Entry formalities for Paraguay are straightforward for most travellers: no visa is required for a short tourist stay. The difficulty is not in obtaining the right to enter, but in not getting caught out by some administrative detail (passport validity, onward ticket, extension) once at your destination. Here are the rules by nationality, cross-checked between France Diplomatie, the Paraguayan General Directorate of Migration and the equivalent US source (U.S. Department of State) to verify the consistency of information from different sources, as well as special cases (transit, dual nationality, yellow fever, customs) that tend to generate the most questions.
At a Glance
Key points about formalities
- •No visa required for EU, Switzerland and Canada for tourist stays under 90 days
- •Passport valid at least 6 months after the planned return date
- •An onward ticket (return or continuation) may be requested at border control
- •90-day extension possible at Migration in Asuncion, to be requested before expiry
- •Beyond 180 days, a temporary residence procedure is required
Who Needs a Visa?
| Entry conditions by nationality (tourism) | |
|---|---|
| European Union, Switzerland, Canada | No visa required, tourist stay under 90 days |
| European Union (other countries) | No visa required in most cases |
| Mercosur countries | Simplified entry through regional agreements |
| Other nationalities | Check with the Paraguayan embassy, a visa may be required |
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your planned return date: a strict check, regularly enforced by airlines at check-in. No visa is needed to enter as a tourist from EU/Switzerland/Canada, but an onward ticket may be requested at border control, especially if you are travelling one-way. The visa exemption only applies for tourism purposes: a business trip, internship or volunteer work may require a specific visa even for a European citizen, a nuance that is often overlooked.
The 90-day period is counted per stay, not per calendar year: a traveller who makes multiple return trips may be denied entry if the authorities consider they are abusing tourist status. This remains rare for a standard holiday, but affects those who organise their life between two countries without regularising their situation with the General Directorate of Migration.
Documents, Border Control and Extension
At the border post (Silvio Pettirossi airport or land crossings from Argentina and Brazil), the migration officer stamps your passport showing the authorised length of stay, generally 90 days for EU/Switzerland/Canada tourists. It is this date, not your return ticket date, that counts legally. Keep the entry slip until you leave the country. Border control by land follows the same rules as at the airport, but with longer queues at peak weekend times when Paraguayans make cross-border trips.
- 1Passport valid 6 months after return, in good condition
- 2Proof of return or onward ticket, printed or downloaded offline
- 3Proof of accommodation for the first nights (sometimes requested)
- 4International vaccination card if you had the yellow fever vaccine
- 5Paper AND digital copies of all documents, stored separately
You can obtain an additional 90-day extension at the General Directorate of Migration in Asuncion. The application must be made before the first 90 days expire, with 2 passport photos, your passport and proof of accommodation. Beyond this extension, staying longer without resident status becomes more complicated: after 180 accumulated days, you must start a temporary residence procedure, detailed in the expatriation guide, with the dedicated permanent residence page.
Special Cases: Dual Nationality, Transit, Children
Beyond the general rules, some situations come up regularly in the messages I receive. The first concerns minors travelling with only one parent: Paraguay does not systematically require a departure authorisation upon entry, but the airline or transit country may require one. Checking the regulations of the transit country (often Brazil or Argentina) is as important as those of Paraguay.
Dual nationals, particularly those who also have Paraguayan nationality: Paraguayan authorities require entry with the Paraguayan passport if you hold one. Not knowing this in advance can cause issues at border control. Finally, a flight with a stopover in the United States imposes its own transit formalities (ESTA or visa), even for a simple connection. Checking the transit rules of your stopover country is essential.
The special case of health documents and yellow fever deserves a mention: Paraguay itself does not require mandatory vaccination upon entry for a traveller arriving directly from Europe. However, if your itinerary continues to an Amazonian country that requires the vaccine, that next country may ask to see your international vaccination card. The CDC and WHO recommend the vaccine for certain rural areas of Paraguay, a health recommendation separate from an administrative requirement.
Finally, customs formalities: mandatory declaration above a certain amount of cash, restrictions on fresh food products, meat and certain vegetables. Personal medications are not a problem if carried in reasonable quantities with a prescription. Customs control upon arrival remains quick for a tourist with standard personal effects and mainly concerns travellers carrying professional equipment or goods intended for resale.
What Happens If a Document Is Missing
A passport with less than 6 months remaining validity is the most common reason for boarding denial, even before reaching Paraguay: the airline itself enforces this check at check-in and can deny boarding with no possible recourse at the airport. Checking your passport expiry date should be the first step in preparation.
A country's entry rules are never definitive: they depend on bilateral agreements, administrative decisions or temporary health measures. I update this page as soon as France Diplomatie, which remains the most reactive reference, signals a change. Check directly with the Paraguayan embassy before booking a non-refundable flight, a five-minute check that avoids surprises from a recent change.
Last updated:
Sources
- France Diplomatie: Travel Advice Paraguay (2025)
- General Directorate of Migration: Paraguay (2025)
- U.S. Department of State: Paraguay Travel Advisory (2025)
- SENATUR: Tourist Information Paraguay (2025)
- IATA Travel Centre: Paraguay entry requirements (2025)
- WHO: Paraguay Country Health Profile (2024)
- CDC: Travel Health Notices Paraguay (2025)
My method
This page is written from France, sourced as carefully as possible, but I can be wrong or miss on-the-ground detail. A price that changed, outdated info, a photo to share? Every correction is credited if you want.
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