Paraguay
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- Restrictions on long-term stays which in most cases is defined as over 90 days.
The types of restriction are:
- HIV testing/disclosure required for residence.
Restrictions on entry to Paraguay
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on entry to Paraguay based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, there is no evidence that Paraguay has entry restrictions based on HIV status.
The National Directorate of Migration of Paraguay provides a list of supporting documents that should be included with the visa application and none of those documents makes reference to HIV or the general health of the applicant.
The visa application form does not contain questions or fields in relation to any health condition or status.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Paraguay
Sources are mixed on whether Paraguay imposes restrictions on short-term stay of people living with HIV.
According to UNAIDS, Paraguay requires HIV testing for work and study permits.
The National Directorate of Migration of Paraguay provides a list of supporting documents that should be included with a temporary residence permit application and none of those documents makes reference to HIV or the general health of the applicant.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Paraguay
We are aware of some official restrictions on long-term stay of people living with HIV in Paraguay.
According to UNAIDS, Paraguay requires HIV testing for residency permits over 90 days.
Article 22 of Law No. 102 of 1991 establishes that ‘any person entering the country with the intention of taking up residence is obliged to undergo an HIV test at the laboratory of the competent Health Region, and if this is not possible, he/she will not be able to settle in the country’.
In this sense, the Embassy of Paraguay to the United Kingdom lists as part of the documentation required for applying for residence, a Health Certificate from the country of origin or of last residence, which must be legalised at the Paraguayan consulate in the country of origin.
The list of required documents provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs includes a ‘Health Certificate, issued by authorised doctors and endorsed by the Ministry of Health, mentioning psychophysical health and the absence of infectious and contagious diseases.’
Treatment access in Paraguay
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Paraguay. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
IOM reports that all migrants have access to public health services, irrespective of their migration status. Article 68 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Paraguay guarantees the right to health for all persons, without discrimination based on nationality or migration status. Access to health care is universal for all permanent residents, and all foreign nationals may access health services without distinction as to nationality and on the same basis as Paraguayans. Article 62 of the National Migration Policy (2015) in turn guarantees the fundamental rights of all permanent and temporary migrants, including access to health care.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Paraguay page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data
This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.
Migrant populations
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | Yes |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
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This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.
