SUACE PARAGUAY 2026: OFFICIAL REQUIREMENTS, PROCESS & COMPLETE GUIDE

What Is SUACE?

SUACE stands for Sistema Unificado de Apertura y Cierre de Empresas — the Unified System for the Opening and Closing of Companies. It is an interministerial mechanism administered by the Paraguayan Ministry of Industry and Commerce (Ministerio de Industria y Comercio — MIC) that gives priority processing to foreign investment projects.

The key legal benefit: under SUACE, foreign investors who meet the investment criteria and successfully complete the process receive direct Permanent Residency — bypassing the standard two-year temporary residency phase required under Law 6984/2022.

SUACE Investment Modalities and Minimum Amounts

There are four recognized investment routes under SUACE, each with a different minimum capital requirement:

Productive Investment — from USD 70,000: Requires establishment of an EAS company (Empresa por Acciones Simplificada) in Paraguay, a formal business plan, commitment to job creation, and a defined investment schedule. This is the most accessible route for entrepreneurs and small-to-medium investors.
Financial Investment — from USD 200,000: Capital invested through a deposit certificate, securities custody, or bank certification. Capital must be demonstrably maintained for the required period.
Real Estate Investment — from USD 200,000: Acquisition of Paraguayan property for commercial or rental purposes. A property used exclusively as a family home does not qualify under SUACE rules.
Tourism Investment — from USD 150,000: Investment in qualifying tourism infrastructure registered with SENATUR (Secretaría Nacional de Turismo), such as hotels, inns, or tourism complexes.

Phase 1: Pre-SUACE Procedures (Before Filing)

Before submitting your application to the SUACE office, several documents must be obtained from specific Paraguayan government institutions. All documents submitted must be authenticated by a Paraguayan escribanía (public notary).

1. Interpol Certificate — National Police

Office: Coronel Grace No. 468 e/ Teniente Rodi and Dr. Mazzei — Sajonia, Asunción
Telephone: +595 (21) 422 426
Email: interpolasuncion@hotmail.com
Obtaining time: 24–48 hours
Hours: Monday to Friday, 07:00 to 17:00

Requirements to obtain Interpol Certificate:

Completed and signed Interpol application form
2 passport photos size 3×4 cm
1 authenticated copy of passport or identity card

Important: Request 3 authenticated copies total (2 for Migration authorities and 1 for the SUACE filing).

Validity: 90 days from date of issue.

2. Medical Certificate

Issued by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare (MSPBS — Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social).

Requirements:

1 original medical certificate confirming no infectious-contagious or mental diseases
1 original of recent laboratory test results (may be from country of origin)

Validity: 1 year from date of issue.

3. Certificate of Foreign Informatic Background — National Police

This certificate records any criminal or police incidents for the applicant in Paraguay. It is required for anyone establishing permanent or temporary residence.

Office: Information Department, National Police — Avenida Boggiani and RI 2 Ytororó, Asunción
Telephone: +595 (21) 610 525

Validity: 90 days from date of issue.

4. Certificate of Life and Residence — Local Police Station

Issued by the Police Station (Comisaría) of the neighbourhood where the investor will reside. The applicant must provide a local address — a hotel, rented apartment, or Airbnb confirmation is acceptable.

Requirements:

Completed police station form
1 authenticated copy of the Interpol Certificate
1 authenticated copy of country entry stamp
1 authenticated copy of the Forensic Computer background certificate
1 authenticated copy of passport or identity card
2 Paraguayan witnesses, with authenticated copies of their identity documents

Validity: 180 days from date of issue.

Phase 2: Official Requirements for SUACE Permanent Residency Filing

The following requirements are taken directly from the official document issued by the General Directorate of Migration of Paraguay: Requirements for Requesting Permanent Residency by SUACE (updated 20 February 2020).

All documents to be submitted must be authenticated by a Paraguayan escribanía (public notary). Unless otherwise specified, each document requires: 1 original + 2 authenticated copies.

I. Economic Solvency (Constancia SUACE)

A Constancia signed by the Vice Minister of Industry and Commerce, confirming the investment commitment under SUACE. This is the primary document that certifies the investor’s status and is managed directly at the SUACE office within MIC.

Format: 1 original + 2 authenticated copies

II. Identity Document

Valid identity card, RG, passport, or national ID. If the document is not in Spanish, an official translation by a Public Translator registered with the Supreme Court of Justice is required.

For nationalities that require visa verification, the relevant stamp and visa must also be presented.

III. Birth Certificate

Apostilled in the country of origin, or certified by the Paraguayan Consulate in the country of origin and legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Asunción (Alberdi y Eduardo Víctor Haedo, Asunción).

Note for Brazilians: One of two alternative certificates is accepted. Check with your legal representative for current requirements.

IV. Criminal Record Certificate (Country of Origin)

Must be endorsed by the Paraguayan Consulate in the country of origin and legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or apostilled in the country of origin. The responsible immigration official will verify the seal corresponds to the correct institution.

Note: For applicants who have resided in additional countries during the past 3 years, a criminal record certificate from each country of prior residence may be required.

Validity: 180 days. Note: for Brazilian documents, validity is typically 90 days.

V. Medical Certificate

Issued by MSPBS. Confirms the applicant is free of infectious-contagious diseases and mental illness. (See Phase 1, Section 2 for full requirements.)

Validity: 1 year.

VI. Interpol Certificate

Issued by the National Police Interpol department. (See Phase 1, Section 1 for full requirements.)

Validity: 90 days.

VII. Certificate of Life and Residence

Issued by the local Police Station (Comisaría). (See Phase 1, Section 4 for full requirements.)

Validity: 180 days.

VIII. Certificate of Foreign Informatic Background

Issued by the Information Department of the National Police. (See Phase 1, Section 3 for full requirements.)

Validity: 90 days.

IX. Marital Status Certificate

If applicable. Must be apostilled in country of origin. If not in Spanish, official translation is required.

X. Passport Photos

1 photo, carnet type, 3×3 cm in colour.

XI. Affidavit of Fulfilment of Law (Declaración Jurada)

A sworn statement made before a Public Notary, with certification of signatures. The text follows a standard model established under Article 23 of Law 978/96.

Standard text of the Affidavit (model per official document):

“By this instrument, I, [full name], of nationality [nationality], holder of identity document No. [document number] (passport / identity card), with telephone number [phone], email address [email], domiciled in [address], city of [city], Republic of Paraguay, I declare under oath as follows: That I am in the country as a foreigner with the intention of establishing permanent residence in Paraguay and in such character I hereby undertake to comply with the mandates of the National Constitution, Laws […]”

Phase 3: Post-Approval Process — Obtaining the Paraguayan ID Card (Cédula)

Once the SUACE file is approved and permanent residency is granted by Migration, the investor must complete additional steps to receive the physical Paraguayan identity card (cédula paraguaya).

Step 1: Vision of Original Documents — National Police Staff Department

Address: India Juliana esq. Torreani Viera — Asunción
Telephone: +595 (21) 611 532
Hours: Monday to Friday, 07:00 to 13:00
Delivery time: Immediate

Requirements:

Original and authenticated copy of the Certificate of Life and Residence
Original and authenticated copy of the Interpol Certificate

Step 2: Vision of Original Documents — Central National Police Command

Address: El Paraguayo Independiente esq./Chile — Asunción
Telephone: +595 (21) 441 355
Delivery time: Immediate

Requirements:

Authenticated copy of Interpol Certificate, endorsed by Staff and Command Department
Authenticated copy of Certificate of Life and Residence, endorsed by Staff and Command Department
Authenticated copy of the Permanent Filing Card
2 carnet-type photos in colour, size 4×3 cm

Step 3: Foreign Registration Card — Department of Investigation of Crimes

The investor must be present in person at this stage. In cases where a third party presents the documents via Power of Attorney, the POA must cover this specific procedure.

Step 4: Paraguayan ID Card for Foreigners — Department of Identifications

Address: Avenida Boggiani esq. R.I. 2 de mayo — Asunción
Telephone: +595 (21) 602 169
Delivery time: 45 days from submission
Hours: Monday to Friday, 07:00 to 19:00; Saturday 07:00 to 11:00

Requirements:

Original of the Certificate of Radicación
Original of the Permanent Filing Card
Two originals of the Registration Card

Important: At the time of requesting the identity card for foreigners, all documents must be in force and apostilled as appropriate (criminal background, Certificate of Life and Residence, Interpol, etc.). If the investor acts through a third party, a duly granted and apostilled Power of Attorney is required.

Document Validity Summary Table

Document	Validity Period
Interpol Certificate	90 days
Foreign Informatic Background (Computer Certificate)	90 days
Certificate of Life and Residence	180 days
Criminal Background (country of origin)	180 days (90 days for Brazilian documents)
Medical / Health Certificate	1 year

Key implication: Because Interpol and Informatics certificates expire in 90 days, the timing of your Paraguay trip must be carefully coordinated. You need to obtain these certificates close to your filing date. Planning your document timeline is one of the most critical parts of the process.

Complete SUACE Process Timeline

Profile evaluation and modality selection (remote, 1–2 weeks)
Document preparation in country of origin — apostilles, criminal records, birth certificate (2–4 weeks depending on country)
EAS company incorporation (for productive investment) (1–2 weeks)
Travel to Paraguay: approximately 5 business days to obtain Interpol, medical, life and residence certificates; complete police visits; sign sworn statement; open bank account; attend SUACE filing
SUACE approval and migration filing: estimated 30–60 days from filing
Post-approval police endorsements (Steps 1–3 above): 1 week
Paraguayan cédula issuance: 45 days from Department of Identifications

Total estimated timeline: 90 to 120 days from initial preparation to Paraguayan ID card in hand.

Why Use a Legal Representative for SUACE?

The SUACE process involves at least 6 different government institutions in Paraguay, with specific documents required at each, many of which are only valid for 90 days. Coordination errors — a document that has expired, an office sequence done in the wrong order, or an authentication that doesn’t match the institution’s requirements — can delay the process by months.

A Power of Attorney granted to a licensed Paraguayan attorney allows them to:

Present documents on your behalf at multiple offices
Detect and resolve documentation issues before they delay the file
Coordinate appointments at institutions with limited hours
Follow up with the General Directorate of Migration and SUACE office post-filing
Manage the cédula collection process on your behalf if needed

Our team at Legal Migration Consulting Paraguay has managed the SUACE Investment Residency process for investors from over 30 countries. We handle the complete coordination — legal, corporate, banking, and documentation — so your investment in Paraguay moves forward without bureaucratic delays.

Explore the SUACE Investment Residency service or contact us for a personalised eligibility assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Paraguay Passport

Can I buy a Paraguay passport directly?

No. Paraguay does not have an immediate citizenship-by-investment program. The passport is the result of a naturalization process that requires effective residency and the fulfillment of specific conditions over at least three years.

Does investing through SUACE speed up the naturalization process?

Not directly. What SUACE allows is obtaining permanent residency from day one, meaning the three-year naturalization period begins sooner than it would on the standard route.

How many countries does the Paraguay passport access visa-free?

In 2026, the Paraguayan passport grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 141 destinations, including all Schengen countries and the United Kingdom.

Is it mandatory to renounce my original citizenship?

The constitution formally requires it, but in practice Paraguayan authorities do not actively verify whether the applicant retains their original nationality. Many naturalized citizens maintain dual citizenship without any issues.

What happens if I do not meet the 183-day requirement during the naturalization period?

Effective physical presence is a requirement evaluated during the process. Failing to meet it can invalidate the application or significantly delay the procedure.

Where do I apply for the passport once I obtain citizenship?

At the Identification Department of the National Police of Paraguay, presenting the Letter of Naturalization issued by the Supreme Court of Justice.