Paraguay just became a lot more reachable for one large emerging-market audience. On 11 May 2026, the Philippines and Paraguay signed a visa-waiver agreement for ordinary passport holders, removing the entry visa that used to sit in front of any Filipino considering the country. For a market with high emigration intent, that is a meaningful door opening.
What Was Signed, and by Whom
The agreement was signed at Malacañang Palace in Manila, witnessed by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña. Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro signed for the Philippines and Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano for Paraguay.
It covers ordinary passport holders travelling in both directions, so Filipinos can enter Paraguay, and Paraguayans the Philippines, without arranging a visa first. The exact maximum stay under the waiver had not been published at signing, so confirm the current allowance before you book. Even before this treaty, a December 2025 Paraguayan decree had already let Philippine passport holders stay visa-free for 30 days.
Why It Matters for Filipinos Eyeing Paraguay
Until recently, a Filipino looking at Paraguay faced the same friction as applicants from India or much of Africa: the entry visa came before anything else, and arranging it was the step where plans stalled. Visa-free access removes that first hurdle for short visits and scouting trips.
It does not, by itself, grant residency. Living in Paraguay long term still runs through the ordinary residency process, and the territorial 0% on foreign income still follows genuine tax residency rather than a plane ticket. What changes is that the first look, the visit to see the place and start the paperwork, no longer needs a consulate. Our country guide, Paraguay for Filipinos, covers the residency and tax picture in detail.
Filipino and weighing a move to Paraguay? Tell us your situation and we will map an honest, realistic path from first visit to residency. Get in touch.
The Bigger Picture
The deal is partly diplomatic timing. Paraguay currently holds the pro-tempore presidency of Mercosur, the South American trade bloc, while the Philippines chairs ASEAN, giving both an incentive to deepen ties. For ordinary travellers, the practical upshot is simpler access.
It also fits a pattern worth watching if you hold another emerging-market passport. Paraguay has been easing short-term entry for several nationalities, so visa policy is a moving target. If your country still needs a visa, our guide to Paraguay residency for visa-required countries and the step-by-step Paraguay tourist visa guide explain how that route works today.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Visa Waiver
Do Filipinos need a visa for Paraguay now?
No. Under the May 2026 visa-waiver agreement for ordinary passport holders, Filipinos can enter Paraguay without arranging a visa in advance. A December 2025 Paraguayan decree had already allowed a 30-day visa-free stay. Confirm the current maximum stay before travelling, as the treaty's exact terms were still being finalised.
Does visa-free entry give Filipinos residency in Paraguay?
No. The waiver covers short visits, not residency. To live in Paraguay you still complete the ordinary residency process, and the 0% territorial tax on foreign income follows genuine tax residency, not a tourist entry. The waiver simply makes the first visit and the early steps far easier.
How long can Filipinos stay in Paraguay visa-free?
A December 2025 decree set a 30-day visa-free stay, and the May 2026 treaty extends visa-free travel for ordinary passport holders in both directions. The precise maximum stay under the treaty had not been published at signing, so check the current figure with an official source before you plan a longer trip.
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Visa and entry rules change and are applied at the authorities' discretion. Confirm current requirements for your nationality before you travel or rely on them.
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About the author
Yannick Schroth
Founder · Paraguay relocation advisor
Lives in Asunción and guides international nomads, entrepreneurs and investors toward residency, a cédula and a tax-efficient structure in Paraguay.
