Paraguay is a country where studying is affordable compared to first-world countries like Germany, Spain, or the USA. However, it is still competitive enough to provide a good education for building careers.
Who can study in Paraguay?
The doors are open to any student from any country. However, obtaining a visa differs depending on the student’s citizenship. Citizens of developed countries can apply for a student visa or temporary residency without any entry visa requirements. However, students from Asia* and Africa** need an entry visa.
- All Asian students, except those from Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, and South Korea, need entry visas to start their careers.
- All African students except South Africa need entry visas to start their careers.
We at Tucanoprod provide student entry visas to Paraguay.
How much is the cost of living in Paraguay for a student?
If you have an income of around $750-$1000$ per month, you can very comfortably live and study in Paraguay because expenses are affordable.
The following will mention some expenses to have in mind:
- Furnished student apartments of one room near their universities go for 130-170$ on average + electricity, which can vary from location to location and by month of the year, but it is generally between 7 and 25$.
- Bus rides cost around 0.30-0.50$, and even bolt rides are not expensive.
- Food is also very affordable. Daily menus at university canteens usually cost $2- $3 per meal.
- Private medical consultations are also very affordable, being that they tend to be from 8-15$.
- A monthly gym subscription costs between $18 and $30, depending on whether you want a regular or a nicer, newer membership.
- On the Numbeo website, it is written that the monthly average costs without rent are around $441$.
Student life is entertaining and interesting in Paraguay. People are very welcoming and friendly to immigrants. You can do many activities here as a student, like going to Cerros, visiting old museums, and learning about the rich Paraguayan culture. Not to forget, the nightlife is quite lively in Paraguay, as many bars play reggaeton and English pop songs.
What do people come to study in Paraguay?
People from all over the world come to study medicine because it is affordable in Paraguay. The monthly cost of medicine in private universities is around $130-190$, depending on the year and semester the student is taking. People also come to study Business, Economics, Law, Science, etc. The cost of the careers mentioned before in a private university ranges from $50 to $100$ a month.
How to apply for a student visa?
If you are a citizen of a developed country, you do not need an entry visa. You can check your visa status at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
If you need an entry visa, first of all, you must contact us, and we will help you choose a university. Then, with our help, the university registers the invitation letter. You must add your required documents through the Paraguayan e-visa application after you receive an email from the responsible embassy or Consulate. Then, you have to go for a visa interview at one of the embassies or consulates of Paraguay. Upon a favourable decision, you can pick up your visa at the airport upon arrival.
Temporary residency/Student visa in Paraguay
We need the following documents:
- Birth certificate (Apostilled or verified by a Paraguayan Embassy or Consulate)
- Clean Police Certificate (Apostilled or verified by a Paraguayan Embassy or Consulate)
We start the process upon your arrival at the same time as your university enrollment. The process takes around 3-6 months, and then you must apply for a Paraguayan ID card (cedula). After two years, you can extend your temporary status or become a permanent resident. After living three years in Paraguay, you can apply for Paraguayan citizenship.
If you wish to become a student in Paraguay, contact us at: info@tucanoprod.com
What are the steps to study in Paraguay, and what are some key details to know?
To apply to study in Paraguay, you first need to obtain a temporary residence here. After that, you can start applying to the desired university.
But before applying to study at the desired university, you need to know key details that are usually forgotten when studying in Paraguay.
- The first thing is that the University year is usually split into two semesters. The first semester starts around mid-February—the beginning of March and usually lasts until the month of July. The second semester starts at the beginning of August and ends around November/the end of December.
- Because of accreditation rules, bachelor’s (BSc) careers (not counting engineering) tend to be 4 years long instead of the typical 3 years. So be prepared that if you won’t be a regular student (meaning pass five subjects per semester minimum), you will probably finish the career in 5 to 6 years.
- If you want an engineering degree, be prepared that the study plan is 5 years long due to accreditation rules.
- Some universities, like UNA (National University of Asunción), offer semi-presential career options, meaning you can study from home with a more flexible hour schedule. However, when it comes to exams, you need to research carefully whether there is the option to do them online or in person.
- Always remember to bring PYG currency to pay for the inscription. Due to unusual errors, the card reading machines at the payment cubicles may not work with foreign cards.
- The last but most important thing is to read thoroughly the details of the career you want to study on the desired university’s website. It is essential to check if the career is accredited and if the study plan aligns with the professional career you want to pursue.
What can you expect from private and public universities in Paraguay?
Before getting into what to expect, here are some general requirements for applying for both types of universities:
When registering to study at any university, each has its specific requirements for admission, but here are some general ones you will need:
- Present certificates of studies equivalent to secondary studies in Paraguay. If they are in a foreign language, they must also be accompanied by an official translation into Spanish and endorsed by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education and Culture of the Republic of Paraguay.
- Photocopy of the Identity Card or document of the country of origin (authenticated by Notary Public).
- Passport-type photographs (two).
- Updated Police Record Certificate.
- Photocopy of the temporary or permanent Residence Card (authenticated by notary) for international students.
- If the student does not submit all the documents required by the university for admission at the time of enrolment, a “Conditional Enrollment” may be established, depending on the university.
- The documentation submitted by the student remains the university’s documentary patrimony. The institution reserves the right to keep such documentation for five years. In the case of reinstatement of students, after this period, they must present the corresponding documentation again.
- Pay the corresponding fees established by the university you desire to study in.
Public Universities in Paraguay
For public universities like UNA (National University of Asunción), after applying and giving all the documentation and paying the inscription fee, there is an exam you must take to be admitted for a career at the desired faculty within the university. Usually, the exam is twice a year. In case you don’t pass the entrance exam, you may be given a chance to attend “nivelación” (keep in mind that not all faculties have this option, so if you don’t pass on the first try you have to wait to retake the exam), which would be going to classes with basic subjects of the entrance exam and taking tests for the semester, and if you attain the required grade you are granted to be admitted the next semester into the career desired.
Private Universities in Paraguay
After applying and paying the admission fee for a private university in Paraguay, some require you to take an admission course that will evaluate your knowledge and prepare you for the career itself; this happens especially in medicine, where the career duration is around 5 to 6 years.
Bibliography:
https://www.unida.edu.py/medicina/
https://upacifico.edu.py/admision/a
Copyright by Ferenc Karoly Zakonyi Asuncion, Paraguay 2025
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