How do I get a Permanent Residency in Vanuatu?

By investing in real estate property worth at least VT 10 million (about $83,000), you can obtain a Permanent Resident Visa in Vanuatu. The visa is valid for ten years, after which you can apply for Vanuatu citizenship. You can also apply for permanent residency after holding a Self-Funded Resident Visa or Vanuatu Work Visa for 12 months.

Is a Resident Visa the same as a Permanent Resident in Vanuatu?

A Vanuatu Permanent Residence Visa and a Vanuatu Resident Visa are not the same. Generally, foreigners can apply for a Resident Visa and then a Permanent Residence Visa after living in the country for a specific period. However, Vanuatu offers a direct path to obtaining permanent residency through the Permanent Residency Visa program.

Does a residency visa expire?

Residency Visas expire after one year in Vanuatu. They may have the option for renewal, depending on the visa.

What should I remember when applying for a Vanuatu investment visa?

Some things you should remember before submitting an investment visa in Vanuatu are:Due diligence: Thorough due diligence checks are carried out, including a virtual interview by an independent firm.Financial contribution: A minimum financial contribution to the economy is required to participate in the program.Minimum net worth: The main investor must have at least $250,000 in assets to apply.Consult with a licensed agent: Investors must submit their applications through a licensed agent of the program.

Is it easy to get Vanuatu PR?

Securing a Vanuatu Permanent Residency card is relatively straightforward as there a several options and the process is fast. You can buy property or invest in a business to qualify for the permanent residency program, as well as donate to the country’s economy and get citizenship instead.

How much is the permanent residency fee in Vanuatu?

The Vanuatu Permanent Residency fee is VT 300,000 (about $2,500), excluding document translation and legal fees.

How long does it take to get Vanuatu permanent residency?

The processing time for Vanuatu permanent residency is about two weeks, including document submission, due diligence, and review and approval.

Caribbean Nations Greenlight the Launch of a Regional CBI Regulator

Five Eastern Caribbean countries have come together to reaffirm their allegiance by signing an agreement to create the region’s first regulatory body for Caribbean citizenship by investment (CBI). Announced on 22 September 2025, the heads of five countries forming the core of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)—Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia—signaled their commitment to having the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority (ECCIRA) operational by October 2025.

The ECCIRA will oversee all CBI activities in Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia. The spotlight fell on Grenada, as Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell announced the nation would host the authority’s new headquarters at the opening of the first Investment Migration Agency (IMA) office in Saint George’s.

Responding to Global Pressure

Over the last few years, Washington, London, and Brussels have questioned the integrity of Caribbean CBI programs, pointing to potential security gaps and a lack of oversight. While the likes of Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment generate hundreds of millions in much-needed revenue, they have also faced the threat of sanctions and visa restrictions.

Dominica was already stripped of visa free access to the United Kingdom and Ireland in 2024, and the United States’ list of 36 countries with a potential travel ban, including four Caribbean CBI states, became the flashpoint, underscoring the severity of global concerns.

Two years in the making, spanning US-Caribbean Roundtables in 2023 and 2024, European Commission consultations, and discussions with industry leaders and civil society groups from March through August 2025, the 92-page agreement forming the ECCIRA became the region’s definitive response. The new authority will have the power to enforce:

Biometric collection for all applicants during Caribbean citizenship interviews, and for current passport holders at renewal
Minimum residency requirements
A regional register of applicants, Authorized Agents, licensed promoters, and developers
Annual compliance reporting
Fine or strip Authorized Agents and licensed promoters for non-compliant activities.

Funding for the operation of ECCIRA offices in all five member states and the execution of the new measures will partly flow into CARICOM IMPACS’ Joint Regional Communications Centre, promoting regional security and cooperation.

What’s at Stake

Besides reinforcing integrity and global compliance, small island economies like Antigua and Barbuda and St Lucia lean heavily on revenues from their citizenship programs to balance their budgets and build resilience against climate change.

The OECS expressed in a frank and damning statement that shutting down these CBI programs would be “financially devastating.” These changes are designed to strengthen industry oversight without undermining its financial impact.

Following this, the minimum $200,000 entry point introduced in 2024 will remain the same, guaranteeing program credibility while ensuring funds continue to flow into infrastructure, climate resilience, and social initiatives.

Take a look at our Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Comparison Guide

Will Caribbean nations meet the October deadline?

According to the signed agreement, the five participating nations have until October 2025 to enact the new legislation, with the regulatory authority becoming operational “on the thirtieth day after the date of deposit of the fifth instrument of ratification.”

Before the new rules are legally enforceable, each of the five governments must draft and push the laws through their parliaments, and some legal experts see October as an ambitious deadline. Joe Rice, head of citizenship programs at Global Citizenship Solutions, anticipates initial challenges but predicts long-term stability. He added that Grenada was a wise choice to base the authority due to the island’s strong and reliable compliance history.

The Balancing Act Ahead

Adding to the Caribbean Memorandum of Understanding, the new agreement reinforces regional cooperation. It also sheds light on juggling shared oversight and national sovereignty, as each country retains the right to exit the agreement with six months’ notice, leaving the door open to future changes in the industry.

The current play? Caribbean governments are betting that regional unity and tighter regulations will secure the future of CBI programs against outside pressure, while keeping the economic lifeline they provide firmly intact.

Why use Global Citizen Solutions?

Global Citizen Solutions is a multidisciplinary firm offering bespoke residence and citizenship solutions in Europe and the Caribbean. In a world where the economy and politics are unpredictable, having a second citizenship opens up opportunities and creates flexibility for you and your family.

So, why work with Global Citizen Solutions to obtain Caribbean citizenship?

Global approach by local experts: We are corporate members of the Investment Migration Council, with local expertise in all five Caribbean CBI programs.
100 percent approval rate: We have never had a case rejected and will offer you an initial, free-of-charge, due diligence assessment before signing any contract.
Independent service and full transparency: We will present to you all the investment options available, and all expenses will be discussed in advance, with no hidden fees.
An all-encompassing solution: A multidisciplinary team of immigration lawyers, investment specialists, and tax experts will take into consideration all your and your family’s mobility, tax, and lifestyle needs.
Confidential service and secure data management: All private data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server.

Add Your Heading Text Here

Get in touch with a Caribbean Citizenship by Investment specialist

"*" indicates required fields

First Name*

Last Name*

Phone Number*

Email Address*

Nationality*

Caribbean program you are interested in*

Comments

What is your current country of residence?*

Do you have a specific timeframe in mind for your application?*

What is your primary motivation for pursuing a second citizenship?

Will your family also apply to the program?*

Yes

Tell us about your family

What is your budget?*

Citizenship by investment programs have minimum investment requirements.

Would you like to express interest in a second program option?

Please share the Country/Program you're also interested in

Please share additional information regarding your request.