Literally the only part to this step is "Collect Your Residency Card", which is as simple as it sounds. You don't even have to go to a government office for this - we can collect it for you, and then meet you somewhere to give it to you. We have nice offices, with a rooftop area, which would be our preference to meet you, or we can meet you at any other mutually convenient place, at any mutually convenient time.
How long it takes
This stage (waiting to collect your Residency Card in Step 4, after you've completed Step 3) is currently the longest stage. By law, the government department responsible for issuing your Residency Card has a maximum of 60 working days - i.e. approximately three months - to get it done, as long as everything has been completed perfectly (if it hasn't been completed perfectly, you could be waiting many more months or even years, which is one of the main reasons to hire an expert lawyer in the first place).
We can get this stage completed within 4 weeks maximum. We can sometimes get it done even more quickly - such as within 2 weeks - but for the purposes of managing expectations and planning the next steps, allow 4 weeks. Part of the reason for this is we always get the documentation and processes done perfectly, and part of the reason is we know how to make sure that your application doesn't get forgotten about or misplaced in a pile of paperwork on a desk somewhere in a government office.
There is currently a proposed change to this stage, which would significantly reduce the maximum time limit the government department has to get this done - if implemented, the waiting time for this stage will be massively reduced. Currently the proposal is to cut the maximum time limit from 3 months to just 3 weeks - which in turn may significantly reduce the time it takes us to get it done in practice. We will update this page as and when (a) any improvements are confirmed and implemented, and (b) when we know, through experience, how long it will realistically take. For now, it's 3-to-4 weeks.
Once you have your Paraguay Residency Card, technically the residency process is complete - you can now enter Paraguay without needing a visa, and can stay here as long as you like. But there's more you need to know, and more things included with our service.
The Temporary/Permanent Residence Cards
In October 2022, the Government of Paraguay updated the rules for obtaining residency in Paraguay. Previously, everyone got Permanent Residency immediately, and was issued a Residency Card which was valid for 10 years (and then needed to be renewed, just like a passport or driving license needs to be renewed every few years).
Now, everyone first gets Temporary Residency, and is issued with a Residency Card which is valid for 2 years, which then needs to be renewed, and is replaced with a Residency Card valid for 10 years.
There is no difference to what you can actually do with the Residency Card(s) - everyone has exactly the same rights whether they currently have Temporary or Permanent Residency - you can still live here, still get your Cedula, and still do everything else - it just adds in an extra process, generates a bit more money for the government through another round of fees, and encourages people to either live in Paraguay for more of the year, or at least visit more regularly.
To learn more about the process for obtaining your 10-year Permanent Residency Card - which you cannot do for nearly two years after your 2-year Temporary Residency Card is issued - please refer to our full article on this topic: How to convert your temporary residency card to permanent residency in Paraguay.
Why we don't end the residency process here
Whilst technically the residency process is complete at this stage, you won't be able to use the full benefits of it unless you also get a Cedula - your National ID Card. The Residency Card lets you enter the country and stay here, but the Cedula will let you do everything else, such as get a Tax Number (needed for Tax Residency), get a Driving License, open a bank account, rent a property, get a phone contract, travel freely within Mercosur countries, and so on. It's needed.
Summary
You will receive your residency card within 3-to-4 weeks - congratulations! You can now live in Paraguay. But - you still need a Cedula. That's why, as soon as you collect your residency card, it's time for Step 5: Meet The Government (Again).