Visa Free Countries for Paraguay: A Comprehensive Guide
Paraguay, a landlocked country in South America, offers its citizens a passport that provides considerable global mobility. As of 2024, Paraguayan passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 151 countries and territories, ranking 31st in the world according to the Henley Passport Index. This article provides a detailed overview of the visa-free travel opportunities available to Paraguayan citizens, along with essential information for international travel.
Mercosur Privileges
As a full member of Mercosur (Southern Common Market), Paraguay enjoys special privileges within the bloc. Paraguayan citizens have unlimited access to other full member states:
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Uruguay
Additionally, they can freely enter associated member countries:
- Bolivia
- Chile
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Peru
In these countries, Paraguayans have the right to residence and work without any requirements other than their nationality. They can apply for temporary residence for up to two years and later seek permanent residence.
Visa-Free Travel in Europe
Paraguayan passport holders can travel to most European countries without a visa for short stays, typically up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This includes the Schengen Area countries:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Other European countries offering visa-free access include:
- Albania (90 days)
- Andorra
- Bosnia and Herzegovina (90 days)
- Bulgaria (90 days)
- Croatia (90 days)
- Cyprus (90 days)
- Georgia (90 days)
- Ireland (90 days)
- Monaco
- Montenegro (90 days)
- North Macedonia (90 days)
- Romania (90 days)
- San Marino
- Serbia (30 days)
- United Kingdom (6 months)
- Vatican City
Visa-Free Travel in the Americas
Beyond Mercosur countries, Paraguayans can visit many other nations in the Americas without a visa:
- Bahamas (3 months)
- Barbados (90 days)
- Belize (30 days)
- Costa Rica (90 days)
- Dominica (21 days)
- Dominican Republic (30 days)
- El Salvador (180 days)
- Guatemala (90 days)
- Haiti (3 months)
- Honduras (90 days)
- Jamaica (30 days)
- Mexico (180 days)
- Nicaragua (90 days)
- Panama (180 days)
- Saint Kitts and Nevis (3 months)
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (3 months)
- Trinidad and Tobago (90 days)
- Venezuela (90 days)
Visa-Free Travel in Asia and Oceania
Several countries in Asia and Oceania welcome Paraguayan travelers without a visa requirement:
- Armenia (120 days with eVisa)
- Fiji (4 months)
- Hong Kong (30 days)
- Indonesia (30 days)
- Israel (3 months)
- Malaysia (30 days)
- Maldives (30 days on arrival)
- Mongolia (90 days)
- Nepal (90 days with online visa or visa on arrival)
- Philippines (30 days)
- Singapore (30 days)
- South Korea (30 days with Electronic Travel Authorization)
- Sri Lanka (30 days with eVisa or visa on arrival)
- Thailand (30 days with visa on arrival)
- Turkey (90 days)
Visa-Free Travel in Africa and the Middle East
While many African countries require visas, some offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival options for Paraguayans:
- Botswana (90 days)
- Cape Verde (visa on arrival)
- Comoros (45 days visa on arrival)
- Egypt (30 days visa on arrival)
- Eswatini (30 days)
- Kenya (90 days with Electronic Travel Authorization)
- Madagascar (60 days with eVisa or visa on arrival)
- Mauritius (180 days)
- Morocco (90 days)
- Mozambique (30 days with eVisa or visa on arrival)
- Namibia (3 months visa on arrival)
- Rwanda (30 days with eVisa or visa on arrival)
- Senegal (90 days)
- Seychelles (3 months with Electronic Border System)
- Somalia (30 days visa on arrival)
- South Africa (90 days)
- Tanzania (90 days with eVisa or visa on arrival)
- Tunisia (90 days)
- Uganda (3 months with eVisa)
- Zambia (90 days with eVisa or visa on arrival)
- Zimbabwe (30 days visa on arrival)
In the Middle East:
- Bahrain (14 days with eVisa or visa on arrival)
- Jordan (30 days with eVisa or visa on arrival)
- Lebanon (1 month free visa on arrival)
- Oman (14 days visa-free or 30 days with eVisa)
- Qatar (30 days visa-free)
- United Arab Emirates (90 days visa-free)
Electronic Visa (eVisa) Options
Many countries offer eVisa services for Paraguayan citizens, simplifying the visa application process:
- Azerbaijan (30 days)
- Benin (30 days)
- Djibouti (90 days)
- Ethiopia (up to 90 days)
- Gabon (90 days)
- India (30 days)
- Iran (30 days)
- Kyrgyzstan (60 days)
- Laos (30 days)
- Nigeria (90 days)
- Pakistan (90 days)
- Saudi Arabia
- Tajikistan (60 days)
- Uzbekistan (30 days)
- Vietnam (90 days)
Important Considerations for Paraguayan Travelers
Passport Validity
While Paraguay only requires a valid passport on arrival for its citizens, many countries have stricter requirements:
- 6 months validity beyond the intended stay: Common for many Asian, African, and Middle Eastern countries
- 3 months validity beyond the intended departure: Required by most European countries
- Valid for the entire duration of stay: Required by countries like Japan, Ireland, and the UK
Blank Passport Pages
Many countries require one or two blank passport pages for entry stamps. Always ensure your passport has sufficient blank pages before traveling.
Vaccination Requirements
Some countries, particularly in Africa, require proof of yellow fever vaccination. Always check the specific health requirements of your destination before traveling.
ETIAS for Europe
Starting in 2025, Paraguayan citizens will need to obtain an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) authorization before traveling to the Schengen Area. This will be valid for three years and allow multiple entries for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Criminal Record
Some countries may deny entry to individuals with criminal records. Always check the specific entry requirements of your destination.
Biometric Data Collection
Many countries now collect biometric data (fingerprints, photographs) upon entry. Be prepared for this process at border control.
Conclusion
Paraguayan citizens enjoy considerable visa-free travel opportunities worldwide. However, it’s crucial to always check the most up-to-date entry requirements for your specific destination before traveling, as visa policies can change. Remember to consider factors such as passport validity, vaccination requirements, and any recent travel restrictions that may be in place due to global events. With proper preparation, Paraguayan passport holders can explore a wide range of countries and cultures without the need for extensive visa applications.
Citations: [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Paraguayan_citizens [2] https://getgoldenvisa.com/passport/paraguay [3] https://etias.com/etias-requirements/etias-for-paraguayan-citizens [4] https://www.passportindex.org/passport/paraguay/ [5] https://www.guideconsultants.com/all-passports/paraguay-passport-visa-free-countries-list/ [6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Paraguayan_citizens