Moving Checklist for San Bernardino - Complete Guide | Love San Bernardino

What it is

The Migraciones table distinguishes tourist entry from the visa needed for an extension or residency. Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein need no residency visa; Spain does, free of charge; Germany, Austria, Portugal, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada need a consular visa. Brazil and the other MERCOSUR countries do not.

Why we list it

This is the most expensive mistake of all: entering as a tourist, renting a house and only then discovering that residency required a visa obtainable abroad.

Where to get it

• DNM · Información sobre Visas migraciones.gov.py
• Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores · Visas mre.gov.py

What it is

Original and certified copy, apostilled under the Hague Convention or endorsed by the Paraguayan consulate and legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Required for residency and, later, for the Paraguayan ID card.

Why we list it

It is the slowest document to obtain from abroad. Without it the residency file does not move forward, and neither does the ID card.

Where to get it

• DNM · Residencia Temporal (Ley N° 6984/2022) migraciones.gov.py
• BACN · Ley N° 6984/2022 de Migraciones bacn.gov.py

What it is

Valid, apostilled or legalised, required from age 14. Once in Paraguay you also need the local ones: INTERPOL and the Certificate of Records for Foreigners from the National Police IT Department.

Why we list it

It is an express requirement of Migration Act No. 6984/2022 and obtaining it from abroad is slow; requesting it late is the most common cause of delay.

Where to get it

• DNM · Residencia Temporal (Ley N° 6984/2022) migraciones.gov.py
• BACN · Ley N° 6984/2022 de Migraciones bacn.gov.py

What it is

As applicable: marriage certificate, divorce decree or the spouse's death certificate, endorsed and legalised or apostilled.

Why we list it

Migraciones requires it to verify the civil status you declare, and it underpins later family steps such as ID cards for a spouse or children.

Where to get it

• DNM · Residencia Temporal (Ley N° 6984/2022) migraciones.gov.py

What it is

Documents in a foreign language must be translated into Spanish by a translator registered in Paraguay, or by a qualified foreign translator with the translation apostilled or legalised. The Identification Department waives translation for documents in Portuguese.

Why we list it

Unregistered translations are rejected and force you to repeat the step, often after the fee has already been paid.

Where to get it

• BACN · Ley N° 6984/2022 de Migraciones bacn.gov.py
• Policía Nacional · Dpto. de Identificaciones · Cédula de Identidad policianacional.gov.py

What it is

A certificate of studies for the last year or grade, apostilled or legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, translated into Spanish if it is in neither Spanish nor Portuguese. With that, MEC issues the resolution recognising the studies.

Why we list it

Schools do not decide equivalences themselves: without the MEC resolution the pupil cannot be enrolled in the corresponding grade.

Where to get it

• Ministerio de Educación y Ciencias (MEC) mec.gov.py
• CONES · Reconocimiento de títulos extranjeros cones.gov.py

What it is

The Customs Code (Act No. 2422/2004) provides a specific regime for immigrants, emigrants and returnees in which using a customs broker is optional. We do not publish deadlines or item lists because we found no current official page setting them out: confirm them with the National Customs Directorate or DNIT before shipping the container.

Why we list it

Conditions change by administrative resolution. Confirming before shipping avoids storage costs, unexpected duties and goods held at the border.

Where to get it

• Dirección Nacional de Aduanas aduana.gov.py
• BACN · Ley N° 2422/2004 Código Aduanero bacn.gov.py
• DNIT · Normas vigentes para viajeros dnit.gov.py

What it is

The same SENACSA International Veterinary Certificate, applied for through SENACSA Digital, with prior user validation by presenting a certified copy of your ID card at a Zonal Unit.

Why we list it

Creating and validating the SENACSA Digital account is done in person and only once: doing it early avoids everything jamming on the eve of departure.

Where to get it

• SENACSA · Viajar con mascotas senacsa.gov.py
• SENACSA · Trámites (SENACSA Digital) senacsa.gov.py

What it is

The stamped immigration entry slip or the passport stamp, issued at the immigration control post.

Why we list it

It is an express documentary requirement of the residency application and the paper most often lost in the first days. Keep it from minute one.

Where to get it

• DNM · Requerimientos migratorios de ingreso y salida migraciones.gov.py

What it is

An authorisation of up to two years, renewable for the same period, and a prerequisite for permanent residency. Applied for in person at Migraciones. Fee Gs. 2,926,925 (25 jornales). While the file is processed it grants precarious resident status, which allows you to leave and re-enter, study and work, and opens access to the Paraguayan ID card.

Why we list it

It is the legal gateway to everything else: without it there is no ID card, no tax number, no Paraguayan driving licence and no contracts in your name.

Where to get it

• DNM · Residencia Temporal (Ley N° 6984/2022) migraciones.gov.py
• DNM · Aranceles Migratorios migraciones.gov.py

What it is

A specific route for nationals of Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia and Ecuador, with fewer requirements than the general regime. Fee Gs. 2,341,540 (20 jornales).

Why we list it

For Brazilians it is the right path: fewer documents, a lower fee and a direct route to MERCOSUR permanent residency.

Where to get it

• DNM · Residencia Temporaria MERCOSUR migraciones.gov.py
• DNM · Aranceles Migratorios migraciones.gov.py

What it is

A change of category from temporary residency. Under the MERCOSUR regime it is applied for within the 90 days before the temporary card expires. Under Act No. 6984/2022 you need the temporary card, the Paraguayan ID card, record certificates (National Police, judicial and INTERPOL) and proof of financial means. Fee Gs. 2,926,925.

Why we list it

Missing the window forces you to start again under another regime, at greater cost and delay. Migraciones notes the change is made from 90 days before to 30 days after expiry.

Where to get it

• DNM · Residencia Permanente (cambio de categoría) migraciones.gov.py
• DNM · Residencia Permanente MERCOSUR migraciones.gov.py
• DNM · Aranceles Migratorios migraciones.gov.py

What it is

Issued by the Identification Department of the National Police. It requires the residency card (temporary or permanent), a certificate of settlement, your home-country identity document, birth certificate, home-country criminal record, INTERPOL report, Certificate of Records for Foreigners, certificate of life and residence, and the Foreigners' Registry card. All originals plus copies certified by a notary.

Why we list it

Without the cédula there is no bank account, formal lease, tax number or utilities in your name. Tourists and applicants with a pending file are not eligible.

Where to get it

• Policía Nacional · Cédula por primera vez a extranjeros radicados policianacional.gov.py
• Policía Nacional · Dpto. de Identificaciones · Cédula de Identidad policianacional.gov.py

What it is

ANDE is the country's sole electricity distributor. A new connection is requested with the Solicitud de Abastecimiento de Energía Eléctrica form signed by the owner and a registered electrician, plus the owner's ID card, the electrician's licence and the property's UTM coordinates. It can be started online.

Why we list it

ANDE itself warns that it works with no intermediaries: using the official channels avoids overpaying and ending up with an incomplete file.

Where to get it

• ANDE · Servicios de abastecimiento eléctrico ande.gov.py

What it is

ESSAP publishes the requirements for a new connection: certified title deed or property-tax receipt, the owner's ID card, a location sketch and, on state-owned land, municipal authorisation. In many towns in the interior the service is not run by ESSAP but by a Junta de Saneamiento or local operator; confirm who serves your exact address.

Why we list it

Applying to the wrong operator is the most common cause of delay. The municipality can tell you which operator covers your street.

Where to get it

• ESSAP · Requisitos para nueva conexión de agua essap.com.py
• Municipalidad de San Bernardino sanbernardino.gov.py

What it is

The Municipality of San Bernardino administers municipal fees, waste collection and business licensing, and publishes contacts and transparency documents on its official site. The Cordillera Governorate is the departmental tier.

Why we list it

Fees and business permits are local matters: the actual requirements and amounts can only be confirmed at the municipality, not from national sources.

Where to get it

• Municipalidad de San Bernardino sanbernardino.gov.py
• Gobernación del Departamento de Cordillera cordillera.gov.py

What it is

Managed by DNIT, the current tax authority that absorbed the former SET. For a foreign individual it requires a valid civil identity card or passport issued in Paraguay; the application is electronic and there is a simplified regime (RESIMPLE) for small businesses.

Why we list it

It is mandatory to work self-employed, invoice or open a business. Without a RUC you cannot issue legal invoices or contract with companies.

Where to get it

• DNIT · Inscripción al RUC dnit.gov.py

What it is

Applied for at your local municipality. The «Extranjero» category under Act No. 5016 covers private vehicles up to 2,000 kg, is valid for one year and is issued on presentation of your home licence and immigrant card.

Why we list it

A foreign licence is only valid for three months from entry. The exact requirements and fee are confirmed at the Municipality of San Bernardino, since each municipality sets them.

Where to get it

• BACN · Ley N° 5016 Nacional de Tránsito y Seguridad Vial bacn.gov.py
• Municipalidad de San Bernardino sanbernardino.gov.py

What it is

Submit the apostilled or legalised certificate of studies to MEC and collect the resolution recognising the studies; with it the school can enrol the pupil. Higher-education degrees are recognised by CONES.

Why we list it

The MEC resolution does not expire, but the process takes working days: starting it before the school year begins keeps your child from losing a year.

Where to get it

• Ministerio de Educación y Ciencias (MEC) mec.gov.py
• CONES · Reconocimiento de títulos extranjeros cones.gov.py

What it is

MSPBS organises the public network by health regions; San Bernardino belongs to the Cordillera Health Region. Medical emergencies: 141.

Why we list it

Identifying the referral public hospital and a nearby private clinic before you need them is the difference between a handled emergency and an improvised one.

Where to get it

• Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social (MSPBS) mspbs.gov.py

What it is

The Government Portal lets you create an electronic identity and complete procedures online: stay extensions, civil registry certificates, police records and the electronic vaccination certificate.

Why we list it

Many formerly in-person procedures are now settled online with this identity. Creating it early saves trips to Asunción.

Where to get it

• Portal Único del Gobierno · Identidad Electrónica paraguay.gov.py