-speaking countries is currently under consideration). And relatives can come to Paraguay freely, without visas.Paraguay, unlike many other countries, does not tighten migration laws and has unexpectedly become a safe haven for the coming years.
Residents of the country are calm about visitors. Paraguayans are friendly, though a bit touchy. The combination of nationalities and cultures is historically predetermined here.
The country is the only one in the region that legalized 2 languages, Spanish and Guarani, which was spoken by the local population. Colonization itself was more humane than that of its neighbors. The Indians were integrated into society, taught how to cultivate the land, read and write, and European values were instilled.
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Irina Klyuchinskaya, CEO < / em>AndInvest< / em>< / u>< / a> (Paraguay & ndash; Russia) è Portugal Subtil (Portugal)< / em>< / p>
< em>Sofia Defosse-Aksyutina, head of the immigration agency < / em>Easy-Visa < / a> & nbsp;< / p>
