Vanuatu citizenship
by investment

Fastest path to second citizenship for cosmopolitans and visa‑free travel to 90+ countries

Download the guide Calculate the cost
$130,000+ investment amount
1+ month obtaining period
Government-approved citizenship program
Vanuatu citizenship program

The Vanuatu citizenship by investment program is the fastest in the world. Investors get second passports in 1–2 months by contributing at least $ 130,000 to the country’s economy.

The whole family, including parents, can get Vanuatu passports with the investor. The program has been operating since January 2017.

7 main benefits of the Vanuatu program and passport

1

Low investment threshold

Foreigners can invest at least $ 130,000 in the country’s economy and get Vanuatu passports.

2

Fast processing time

Citizenship can be obtained in 1–2 months. Vanuatu has the fastest citizenship program in the world.

3

Remote procedures

Investors can participate in the program from anywhere in the world, and we prepare documents without investors’ presence.

4

Visa-free entry to 95 countries

The Vanuatu passport allows its holder to visit 95 countries without visas, including Hong Kong and Singapore.

Vanuatu citizens can get a 5-year visitor visa to the USA and an e-visa to Australia.

5

European bank accounts

Vanuatu passport holders can open accounts with European banks to take out loans, deposit money and carry out simple currency transactions.

6

Tax optimisation

Vanuatu has the same taxes for residents and non-residents. Individuals pay no taxes on income, wealth, inheritance, capital gains, or export of capital. VAT is 12.5%.

International Business Companies (IBCs) registered in Vanuatu are exempt from taxes for 20 years and pay only an annual fee of $ 300.

7

Convenient service

Investors take the oath of allegiance and get their passports at the nearest Vanuatu consulate.

Get maximum information
about the process

  • Step-by-step procedure
  • Requirements for applicants
  • Necessary documents
  • Answers to frequently asked questions
Download the guide

PDF, 36 pages, 12 MB

Who gets Vanuatu citizenship

Investor
  • Over 18 years old
  • Without criminal records
  • Without serious chronic illnesses
  • Without visa, citizenship or residency refusals
  • With a legal source of funds to participate in the program
  • With a bank account balance of at least $ 250,000
  • Has passed Due Diligence
Spouse
Children under 25
  • University students if adult
  • Financially dependent on the investor
Parents over 50

Investment options and requirements for obtaining Vanuatu citizenship

1st option

Non-refundable contribution
$130,000+

An investor makes a non-refundable contribution to become a Vanuatu citizen. The citizenship program has only one investment option.

Besides contributing to the country’s economy, the investor pays government and Due Diligence fees. The total expenses for participating in the Vanuatu citizenship program depend on the degree of kinship and age of the investor’s family members.

Expenses on obtaining Vanuatu citizenship by investment

Expenses Investor Married couple Family of 4: spouses and two children aged 14 and 20
Contribution $130,000 $150,000

$180,000

+ $15,000 per additional family member, starting with the fifth one

Due Diligence $5,000 $5,000 $5,000
Other fees $129 $215 $385
Total $135,129 $155,215 $185,385

Individual cost
calculation for Vanuatu
citizenship

Get an individual calculation for your family with all
associated costs and government fees

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8 steps to obtaining Vanuatu citizenship by investment

Choosing a licensed agent

Choosing a licensed agent

Only a licensed program agent can apply for Vanuatu citizenship on the investor’s behalf. It is impossible to apply on your own.

We recommend contacting a licensed agent with a Compliance Department such as Immigrant Invest. It will help reduce the rejection risk.

Preliminary Due Diligence

Preliminary Due Diligence

Due Diligence is a key program stage. Its results determine whether the country’s government will approve the investor’s application for citizenship. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare for Due Diligence seriously.

The Compliance Department of Immigrant Invest carries out a preliminary Due Diligence check. A certified Compliance Anti Money Laundering Officer analyses the investor’s situation and warns of possible risks.

Immigrant Invest will offer other citizenship programs if any issues arise during the check that may cause the investor’s application to be rejected.

Entering into an agreement

Entering into an agreement

If the preliminary Due Diligence check is successful, the investor enters into a cooperation agreement with Immigrant Invest.

Document preparation

Document preparation

Immigrant Invest lawyers recommend the list of documents for citizenship application. Completeness of the provided information helps avoid additional queries and saves time.

Lawyers collect the documents, translate and apostille them, and complete government forms.

Due Diligence by the Financial Intelligence Unit of Vanuatu

Due Diligence by the Financial Intelligence Unit of Vanuatu

Lawyers submit the first package of documents to the Financial Intelligence Unit of Vanuatu. The investor pays a Due Diligence fee of $ 5,000.

Application processing by the Screening and Citizenship Committee

Application processing by the Screening and Citizenship Committee

Lawyers submit a complete package of documents. The investor pays 25% of the investment amount.

Application approval and investing

Application approval and investing

After the citizenship application approval, the investor pays the remaining 75% of the contribution.

Taking the oath and receiving a Vanuatu passport

Taking the oath and receiving a Vanuatu passport

Investors take an oath of allegiance to get their naturalisation certificates and passports.

The investor doesn’t have to fly to Vanuatu to take the oath. They can invite a Commissioner of Oaths and a Director of Immigration to their country of residence.

A naturalisation certificate and passport can be obtained after taking the oath. Immigrant Invest will send the documents by delivery service to the address convenient to the investor.

Frequently asked questions

How to get Vanuatu citizenship by investment?

An investor can participate in the Vanuatu government citizenship program. There is only one condition to contribute at least $ 130,000 to the country’s economy. The contribution is non-refundable.

$ 130,000 is the investment amount for a single applicant. If a spouse joins the investor, such a married couple must contribute $ 150,000. Other family members may also join the citizenship program: in this case, the contribution amount increases by $ 15,000 per relative.

What are the benefits of the second Vanuatu passport?

The four main benefits of Vanuatu citizenship are:

  1. The Vanuatu passport gives the freedom of movement around the world as a Vanuatu citizen can visit 95 countries without visas, like Singapore and Hong Kong.
  2. It is possible to get a visitor visa to the USA quickly. Vanuatu citizens get 5-year B-1/B-2 visas in a matter of a few days. Moreover, they can apply for a visa at a US consulate in any country where Vanuatu citizens can enter visa-free.
  3. Being a Vanuatu citizen, the investor can become the country’s tax resident. Besides, International Business Companies (IBCs) registered in Vanuatu are exempt from taxes for 20 years. Instead, they pay an annual fee of $ 300.
  4. Vanuatu citizens are entitled to all the benefits of the Commonwealth of Nations. For example, they can receive a scholarship to study at a British university or seek protection from Commonwealth consulates in an emergency.
How long do I need to live in Vanuatu to become a citizen?

An investor doesn’t need to live in Vanuatu to get the country’s passport.

Must an investor pass a language proficiency test to obtain Vanuatu citizenship?
Does Vanuatu allow dual citizenship, and does an investor have to give up their first citizenship?

Yes, Vanuatu allows dual citizenship. Therefore, investors can retain their first citizenship if their home countries enable them to hold several passports.

If I get Vanuatu citizenship by investment, who will know about it?

In fact, no one will know. Information about citizens who got their Vanuatu passports by investment is not made public or disclosed to third parties. The entire citizenship obtaining process is confidential.

Do I need to submit any biometric data?

Yes, you do. All citizenship program participants submit their photos and fingerprints.

Can I get any other documents besides a Vanuatu passport and citizenship certificate?

Yes, you can get:

  1. A driver’s licence. If you already have an international licence, your local one will be ready in half an hour.
  2. A tax number if you open a business in the country.
  3. A Utility Bill as proof of your registration address.
Do I have to disclose my income?

Yes, you do. An investor must provide a certificate from their place of work or confirm that they own a business.

Can I add a child from a previous marriage to my Vanuatu citizenship application?

Yes, you can. However, the other parent must give written consent.

Can I apply for Vanuatu citizenship by investment if I’ve got a visa refusal from a country with a visa-waiver agreement with Vanuatu?

Yes, you can apply for Vanuatu citizenship in this case. However, you must explain why your visa application was refused. We recommend explaining in the form of a legal opinion — an affidavit.

Can a third party transfer investment money so I could get Vanuatu citizenship?

Yes, one can participate in the Vanuatu citizenship program using the financial support of a sponsor. However, it is necessary to show the connection between the sponsor and the applicant. The sponsor does not need to pass a Due Diligence check. Still, the Financial Intelligence Unit of Vanuatu will ensure that the investment money originated from a legitimate source.

What are the consequences of providing false information?

Vanuatu will refuse to grant citizenship to such an investor. After that, if the investor decides to participate in another citizenship or residence program, they may get denied, too.

Need help choosing
a program?

Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent of government
programs in the Caribbean. We will help you choose
a program based on your goals and tasks.

Zlata Erlach Caribbean Investment Programs Expert
Schedule a meeting
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