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Living in Paraguay

Living in Paraguay

Andrea Carlo Volonteri

The purpose of this podcast is to explore the values of our company developed over the years, our experience, our colleagues, our staff and the goals of our clients. We will explain why it is crucial to understand your goal when it comes to immigration. We\’ll delve into the significance of knowing what you want to achieve through residency, passports, citizenship, and the biometric documents issued by Paraguay.

6 - Episode 6 – Geography, Cities, and Culture of Paraguay
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  • 6 - Episode 6 – Geography, Cities, and Culture of Paraguay





    We will introduce life in Paraguay, discussing various cities, climate, and society. This episode will help you understand what to expect if you decide to settle in this country.



    This is your audio guide host, my name is Daniel. I represent the company Living in Paraguay (https://www.livinginparaguay.com/). We offer high-class immigration consulting, providing the best service on the market for obtaining Paraguayan residency, tailoring solutions based on clients’ needs and financial capabilities.



    The Republic of Paraguay is located in the central part of South America and is landlocked. Paraguay shares its borders with Brazil to the northeast and east, Argentina to the southeast, south, and southwest, and Bolivia to the northwest and north. The country is divided into two unequal parts by the Paraguay River. To the west of the river lies the Gran Chaco region, a desert-like landscape covering approximately 60% of the country. To the east, where the majority of the population resides, you’ll find fertile plains and subtropical forests. The total land area of the country is 406,752 square kilometers.



    The climate in the Paraguayan region of Parana is subtropical, while the Chaco region has a tropical climate. Weather conditions vary across different regions of Paraguay.



    Average temperatures in January (midsummer locally) in the south range from +27 to +29°C, in the northwest from +23 to +34°C. Hot days often see temperatures rise to +35–45°C. In July (midwinter locally), temperatures cool down to +16–19°C in the south and +14–25°C in the north.



    As you move westward, precipitation levels decrease. In the mountainous eastern regions, annual rainfall reaches around 2200 mm, in the central areas, it drops to 1600 mm, and in the western part of the country, it can be as low as 750 mm. Weather in the mountainous areas is highly dependent on elevation, and conditions can be quite harsh.



    The population of Paraguay is estimated to be 7,9 million as of July 2022. The annual population growth rate is 1.3%, with a fertility rate of 2.16 births per woman. The average life expectancy is 76 years for men and 79 years for women. The official languages are Spanish and Guaraní. Unlike other Latin American countries, Paraguay widely uses the language of the indigenous population, Guaraní, for interethnic communication. 37% of the population predominantly speaks Guaraní, 50% are equally proficient in both Spanish and Guaraní, and 7% of the population predominantly speaks Spanish. A small portion of the population is fluent in Portuguese and German.



    Paraguayan people are known for their warmth, hospitality, and friendliness, always eager to meet new friends. The rich culture and traditions of this country are expressed through vibrant colors and rhythmic melodies that bring joy and a love for life.



    Ah, the pleasant climate! Here, it’s eternal summer, and even when the skies are filled with warm rains, it creates an atmosphere of coziness and romance. Life here flows like a melody, bringing harmony to the heart of every traveler.



    Paraguay has always been considered a highly commercial country with a significant influx of people from various South and North American nations. Its proximity to Argentina is a key factor, and many Argentine tourists choose to visit one of Paraguay’s cities.



    One of the most well-known cities in Paraguay is Encarnación, especially because most of its residents refer to it as the “Summer Capital.” You’ll likely agree with them because the city feels like a perpetual summer due to its beaches and carnivals.
    Fri, 17 Nov 2023 - 9min
  • 5 - Episode 5 – Tax Benefits and Paraguay for Business





    We will discuss the tax advantages offered by Paraguay, including a 0% tax on foreign-sourced income. We will also explore why Paraguay is becoming increasingly popular for business and remote work, and how living in Europe, for example, while having a Paraguayan company can ease your tax obligations.



    Part 1: Introduction



    I’m your audio guide host, my name is Daniel. I represent the company Living in Paraguay (https://www.livinginparaguay.com/). We provide top-notch immigration consulting services, offering the best service on the market for obtaining Paraguayan residency, tailoring solutions to your specific requests and financial possibilities.



    Paraguay is a South American country that is steadily working to improve its position. Paraguay is a friendly, dynamic country rich in employment opportunities for its people and foreign professionals looking to reside within its borders.



    So, let’s start with the most important aspect: what tax benefits exist in Paraguay in 2023. The most interesting figure here is 0%. That’s the tax rate foreign-sourced income companies pay. This means that any remote worker or businessperson working with foreign companies won’t pay taxes. Additionally, personal income earned within Paraguay is subject to only a 10% tax, which is significantly different from Spain’s lowest income tax rate of 19% (which can go up to 45%, nearly half of the income for pensioners and workers). [For instance, self-employed individuals in Spain pay a 35% tax on personal income, plus additional taxes.]



    What types of businesses can most effectively leverage these tax advantages? We can say that any business that generates income from abroad can utilize this advantage. You don’t even need to obtain a fiscal ID and can open a company with a current bank account, which makes maintaining a company that deals with foreign services more cost-effective.



    Part 2: Paraguay for Business 



    Discussing why Paraguay is becoming an increasingly popular destination for businesses.



    Identifying the sectors and types of businesses that can thrive in this country.



    As for the most popular sectors, we can tell you that agriculture and livestock are the driving forces of Paraguay’s economy. The country ranks first in renewable energy production and second in stevia production. In fact, Paraguay is the world’s sixth-largest exporter of meat. And that’s not all, as Paraguay is also a significant exporter of soy and sunflower. If you’re considering investing here, among the sectors you should focus on is certainly livestock, with 25 million hectares allocated to it. The industrial sector is also developing, including textiles, leather, forestry, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.



    Therefore, investments in these sectors can be profitable.



    The same applies to tourism, which has experienced significant growth in recent years and is expected to continue growing. Paraguay boasts amazing natural beauty, national parks, and cultural heritage. Developing tourism can be a lucrative business. Just think, in 2017, the number of tourists almost doubled, opening excellent opportunities for tourism development in many wonderful parts of the country.



    Part 3: Remote Work and Business 



    Paraguay, like many other countries, can offer various advantages to remote workers, including:




    * Easy Residency: No need to prove your income, no restrictions on renewing residency or applying for permanent residency.



    Thu, 16 Nov 2023 - 5min
  • 4 - Episode 4 – The Ideal Path to Citizenship with Our Assistance. The Best Offer in South America





    Hello. This is your audio guide host, my name is Daniel. I represent the company Living in Paraguay (https://www.livinginparaguay.com/). We offer high-class immigration consulting, providing the best service on the market for obtaining Paraguayan residency, tailoring solutions based on clients’ needs and financial capabilities.



    In this episode, we will explore the ideal path to Paraguayan citizenship and discuss whether you really need a second passport. We will outline the steps required to obtain residency and share advice on potential stops along the way, additional services, and how we save time for our clients.



    In previous episodes, we discussed the goals that can be achieved with Paraguayan residency. We covered the opportunities that temporary residency provides and the basis for becoming a Paraguayan resident in 2023.



    The need for a second passport and second citizenship seems self-evident and requires no further justification. A second passport is about taking care of yourself, your future, your family, your freedom, your business, and your endeavors. Paraguay currently offers some of the best conditions for obtaining citizenship, with an easy and cost-effective procedure. We assist our clients in transitioning from temporary residency to a passport in a stable and entirely lawful manner, within the best timeframes and at the best cost for the entire service.



    So, let’s begin the journey to the passport.



    1. Information Gathering



    As we mentioned, we determine the client’s goals and needs, communicate to understand which documents need to be obtained from the client’s country. However, we can be helpful not only through chat. Our website and social media channels provide the most current and reliable information needed to initiate collaboration.



    2. Verify or Obtain the Applicant’s Necessary Documents



    For applicants for temporary residency, which is the first step towards obtaining a passport, the following original documents with apostilles and translations into Spanish are required: birth certificate, criminal record check if applicable, marriage certificate, We are ready to assist in the document preparation process, including apostille services, even remotely.



    3. After all formalities, signing the contract, and agreeing on personal details, a journey to Paraguay awaits you.



    To obtain around 15 local certificates together with the applicant and submit all documents, a presence in Paraguay for about a week is necessary. We are prepared to assist in finding tickets and accommodation during your stay. If you do not plan to reside in Paraguay, we can send the residency documents to you by mail after obtaining them. You do not loose your residence and Cedula  in Paraguay if you do not live there, you must sleep only one night every 3 years.



    4. Obtaining Temporary Residency and Cedula Card. The Key Step toward Citizenship.



    As we mentioned earlier, the application process takes five days. The processing time for temporary residency and the issuance of the Cedula card ranges from 3 to 6 months from the application date. Once you have temporary residency, you gain the right to reside in the country, open a business, and access several other opportunities. We strictly adhere to legal conditions and provide a guarantee of results, so we provide only realistic processing timeframes.



    Our company holds an E-Trust certificate from the European Union, ensuring complete service transparency and compliance with all business regulations, strict accountability,
    Thu, 16 Nov 2023 - 7min
  • 3 - Episode 3 – Opportunities Provided by Residency, Cedula, and Paraguay Passport





    In this episode, we will explore what residency (Visa Nacional de Residencia, or VNR), the Cedula identity card, and the Paraguay passport offer. We will also discuss the advantages of Mercosur countries such as Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brasil and the travel opportunities they provide, including visa-free access to the EU and the possibility of obtaining Spanish citizenship.



    Hello. I am the host of this audio guide, my name is Daniel. I represent Living in Paraguay, a high-class immigration consulting company. We offer the best services in the market for obtaining residency in Paraguay and tailor solutions to your needs and financial capabilities. I’m pleased to welcome you to our third episode, which is dedicated to the opportunities provided by residency, the Cedula identity card, and the Paraguay passport, both for living in the country and for travel, business, or gaining Spanish citizenship. We will also discuss Mercosur countries.



    As a reminder, in previous episodes, we discussed the goals you can achieve with Paraguayan residency, the main requirements for residency in 2023, and we invite you to listen to them if these topics interest you. We are also open to your questions through private messages; you can find all the links in the information box.



    So, what are the advantages and opportunities that Paraguayan residency and the Cedula card offer?



    Let’s start with residency. Residency is granted for two years and is processed along with the ID card. This saves time, as we don’t handle residency separately. We use the same set of documents to process both applications simultaneously.



    With your residency, you can establish a business in Paraguay, open an account in local banks in foreign currencies, and become a full-fledged resident of the country. We sometimes encounter requests where a company or business needs to be set up before obtaining residency. While this is possible, it’s not a straightforward procedure. However, this should not deter you from the need for residency. Residency makes it significantly easier to manage daily life, use banking services, establish a business, invest money, and access healthcare, among other things. Most importantly, residency for two years is your main step towards citizenship.



    With the Cedula card and residency, you can travel to Mercosur countries without a visa and without your primary passport. You can visit countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and other Mercosur member states. This opens up all of South America for business and interactions. Additionally, many clients are interested in living in Mercosur countries, like Argentina. We can say that there are several ways to live in Argentina with Paraguayan residency, including permanent residence. So, for many, Paraguayan residency is a path to Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, or any other Mercosur country of their choosing.



    After two years of temporary residency, you can apply for permanent residency. For clients aiming for citizenship, this status is similar to temporary residency, so we won’t dwell on it in detail.



    Now, let’s talk about the Paraguay passport and Paraguayan citizenship. The most exciting feature of this status is visa-free travel. The Paraguay passport provides visa-free access to 135+ countries, including the Schengen Area, the UK, Singapore, and many others. Furthermore, obtaining a Paraguay passport does not require you to renounce your previous citizenship; there’s no conflict here. This passport also facilitates obtaining longer-term visas, for example, in the United States.



    Obtaining a Spanish passport based on Paraguayan citizenship is an interesting possibility.
    Wed, 15 Nov 2023 - 5min
  • 2 - Episode 2 – Changes in Laws and the Ideal Basis for Residency in 2023





    Welcome to the second episode of our audio guide dedicated to immigration to Paraguay and the services provided by LivinginParaguay.com. In the next 6 minutes, we will discuss immigration policies, the basis for obtaining residency, and the path to citizenship in 2023 for citizens of Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, and other countries that do not require a visa to enter Paraguay (European countries, Turkey, Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, New Zeland, Israel, South Africa, Canada USA and south American countries).



    In the previous episode, we discussed the types of requests we assist clients with, why people want to move to Paraguay, what goals they can achieve through residency, and the services we offer.



    With me is your host, Daniel. I represent LivinginParaguay.com, a top-notch immigration consulting company. We offer the best service on the market for obtaining Paraguayan residency and tailor solutions based on clients’ requests and financial capabilities.



    In October of last year, Paraguay introduced a new immigration law. It significantly simplified the process of applying for residency and the path to citizenship. Many sources still reference the old regulations. We often encounter clients who rely on outdated information regarding the basis for applying for residency and more. We want to explain what has changed and why it is now easier to obtain the necessary documents and apply for residency.



    In 2023, the simplest basis for obtaining residency and starting the path to Paraguayan citizenship is having the appropriate documents and a personal desire, which is expressed by your presence at the immigration service when submitting your documents. It’s that simple. Essentially, anyone wishing to obtain residency no longer needs to make a $5,000 deposit in the Central Bank of Paraguay, nor do they need to apply for residency based on the status of a qualified professional. All that’s required is the collection of documents from the list and your personal presence. Among the documents you need to obtain in the authorities of your current citizenship are a police clearance certificate, a birth certificate, and a marriage certificate if you are married. If you are divorced, you do not need a marriage certificate. These requirements apply to individuals over 14 years of age. For individuals below this age, only a birth certificate is necessary. All these documents will be retained by the immigration service. The next requirement is for document legalization and apostille. We won’t delve into apostilles, but we’ll focus on the fact that not all countries are party to the Hague Convention. In such cases, legalization is required, as stipulated by your home country.



    It’s important to mention that Paraguay considers cases with a criminal record, but it’s a case-by-case situation, and it’s crucial to understand all the nuances.



    LivinginParaguay.com is the first company on the market that offers remote document acquisition services for our clients. Subsequently, the obtained documents are either translated into Spanish with our assistance through a notary. This service is included in the cost of any type of contract, and you don’t have to pay extra for it.



    So, having these fresh and compliant documents, anyone can apply for residency in Paraguay. We’re not talking about local documents you receive while already in Paraguay as part of the application process. This involves about 15 certificates, and we take care of obtaining them while being with you at every local immigration service office.



    Wed, 15 Nov 2023 - 6min
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