Surrounded by Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina, Paraguay has about 6 million inhabitants. It offers much to do and many places to visit, but before getting there, several things must уbe considered, such as how to apply for a Paraguay visa? It is one of the doubts that arise when embarking on the trip, and here we will give all the information about it so you can visit the Guaraní land without any problem.
Which are The Countries that Do Not Need a Visa to Enter Paraguay?
As you know, according to the international agreements that each country establishes, you will always find countries that do not need a tourist visa. Therefore, below you will find the Paraguay free visa countries list.
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech republic
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Nicaragua
- Norway
- Panama
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- Uruguay
Paraguay is chosen by many to make wholesale purchases due to its cheap prices compared to others in South America. In addition, it is a country that has very beautiful cities where you can enjoy its regional music, taste its culinary delights and learn about its culture. If you could not find your country in the above list, it means you need a Paraguay tourist visa.
What are The Paraguay Visa Requirements?
The Paraguay tourist visa is categorized as a short-term time visa because it is valid for 90 days. So, for this type of visa, you will need to have the following documents:
- Complete, sign and download the visa application form
- Valid passport with a maximum of 6 months and a photocopy of the main page of the same
- A copy of your national identity card
- In case you are residing in a country that is not yours, you must present a residence permit with a minimum of 3 months validity
- 2 passport size photos with a white background that is not older than 6 months
- A criminal record certificate and a photocopy of it
- Travel itinerary showing the hotel reservation and the travel ticket reservation (round trip)
- Economic solvency proof
- In case of visiting the country at the invitation of a third party, you must have an invitation letter containing the personal details of the person or company
- COVID-19 negative test and fill out the Traveler's Health Card within 24 hours of boarding
How to apply for Paraguay visa?
You need to make an appointment at the Paraguayan embassy or consulate in your country of residence and go on the day indicated with the documents detailed above. Also, depending on the passport you have, you may be interviewed.
On the other hand, according to the Paraguay visa policy, you will have to pay a fee to complete the process. The Paraguay visa cost is US $65 for a single entry, but the price also depends on your country of residency.
It should be clarified that the countries that are from Mercosur, who is also part of Paraguay free visa countries, do not need to have a passport but they must have:
- Valid national identity document
- Economic solvency proof
- Return flight ticket (If you enter the country by car, you must clarify at the Customs Migration office how many days you will stay in the country and present the corresponding papers from the car)
- COVID-19 negative test and fill out the Traveler's Health Card within 24 hours of boarding
Who Can Apply for The Paraguay Visa on Arrival?
The following countries can obtain the Paraguay visa on arrival at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (Asuncion) only:
- Australia (90 days)
- Canada (90 days)
- China – Taiwan (90 days)
- New Zealand (90 days)
- Oman (30 days)
- Qatar (30 days)
- Russia (90 days)
- United States of America (90 days)
The Paraguay visa requirements for this case are:
- Valid passport with a maximum of 6 months, and it must be in good condition
- Economic solvency proof
- Paraguay visa cost on arrival depend on the country of origin (range from $130 to $160). You need to pay in cash
- COVID-19 negative test and fill out the Traveler's Health Card within 24 hours of boarding
Now that you know about Paraguay visa policy (although if you have doubts you can always check the Pickvisa/visa policies section), we will give you extra information so that you know what you will find once you arrive in Paraguay.
Is Paraguay a Safe Country?
We can say that Paraguay is in the middle line of security. In other words, it is a safe country but thefts do exist, so you have to be careful because its borders are weak and crossing them walking without any control is easy, which makes crime move without problems. Despite all this, as long as you are careful you can have a pleasant stay.
What is The Paraguay Currency?
As the name of the local indigenous tribe, the currency of Paraguay is called ‘Guaraní’ and the exchange rate to date is 1 dollar = 6,759.90 guaraníes. In Paraguay, you will find coins of 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 guaranies. And notes of 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 guaraníes.
In border areas, you can pay both with Argentine pesos and Brazilian reales, but it is convenient to exchange the money for the national currency. The normal thing is to resort to a “money changer”, a man with a small bag who sits in a corner and informally will change your money; do not be afraid, this is the usual and everyone is used to it. It is also worth mentioning that many shops accept dollars in cash if you want to take them.
Is it Necessary to Have The Yellow Fever Vaccine?
It is possible that at the borders, they do not ask for the yellow fever certificate and it is not a mandatory requirement for the visa process in case you go by air, but as it located in a tropical area, it is convenient to have this vaccine for the mosquitoes. In addition, taking into account your country of origin, they may ask you for the certificate.
What is The Climate in Paraguay?
It is subtropical, temperatures can reach 40 degrees Celsius easily. And in general, these areas are usually very humid and hot in summer, something to keep in mind above all to always have the right clothes in your suitcase; summer is from December to April which are the warmest days and from May to August are the coldest days of the year in Paraguay.
Although the temperatures are higher in January - February, it is highly recommended to visit during this time since it is carnival time, and Paraguay has the property of having some wonderful, extravagant carnivals, full of colors, music, and magic that cannot be seen anywhere and will make you enjoy Paraguay in another way.
What Do You Eat in Paraguay?
Although there are small differences in prices between the capital of Paraguay, Asuncion, and small cities, eating in the South American country is cheap and paying between 4 and 25 dollars is normal. There is a great variety of foods, although the base product is cassava (manioc), corn in any of its forms: ground, cooked or fermented, rice and beef. Do not doubt eating a good river fish for which you can pay very little and you can eat very well.
Typical Paraguayan foods are the result of the combination of Hispanic culinary techniques and pre-Columbian Guarani techniques. They use native products and others introduced and acclimatized by the Spanish.
And What About The Accommodation?
As in many countries, depending on the area you are in, the accommodation will vary in price and quality. If you are in Asuncion, you can pay between $15 for a basic hostel and about $150 (even less) for a luxurious room in a five-star hotel.
Now, apart from knowing how to apply for Paraguay visa, you also have basic information about the country. In addition it is important that you to know that the official language of Paraguay is Spanish and Guaraní, people on the streets and shops or restaurants do not speak in English, so know some basic words in Spanish can save you from having misunderstanding with locals.
