The Truth: No Bank Deposit Required
Historical Context: The "Rentista" Visa
To understand why this myth persists, it helps to know the history:
Timeline of Paraguay's Deposit Requirement
Paraguay introduces the "rentista" (independent means) visa category. This allowed applicants to skip temporary residency by proving financial means—typically ~$5,000 USD deposited in a Paraguayan bank.
Both paths coexisted: standard temporary residency (no deposit) and rentista (with deposit). Many articles only mentioned the deposit option, creating confusion.
Law 6984 modernizes immigration. The rentista category is eliminated. ALL applicants now start with temporary residency—no deposit option exists.
Current: No deposit required. Period.
What Changed in October 2022?
Before October 2022, Paraguay offered two paths to residency:
Old System (Pre-2022)
- Option A: Temporary residency (no deposit)
- Option B: Direct permanent via ~$5,000 deposit
- The deposit was for "independent means" route
- Money had to remain in bank for duration
New System (2022+)
- All applicants: Start with temporary
- No deposit: Completely eliminated
- No investment: Not required
- Upgrade to permanent after 21 months
Official Source
Law 6984 ("Ley de Migraciones") was published on October 5, 2022. You can verify this at the official Paraguayan Migraciones website: migraciones.gov.py
What Law 6984 Actually Says
Law 6984 (Ley de Migraciones) is Paraguay's comprehensive immigration reform. Key provisions:
- • Article 32: Defines temporary residency categories—none require financial deposits
- • Article 35: Establishes permanent residency eligibility—achieved through time, not investment
- • Article 41: Lists required documents—no bank statements or proof of funds mentioned
- • SUACE Exception: Investor route ($70K over 10 years) exists but is optional for entrepreneurs—not required for standard residency
Verify Yourself
Why Does Outdated Information Still Circulate?
We analyzed the top 10 Google results for "Paraguay residency requirements" and found that 4 of them still mention the $5,000 deposit. Here's why:
Content Not Updated
Many websites publish content once and never update it. Articles from 2021 or early 2022 still rank but contain outdated information.
SEO Articles Written by Non-Experts
Many "Paraguay residency" articles are written by content writers who research other articles, perpetuating old information.
Forum Posts and Comments
Expat forums contain years of discussion. Old posts from 2020-2021 still appear in searches, confusing new applicants.
Warning
Current Requirements (2026)
Here's what you actually need for Paraguay temporary residency as of January 2026:
Required Documents
- ✓ Valid Passport (6+ months validity)
- ✓ Birth Certificate (apostilled and translated)
- ✓ Criminal Background Check (apostilled and translated)
- ✓ Passport Photos (4 copies)
What's NOT Required
- ✗ Bank Deposit: $0 (eliminated October 2022)
- ✗ Investment: $0 (not required)
- ✗ Medical Exam: Not required
- ✗ Income Proof: Not required
- ✗ Language Test: Not required for residency
FAQ
Does Paraguay residency require a $5,000 bank deposit?
No. The $5,000 bank deposit requirement was eliminated in October 2022 under Law 6984 (Ley de Migraciones). Paraguay residency now requires no financial deposit or investment of any kind for standard temporary residency.
When was the Paraguay bank deposit requirement eliminated?
The bank deposit requirement was eliminated on October 5, 2022, when Paraguay's new immigration law (Ley 6984) went into effect. Applications submitted after this date do not require any deposit.
Why do some websites still mention the $5,000 deposit?
Many websites haven't updated their content since the 2022 law change. We've found that 4 of the top 10 Google results for "Paraguay residency" still show the outdated $5,000 requirement. Always verify information against the current law (Ley 6984/2022).
What does Paraguay residency actually require in 2026?
Paraguay residency requires only 4 documents: valid passport, apostilled birth certificate, apostilled criminal background check, and passport photos. No bank deposit, investment, medical exam, or income proof required.
When was the bank deposit originally introduced in Paraguay?
The bank deposit requirement was introduced around 2012-2013 as part of the "rentista" (independent means) visa category. It was intended for retirees and those with passive income, allowing them to skip temporary residency and go directly to permanent. The amount was roughly $5,000 USD equivalent in Guaraníes.
Is there ANY investment option for faster permanent residency?
Yes, but it's different from the old deposit. The SUACE investor route allows immediate permanent residency with a $70,000 investment over 10 years in a business or real estate. This is for entrepreneurs, not a simple bank deposit. Standard applicants don't need this—they can upgrade to permanent after 21 months at no extra cost.