Johan Smal
South African expat in Paraguay
Forum posts
35
Contacts
1
About me
South African
Speaks Afrikaans, English, Spanish
Registration: 01 May 2023
New members of the Paraguay forum, introduce yourselves here - 2024 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Paraguay forum? Don't know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on your ...
@Phoenix_S you have to get temporary residence first. You have to be present during the application process. Read More
Immigration Lawyer Recommendation by shawnhartmann69
Hi All,Can anyone recommend a trustworthy, reliable, lawyer to apply for temporary residency in Paraguay?Thank you,Shawn
https://www.migraciones.gov.py/index.php/tramites/residencia/residencia-temporal-por-la-ley-n-69842022 Read More
Immigration Lawyer Recommendation by shawnhartmann69
Hi All,Can anyone recommend a trustworthy, reliable, lawyer to apply for temporary residency in Paraguay?Thank you,Shawn
@popebop everything is clearly defined on the Migraciones website. Read More
How's life down in Paraguay? by GuestPoster95423
Hola a todos!Espero que todos estén bien. How's life down in Paraguay?I'll be joining soon. As soon as I find a competent immigration attorney to assist with the residency visa and possibly citizenship.Hope to see you all soon!
@popebop life is peaceful. You don't need an attorney or "fixer" to do your residency application. Only for citizenship, for which you can only apply 3 years after getting permanent residency, as far as I know. Read More
Cost of living (annual rent) by hvandijk6
I have noticed high price differences when comparing long term rent facilities between North East Thailand and various places in Paraguay.Currently I pay approximately 5,000 Baht (150 Dollar) including water, and electricity, per month.In various ...
@hvandijk6 rent in Asuncion can be expensive, but we have rented houses as we own dogs. The most we have paid is 800,000 guaranies, which is just over $100. They were not furnished though. In just about any place outside the Asuncion and Ciudad de ... Read More
Good value residency fixers by jonxxon
Hello there,I have received all-inclusive offers to help with temporary residence permit (excluding the work that happens in the home country) from about $1000 and up. It seems the difference between them is mostly in the wrapping.Can you recommend ...
@Wonderien translation has to be done in Paraguay by a court appointed translator. There one across the street from the entrance of Migraciones, and an escribana next door to certify your copies. No health certificate needed any more, as far as I ... Read More
Obtaining Residency - Process -- US Consulate? by GuestPoster95423
I see attorneys advertising services to help people obtain residency. But I'm on the official government website and see that the process is quite clear and simple. Must I actually travel to Asunción to apply for residency in country? Why ...
@popebop I totally agree. Read More
Good value residency fixers by jonxxon
Hello there,I have received all-inclusive offers to help with temporary residence permit (excluding the work that happens in the home country) from about $1000 and up. It seems the difference between them is mostly in the wrapping.Can you recommend ...
@hvandijk6 easy to find on Google maps. Just enter Interpol Asuncion. https://maps.app.goo.gl/zEMTK1EeorFkcDMR8 Read More
Good value residency fixers by jonxxon
Hello there,I have received all-inclusive offers to help with temporary residence permit (excluding the work that happens in the home country) from about $1000 and up. It seems the difference between them is mostly in the wrapping.Can you recommend ...
@ppy5 Migraciones will point you to every step of the process. Translation of documents can be done across the street from the entrance to Migraciones, and copies certified next door to her. You would also need to have your Interpol done, and a ... Read More
Good value residency fixers by jonxxon
Hello there,I have received all-inclusive offers to help with temporary residence permit (excluding the work that happens in the home country) from about $1000 and up. It seems the difference between them is mostly in the wrapping.Can you recommend ...
@expatmatch there is no requirement that residency applications have to be done by attorneys. Read More
Good value residency fixers by jonxxon
Hello there,I have received all-inclusive offers to help with temporary residence permit (excluding the work that happens in the home country) from about $1000 and up. It seems the difference between them is mostly in the wrapping.Can you recommend ...
@ppy5 every application is done in person. No way past having everybody who applies present. Read More
Good value residency fixers by jonxxon
Hello there,I have received all-inclusive offers to help with temporary residence permit (excluding the work that happens in the home country) from about $1000 and up. It seems the difference between them is mostly in the wrapping.Can you recommend ...
@mortians if you can speak Spanish or can use Google translate and have an average IQ or better you can do it by yourself. Read More
The reason I stay in Paraguay by Yerkes Neakle
I am a native Paraguayan. Friends who are interested in immigrating to Paraguay, do not hesitate because Paraguay is a wonderful and harmonious country that welcomes people of all classes and backgrounds.Housing resources in Paraguay are now ...
@hvandijk6 are you a South African expat? Read More
Travel/Health insurance for permanent residents by ScottyX
Hey guys,Say you are a permanent resident, are there any good health insurance providers you would recommend (in this case for a Brit)? I am not sure tourist ones will work as the dynamics often change when you hold residency somewhere.CheersScotty
I'm 69 years old, have not had health insurance in 20 years, and have not seen a medical practitioner in the last 20 years. I look after my own health. Read More
Paraguay Temp residency - how many visits needed in Asuncion? by micksmalley
HelloI am a US citizen and in the process of kick starting my Paraguayan Temp residency application. Currently collecting the documents that are needed.Have been told by different sources that the initial visit to submit the application does not ...
@micksmalley wrong way around. You have to be present for the applications, both for residence and for cedula. You can give power of attorney for somebody to collect your cedula. Read More
Any one gotten into Farming in Paraguay??? by brandwach
Any one gotten into Farming in Paraguay??? I would be very interested in hearing your story. Also, I am kinda interested in the idea of buying a farm and getting it farmed by someone else. Is this common practice? Thanks
I grew up on a farm and attended an agricultural high school. I also had a small farm on which I kept dexter cows. When we first arrived in Paraguay we worked on a dairy farm in the Chaco, but had to give it up after 3 months due to lack of clean ... Read More
Bank or cooperative account opening by sasha2023
Hi, can anybody tell me which way (bank or cooperativas) has the easierst requirements.I was only able to open a basic/digital account where I can neither send or receive money from abroad.Thanks, Sasha
I have no experience with any other company than Remitly. You do not need an account at Banco Familiar to receive cash from Remitly Read More
Bank or cooperative account opening by sasha2023
Hi, can anybody tell me which way (bank or cooperativas) has the easierst requirements.I was only able to open a basic/digital account where I can neither send or receive money from abroad.Thanks, Sasha
You can have money sent to you via remitly.com to Banco Familiar Paraguay, and collect it using your cedula or passport. Read More
Moving from the UK to Paraguay by J1mb0
Hi, I am considering moving my family to Paraguay, I am a Gas, Plumbing, Heating engineer with my own business in the UK. I assume that there would be no demand for heating in Paraguay and that Gas and Plumbing work would leave me competing with ...
Your 300,000 is enough to live like a king for about the next 300 months. Read More
Immigration Lawyer Recommendation by shawnhartmann69
Hi All,Can anyone recommend a trustworthy, reliable, lawyer to apply for temporary residency in Paraguay?Thank you,Shawn
Just do it yourself. It is a simple process. Read More
temporary residency and cedula bank account by KT_2026
hello , Im new and planning to get the temporary and then permanent residency in Paraguay. Did anyone go through the process on his own and can describe the process ?Or can anyone recommend a fixer who helped with the process. Do you know how long ...
You can only legally get a bank account in Paraguay once you have a cedula de identidad. Read More
What language are you folks in Paraguay learning? by Mr. Barley
I can't imagine trying to learn two new languages. Just curious what expats who are starting from scratch are studying, if at all.
Most important is to learn Spanish as most people in Paraguay can manage with it, even in rural areas. Guarani is a nice to know subject. Even a few phrases will make you a better expat. Read More
I am a retired journalist and love travelling by rothphilip
@Julien Hi thereI have been on an extended road trip in South Africa for the last 6 months and am considering moving to Paraguay or any other country with a cost of living comparable to Cape Town. I previously had stints in Romania, the Czech ...
I guess Uruguay is about as expensive as Cape Town, being the most expensive country to live in in South America. Cost of living in Paraguay is lower. Just do yourself a favour and learn some Spanish before moving, as English is close to useless in ... Read More
Do NOT buy used cars in Paraguay by GuestPoster791
If you are thinking about buying a car or truck in Paraguay, STOP. The short advice is that dont do it. At least dont buy anything used. Spending years in Latin America has thought me that dont trust a soul when it comes to any vehicle and that ...
@OsageArcher I'm not sure where you learned your version of English, but right hand drive means the driver is sitting on the right hand side of the vehicle. Read More
Question to expatriates from Paraguay by Jean Rivière
Hello, In Paraguay, all expats face the same problem. Therefore why have you not formed or joined in Paraguay an expatriate community whose skills are complementary (agriculture, mechanics, electricity, electronics, IT, security, accounting, ...
@Jean Rivière it is a lot better to become part of the Paraguayan community than creating a little exclusive expat community. The fact that somebody comes from outside Paraguay does not mean they are special or good persons., or that I would ... Read More
How to live and work safely in Paraguay ? by etiennepascal1
Hello,Many of the expatriates who live and work in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Chile,..., live in a gated community.Most expatriates who live in Paraguay, in the countryside (not in the capital of ...
We live in Caaguazu, Paraguay and have been in Paraguay since September 2018. We lived in various parts of the country, from as far north as the Chaco to the south right on the banks of the Parana river, in Coratei. I also lived here in Caaguazu ... Read More
Moving to Paraguay from South Africa by Barnez299
Good day all. My name is Barnes - I am from South Africa (Cape Town) and wanted to know if anyone has recently (in past 2 years) moved from SA to PY....can you please share good bacd and not so ugly side of things --and what would be best resources ...
@Forshaw whatsapp *** Read More
Moving to Paraguay from South Africa by Barnez299
Good day all. My name is Barnes - I am from South Africa (Cape Town) and wanted to know if anyone has recently (in past 2 years) moved from SA to PY....can you please share good bacd and not so ugly side of things --and what would be best resources ...
@Mr. Barley we've never had a utility bill in our own name in Paraguay. I did not see this as a problem, so I have no idea whether it is possible or customary. Read More
Message to Paraguayan entrepreneurs looking for clients by PatrickLeclerc
Hello, After having read several hundred testimonials from expatriate foreigners in Latin America and in particular in Paraguay, published on the internet (messages, articles, videos, podcasts) or in books but also sent by email, it seems important ...
@PatrickLeclerc I am absolutely amazed by your comments on safety and crime in Paraguay. We have no alarm, guard or any security system. We do not even close the back door of our house when we go to sleep at night. Our car is never locked. Not even ... Read More
Moving to Paraguay from South Africa by Barnez299
Good day all. My name is Barnes - I am from South Africa (Cape Town) and wanted to know if anyone has recently (in past 2 years) moved from SA to PY....can you please share good bacd and not so ugly side of things --and what would be best resources ...
@JulievdMerwe we live in Caaguazu, Paraguay and have been in Paraguay since September 2018. We lived in various parts of the country, from as far north as the Chaco to the south right on the banks of the Parana river, in Coratei. I also lived ... Read More
Do NOT buy used cars in Paraguay by GuestPoster791
If you are thinking about buying a car or truck in Paraguay, STOP. The short advice is that dont do it. At least dont buy anything used. Spending years in Latin America has thought me that dont trust a soul when it comes to any vehicle and that ...
@GuestPoster791 i've bought a few used cars in Paraguay. The first was in 1994. I've always received what I paid for. I'm not an engineer, but I have very good mechanical knowledge and operated a workshop here as well. The conversions I have seen ... Read More
Do NOT buy used cars in Paraguay by GuestPoster791
If you are thinking about buying a car or truck in Paraguay, STOP. The short advice is that dont do it. At least dont buy anything used. Spending years in Latin America has thought me that dont trust a soul when it comes to any vehicle and that ...
@OsageArcher you unfortunately have it completely the wrong way round. Read More
Looking to move from South Africa by FionaZerbst
I believe there are quite a few South Africans in Paraguay! Where do you stay and what do you do? How are you finding it? Hoping to move there next year. Also, how easy is it to bring two cats with me?!
@FionaZerbst we brought our dog with us. It was super simple as he only needed his vaccination record and a certificate from the vet that he is healthy. In our case he flew with us in the cabin as an emotional support dog. At the airport this side ... Read More
Looking to move from South Africa by FionaZerbst
I believe there are quite a few South Africans in Paraguay! Where do you stay and what do you do? How are you finding it? Hoping to move there next year. Also, how easy is it to bring two cats with me?!
@FionaZerbst we live just outside Caaguazu, which is about 180 km from Asuncion, and 140 km from the border with Brazil. We've lived in the Chaco on a dairy farm, in Capiata, just outside San Miguel Misiones, Coratei Misiones, and Caaguazu. We ... Read More
Moving to Asuncion Mid July 2023 by Carl Alan
Hello Paraguayan Expats,My wife and I will be moving to Asuncion where I have a two year contract teaching Chemistry at the American School of Asuncion. The school will be helping with much of the transition, but we welcome any additional ...
@FionaZerbst we're from South Africa and have been in Paraguay for nearly 5 years now. We have lived in various parts of Paraguay and have found that, except for small town, you can have fibre-optic internet almost everywhere. We are currently justy ... Read More