In January–June 2026, Paraguay issued 29,765 thousand residence permits to foreigners, an 81% increase over the 16,456 thousand issued during the same period last year, according to the country’s National Migration Office. The number of applications filed rose by 62% to 33,243 thousand, compared to 20,567 thousand in the first half of 2025. The immigration service described the volume of applications as unprecedented and introduced additional work shifts, including on weekends.
Of the total number of documents issued, 23,833 thousand were for temporary residence permits, and another 5,932 thousand were for permanent residence status. Applicants submitted 27,024 thousand applications for temporary residence and 6,219 thousand for permanent residence.
Neighboring Brazil remains the main source of migration. Its citizens were issued 22,628 thousand permits, or 76% of the total.
Citizens of Argentina ranked second with 2,210 thousand permits. Next came Germany with 1,132 thousand, Spain with 821, Venezuela with 495, the United States with 450, the Netherlands with 426, France with 358, and Bolivia with 357.
Russia ranked tenth. In the first half of the year, 345 Russian citizens received Paraguayan residence permits, accounting for about 1.2% of all foreigners granted residency status.
Ukraine did not make the published list of the top ten countries. The National Migration Service did not provide a separate figure for Ukrainian citizens in its public press release. It was not possible to determine the exact number of Ukrainians based on available statistics.
Throughout 2025, Paraguay received a record 47,687 applications and issued 40,600 residence permits. Thus, in just the first six months of 2026, the country had already issued 73% of the total number of residence permits and permanent residence permits granted last year.
Ukrainian citizens may enter Paraguay without a tourist visa for up to 90 days. However, to extend their stay, obtain resident status, or engage in paid employment, they must comply with specific immigration requirements.
IMMIGRATION, PARAGUAY, RESIDENCE PERMIT
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