Paraguay has recorded a historic surge in foreign residency applications, underscoring its growing appeal as a destination for expatriates, investors, and long-term settlers. Between January and October 2025, the National Directorate of Migration (DNM) processed 38,236 applications. This number is already surpassing the total for all of 2024.
A sweeping upward trend
The figure of 38,236 represents a 31.3 % increase over the 29,126 requests received in 2024. Of this year’s total, 27,489 are for temporary residency and 10,747 for permanent residency. Latin American and European nationals dominate the applications, with Brazilians alone lodging 22,136 requests (57.9 %).
The number of residences permits issued also rose. The DNM granted 32,208 by October (an increase of 13.1 % over last year).
Why Paraguay is gaining traction
Several factors help explain the uptick in applications. Paraguay’s relatively affordable cost of living, streamlined immigration policies, and investor-friendly frameworks make it appealing to those seeking an alternative life in South America. The figures confirm this: Jumping from just 12,597 applications in 2015 to over 38,000 this year; a ten-year growth of 203.5 %.
Experts suggest that for many, Paraguay offers not only economic opportunity but a quieter, more open lifestyle, which are advantages amid global uncertainty.
Top 10 January-October 2025
This is the top 10 countries by number of foreign residency applications in Paraguay (January-October 2025):
- Brazil – 22,136
- Argentina – 4,147
- Germany – 1,593
- Boliva – 1,255
- Spain – 1,021
- Venezuela – 802
- The Netherlands – 650
- United States – 640
- Russia – 474
- Colombia – 443
On-the-ground surge in Ciudad del Este
Recent images from the border city of Ciudad del Este show hundreds of hopeful applicants lining up from 02:00 outside the MigraMóvil service desk. The doors opened at 07:00, underscoring the intense demand. From 3 until 7 November, the DNM accelerated processes in the northern region to cope with the influx. One Instagram post captured the queue stretching long before dawn, a vivid sign of how keen many are to obtain residency in Paraguay.
Looking ahead
The record numbers present both opportunity and challenge. Authorities must scale up resource capacity, digitise services, and maintain processing speed to sustain trust. Migration scholar Dr. Luis Ortiz observes: “High demand is a sign of success, but only if it is matched with efficient and transparent systems.”
For Paraguay, these developments mark a significant step toward becoming a regional hub for migration and relocation.
